It’s that special time of year.
School is about to start, the temperatures are cooling and Friday nights and Saturday and Sunday afternoons are dedicated to hitting, passing, catching, running and more hitting.
Oh, and let’s not forget about gathering with friends and family, plopping down on the couch and cheering on our favorite teams.
My High School madness is back, and this year, for the fourth straight season, I will predict the outcomes of the Friday night area high school football games.
Do not take this literally, I’m mostly having fun and not meaning any harm, but there’s some educated guesses with each pick.
It’s still early, so these are the hardest picks, considering all games are nonconference and are a total toss-up.
Teams and coaching staffs change exponentially from August to November.
Without further adieu, here we go!
Lake Country Lutheran at Burlington Catholic Central, 7 p.m., Friday
LCL scored touchdowns from a pick-6 and a kickoff return in Week 1, en route to a 28-16 victory over Central rival Racine St. Cat’s.
Catholic Central hung through three quarters with a Division 5 power, New Glarus/Monticello, as new quarterback Chad Zirbel orchestrated the offense with his arm and feet.
Also, Cole Pankau showed he’ll be a dangerous threat on the outside this season.
The Toppers rarely lose two straight at their namesake’s Bowl.
PREDICTION: CC 25, LCL 20
Burlington at Racine Horlick, 7 p.m., Friday
The Demons, led by Nick Klug at quarterback, notched nearly 400 total yards in a dominant win against Racine Case in Week 1.
The key words in the previous sentence were Racine Case.
Horlick is a different animal, and it consistently makes the playoffs.
Playing in front of the home crowd, the Rebels get a few more bounces and gain revenge from last year’s controversial fiasco in Burlington.
PREDICTION: Racine Horlick 31, Burlington 30
Mukwonago at Oak Creek, 7 p.m., Thursday
Gabe Cizauskas and Zach Genrich ran all over their opponent in Week 1, as the Indians rolled.
Expect more of the same, as the Classic 8 is a cut above Oak Creek, which is a traditional power in its own right.
Mukwonago 34, Oak Creek 15
Kenosha Bradford at Lake Geneva Badger, 7 p.m., Friday
I’ll never forget covering Badger’s 14-7 Level 3 playoff victory over Bradford in 2012.
Badger ran up and down the field, and Bradford tried the same.
I expect more of the same.
Bradford fell to Wilmot last week, and the Wilmot and Badger offenses are similar.
Badger quarterback Mason DuMez is a breakout star.
Badger 35, Bradford 21
Waterford at Racine Case, 7 p.m., Friday
If you have little children, or family members who cringe or cry easily, don’t take them to this game.
The Wolverines eat lesser opponents like the Eagles for lunch, then demand seconds.
Waterford 45, Case 7
Wauwatosa East at Union Grove, 7 p.m., Friday
Personally, I’d like to see the Broncos schedule a few tougher Milwaukee-area teams for the nonconference schedule.
That being said, you still have to play the game, and the Grove stomped a mud hole to victory in Week 1.
East lost, 38-6, to rival Tosa West.
Matt Nelson is worth the price of admission.
Union Grove 55, Tosa East 20
East Troy at Walworth Big Foot, 7 p.m., Friday
Since this is a Walworth County throwdown, trash talk on the field could involve who will earn more money showing livestock at next week’s Walworth County Fair.
The Trojans boast athletes and a strong run game, but the Big Foot tradition is rich with wins, wins and more wins.
Look for the Chiefs to get to 2-0 and re-establish their area dominance.
Big Foot 30, East Troy 23
Cudahy at Wilmot, 7 p.m., Friday
A.J. Frisby and Robert Brent lead a dangerous Panthers squad.
Though the Packers have had success in the past, Wilmot projects as a serious contender for the Southern Lakes crown.
And LOOK OUT for that Panther ‘D,’ it’ll haunt your dreams.
Wilmot 34, Cudahy 20
Lakeside Lutheran at Elkhorn, Friday
In a matchup between Division 2 squads, the Elks need a spark.
They were handled easily in Week 1, and the program is looking to get back to its winning ways.
Lutheran is led by Nick Chesterman, who racked up more than 200 yards in a big victory last week.
Lutheran 40, Elkhorn 21
Zion-Benton, Ill. at Westosha Central, Friday
This comes down to the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears.
Zion is in Illinois, which is where the Bears play.
Central plays in the “good” state, Wisconsin. Like the beloved “Go Pack Go” team.
My daughter loves that song.
Westosha Central 29, Zion-Benton 25
Delavan-Darien at Mayville, Friday
Still wondering how this matchup came about.
The Comets must drive a LONG way to Mayville, but defense doesn’t stay on the bus.
Delavan’s defensive unit brought its hard hat in a 10-6 defeat in Week 1, but quarterback Jake Benzing threw for more than 300 yards, hitting athletic wideouts Mike Alder, Ethan Cesarz and Ben Ingersol.
Everything will come together tonight for #CometFam.
Delavan 43, Mayville 27
-
-
-
-
-