CC, Waterford, Union Grove separate themselves from area
If you go back to the beginning of the August, I would’ve called you crazy if you told me that the Waterford and Union Grove football teams would be among the final unblemished teams in the area.
Catholic Central, which also sits at 4-0, was expected. After all, the Toppers returned the area’s best back in Cole Kresken and possibly its best quarterback in Ben Heiligenthal.
But Waterford and Union Grove, really? Waterford lost its veteran quarterback and area defensive player of the year Max Fisher.
And the Broncos brought in a brand new head coach and haven’t had a 4-0 record since 1970, not to mention they haven’t had a winning season in nearly a decade.
All Southern Lakes coaches, especially Waterford’s Adam Bakken, were extremely high on Burlington, which isn’t out of the playoff hunt by any means but has taken a significant step back with an 0-2 conference record.
Delavan-Darien, despite a marquee loss to Union Grove last week, figures to be in the equation come October, due to sheer talent.
Wilmot, another extremely talented team, has a chance to get back into the title contender picture if it can upset Grove Friday night.
Teams like Elkhorn and Westosha Central may be out of it with five weeks left, unless there is drastic improvement.
Though it seems like Waterford, Grove and Lake Geneva Badger (3-1, 2-0 SLC) are the clear-cut favorites at this moment, this is the deepest the SLC has ever been.
Burlington, Wilmot and Delavan-Darien all have legit squads, making it six teams that can beat any team on any given Friday night.
Catholic Central, which still hasn’t fired on all cylinders despite four double-digit victories, shouldn’t lose the rest of the regular season.
Expect a deep playoff run from the Toppers. My bold prediction is at least a Division 7 state semifinal and most likely a trip to Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
After all, Central is ranked No. 2 in the state in D7, and rightfully so.
There are playmakers all over the field, and the defense is dynamic and tough.
Let’s take a look at this weekend’s matchups. I came back down to Earth after a 3-2 week, as I was way off on Burlington and Delavan winning.
Everyone wants me to be that cliché community sports writer homer, and this week, I’m giving the people what they want.
Don’t get used to it.
PREDICTIONS
WEEK 5
Last week: 3-2
Season: 21-7
Wilmot (3-1, 1-1 SLC) at Union Grove (4-0, 2-0)
The Broncos traditionally find a way to fold, at least recent history tells us this, but this bunch seems different.
Senior-laden and experienced, at least 14 Broncos have been through the gridiron battles the past four years and have been beaten and bested routinely.
This year, they are simply saying, “No more!”
Last week, junior quarterback Matt Nelson, who owns the highest passer rating in the SLC, dissected the Delavan defense in a breakout, star-worthy performance.
He had help from explosive skills player T.J. Cadd, Toby Robe and Joe Peterson, who caught eight passes for 108 yards.
While Wilmot is averaging 236 rushing yards per game, it won’t come easy against Union Grove, which outscored Delavan 28-7 to close last Friday’s game.
Delavan has proven to be the league’s most explosive offense, and the Grove stymied the Comets for the most part.
Wilmot quarterback A.J. Frisby is multi-faceted and can hurt the Grove defense through the air on with goal-line runs, but the Broncos are rolling right now.
I expect Nelson to pick apart the Panthers, who rarely have to stop the pass.
In general, high school defenses can’t stop the pass, and Nelson seems to get better with every snap.
At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, he has the frame to become a stud.
PREDICTION: Union Grove 21, Wilmot 17
The rest of the games really shouldn’t be close, so instead of “going there,” I’ll let the numbers tell the truth.
Other area predictions
Burlington 45, Westosha Central 14
Catholic Central 55, Racine Lutheran 9
Waterford 35, Elkhorn 7
Lake Geneva Badger 60, Delavan-Darien 28
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