Football Level 3 Preview: Division 4
posted by Travis Wilson at 11/4/2009
Division 4 Brackets
Toughest Road So Far
Lodi has had to play a pair of tough Southwest Wisconsin Conference teams in River Valley and Prairie du Chien. The Blue Devils haven't made it look tough though. They pounced on River Valley early and never let off the accelerator, taking home a 47-0 win in Level 1. In Level 2, Prairie put up a tough fight, but a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns sealed a 21-7 win.
Cinderella
Brodhead/Juda didn't face world-beaters in their first two games, but the way they had played in two late season games against good teams, you had to wonder how that would carry into the post-season. As an unseeded team, they've taken out third-seeded New Glarus/Monticello and second-seeded G-E-T. They are the only unseeded team left in Division 4.
Most Impressive
With a nod to Northwestern and Kewaunee, Somerset has been the most impressive in their two playoff games so far. Somerset has allowed just one score in each of their two playoff games, and in both cases it was a score in the fourth quarter with Somerset up at least 38 points. Eric Walzack carried the load in the 47-8 win over Bloomer in Level 2, running it 42 times for 267 yards.
The Match-Ups:
Northwestern (11-0) vs. Somerset (10-1) Saturday 1 p.m. -- This one has gotten as much chatter on our message boards as any game all year. Both teams will bring physical, athletic squads to the field, with each relying on running the ball down their opponents throats. My fearless prediction in this one is that whichever teams passes the most will lose. Only a 7-6 loss to Division 1 Hudson kept Somerset from going undefeated and really ratcheting up the hype around this one. Fullback Eric Walzack has put up some impressive numbers this year. He's carried it 283 times for 2001 yards and a state-high 29 touchdowns this year. Quarterback Rocky Larson has been impressive as well, with 19 rushing touchdowns. He does have 8 interceptions to just 4 touchdowns passing however. Northwestern brings in what may be the best running back trio in the state: Ryan Miesbauer, Kevin Derick, and T.J. Polkoski. They have combined for over 3300 rushing yards and an amazing 53 touchdowns. The Tigers have passed it less than 50 times all year, so don't expect them to start airing it out in this one. Somerset will get a heavy dose of the three running backs, while Northwestern can expect to see Eric Walzack pounding it up the middle time after time. Regardless of the outcome, this should be one of the most physical games in the state.
Edge: Somerset
Brodhead/Juda (9-2) vs. Lodi (10-1) Saturday 2 p.m. -- Brodhead/Juda comes into this one with a pair of dominating wins over seeded teams New Glarus/Monticello and Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau. It's truly been a team effort, as seven different players have scored touchdowns in the two playoff games. The constant for the Cardinals has been running back Ethan Douglas, who has rushed for 224 yards and three touchdowns in those games, and over 1200 yards with 19 touchdowns. Travis Hull has taken over the quarterbacking duties late in the year, and while his stats aren't overly impressive, the team has played much better since he took over. Lodi has long relied on a strong running game, and this year have added in a dangerous passing game behind two-year starter Lucas Stronach. Tyler Caldwell is the latest in a long line of outstanding runner backs for Lodi, compiling over 1600 yards and 11 touchdowns. Stronach has completed 54% of his passes for over 1100 yards with 14 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions. He's also rushed for 9 scores.
Edge: Lodi
Kewaunee (11-0) vs. Xavier (10-1) Friday 7 p.m. -- This should certainly be an interesting match-up. Kewaunee comes in as one of the most dominating teams in Division 4. Their high-powered offense averages just under 40 points per game, while their defense gives up 6.6 per game. Xavier has a strong defense as well, allowing just 11 points per ballgame. Their offense, however, has been a bit hit-and-miss, scoring just 20 points per game. Kewaunee has an outstanding running back trio in Jerry Charles, Alex Schleis, and Craig Christman. Quarterback Doug Delebreau adds an aerial threat that many teams just can't match-up with. The junior signal-caller has completed about 57% of his passes for 2025 yards and 26 touchdowns with just 6 interceptions. Mike Lux is his big play threat, catching 35 passes for 923 yards and 14 touchdowns. Tyler Wotachek and Tanner Ledvina are among the leaders on defense. Ledvina has four interceptions this year, with two of them returned for touchdowns. Chris Kessenich and Connor O'Brien have been big parts of Xavier's offense this year. Xavier will need to rely on that tough defense to keep this one close, and make some plays late, as they have several times this year.
Edge: Kewaunee
Ripon (9-2) vs. Big Foot (11-0) Friday 7 p.m. -- Big Foot advanced all the way to the state title game last year before falling to Wautoma, and despite missing University of Wisconsin lineman Travis Frederick, the Chiefs are looking strong again. 23 letterwinners and 12 starters return from that team, including many of the skill position players and strong components on defense. Michael Walker fits in both categories. On offense, he's been the catalyst, rushing for nearly 1400 yards and 19 touchdowns. On defense he has played an outstanding safety. Quarterback Steve Dowden has hooked up with Alec McGreevy, Nathan Nagel, and Walker for 19 touchdowns. Ripon relies heavily on their outstanding running back as well. Connor Hanson was a 1st team all-conference pick last year, recorded the highest SPARQ Rating at the combine in Stevens Point this summer, and has carried it into this year. Hanson averages over 120 yards per game.
Edge: Big Foot
Division 7 and 6 breakdowns will be posted Tuesday, Divisions 5 and 4 on Wednesday, Divisions 3 and 2 on Thursday, and Division 1 on Friday.
Comments 10
On
11/5/2009 4:08:45 AM
web91 wrote:
The freshly-christened Pumas are from Poynette. Lodi is the Blue Devils
On
11/5/2009 6:58:35 AM
tigers fan wrote:
Yeah, Somerset is real impressive. Scoring 4 touchdowns in the 4th quarter of the Bloomer game, 3 of them against JV. Walzack getting over 100 of his yards in that same time. That's the same team NW was up 28-0 at half and won 49-0. Somerset. Up 14-0 at half
On
11/5/2009 9:37:04 AM
Mr. Carter wrote:
Bloomer had 7 starters suspended for that game, don't forget that
On
11/5/2009 11:01:48 AM
32PudgyPie15 wrote:
How early in the fourth did the Bloomer JV players get in??
On
11/5/2009 12:56:37 PM
Tigers#1 wrote:
Mr. Carter: What game are you referring to that Bloomer had 7 players suspended?; against Northwestern or Somerset?
On
11/5/2009 1:00:43 PM
Tigers#1 wrote:
Be ready to eat some crow Travis Wilson after Northwestern pounds Somerset. One area you fail to mention as the difference maker is coaching and with Bill Pelkey and Andy Lind (two former outstanding head coaches) as assistants to the current solid head coach, this is an intangible that shouldn't be overlooked but is. Northwestern's kids are flat out tougher and better prepared in the trenches which is where this game will be won or lost.
On
11/5/2009 1:49:38 PM
travis wrote:
Tigers#1
Be ready to eat some crow Travis Wilson after Northwestern pounds Somerset. One area you fail to mention as the difference maker is coaching and with Bill Pelkey and Andy Lind (two former outstanding head coaches) as assistants to the current solid head coach, this is an intangible that shouldn't be overlooked but is. Northwestern's kids are flat out tougher and better prepared in the trenches which is where this game will be won or lost.
Somerset coach Bruce Larson has taken his team to three state final games (including a championship in 2002) this decade. I think he'll have his team ready to play as well.
On
11/5/2009 7:10:44 PM
Kdawg344 wrote:
You should have mentioned Lodi's defense has pitched three shutouts this season and is allowing opponents an average of 9 points per game or something like that.
Defense is the real story with this Lodi team.
On
11/5/2009 8:54:28 PM
packerland is tough wrote:
Exactly what I was thinking Somerset has probably one of the top coaches in the state and is a great motivator his kids will be ready
On
11/9/2009 8:28:53 AM
Tigers#1 wrote:
NORTHWESTERN TIGERS ON A MISSION!!
Here is the caption from the Superior telegram under a picture of Somerset's first pass play against the Tigers...
"Northwestern High School's Lee Brown (80) destroys Somerset's Dylan Rivard (16) in the first quarter of the Tigers' 21-14 victory in Maple on Saturday"
Yes, even couldn't Somerset's Coach Bruce Larson and his 13 assistants couldnt'outcoach NW and certainly Somerset was not as tough as disciplined as the Tigers which is just what I said the difference would be. After tying the game at 7 early in the second half, the Tigers rolled their ears back and dominated to take a 21-7 lead. Northwestern's Kevin Derek with 200 yds outshined Eric Walczak who found the going a little tougher against a stout Tiger defense that made some bone jarring hits....just ask Somersets WR Dylan Rivard who laid on the ground for 5 minutes after their first pass attempt and Walczak seemed to be getting up awfully slow in the second half. I do have to say that I was impressed with Somerset's defense and athleticism. They really do have a few studs on defense and I don't remember seeing a better tackling team at this level. I am sure Walczak will have some revenge on his mind next year when Someret is in Northwestern's District.
Are you scared yet BigFoot?...You should be.
You must be logged in to post comments.