There is at least one game from each division that features Northeast Wisconsin Conference teams in Friday’s State Quarterfinals.
DIVISION 1
#3 Appleton North at #1 Kimberly
These rivals just can’t seem to get away from each other, meeting every year in the regular season and quite often in the playoffs. Back in Week 4, Appleton North gave Kimberly its closest game of the season, but ultimately the Papermakers pulled out a 26-20 victory. Caden Pendelton had a big game in that one, throwing for 245 yards and two touchdowns for the Papermakers.
#2 Bay Port at #1 Franklin
After a rough spring season that included five straight losses and some tough injuries this fall, Bay Port has gotten back on track with a solid season. The Pirates have dominated Manitowoc Lincoln and Marquette in the playoffs, but a date with D1 top-ranked Franklin awaits. The Sabers were pushed hard by rival Oak Creek last week, but a late Tanner Rivard touchdown run was enough to score a 10-7 victory.
DIVISION 2
#6 Hartford at #3 Pulaski
The Northshore meets the FRCC for the third time in two weeks. Pulaski was last in Level 4 of the playoffs in 1997. A Hartford team is the only team standing in their way of ending that drought. Both teams are run heavy as Hartford has 40 rushing touchdowns this year and Pulaski has 37. Pulaski operating out of the single wing, while Hartford uses the Wing-T, single-wing, and even spread formations to hammer away on the ground. Both teams know what it takes to win close games. Pulaski is coming off of a 10-7 win over Slinger and Hartford was a 43-42 overtime winner over De Pere.
DIVISION 3
#2 Menasha at #1 Luxemburg-Casco
Luxemburg-Casco narrowly avoided disaster in the first playoff game, barely holding off eighth-seeded Ashwaubenon to advance. The Spartans looked much better in Level 2 with a running clock win over Waupaca. Waiting in Level 3 is a Menasha team that has numerous offensive weapons, averaging more than 43 points per game with at least 40 in six straight. Last week the Bluejays took apart Notre Dame on the ground, as Davontre Smith had more than 400 rushing yards.
DIVISION 4
#2 Freedom at #1 Wisconsin Dells
Wisconsin Dells is unbeaten and last week showed they are more than just a regular season team with a 36-13 win over Berlin. Up next is another Fox Valley area power, the Freedom Irish. After tying for second in the North Eastern Conference, Freedom had a tough, low-scoring contest with Little Chute last week, winning 17-6.
DIVISION 5
#2 Wittenberg-Birnamwood at #1 Amherst
Level 3 features a rematch of a regular season CWC matchup. Amherst won the Week 4 matchup 26-19 after a strong third quarter. Since then, the Wittenberg-Birnamwood offense has been unreal, scoring 266 points in their last five games. The defense has been just as impressive, giving up only 57 points in the last five contests. Recently named the best high school football field in the state in the Home Field Pride Contest presented by Midwest Sport and Turf Systems, Amherst’s Heartland Farms Field will host Wittenberg-Birnamwood for a second time this season. Both teams have playmakers, including Ben Wesolowski of the Chargers who is a finalist for Senior Quarterback of the year. The margin for error was razor thin the last time, and one key play could turn the tide this time around.
DIVISION 6
#3 St. Mary’s Springs at #1 Kenosha St. Joseph Catholic
Springs is playing their best football at the right time and they are one of the more dangerous teams in the postseason. The Ledgers did not have the best regular season in recent years, but they are on a run now. The Ledgers have won eight straight games. That makes for a tough Level 3 matchup for unbeaten Kenosha St. Joseph. The Lancers did a nice job slowing down Waterloo’s running game last week, limiting Eugene Wolff to just 68 yards on 27 carries.
DIVISON 7
#2 Coleman at #1 Hurley
It’s a battle of the unbeaten in Division 7, but Coleman has to make the long road trip. So far, Coleman has dominated the scoreboard in the postseason ending both Level 1 and Level 2 with a running clock. Coleman made a big statement by beating previously unbeaten Pacelli 56-18 last week. Hurley knocked powerhouse Edgar out of the playoffs last week in a close 22-16 win. Both teams have found success on the ground and with their defense this year.
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