SURING FOOTBALL PREVIEW SPOTLIGHT IS SPONSORED BY GREAT LAKES TRAILERS AND SURING AUTO AND HARDWARE
After ending a five-year playoff drought in 2025, the Suring Eagles enter the 2026 season believing last year’s breakthrough was only the beginning.
Head coach Mitch Taylor says last season’s playoff appearance, including a competitive first-half showing against eventual powerhouse Sevastopol, gave his team the confidence it can compete with anyone.
“That playoff helped a lot. We were a young team the last couple of years, and even though that game didn’t go our way, we knew we could hang with anybody. We learned a lot from it.”
Now, the Eagles return one of the area’s most experienced rosters, loaded with seniors who have spent the offseason preparing for what they believe could be a special season.
Suring brings back one of northeastern Wisconsin’s most explosive offensive groups.
Quarterback Taylor Booth-Stoffregen returns after directing the offense a season ago, while standout running back Kroix Kempka is coming off a remarkable campaign that saw him rush for more than 1,200 yards while averaging nearly 11 yards per carry. Veteran playmaker Grant Thomson also returns, giving the Eagles multiple offensive weapons.
Taylor says the returning experience gives his staff plenty of confidence.
“We’ve got a lot of confidence with those guys. We also have Dyllan Flynn, who’s really put in a lot of work this offseason, and Dayne Ermis. We may not throw it quite as much as last year, but running the football with Grant and Kroix gives us a huge advantage. We’re fortunate to have a lot of depth at our skill positions.”
Despite putting together one of the best rushing seasons in the area last fall, Taylor says Kempka hasn’t been satisfied.
Instead, the senior has attacked the offseason. “Some kids would say, ‘I rushed for 1,200 yards, my job is secure.’ Not him. He’s quicker now, he’s stronger, and he’s put in the work every single day. That’s what’s exciting because he’s earned everything that’s coming.”
Taylor believes Kempka’s work ethic, not just his natural talent, is what separates him from other backs.
The Northeast Eight Conference looks different this season after Gillett announced it will play a JV-only schedule, ending one of Suring’s biggest rivalries.
Taylor says while he’ll miss those rivalry games, the conference realignment also creates new opportunities.
The Eagles will battle perennial contender Lena/St. Thomas Aquinas, always-competitive Niagara, former state qualifier Florence, Wausaukee, Goodman-Pembine, and crossover opponent Valley Christian.
Taylor knows the road won’t be easy.
“Lena has proven themselves for a long time, they’re the team to beat. Niagara has a lot of young talent coming back, Florence is only a few years removed from state, Wausaukee is always competitive, and Valley Christian is a really good crossover game. We’ve got a tough schedule.”
Unlike previous seasons, Suring opens with only one non-conference contest before diving into league play.
The Eagles begin the year against Almond-Bancroft, followed immediately by a key conference showdown with Niagara.
Taylor says the opener will be critical.
“We’ve got to come out and be competitive right away. Last year our first game really set the tone for our season. If we can match up with Almond-Bancroft and play well, then anything is possible.”
2026 Suring Football Schedule
- Aug. 21: at Almond-Bancroft
- Aug. 27: vs Niagara*
- Sep. 3: at Pembine/Goodman*
- Sep. 11: vs Wausaukee*
- Sep. 18: at Lena/Saint Thomas Aquinas*
- Sep. 25: vs Valley Christian
- Oct. 2: vs Florence*
- Oct. 9: at Iola-Scandinavia
* Northeast-8 Conference Game
2026 AREA FOOTBALL PREVIEWS
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