2026 Pre-Season All-State Watch List

Brandon Sparks
Feb 9
5 min read

2026 Pre-Season All-State Watch List

The transition from one season to the next always brings turnover. In 2026, Wisconsin high school rugby enters a new phase—one shaped not by reputation, but by players who have already proven themselves in playoff environments and now step into leadership roles.

At the center of that conversation are seven players who define the early All-State landscape.

Headliners: The Standard for 2026

These seven returners enter the season as the clearest benchmarks for All-State consideration.

Vadim Misiura – Front Row, Pulaski Roos

One of the most physically dominant forwards in the state, Misiura already plays with senior-level authority. His ability to anchor the scrum, absorb contact, and remain effective late in matches separated him during the 2025 postseason. In 2026, he becomes the focal point of Pulaski’s forward identity.

Teddy Sieber – Forward, De Pere Red Dogs

Sieber brings rare size and mobility into the forward pack. Physically still ascending, he has already shown the ability to influence matches through line breaks, defensive presence, and work rate. His trajectory suggests a breakout season as De Pere continues to build around its young core.

Avantae Martin – Forward, Green Bay Leprechauns

Martin’s impact goes beyond the stat sheet. He sets tempo defensively, closes space aggressively, and consistently injects energy into the pack. As Green Bay leans into its youth movement, Martin profiles as the emotional and physical engine driving their 2026 push.

Guardian Harris – Forward, Fond du Lac Stoutmen

Already trusted with heavy defensive workloads, Harris plays with a maturity uncommon for his age. He embraces contact, wins collisions, and shows strong positional discipline. In 2026, he transitions from standout underclassman to cornerstone forward.

Derek Wallace – Back, Oshkosh Razorbacks

Wallace’s value lies in his efficiency. He defends well above his size, makes smart decisions under pressure, and consistently finishes opportunities. His playoff experience and reliability make him one of the most complete returning backs in the state.

Aleckzander Dictus – Back, Fox Cities Jesters

Dictus blends speed, experience, and field awareness. Comfortable directing traffic and exploiting space, he remains a central figure in Fox Cities’ attack.

Ian McDougal – Utility Back / No. 8, Pulaski Roos

Few players offer McDougal’s positional versatility. Equally effective in the midfield or at No. 8, he provides Pulaski with tactical flexibility and physical presence. His ability to stabilize broken phases and create momentum makes him one of the most valuable returners statewide.

Themes of the 2026 Watch List

1. Forward Play Will Shape the Season The 2026 cycle is unusually strong in the front row and loose forward channels. With players like Vadim Misiura, Teddy Sieber, Guardian Harris, Matthew “Rhino” Schetter, Uriel Vazquez, and James Process returning, Wisconsin rugby enters the new season with one of its most imposing forward groups in recent memory. Physicality, durability, and defensive work rate in contact will weigh heavily in All-State evaluations, and scrummaging plus set-piece control are likely to decide big matches.

2. Versatility as a Force Multiplier Ian McDougal, Derek Wallace, and Aleckzander Dictus highlight a growing trend: backs who can move between positions without any drop in performance. McDougal’s ability to operate at No. 8 or in the midfield, Wallace’s reliability in both attack and defense, and Dictus’ capacity to direct play or finish in space give their coaches flexibility and give selectors confidence that these are players who can influence knockout rugby.

3. Pulaski’s Returning Backline Core Pulaski’s backline continuity is a major storyline. With McDougal, Mason Taylor, and Bryce Van Lanen all returning, the Roos bring back multiple All-State-caliber options across two class years. That shared experience in structure and playoff situations positions Pulaski as a tactical, tempo-driven contender in 2026.

4. Rising Juniors with Breakout Potential Several underclassmen have already broken through into the All-State conversation. Avantae Martin, James Process, Kash Lowe, and Mason Hansell earned recognition before becoming upperclassmen—a profile that historically tracks closely with eventual First Team selections. Their 2026 seasons will be watched closely for that next step.

5. Parity Beyond the Traditional Powers While the established programs remain dangerous, the returning talent at Oshkosh, Fox Cities, De Pere, Fond du Lac, and Madison Eastside signals a more balanced landscape. These clubs bring back legitimate All-State-level players, tightening the gap and creating a playoff picture where more sides can credibly threaten a deep run.

6. A Deeper, More Mature Watch List The 2026 Pre-Season All-State Watch List is unusually deep, physical, and experienced. With roughly two dozen returning players who have already earned All-State or Honorable Mention status, the season projects to be faster, more tactical, and less predictable than recent years—especially as growth, injuries, and positional changes reshape roles over the course of the spring.