Football: 2026 Marathon preview.

Marathon football: 4-6 overall in 2025, 3-4 (T-4) in Central Wisconsin Conference. Lost 36-6 at Kewaunee in D-6 Level 1 playoff.

All-CWC players that have graduated: 1st Team TE & HM DL Drew Woelfel (15 catches, 218 yards, 1 TD; 19 tackles), 1st Team QB and 1st Team DB True Thurs (113/185, 1531 yards, 13 TD, 8 INT; 38 tackles, 1 INT), 1st Team Punter Tate Sonnentag (32.9 average), HM OL Mitchell Zemke, HM OL Cassius Ninabuck, HM DL Tate Sonnentag (16 tackles), HM DL Grant Salber (34 tackles), HM LB Swayne Stencil (50 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 sack).

All-CWC returners: 1st Team WR Sr. Garrett Bracewell (55 receptions, 804 yards, 11 TD), 1st Team LB and 2nd Team OL Sr. Landon Hilgart (50 tackles, 7 TFL), HM WR Sr. Sawyer Berens (21 receptions, 280 yards, TD).

Other notes on Marathon: Play in one of the top small school conferences in the state in the CWC with perennial powerhouses Stratford, Amherst, and Wittenberg-Birnamwood plus Spencer/Columubus, Colby and Weyauwega-Fremont. Bracewell comes into the season as a top contender for league offensive player of the year. Bracewell and fellow returning WR Berens combined for 76 catches for 1084 yards last season. They will be a good foundation for the offense that has to replace the production and leadership of graduated QB True Thurs. In addition, top three rushers all have graduated with returners combing for 27 total carries last season. Two-way all-CWC performer Hilgart will anchor both lines but the defense will need new leaders to come to the forefront to replace the production of Stencil, Thurs, Salber and others.

Marathon 2026 schedule:

Friday, 8/21: @ Loyal/Greenwood

Friday, 8/28: @ Auburndale

Thursday, 9/3: @ Crandon

Friday, 9/11: vs. Amherst

Friday, 9/18: vs. Colby

Friday, 9/25: @ Weyauwega-Fremont

Friday, 10/2: vs. Stratford

Friday, 10/9: @ Wittenberg-Birnawood

Friday, 10/16: @ Spencer/Columbus