Bound Wisconsin Week 6 Football Preview

All game times 7 pm unless otherwise noted.

Verona (4-1, 3-0; UR) at Middleton (3-2, 3-0; UR) - The Battle for Highway M, as these teams have clearly been the top two teams in the Big Eight Conference since Sun Prairie left the league a few years ago. Middleton won last year en route to the league championship.

Reedsburg (4-1, 2-1; D3 #5) at Baraboo (1-4, 1-2; UR) - These old Sauk County rivals play for the Old River Jug, and have met 137 previous times in the most-played high school football rivalry in Wisconsin. A review of the history of this matchup flipped things in the off-season, as it was thought Reedsburg held a 67-65-6 advantage, but instead Baraboo actually leads it 66-65-6 leads coming into this year.

Delavan-Darien (4-1, 3-0; D4 #10) at Evansville (5-0, 3-0; D4 #6) - First place in the redesigned Rock Valley Conference is on the line in this one, featuring some pretty prolific passing attacks under Comets quarterback Quintin Arizola and Evansville’s Matthew Wickersham.

Edgerton (4-1, 3-0; UR) at Lake Mills (4-1, 3-0; D4 #9) - Both teams are undefeated in league play, having rebounded from early non-conference losses. The winner takes over sole possession of first place in the league and gets to control things the rest of the year.

Sauk Prairie (3-2, 2-1; UR) at Mount Horeb/Barneveld (2-3, 1-2; UR) - Two of the three teams that shared the Badger-Small Conference title last year, though things are certainly different this year for these squads. Sauk Prairie is 3-2, while Mount Horeb/Barneveld has struggled after an opening win over defending D3 state champion Grafton.

Iowa-Grant (4-1, 3-0; D7 #5) at River Ridge (4-1, 2-1; D7 #9) - Iowa-Grant is alone atop the Six Rivers Conference after three weeks, just like we all thought, right? The Panthers are one of the surprises of the state, with wins the last two weeks against perennial league powers Potosi/Cassville and Black Hawk/Warren. If they can win this one against a strong River Ridge team, they

Poynette (4-1, 2-1; UR) at Belleville (4-1, 3-0; UR) - Belleville currently shares the Eastern Suburban Conference lead with Pardeeville and is looking to remain in that position. Poynette just lost to Pardeeville last week but is off to a solid 4-1 start.

Prairie du Chien (4-1, 3-0; D6 #9) at Dodgeville (2-3, 2-1; UR) - Prairie du Chien is looking to remain atop the SWC race, pending Platteville’s Week 6 outcome. This is the 73rd meeting between the teams, with Prairie du Chien holding a 49-20-3 all-time advantage.

Muskego (4-1, 2-1; D1 #6) at Franklin (3-2, 3-0; D1 #10) - These teams have been playoff opponents a number of times over the last decade, but now meet as conference foes with Franklin’s move to the Classic Eight. The Sabers started out 0-2 in non-conference but have responded well the last few weeks. Muskego is coming off its first loss of the year against Oconomowoc.

Arrowhead (5-0, 3-0; D1 #1) at Oconomowoc (4-1, ; D1 #5) - Oconomowoc scored a huge win over second-ranked Muskego last week, and their reward is a game against number one Arrowhead this week. The Raccoons are for real this year, and will be a tough test for the visiting Warhawks.

Catholic Memorial (2-3, 1-2; D3 #6) at Hamilton (5-0, 3-0; D1 #4) - Catholic Memorial’s move to the Greater Metro Conference hasn’t gone well so far, as they have lost their last three games, including crossovers against Arrowhead and Muskego. Those are certainly understandable, but a 35-14 loss to Marquette last week is a bit more puzzling. With a tough stretch over the final few weeks, things are getting a bit tenuous for the Crusaders, who have to go to undefeated Hamilton.

Whitefish Bay (4-1, ; D3 #8) at Homestead (5-0, 3-0; D2 #3) - Whitefish Bay has responded well the last few weeks after falling to Union Grove in Week 2. Waiting this week is a Homestead squad that is undefeated and has a similar ground-and-pound style that gave the Blue Dukes trouble against Union Grove.

Burlington (4-1, 2-1; UR) at Badger (1-4, 1-2; UR) - It’s now or never for Badger, who has struggled mightily so far this year. They have chances at good wins in the closing third of the year, but this would be an important one to get just to put them in better playoff contention.

Waterford (4-1, 3-0; UR) at Elkhorn (4-1, 2-1; UR) - A couple solid squads meet up in this one in a key Southern Lakes Conference contest. Waterford has struggled with strong rushing teams the last couple years, and Elkhorn does it well in their Wing-T offense. Last year Elkhorn won 30-24 over Waterford.

Westosha Central (2-3, 1-2; UR) at Union Grove (5-0, 3-0; D2 #4) - Westosha Central won a couple eye openers over Wisconsin Lutheran and Badger early on, but have fallen back a little the last couple weeks in losses to Waterford and Elkhorn. Now they go to league leader Union Grove.

Kenosha Bradford (4-1, 3-0; UR) at Racine Case (4-1, 3-0; D1 #9) - Bradford is looking good so far this year, but their schedule hasn’t been quite as challenging as it maybe looked to be. They get a chance to prove they are for real against Racine Case, in a game that carries some extra weight with some transfers and coaching movement between the schools.

Little Chute (5-0, 3-0; D4 #2) at Freedom (5-0, 3-0; D4 #1) - A huge game in the North Eastern Conference between these rival schools that come in ranked first and second in the latest Bound Wisconsin Division 4 Coaches Poll. Little Chute won 17-7 in last year’s matchup en route to the league title and D4 state runner-up finish.

Fond du Lac (3-2, 2-1; UR) at Kaukauna (3-2, 2-1; UR) - A couple teams that could use a win to stay in the FVA race that currently sees Appleton North on top. Fondy is still looking for a signature win this season and has a tough closing schedule, so this is a key opportunity to set themselves up for success. Kaukauna could play Deandre Williams, Jr. at quarterback (he played there for Ryan Carrel last week); Williams was the Fondy quarterback last year before transferring.

Appleton North (4-1, 3-0; D1 #8) at Neenah (2-3, 2-1; UR) - Appleton North finds itself alone atop the FVA after three weeks, and can stay there with a win over a Neenah squad that is one of four just a game back in the standings.

Pulaski (4-1, 2-1; UR) at West De Pere (5-0, 3-0; D1 #3) - West De Pere has run (or passed) through everyone this year with dominating victories. Pulaski is no pushover, though WDP did beat them twice last year.

Oshkosh North (2-3, 2-1; UR) at Notre Dame (5-0, 3-0; D2 #1) - Oshkosh North played the closest game against Notre Dame of any FRCC-South team last year, 34-14. It remains to be seen if that will be the case this season, with Notre Dame outscoring league opponents 191-0 in three games this season so far.

Ripon (4-1, 3-0; UR) at Berlin (3-2, 3-0; UR) - The teams are currently tied atop the South Central Conference standings at 3-0, with the winner taking over sole possession of first place and control of the league race the rest of the season.

Saint Mary’s Springs (2-3, 1-2; UR) at Mayville (3-2, 2-1; UR) - Defending Division 5 state champion Mayville went down to Campbellsport in a bit of a surprise last week, while Springs is really in a tough spot after back-to-back losses.

Xavier (3-2, 3-0; UR) at Winneconne (5-0, 3-0; D3 #7) - Xavier has rallied from a pair of losses to begin the year with three straight victories, but they get a much tougher test this week against undefeated Winneconne.

New Richmond (5-0, 3-0; D2 #5) at River Falls (3-2, 3-0; UR) - River Falls dropped the first two games of the year but has rebounded with three straight victories, including a 14-0 decision over Chippewa Falls last week. New Richmond has defeated all comers so far this year and appears to be the top team in the Big Rivers, but will need to prove it each week on the field.

West Salem (5-0, 3-0; D4 #4) at Luther (4-1, 2-1; UR) - Luther is coming off its first loss of the year against Arcadia, while West Salem has gone through undefeated thus far. With wins over other league contenders Aquinas and Arcadia already, West Salem can all but wrap up the Coulee race with a win this week.

Ithaca/Weston (4-0, 3-0; UR) at Cashton (5-0, 3-0; D7 #4) - Ithaca/Weston’s record moves to 4-0 overall officially after the WIAA reversed course after very negative publicity when they declared Ithaca/Weston’s game against Wauzeka-Steuben/Seneca a forfeit following appeal. Ithaca freshman Briggs Maxwell was killed in a farming accident the morning of that scheduled game, which was canceled. Instead, that is now a no contest. Regardless, this is a huge game in the Scenic Bluffs, with each team undefeated in league play.

Fall Creek (4-1, 2-1; UR) at Regis (4-1, 2-1; D6 #6) - Regis went down to Durand-Arkansaw last week but has to rebound quickly as they take on rival Fall Creek, whose only loss was to Mondovi.

Durand-Arkansaw (5-0, 3-0; D5 #4) at Elk Mound (4-1, 2-1; UR) - Durand-Arkansaw remained unbeaten with a huge 20-15 win over Division 6 top-ranked Regis last week. They have to avoid a letdown against an Elk Mound team that has looked very good, and almost beat Regis just a week before.

Onalaska (2-3, 1-2; UR) at La Crosse Logan (5-0, 3-0; D3 #4) - Onalaska took out some frustrations from early, close conferences losses with a 42-6 win over Baraboo last week. With things offensively and defensively going in a better direction, they won’t be an easy out against undefeated Logan, who took down rival La Crosse Central last week.

Grantsburg (4-1, 3-0; D5 #8) at Webster (5-0, 3-0; D7 #8) - Webster is off to an impressive 5-0 start and has moved into the top ten of the Coaches Poll. This week they welcome in a Grantsburg team that won the Lakeland Conference last year, including a 48-0 win over the Tigers.