Union Grove-Waterford, Wilmot-Waukesha West highlight tonight’s action
Lake Geneva Badger is probably the only Southern Lakes Conference team that was shown respect in terms of seeding for last weekend’s Level One playoff games.
Waterford dropped to a 3 seed, Wilmot a 5, Union Grove a 7 and Delavan-Darien a lowly 8.
Though the overmatched Comets understandably lost an undefeated Kewaskum squad, the rest of the SLC showed the conference knows how to play football.
Waterford shut out a 7-2 team, Wilmot beat an area power by 33 and Union Grove upset a conference champion by 21.
All Badger did was punish a high-powered Watertown team that features one of the best quarterbacks in the state.
While four SLC squads remain, only three can advance to Level Three. All four squads are in the Division 2 playoffs, but Waterford and Union Grove must face each other in Waterford Friday night.
Waterford or Union Grove can play Lake Geneva for the right to go to state, but they would all have to pull off major upsets over heavily-favored foes the rest of the way.
But hey, why not the SLC?
Grove’s coach, Craig McClelland, was chosen as the Green Bay Packers Coach of the Week, so the SLC is getting some recognition.
Badger has a decent chance at state, but it would have to upset top-seeded Waunakee, the No. 1 team in the state, and top-seeded Waukesha West, the state’s 9th-ranked squad.
With a win Friday against rival Union Grove, Waterford would again face West, the team that’s eliminated the Wolverines from the playoffs the past two seasons.
Catholic Central is probably playing its last home game of the season Friday against No. 3 Cassville. The Toppers need to win to get a chance to face Cambria-Friesland, the squad that stole CC’s No. 1 seed.
Let’s not forget about Wilmot, which could upset Waukesha West Friday. Sophomore quarterback AJ Frisby is playing out of his mind right now, and the Panthers have a defense and run game that can play in the most hostile of environments.
The Wisconsin Badgers host Rutgets Saturday, as running back Corey Clement hopes to return and QB Joel Stave should be back after a head injury. Look for Bucky to roll.
Then, on Sunday night, the healthy Green Bay Packers put their 6-0 record on the line at 6-0 Denver against Hall of Famer Peyton Manning.
I believe the return of Davante Adams and Morgan Burnett will be key, and I expect Green Bay to improve to 7-0 by a comfortable margin.
If you can stand the extreme cold or possible precipitation, join me Friday night at the Topper Bowl, as I will be taking photos and live tweeting Catholic Central’s final home game.
Follow me on Twitter @mikeramczyk17, and you won’t have to leave the comfort of your couch.
PREDICTIONS
Last week: 4-2
Season: 44-15
GAME OF THE WEEK
(7) Union Grove (7-3) at (3) Waterford (9-1)
The Wolverines shut out Tosa West with a strong run game and a stout defense. Tosa never threatened to score.
The Broncos had an identity crisis and ran for more than 180 yards while only attempting four passes.
Usually a finesse bunch on offense, Union Grove proved it can grind out a win with ugly football.
Conditions pending, I expect the Grove to revert back to more of a passing team, and they should be able to exploit Waterford at times.
But the Wolverines have an elite defense, and minus a few mistakes, they will cause fits for quarterback Matt Nelson.
It’s been a wonderful run for the Broncos, as they’ve made the playoffs for the first time since 2009.
But western Racine County is still ruled by Waterford, and the playoff atmosphere will help make it extremely difficult for the Grove to pull off another upset.
PREDICTION: Waterford 21, Union Grove 14
(3) Cassville (7-3) at (2) Catholic Central (10-0)
After dropping to a 2 seed, the Toppers showed Friday night why they should’ve been a 1 seed and should be favored to make it to Madison for the Division 7 state championship game.
Catholic Central has perfect balance on offense, with Cole Kresken wrecking through tackles, and Ben Heiligenthal burning defenses by air and land. Jacob Webley and Cole Pankau provide more weapons.
Defensively, guys like Trevor Meinholz, Kyle Goethal, Hertel Novasic and more are aggressive and fly to the football.
Cassville has a 1,000-yard rusher and a decent passer, but it will not matter one bit.
It’s Catholic Central’s final home game, and the Topper Bowl loyalists are in a for a treat.
PREDICTION: Catholic Central 35, Cassville 20
(5) Wilmot (8-2) at (1) Waukesha West (8-2)
The Panthers are hot and are coming off a total dominance of Greendale, but West is on another level compared to the SLC, sorry to say.
West’s two losses came to Arrowhead and Catholic Memorial, two of the strongest programs in the state year in and year out. Both challenge for state titles on a regular basis, and if they don’t get to state, it’s a disappointment.
But Wilmot has a defense that can stop just about anyone and a triple-option rushing attack that can surprise the most vicious defense.
The Panthers’ fight and desire will be admirable, but West will be too much at home.
Jair Scott has run for 1,266 yards for West, and the Wolverines are coming off a 79-0 spanking of Bay View.
If Scott doesn’t beat you, quarterback Connor Blount (985 passing yards) will.
PREDICTION: Waukesha West 24, Wilmot 17
(6) Oregon (7-3) at (2) Lake Geneva Badger (8-2)
Oregon can throw the ball, and Badger runs the ball – a ton.
Lake Geneva averages an astonishing 289 yards on the ground per game, and that’s usually all it needs.
Badger is feeling it of late, knocking off Waterford for a share of the SLC title and crushing Watertown in the playoffs in back-to-back weeks.
I don’t see Oregon, which doesn’t really feature a superstar player, slowing down Tyler Vandevelde (1,218 rush yards, 11 TDs) and the high-powered triple-option attack of Badger.
Lake Geneva will roll, and it has a serious shot at beating No. 1-ranked Waunakee in the next round.
PREDICTION: Lake Geneva Badger 38, Oregon 21
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