856 Conference

The 856 Conference is a former high school football conference with members in northwestern Wisconsin. Active from the 1953 through the 1956 season, the conference's members were affiliated with the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association.

History

The 856 Conference was created by six small high schools in northwestern Wisconsin for the 1953 football season after the Dunn-St. Croix Conference suspended sponsorship of the sport. ^[1] Four of its original members were affiliated with the Dunn-St. Croix (Boyceville, Elmwood, Hammond and Prescott) while the other two came from the Flambeauland Conference (Lake Holcombe and Tony). ^[2] The 856 Conference sponsored eight-player football, a common variant used by smaller high schools in Wisconsin at that time. Somerset was added to the group in 1955 after the dissolution of the Northwest Border Conference, and the conference was briefly renamed the 857 Conference. ^[3] The next year, Tony left for membership in the Lakeland Conference for football, ^[4] and the 856 Conference competed for one more season after disbanding after its conclusion. The Dunn-St. Croix Conference resumed sponsorship of eight-player football at that time, and all six members of the 856 Conference landed there along with new arrival Plum City. ^[5]

Conference membership history

School	Location	Affiliation	Enrollment	Mascot	Colors	Seasons	Primary Conference
Boyceville	Boyceville, WI	Public	212	Bulldogs		1953-1956	Dunn-St. Croix
Elmwood	Elmwood, WI	Public	90	Raiders		1953-1956	Dunn-St. Croix
Hammond	Hammond, WI	Public	N/A	Bluejays		1953-1956	Dunn-St. Croix
Lake Holcombe	Lake Holcombe, WI	Public	90	Chieftains		1953-1956	Flambeauland
Prescott	Prescott, WI	Public	431	Cardinals		1953-1956	Dunn-St. Croix
Tony	Tony, WI	Public	N/A	Tornadoes		1953-1955	Flambeauland
Somerset	Somerset, WI	Public	470	Spartans		1955-1956	Dunn-St. Croix

Membership timeline

List of conference champions

School	Quantity	Years
Hammond	2	1955, 1956
Elmwood	1	1954
Prescott	1	1953
Boyceville	0
Lake Holcombe	0
Somerset	0
Tony	0

References

1. "Heavy Slate Marks Area Grid Activity". Eau Claire Leader-Telegram. 16 September 1953. p. 19. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
2. "How They Stand (see 856 League)". Chippewa Herald-Telegram. 14 October 1953. p. 9. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
3. "Somerset Joins 857 Conference". Eau Claire Leader-Telegram. 18 September 1955. p. 10. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
4. "Chippewa, Menomonie Host Eau Claire Teams (see Eastern Lakeland standings)". Eau Claire Leader-Telegram. 2 October 1956. p. 10. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
5. "Big Schedule On Tap as Area Teams Head Down Stretch". Eau Claire Leader-Telegram. 4 October 1957. p. 9. Retrieved 17 July 2025.