Heights ranked No. 3 in preseason poll

Editor’s Note: The following story first ran at wissports.net. There will be no playoffs for the alternate spring football teams, which means there are no divisional placements. But this is a preseason ranking of teams playing 8-man football.   1. Oakfield  The Oaks went 7-4 in the 2019 season and received a number two seed in the playoffs before bowing out in Level 2. Oakfield could be a team primed for a bigger jump this year, though.  A very talented skill group is back, including quarterback Grant Bass, who threw for 1,837 yards and 23 touchdowns. Also back is 1000-yard rusher Javaun Mielke plus Mason Tapp, who saw some time at quarterback as well. The offense should certainly be a strength, but the defense must play better after giving up some big numbers to the better teams on the schedule.  “While graduating two-thirds of the starting offensive line we will be looking for players to step up to follow up on a season that saw us make the second level of playoffs,” head coach Corey Rickert said.    2. Gibraltar The Vikings qualified for the playoffs in 2019 and even pulled off an upset, going on the road to beat second-seeded Suring before falling to Newman Catholic.  A strong offensive group helped pave the way, and a couple of the main playmakers are coming back.  Leading the way is Alex Laughlin, who led the team in rushing (914 yards, 14 TD) and receiving (1,131 yards, 12 TD) last season and is one of the top players in all of 8-Player football, receiving attention from a number of Division 2 college programs.  Quarterback Luke Steebs is also back after throwing for 1,551 yards and 18 touchdowns.   3. Wisconsin Heights The Vanguards had an excellent 2019 season, finishing 7-2. Their enrollment was too large to qualify for the 8-player postseason, however.  A strong senior group moves on, especially at the skill positions. Prolific quarterback Ozur Kepler, 1,000-yard rusher Willy Hanson, and top receivers Jack Fields and Ace Ayers are all among the players whose production will need to be replaced.  All linemen do return, however, as the Vanguards welcome back three starters on offense and five on defense, with 22 letterwinners back.   4. Chequamegon  The Screaming Eagles made a successful debut in 8-Player football, going 6-3 as an independent program.  Unfortunately, no stats information was entered on WSN last season and as an Independent team, no returning All-Conference players are available.   5. Sevastopol  The Pioneers lost four in a row to open the 2019 season, but were able to win three in a row before dropping the final two games of the year.  There are some nice offensive weapons returning, including 1,000-yard rusher Spencer Evenson, who also racked up more than 300 yards receiving. Also back is top receiver Logan Beyer (26 catches, 566 yards, 8 TD) plus Jack DeYoung, who split time at quarterback. Others Participating in Spring 8-Player: Green Bay NEW Lutheran/Providence, Kickapoo/La Farge, North Crawford, Sturgeon Bay, Washburn/Bayfield, Wonewoc/Weston