Mosinee unanimous No. 1 in GNC Media Poll

Mosinee has been the class of the Great Northern Conference on the gridiron the last two seasons and those who follow the conference expect that trend to continue this year.

Mosinee was a unanimous No. 1 pick to win a third straight conference title in the GNC Football Media Poll — a joint effort of the Northwoods River News (Rhinelander) and The Lakeland Times (Minocqua) that canvasses those who follow the conference on a regular basis.

Mosinee has not lost in conference play since the COVID-shortened 2020 season and with a bevy of all-conference talent returning, the team figures to make another run after reaching Level 2 of the WIAA playoffs last season.

      

Medford, the team that put up the biggest fight against Mosinee last year, was a consensus pick at No. 2. Lakeland, Merrill, Rhinelander, Hayward, Antigo and Ashland round out the order.

This year’s panel consisted of Northwoods River News sports editor Jeremy Mayo, Lakeland Times sports writer Brett LaBore, Scott Walbeck of WATK-AM and WACD-FM in Antigo, Star News (Medford) sports editor Matt Frey, Great Northern Conference statistician Gregg Scott, Terrell Boettcher of the Sawyer County Record and Ashland High School assistant AD Tyler Johnson.

Mosinee featured a high-flying offense last year, and though it graduates GNC offensive and defensive player of the year Davin Stoffel, coach Kyle Stoffel still have spent of weapons in his arsenal. Quarterback Gavin Obremski and receiver Keagan Jirschele headline the list of returning players — which includes nine players who made the all-conference team last year. 

Medford graduated a number of key players from last year, including standout quarterback/defensive back Logan Baumgartner. Despite having only one returning all-conference player from last year, the panel figures the power running game and smothering defense that have been staples for the Raiders under coach Ted Wilson will keep Medford near the top of the GNC.

What the poll also revealed is it’s really anyone’s guess how the conference will shake out behind Mosinee and Medford. Four of the remaining six teams got at least one third-place vote and all six got at least two top-five votes. 

Lakeland and Merrill finished third and fourth, respectively, in the GNC last year, but both squads were hit heavily by graduation. Ditto Ashland, which finished fifth in the GNC and snuck into the playoffs thanks to one-score wins over Antigo and Hayward to close out the regular season. 

Antigo, Hayward and Rhinelander all finished with only one conference win last season, but all have reason for optimism. Antigo won the Bell Game rivalry over Rhinelander for the first time since 2018 and returns a number of starters on both sides of the ball. Hayward featured one of the youngest starting lineups in the GNC last year and is hoping that it can mirror what Lakeland did last year, and move up into the top half of the conference with a now veteran squad. 

Rhinelander was decimated by injuries last year and was also forced to extensively play a number of underclassmen, but has shown promise in preseason with a change in offensive philosophy, as the Hodags look to regain the form that saw them finish as conference runners-up in 2020 and 2021.

Behind Mosinee, Lakeland (5)  and Hayward (4) return the most all-conference players from last year, followed by Antigo with three, Merrill and Ashland with two each and Rhinelander with one.

2023 marks the final season for Ashland and Hayward in the GNC. Both are headed to the Heart O’ North next year as the latest wave of WIAA football conference realignment takes place. Tomahawk and Wausau East are set to join the GNC in 2024 and both will see future conference rivals tonight to open the season. Tomahawk will host Rhinelander while Wausau East travels to Lakeland. Both Hayward and Ashland will see future HON opponents tonight as Hayward hosts Cumberland and Ashland hosts Northwestern. 

Antigo at Wittenberg-Birnamwood, New Richmond at Medford, Osceola at Merrill and Stratford at Mosinee round out the Week 1 slate around the GNC. 

Conference play kicks off Sept. 1 with Mosinee at Lakeland, Medford at Merrill, Hayward at Antigo and Rhinelander at Ashland. Calendars will be circled for Oct. 6 when Medford hosts Mosinee in a Week 8 matchup of the two GNC favorites. 

NOTE: Capsules for each GNC team will be published Sept. 1 in our “Fall Sports Preview" section. 

Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].