The Greater Metro Conference flexed its muscle last year.
Not only did the conference produce the Division 2 state champion, but it was home to Menomonee Falls, which knocked off undefeated Menasha in the first round to score one of the biggest surprises of the postseason. In all, three teams from the conference reached Level 3 of the playoffs.
This year the bar will remain set high.
Defending state champion Brookfield East and two-time defending conference champion Brookfield Central are the teams to beat, but Marquette will continue to be a threat. A wild card is Germantown, which comes to the league after a long history of success in the North Shore.
Here is a closer look at the Greater Metro.
BROOKFIELD CENTRAL
Coach: Jed Kennedy, fourth season.
2016 record: 10-2, 6-1 (first).
Returning all-conference players: C.J. Heaney, sr., OL; Drew Leszczynski, jr., QB; Zack Heckman, sr., RB; Reggie Jennings, sr., LB; Blake Fehrmann, sr., DE; Nick Leszczynski, sr., LB.
Other key players: Jack Cooney, jr., RB-LB; Max Meves, sr., DB; Joe Cleary, jr., DB; Luke Blamer, sr., DB; Quinn Anderson, sr., DL; Julian Banda, jr., WR; Alex Wille, sr., OL.
Outlook: It is going to be tough to take the title from the two-time defending champion. Nine starters return on defense, a group that includes first-team all-conference picks Jennings, Nick Leszczynski and Fehrmann. Heaney is the only returning starter on the offensive line, but the experience of Drew Leszczynski, who threw for 1,400 yards last season, and Heckman, who ran for 1,753, should help that unit as it settles in. Back-to-back games against Marquette (Sept. 22) and Brookfield East (Sept. 29) represent the key stretch of the season.
BROOKFIELD EAST
Coach: Ben Farley, second season.
2016 record: 12-2, 5-2 (third).
Returning all-conference players: Caleb Wright, sr., RB-DE; Ron Edwards, sr.,DL; Brad Dati, sr. LB; Justin Parbs, sr., RB-QB; Everett Cartier, sr., OL; Adam Streich, sr., OL.
Other key players: Joey Pagel, jr., LB; Patrick Cartier, sr., WR; Jack Steger, jr., LB; Cam McDonald, sr., DB; Gaven Post, sr., RB; Matthew Johnston, sr., OL; Peyton Simon, sr., WR; Cam Bauer, sr., WR.
Outlook: The injuries the Spartans battled last season have helped set the team up nicely in 2017. The defense could be nasty with three-year starters Wright, Dati and Edwards in the lineup. That unit posted five shutouts and held two other opponents to eight points or fewer. The biggest hole to fill will be at running back where Sam Santiago-Lloyd (Winona State) earned the area’s player of the year award last season and the 6-4, 240-pound Wright could do some damage this season. The squad must start fast with Marquette coming for a visit in Week 2 and a non-conference game at Muskego slated for Week. 3.
