Football Sectional Final Preview: Division 5

Division 5 Schedule
Division 5 Stats Leaders

Toughest Road So Far

There have been mostly blowouts in all games of the D5 playoffs so far, and only one game was a competitive scoreline a week ago. After having no trouble with Ozaukee/Random Lake in Level 1, second-seeded Saint Croix Falls welcomed in another lengthy traveler for Level 2, the Watertown Luther Prep Phoenix. Winners of six of their last seven games, Luther Prep gave Saint Croix Falls a run, but could not get over the hump in a 31-22 victory for the host Saints.

Cinderella

It is all 1’s and 2’s to this point of the playoffs in Division 5, as no one is playing the role of Cinderella so far. Even in Level 1, only two road teams scored victories, fifth-seeded Winnebago Lutheran and sixth-seeded University School, and both were dispatched by sizable margins in Level 2.

Most Impressive

Pretty much everyone would apply here since most games have been blowouts, but have to give special mention to the Grantsburg Pirates, who posted a 43-0 running clock of Spencer/Columbus Catholic in Level 1 then followed it up with an equally impressive 42-6 running clock win over defending state champion Mayville. The Pirates forced a couple turnovers and blocked a kick to help secure the win.

The Match-Ups

#2 Lake Country Lutheran (9-2) at #1 Racine Lutheran (11-0)

Lake Country Lutheran dropped a couple close games in the middle of the season, but the Lightning have won their last four games by an average of 53-7. They’ve faced a tough schedule, including a win over defending champion Mayville in non-conference play, and have a strong postseason history. This core of Racine Lutheran players has been together for quite a while, and the senior group is showing out in a big way for the unbeaten Crusaders. They’ve rarely been challenged this year, but at some point will need to put together four full quarters against a good team, something they have the horses to do, especially with two-way standouts Cohen Kraus and Bryce Austin.

My Pick: Racine Lutheran

#2 Saint Croix Falls (10-1) at #1 New Glarus (10-1)

After hosting a pair of teams on lengthy trips across the state, Saint Croix Falls is the one making a long trek in the sectional finals, traveling over 280 miles to take on the Glarner Knights of New Glarus. Both teams suffered early losses to unbeaten teams, Saint Croix Falls against Northwestern and New Glarus against Darlington, but have been pretty dominant since then.

My Pick: Saint Croix Falls

#2 Durand-Arkansaw (10-1) at #1 Darlington (11-0)

Durand-Arkansaw has some impressive wins on the schedule this year, including over Regis in mid-season, but fell to Mondovi in the regular season finale. Now they get a team that has been the prohibitive favorite in D5 since being elevated following last season’s Division 6 state title. Darlington has been dominant this year, even if their scores aren’t quite as eye-popping as others, as the Redbirds get to a 35-point running clock and back off considerably. Head coach Travis Winkers returned 17 starters from last year’s championship squad.

My Pick: Darlington

#2 Grantsburg (10-1) at #1 Amherst (11-0)

Amherst has remained one of the top programs in the state, but the Falcons are looking for their first state semi-final appearance since the third of three consecutive state titles in 2017. With workhorse running back Ayden Nerdahl leading the way, they may have their best team since those title squads. They get a Grantsburg team that has put up gaudy offensive numbers behind the senior trio of quarterback Axel Hale, running back Daxter Schultz, and receiver Caleb Rombach.

My Pick: Amherst

My Picks:
(7-1 last week; 23-1, 95.83% overall in Division 5)