It’s pretty simple.
All the undefeated Waterford Wolverines have to do is win at home against Delavan-Darien Friday night, and they will at least win a share of the Southern Lakes Conference championship.
That will most likely happen, setting up a huge showdown between Lake Geneva Badger (4-1 SLC) and Waterford (5-0) Friday, Oct. 16, in Waterford.
Long story short, here’s the breakdown of who will win the SLC, which had four winners last year:
If Waterford beats Delavan-Darien and Badger (5-2, 4-1 SLC) wins at Union Grove, the Wolverines and Badgers will play for the SLC title in the final game of the season. Waterford plays at Badger Oct. 16. Waterford will win the title outright if it defeats Badger.
Waterford and Badger will share the crown if Lake Geneva wins. If Wilmot wins its final two games of the season and Badger beats Waterford, the three squads will share the SLC title.
Burlington, Union Grove, Delavan, Westosha and Elkhorn pretty much have zero chance at the title. The Broncos are the only team that could earn a share of the title, but they would have to win out and hope for tons of help, namely losses from Waterford, Badger and Wilmot.
You can pretty much book it now that the Wolverines will win the SLC and go a perfect 9-0 this season, ladies and gentlemen.
Waterford has too many weapons in both the pass and run games, and its defense will contain the high-powered offenses of Delavan and Badger.
Though they can’t win it all, Burlington and the Grove can clinch playoff berths.
The Demons must win their final two games, at Elkhorn and at home against the Grove.
Union Grove must win one of its final two, at home versus Badger or at Burlington, to advance for the first time since 2009.
For Burlington, it’d be the first time since 2005-06 the Demons would make back-to-back playoff appearances.
Listen to this and listen good, Waterford will win the crown outright, and Wilmot, Badger, Union Grove and Burlington will all earn playoff spots.
It’s going to be another postseason full of SLC teams, and Waterford, ranked No. 7 now in the state in Division 2, has a real shot at Madison.
On to my predictions, where I haven’t lost in the month of October. In fact, my last defeat came Sept. 25.
I don’t plan on losing this week, either, but a few matchups could go either way.
Get out the parkas, hot chocolate and winter jackets, it will be chilly on the gridiron Friday night, with a forecast of 58 and cloudy.
When the cold weather hits, the rushing and defense picks up. Undefeated Waterford and Catholic Central do those two things as good as anyone in the state.
That’s why they’ll still be playing in November.
PREDICTIONS
Last week: 5-0
Season: 35-8
GAME OF THE WEEK
Catholic Central (7-0, 5-0 MCC) at Racine St. Cat’s (4-3, 3-2), 1 p.m., Saturday, Horlick Field, Racine
With all of that above, who needs a description, right?
The four-time defending conference champion Angels are still good, as running back Ernest Cobb averages 95 yards per game, and Tito Bumpus is a big-play threat on the outside.
But the St. Cat’s squad that came to the Topper Bowl and manhandled the Toppers in 2014 simply isn’t anywhere to be found.
It’s time, after four, long years, for Central to step up and lay a severe beating on the Angels for all of the recent disappointments.
Cole Kresken leads the area with more than 1,000 rushing yards, on only 97 carries. Are you kidding me?
Kresken wears out defenses every time he touches the ball, and he chemistry in the backfield with Ben Heiligenthal has been impossible for opponents to stop this year.
If you want more tangible proof, St. Cat’s fell at home to Shoreland Lutheran, 26-16. Catholic Central crushed Shoreland, 49-30, in Somers, in a game where the Toppers didn’t play very well.
The Topper train is speeding through Racine Saturday, and unfortunately the Angels won’t have enough prayers to stop the bum rush.
PREDICTION: Catholic Central 42, Racine St. Cat’s 14
Lake Geneva Badger (5-2, 4-1 SLC) at Union Grove (5-2, 3-2), 7 p.m., Friday
The Broncos are on the brink of their first playoff appearance since 2009, and the Badgers are already in.
Two epic clashes with Waterford and Wilmot, though defeats, have aptly prepared the Grove for what will be another dogfight Friday night at home.
Matt Nelson has nearly brought his guys all the way back to knock off Waterford and Wilmot, and I think he will have a good game from start to finish Friday.
Keep in mind Badger allowed big passing performances from Burlington and Wilmot. Also, the Broncos should be prepared for a strong triple option run game.
He’s turning into the most consistent, explosive player in the SLC, and I think Joe Peterson will have another big game.
PREDICTION: Union Grove 28, Lake Geneva Badger 21
Other area predictions
Wilmot 50, Westosha Central 14
Burlington 35, Elkhorn 10
Waterford 45, Delavan-Darien 21
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