Football Level 3 Preview: Division 3
posted by Travis Wilson at 11/5/2009
Division 3 Bracket
Toughest Road So Far
The two opponents for Catholic Memorial (Brown Deer and New Berlin Eisenhower) combined for 15 regular season wins, more than any other D3 team left in the field. The Crusaders have made it look easy though, dominating Brown Deer 48-14 and shutting out Ike 24-0.
Cinderella
Hayward lost one of the state's leading rushers from last year's team in Bucky Dixon. They struggled to a 4-3 record in the Heart O' North this year and were facing top-seeded Ashland in Level 1. The Hurricanes put things together at the right time though, pulling out tough wins over Ashland and then Osceola in Level 2. Hayward's 7-4 record is the worst of the eight remaining Division 3 teams.
Most Impressive
Despite a pair of tough opponents, Kewaskum has finished with fairly comfortable margins in both games. The Indians were actually tied 0-0 at halftime of their Level 1 game against New London, but exploded for 27 second-half points. They picked off New London quarterback Trevor Hass six times in that game, including returning one 90 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. In Level 2, they avenged their only loss this year with a 27-7 defeat of Plymouth. The Indians built a 27-0 lead in that one before Plymouth scored late in the fourth quarter.
The Match-Ups:
Waupaca (10-1) vs. Hayward (7-4) Saturday 4 p.m. -- As the defending state champion in Division 3, Waupaca would seem to be the favorite in this one. Things haven't come easy for the Comets this year, as in addition to a 26-7 loss to Ripon, three of their games were decided by one touchdown. A stout defense that has held 9 of their 11 opponents to 10 points or less has been a big reason Waupaca has gotten to where they are. Offensively, quarterback Harley Anderson has been solid, completing 55% of his passes for over 1200 yards and 16 touchdowns to just 6 interceptions. Beau Ash has been the main ground threat, averaging over 80 yards per game. As they have for a number of years, Hayward continues to rely on a strong ground game, with a pair of rushers averaging over 100 yards per game. Cory Clark and Phil Beaudin team up to form an outstanding 1-2 punch in the backfield. Quarterback Cory Peterson has actually ran it more times than he's passed it this year.
Edge: Waupaca
Jefferson (10-1) vs. Reedsburg (8-3) Saturday 4 p.m. -- Jefferson has been kind of a forgotten team in Division 3, but with a 10-1 record and two solid playoff wins under their belts, the Eagles cannot be taken lightly. Their lone loss was a 14-7 defeat at Big Foot, an undefeated and top-ranked Division 4 team. It was the toughest game Big Foot has faced this year, as Jefferson had them down into the fourth quarter. Pete Linse has been outstanding this year, averaging over 9 yards per carry with 1600 yards on the season and 20 touchdowns. Tyler Tomczak provides a threat both running and catching the ball. Quarterback Lucas Smillie doesn't get much action, averaging just 21 yards per game passing. Reedsburg hasn't passed it much this year either, with quarterback Chad Mazur averaging just three attempts per game. Mazur has been big in the running game though, racking up about 1000 yards with 15 touchdowns in the option-heavy offense. Fullback Shane Rockweiler and backs Matt Lennon and Andy Huber give Reedsburg plenty of options in their flexbone attack. Lennon is a speedster, and the Beavers like to use sweeps and quick tosses to get him on the edge. Expect a quick game with not many passes thrown in this one. After making it to the state title game in D3 and coming up just short, the Beavers have improved their defense this year, while still racking up big yards and points on offense.
Edge: Reedsburg
West De Pere (10-1) vs. Kewaskum (10-1) Saturday 1 p.m. -- Both teams have been playing outstanding football late in the year and into the playoffs, but something will have to give on Saturday. West De Pere has relied more and more on outstanding running back Beau Bellmore as the season has gone on, and it culminated in a 39 carry, 316 yard performance in a 42-21 Level 2 win over Notre Dame. Bellmore is averaging about 190 yards per game this year. West De Pere's defense has been solid, allowing just 11.2 points per game, good for fifth in Division 3. On the other side, Kewaskum's defense has been even better, leading Division 3 with just 6.2 points allowed per game. Linebacker Cody Seibel has been a big part of that. Offensively he is also the team's leading rusher, and scored 11 touchdowns. Unless there are a lot of turnovers, I wouldn't expect this one to be too high scoring.
Edge: Kewaskum
Union Grove (8-3) vs. Catholic Memorial (8-3) -- In the loaded Southeast regional of Division 3, its no surprise to see a four-seed and an unseeded team meeting in Level 3. Catholic Memorial has won each of their games easily, while Union Grove has won their two games by a combined 8 points. For Union Grove, it all starts with talented running back Dan Vyvyan. After missing a good portion of last year with injury, Vyvyan had high expectations this year. He's definitely lived up to them with 1887 yards and 19 touchdowns so far. If you can make Union Grove pass the ball, you'd got a good chance at being successful. Cody McClelland and Tyler Kerkman have split time at quarterback this year, and combined to complete just 33% of their passes with 2 touchdowns to 8 interceptions. Catholic Memorial's option-heavy offense has been very well-balanced, with no definitive "go-to guy". The defense has been a big key to Catholic Memorial's success, allowing just 10.2 points per game, good for third in Division 3.
Edge: Catholic Memorial
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 6
On
11/5/2009 5:11:15 PM
hehateme043 wrote:
In the most impressive section Kewaskum, not Kewaunee
On
11/8/2009 8:49:34 AM
Tigers#1 wrote:
EAT THAT CROW TRAVIS WILSON!! - NORTHESTERN 21 - SOMERSHET 14
Since you don't post your Division 4 break-downs again for a few days, I obviously couldn't wait to stick this one to you and everyone else who has underestimated Northwestern in these play-offs. Yes, even couldn't Somerset's Coach 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 didn't exactly get his 180 yd average 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.
On
11/8/2009 11:01:17 AM
travis wrote:
Tigers#1
EAT THAT CROW TRAVIS WILSON!! - NORTHESTERN 21 - SOMERSHET 14
Since you don't post your Division 4 break-downs again for a few days, I obviously couldn't wait to stick this one to you and everyone else who has underestimated Northwestern in these play-offs. Yes, even couldn't Somerset's Coach 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 didn't exactly get his 180 yd average 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.
1) Nice job commenting on the Division 4 breakdown.....oh wait, this is the Division 3 article.
2) Nice job representing Northwestern by gloating about a player from the other team getting injured.
3) Nice job in thinking that your team was going to win, and anyone else who thought or picked otherwise was out to get you and just the biggest fools ever. Holy cow, I picked a game wrong, I guess I should be fired.
On
11/8/2009 12:44:15 PM
Tigers#1 wrote:
Not saying anything about your abilities Travis so do take it personal; you do a good job with your reporting. I think my analysis of the game is objective and right on piont. By the way, the hit on Somerset's Rivard was as clean as it gets and who doesn't want to see a bone jarring hit once in a while. He got up after a few minutes and was fine. I look forward to your analysis of Kewaukee beating the Tigers now.
On
11/8/2009 12:45:19 PM
Tigers#1 wrote:
Oh and by the way Travis, if you would keep an open forum by Division for people to post on at all times, we wouldn't have to post on other Divisions areas.
On
11/8/2009 8:36:10 PM
travis wrote:
Tigers#1
Oh and by the way Travis, if you would keep an open forum by Division for people to post on at all times, we wouldn't have to post on other Divisions areas.
The Division 4 article is still accessible, just like it has always been. If it's not listed in the "Recent Articles" on the left of the screen, you just have to go to the Archive list right below it and select November, where all articles written in that month will show up.
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