Mayville is the defending state champion in Division 5
DIVISION 5 | BRACKET
(Times, dates, & locations subject to change)
The Placements
An experienced Racine Lutheran team is the top seed in the upper left bracket, and the Crusaders are the number one overall seed in the division. They have an interesting Level 1 game against a Columbus team that advanced to the state semi-finals in D4 last year but has fallen off a bit this season. New Glarus earned the one-seed in the lower left group, which also features second-seeded Saint Croix Falls. Last year’s Division 6 state champion Darlington, elevated to D5 this year, is the top seed in the top right grouping that also includes second-seeded Durand-Arkansaw, who lost their first game of the season last week. Amherst has looked dominant and is the top seed in the lower right, with Grantsburg the two-seed and defending champ Mayville the number three seed.
Six to Watch
Here are six of the most electric offensive players that will be lining it up beginning this weekend:
Cohen Kraus, Racine Lutheran - Kraus has been ultra efficient this year, throwing for 1,774 yards and 24 touchdowns with no interceptions this year. He’s also led the Crusaders with 679 rushing yards and 19 scores.
Ayden Nerdahl, Amherst - Nerdahl was second in the state during the regular season with 2,012 rushing yards and 37 touchdowns on 158 carries for the Falcons. He also threw a touchdown and returned an interception for a score.
Joe Promersberger, Mayville - Promersberger is the leading rusher for the defending D5 state champs with 1,088 yards and 16 touchdowns, and has also played at quarterback some this year.
Daxter Schultz, Grantsburg - Schultz is a versatile back for the Pirates with 1,156 yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground to go with 14 catches for 334 yards and four scores.
Brett Sladky, Saint Croix Falls - Sladky leads Division 5 with 1,880 passing yards this season, completing 67% of his passes with 26 touchdowns on the year.
Zeke Zuberbuhler, Darlington - Despite limited time due to a number of blowouts, Zuberbuhler has thrown for 792 yards and rushed for 521, accounting for a total of 18 touchdowns. He also has a punt and kick return score.
Upset Alert
Milwaukee North/Lifelong Learning is a three-seed, but four of their victories came via forfeit this year, as they went just 2-2 on the field and did not play anyone outside the Milwaukee City Conference. Sixth-seeded University School would seem to be a likely upset pick over the Blue Devils.
Best Level 1 Game
Amery at defending Division 5 state champion Mayville could be an interesting one. The Warriors feature future Bader Keaton Wollan, who is a standout linebacker and the team’s leading rusher, and compete in the tough Middle Border Conference. Mayville is 6-3 but has lost a trio of very competitive games.
Potential intriguing match-ups the rest of the way
Please note the emphasis on potential.
Amherst vs. Mayville, Sectional Final - These teams met in a Sectional Final last year, with Mayville scoring a thrilling 26-21 victory.
Racine Lutheran vs. Lake Country Lutheran, Sectional Final - It would be Midwest Classic vs. Metro Classic in this one, with Racine Lutheran looking to get over the hump for the first time since a state runner-up finish in 2018. They’ve been on the precipice several times in recent years, including last year when they were upset by New Glarus as a two-seed.
Darlington vs. Amherst, State Semi-Final - These two have been at or near the top of the rankings all season, and each enter the playoffs undefeated with not much for competitive games.
My Picks
Racine Lutheran over Columbus
Kiel over Milwaukee Academy of Science
University School over Milwaukee North/Lifelong Learning
Lake Country Lutheran over Brookfield Academy
New Glarus over Bloomer
Chilton over Peshtigo
Watertown Luther Prep over Arcadia
Saint Croix Falls over Ozaukee/Random Lake
Darlington over Dodgeville
Winnebago Lutheran over New Holstein
Brillion over Tomahawk
Durand-Arkansaw over Oostburg
Amherst over Wittenberg-Birnamwood
Elk Mound over Westfield
Mayville over Amery
Grantsburg over Spencer/Columbus Catholic
Travis Wilson serves as the Bound Wisconsin Manager. Wilson was selected as part of the Sports 40 Under 40 list by Coach & AD Magazine and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association for 2019. The Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) named Travis the 2015 recipient of the Dave McClain Distinguished Service Award. He currently serves on the WFCA Executive Board and is a member of the Executive Board of the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association. A graduate of Richland Center High School and Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Travis was a three-sport athlete in high school (football, baseball, basketball), inducted to the Richland Center High School Hall of Fame in 2023, and currently resides in Reedsburg. You can follow him on Twitter at @travisBound or reach him at [email protected].
