Marion/Tigerton enters the 2026 eight-player football season with a target on its back after capturing the Central Wisconsin Conference-8 championship a year ago.
The Thundercatz are the preseason favorites to repeat after finishing a perfect 7-0 in conference play during the 2025 season. Marion/Tigerton also advanced to the second round of the WIAA eight-player playoffs before falling to Sevastopol.
The biggest reason for the high expectations is the return of one of Wisconsin’s premier eight-player football athletes.
Running back Braylon Mielke is back for his senior season after an outstanding 2025 campaign in which he rushed for 2,068 yards and 26 touchdowns. Mielke earned Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-State honors and is widely regarded as one of the top returning players in eight-player football.
With Mielke leading the offense, Marion/Tigerton is expected to once again compete for the conference title despite several strong challengers in the CWC-8.
However, while the Thundercatz are projected to finish atop the conference standings, their postseason path will look different this fall.
Because the co-op’s three-year enrollment average has climbed above the WIAA limit for eight-player playoff eligibility, Marion/Tigerton will not be eligible to participate in the 2026 eight-player postseason.
Comments