NFL Preseason Starts – Rangers and Rafters Wrapping Up

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. (WFHR / WIRI) – After nearly six months of waiting, the NFL is back with its first preseason game of the season on Thursday, July 31.

At 7 p.m., the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers will be competing in the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio to celebrate the four Football Hall of Fame inductees for 2025.

This year’s inductees are Sterling Sharpe, Eric Allen, Antonio Gates, and Jared Allen.

Rangers end season one-game shy of state

It was a strong effort, but the Wisconsin Rapids Rangers ended its season on Thursday, July 24 when it saw its season come to an end at the American Legion Class- AAA Regional in Wisconsin Rapids.

The Rangers had to win two games on the day to potentially punch its ticket to state and despite winning its first game, they came up shy in the second to end the year.

Rapids earned its first win of the season over Marshfield to start the day with a score of 11-3, but in the nightcap, the Rangers saw a late lead fall by the wayside and were defeated by Stevens Point 10-8.

Stevens Point and D.C. Everest both advanced to the state tournament with Everest being the regional champion after defeating Point twice on Friday, July 25.

Rafters struggle

Over the last week, the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters continued its tough season as they competed in six games where they won once.

The Rafters will be beginning its final week and a half of action where they will play all but three of the games on the road.

High School sports to begin practice

The 2025-2026 High School sports season is set to begin with practices beginning this coming week.

Football begins on August 5. Girls Golf starts August 11 with Girls Swimming and Tennis on August 12. The final sports, Cross Country, Boys Soccer, and Volleyball, begins on August 18.

Links

You can find more local sports reporting on Michael Kommer’s website. You’ll also be able to tune in to broadcasting of high school sports on WFHR and WIRI. The call-in sports talk show Playmakers airs every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. You’ll hear it from 4:00 to 5:00 PM on WIRI 105.5 FM.