A football-only conference realignment for the 2026 season was approved by the WIAA Board of Control. 

Hartford Union High School Dean of Students and Athletic and Activities Director Scott Helms discussed the adjustment with WTKM.

"The North Shore Conference this year has a different conference for football and football only. We added Menomonee Falls, Waukesha West and Wisconsin Lutheran. We lost both West Bend schools and Nicolet. The football schedule looks a little different with three new teams. We will see the regular realignment happen next year for all of the other sports."

The newly approved WIAA football alignment requires mandatory crossover games to ensure teams get a full slate for playoff qualification consideration.

"Some of the smaller schools felt like they didn't belong within the conference," according to Helms. "Or they couldn't support three programs, with football especially. We have seen that with other sports within our conference, especially softball and girls soccer."

The three programs, or three levels that Helms referred to include varsity, JV and JV2.

"We are able to do that, so we want to make sure we have teams to play. If not, we find non-conference games to give our student-athletes opportunities."

The upcoming Hartford Union High School varsity football schedule. 

August 21 @ Fond du Lac High School  7 p.m.

August 27 Germantown High School  7 p.m.

September 4 Homestead High School  7 p.m.

September 11 @ Wisconsin Lutheran High School  7 p.m.

September 18 Waukesha West High School  7 p.m.

September 25 @ Menomonee Falls High School  7 p.m.

October 2 @ Cedarburg High School  7 p.m.

October 9 Slinger High School  7 p.m.

October 16 @ Whitefish Bay High School  7 p.m.