Year in and year out, any sport’s preseason polls are a mix of the “big names” and what is thought to be solid players.

Talk to any coach during the time between then and when the first in-season poll is released and it is no doubt great to get the recognition, but doesn’t hold a lot of weight.

“We haven’t played any games,” one coach said.

Well today there is finally a poll that should give a better idea as to what teams to keep an eye on at least through the first two weeks of the season. Check out the full poll.

Division 2 and 4 were right with the preseason No. 1 picks as both Madison Edgewood (6-1) in Division 2 and Pecatonica (5-0) in Division 4 held onto their top spots.

Those were about the only two teams that were somewhere near where they were notched in the preseason poll as a handful of teams that weren’t even ranked in the preseason poll.

The biggest case of that is University School of Milwaukee (8-0) which is ranked No. 1 in the Division 3 poll this week. The team right behind it in the Division 3 poll, Stevens Point Pacelli, wasn’t ranked either.

In Division 1, things basically just got shuffled around as La Crosse Central (8-1) went from No. 3 in the preseason poll to No. 1 and Kenosha Tremper (7-1) ranked No. 6 in the preseason poll jumped to No. 2. Appleton East (4-1) went from being on the outside of the poll looking in, to the No. 3 spot in the Division 1 poll.

Check out the complete poll here.

MISSING SCORES

We are missing some scores and stats for some teams all over the state. Help us out by having your coach send scores and info to stats@prepsonthenet.com or fax to 262.334.7070.

Also, with rainouts happening all over the state  today and some likely tomorrow, be sure to let us know of any postponements and rescheduling as well.

SOFTBALL POLL

The first fastpitch softball poll is out as well and Stevens Point (5-0), New Berlin Eisenhower (4-0), Park Falls (5-0), and Thorp (5-2) all earned No. 1 spots in the four divisions.

SPASH is tops in Division 1 with Appleton East (3-0) in the No. 2 spot with Kenosha Bradford (4-0) in as the No. 3 ranked team.

Reigning Division 2 state champion Eisenhower is tops in Division 2 and is followed by Union Grove (6-0) and Winneconne (8-0).

Division 3 has some usual names atop the list as Park Falls is No. 1 with La Crosse Aquinas (6-5) in the No. 2 spot and Shoreland Lutheran (4-2) right behind.

In Division 4 Thorp is sitting atop the mountain with Algoma (4-1) right behind and Oakfield (4-0) in hot pursuit.

BIG GAME HUNTING

These are the softball and baseball games to watch throughout this week. They should brighten your week just like the weather is expected to come Wednesday and Thursday.

1. Kenosha Tremper (7-1) at Racine Horlick (3-4), BASEBALL, Tuesday and Thursday: This series could be a big one in the Southeast Conference as the Trojans can seize early-season control of things with a sweep. Thursday’s game is hosted by Horlick.

2. Wausau West (5-4) at SPASH (5-0), SOFTBALL, Tuesday and Thursday: This Wisconsin Valley Conference should provide a great early season battle for the defending state champion Panthers.

3. Waupun (7-1) at Milwaukee Lutheran (5-2), BASEBALL, Tuesday and Thursday: This is a Wisconsin Little Ten series that received votes in our Game of the Week poll and should be a litmus test in the conference race. Thursday’s game is at Waupun.

4. Evansville (7-0) at Edgerton (5-1), BASEBALL, Thursday: The Rock Valley North could emerge as one of the top mid-division conferences in the state and this one between the No. 2 ranked team in Division 2 and a team receiving votes in the same poll, can show why.

5. Coleman (6-1) at Oconto Falls (4-0), BASEBAL, Saturday: The expanded schedule to 26 games means more weekend games and this nonconference meeting should be a good one.

6. University School (7-0) at Burlington Catholic Central (6-3), BASEBALL, Saturday: Quite possibly the top matchup of the week can show what the Midwest Classic-South has to offer.