Muskego was the runner-up in D1 last year, and senior Jackson Niemiec is trying to get the Warriors back to state
DIVISION 1 | BRACKET
Toughest Road So Far
Waunakee rebounded with an impressive 20-0 shutout of a very good Mukwonago team last week, but Level 1 was a challenge, to say the least. Hosting eighth-seeded Chippewa Falls, the fifth-place finisher in the Big Rivers Conference, the Warriors had to go to overtime, where they were able to sneak past the Cardinals 28-21. Survive and advance, as they say.
Cinderella
Without a doubt that designation belongs to seventh-seeded De Pere, who has scored a pair of very close road wins to get to this point. First, the Redbirds took down second-seeded FVA co-champion Neenah in overtime, then last week the team traveled all the way to Hudson, and were rude guests in defeating the Raiders 17-14.
Most Impressive
Badger is bumped up to Division 1, but the Badgers have played in the state’s largest division in the past. The team’s flexbone offense has been impressive all season, leading the state with 4,478 rushing yards, an averag of more than 407 per game. The scary part for opponents has been the strength of the defense, which held Oak Creek and Middleton to just seven points apiece in the playoffs, and has given up more than 17 points just once this year.
The Match-Ups
De Pere is the Cinderella of Division 1, as the seventh-seeded Redbirds went from a distant fourth place finish in the FRCC-North to a pair of upset victories over second-seeded Neenah and third-seeded Hudson. It’s a big ask to keep things going for the Redbirds against undefeated Waunakee, who had a great win over Mukwonago last week after a Level 1 scare against Chippewa Falls in overtime.
My Pick: Waunakee
These teams met a month ago, with Arrowhead scoring a 21-20 win in a game that Hamilton actually out-gained the Warhawks 364-252. However, Arrowhead won the turnover battle with a trio of interceptions of Hamilton junior quarterback Cole Erdmann, who did throw for 246 yards. Arrowhead running back Jacob Siner returned last week for the Warhawks after missing Level 1, but is still working his way fully back.
My Pick: Arrowhead
Badger bumps up to Division 1, where they have played a number of times in the past. This week, that means a matchup against D1 powerhouse Muskego. Wing-T against flexbone. Classic Eight champion against winners of the Southern Lakes Conference. This could be a quick one with all the running the football these teams do, though Muskego’s Joey Shaw did throw for 186 yards in last week’s win over Racine Case.
My Pick: Muskego
This feels a little like last year’s playoff run for Bay Port, who dropped a couple regular season games, including a tough one against West De Pere, but are really getting things going in the postseason. This week the defending champs get an undefeated Franklin squad that is looking to get to Madison for the fifth time in the last dozen years. The Sabers are continuing to lean on senior running back Rob Beglinger, who went for 294 yards and six touchdowns in last week’s win over Verona.
My Pick: Franklin
My Picks:
(7-1 last week; 22-2, 91.67% overall in Division 1)
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].