So what did we learn from Week 5 of the high school football season?
First, Lake Geneva Badger’s defense is for real, as it held the explosive Delavan-Darien offense to a mere seven points in a 14-7 victory.
Next, rumors of Burlington’s demise were exaggerated.
The Demons snapped a three-game losing streak with a 21-14 victory at a much-improved Westosha Central team, and at 1-2 in the Southern Lakes Conference, still own an outside shot at a playoff spot.
Finally, can anyone stop the Wilmot Panthers?
Another punishing ground effort and stellar defensive output has western Kenosha County’s finest sitting pretty at 5-0.
Waterford pitched its second consecutive shutout, as the Wolverines look ready to contend for the SLC crown.
But the teams in the driver’s seats are Badger and Wilmot, which both sit 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the SLC.
They battle each other Friday night in Lake Geneva.
In college news, Wisconsin barely squeaked by Georgia State, a team it was heavily favored to beat.
Southpaw quarterback Alex Hornibrook took over for Bart Houston in the second half, and Hornibrook is set to start against Michigan State Saturday.
The Spartans should hand the Badgers their first loss.
At the pro level in Green Bay, the Packers’ offense looked out of sync in an ugly 17-14 loss at Minnesota Sunday night.
Aaron Rodgers fumbled three times and threw the game-deciding interception late.
Rodgers, a two-time MVP, was outplayed by Sam Bradford, who looked all-world with nearly 300 yards and two touchdown passes.
Adrian Peterson was held to 19 yards and left the game in the third quarter with a knee injury, and the Packers still couldn’t win.
Packer Nation is panicking, since its become spoiled with such immense success over the past three decades.
But no worries, the Vikings are good, they should beat Green Bay in Minnesota, and there’s a ton of season left.
Rodgers is a future Hall of Famer for a reason, and he’ll figure it out. He always does.
Make sure to get out to a game Friday night, and don’t be afraid to say hello if you see me.
My picks have been way off this season, so read the following at your own risk.
PREDICTIONS
Last week: 3-2
Season: 16-10
(all games 7 p.m. Friday)
Game of the Week
Wilmot (5-0, 3-0 SLC) at Lake Geneva Badger (5-0, 3-0)
This one could be for all the marbles.
OK, OK, I said that same line of hogwash last week, when I thought the Badger-Delavan winner would win the conference.
But this time, it’s for real.
Both teams feature stingy defenses and the veer option rushing attack, where the quarterback uses the art of deception with multiple fake handoffs to fool the defense.
Wilmot’s Robert Brent leads the SLC with 625 rushing yards, and Badger’s Mason Dumez is third with 535.
Wilmot quarterback A.J. Frisby could be the difference, as he can hurt you in both the passing and rushing games.
I doubted Badger last week, and they made me pay for it.
Many of these kids grew up playing little league baseball with each other in Genoa City, as this is one of the most underrated rivalries in the SLC.
Two great teams will battle it out, and I predict the winner will win the Southern Lake Conference title next month.
PREDICTION: Lake Geneva Badger 20, Wilmot 17
Delavan-Darien (3-2, 2-1 SLC) at Burlington (2-3, 1-2)
This is always a fun one, as Burlington head coach Steve Tenhagen welcomes his old team to Don Dalton Stadium.
The Demons got back in the win column with a close victory at Westosha Central last week.
While the Falcons haven’t won an SLC game in two years, Burlington showed much improvement from the week before at Waterford.
Delavan was merely minutes away from knocking off undefeated Badger last week.
Comets quarterback Jake Benzing leads the SLC with 1,316 yards passing, and Burlington’s Nick Klug is second with 851.
Delavan’s Mike Alder and Ethan Cesarz are 1-2 in the conference in receiving with 465 and 396 yards, respectively.
I see payback in store for Delavan, which Burlington beat with a last-minute touchdown in 2015.
PREDICTION: Delavan-Darien 30, Burlington 24
Elkhorn (1-4, 0-3) at Union Grove (3-2, 1-2)
Union Grove quarterback Matt Nelson continues to carry the Broncos on his back, despite the team’s two-game losing streak.
Nelson is one of 16 semifinalists for the Dave Krieg Award, given annually to the state’s top senior quarterback as part of the Wisconsin Sports Network Senior Football Awards.
Nelson has passed for 760 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions, and he’s added a second dimension to his game with 420 rushing yards and eight scores.
A raucous Homecoming crowd is exactly what the Broncos need to get right.
PREDICTION: Union Grove 28, Elkhorn 14
Waterford (4-1, 2-1) at Westosha Central (1-4, 0-3)
The Wolverines are rolling, with two straight wins by a combined score of 59-0.
The Falcons played well against Burlington last week, but Waterford brings another level of defensive intensity and needs this game to keep its conference title hopes alive.
PREDICTION: Waterford 35, Westosha Central 10
Catholic Central (1-4, 1-2 Metro Classic Conference) at Kenosha St. Joe’s (3-2, 2-1)
With a football name like Madden, you have to be good.
The Trojans’ Jerry Madden leads the conference with 570 yards and seven touchdowns, as St. Joe’s is tied for the conference lead.
The Hilltoppers are coming off a tough loss to Martin Luther.
The Trojans run for nearly 200 yards per game, and they gain twice as many total yards as the Toppers (310-168).
In game played at Ameche Field, St. Joe’s gets the nod.
PREDICTION: Kenosha St. Joe’s 28, Catholic Central 14
-
-
-
-
-