High School practices and Packers to begin. Rafters nearing end.

High School Football begins practice

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. (WFHR / WIRI) – The 2025-2026 High School sports season has begun. All four local teams began practice on Tuesday, August 5 when they issued equipment and began installing the offense and defense, as well as conditioning.

The 2025 season appears to be historic, as it will be the final year of 11-player football for Assumption – they will be going to eight-player in 2026.

Wisconsin Rapids will be welcoming a new coach to the fold as Mike Krenz takes over control of the program after the retirement of coach Tony Biolo. Biolo held the position since 2003.

Nekoosa and Port Edwards will both be looking to build off playoff appearances in 2024 despite the graduation of several key players on both squads.

Packers to begin preseason play

After a long offseason, the Green Bay Packers will see competition for the first time on Saturday, August 9 when they take on the New York Jets at 7 p.m. at Lambeau Field.

The Packers and Jets last played in the preseason in 2021 and in the regular season in 2022, where New York won at Lambeau 27-10.

Rafters wrap up home schedule

The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters played its final home game of the season on Wednesday, August 6 against Fond du Lac. Despite playing in front of 2,250 fans, the Rafters came up short on the scoreboard with a 10-6 defeat.

In the last seven games, the Rafters have won three of them as they have just two more games remaining in the season.

The Rafters will conclude the season with a pair of games in Wausau over Thursday and Friday August 7 and August 8.

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.