Football Level 3 Preview: Division 1
posted by Travis Wilson at 11/6/2009
Division 1 Bracket
Toughest Road So Far
Arrowhead had a very tough draw, but this one goes to Menomonee Falls. Any time you have to take on the undefeated defending champion, you know it's been a tough road. Falls was fortunate to get a home game versus Homestead in Level 2, but they showed they were the better team that day with a 27-7 win in the mud and muck. Falls also faced a 7-2 Manitowoc Lincoln squad in Level 1.
Cinderella
With only seeded teams left in the field, it's hard to say anyone is really a Cinderella at this point. If I had to name someone though, I'd go with Sun Prairie, simply for the fact the Cardinals had to come back from a 28-21 deficit in the fourth quarter of a Level 2 match-up with Fond du Lac, and kicked a field goal with only seconds left on the clock to pull out the 31-28 win.
Most Impressive
Kenosha Bradford continued to put up points at a ridiculous rate. The Red Devils have scored 114 points in their two playoff games, and currently lead all divisions in scoring on the season with a 48.6 point per game average.
The Match-Ups:
Appleton North (11-0) vs. Stevens Point (11-0) Saturday 4 p.m. -- Stevens Point comes in sporting a perfect 11-0 record according to WIAA playoff seeding and qualifying rules, but the Panthers did actually play and lose to Minnetonka in Week 8, which was technically recorded as a 2-0 forfeit win over Rhinelander. The big news for Point though is the loss of talented running back Austin Sikorski for the rest of the year. After battling some nagging foot injuries late in the year, Sikorski seemed to finally be getting healthy before breaking his foot on a kickoff return for a touchdown in a 52-27 win over Oshkosh West in Level 1. Joey Mathe did a nice job filling in against Hudson in Level 2, rushing 19 times for 139 yards. Stevens Point will need to rely even more on a solid defense and outstanding special teams. Isaac Groshek is a neat story, joining the team as a place-kicker in addition to competing in soccer. He's been outstanding this year and provides a scoring threat on field goal and a weapon in field position with booming kickoffs into the end zone. Dan Desorcy is a guy to watch in the receiving game and return game. For Appleton North, the offense relies heavily on running back Steve Lichtfuss, who has rushed for 2143 yards and 23 touchdowns this year. With good balance, strength, and vision, he is able to get tough yard after tough yard. A tough defense led by linebackers Kolby Knuth and Tremayne Williams has held opponents to just 9 points per game this year.
Edge: Appleton North
Verona (9-2) vs. Arrowhead (10-1) Saturday 4 p.m. at Middleton H.S. -- This is a rematch of a 2007 state semi-final game, which Arrowhead won 24-7 on its way to a state title. Verona will look to reverse the outcome of that one behind a pair of backs that went for over 1000 yards. Cameron Bathe was the inside guy to get tough yards in the Wildcats attack, and Ryan McDonald used his blazing speed to get outside, averaging over 10 yards per carry on his way to 16 touchdowns. Quarterback Danny Burns was only asked to throw it about 10 times per game, but he was efficient when need be. He passed for 10 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions while completing 54% of his passes. Arrowhead had quite a few blowouts this year, putting a damper on some of the statistics of its top players. Running back Brian Crook is in his third year as a starting running back, and is one of the best in the state. Quarterback Tom Parrish, a Minnesota recruit, can hurt you both running and passing. Russ Finco is his favorite target.
Edge: Arrowhead
Sun Prairie (9-2) vs. Menomonee Falls (10-1) Saturday 1 p.m. -- After taking down defending champ Homestead in Level 2, Menomonee Falls has to be feeling pretty confident heading into Saturday's match-up with Sun Prairie. Coming out of the highly competitive Greater Metro Conference will certainly help as well. Cole Myhra has been a workhorse for Falls this year. It hasn't always been pretty, but when needed he has responded, with 1372 yards and 17 touchdowns. Quarterback Max Poeske has been solid, and can hurt you with his legs at times. Matt Widule provides a big-play threat in the passing game, averaging over 25 yards per catch with 5 touchdowns. Falls has played strong defense all year, allowing just 11.3 points per game. Kicker Kyle French is a potential difference-maker, as the Wisconsin recruit provides the team with extra scoring chances on long field goals. Sun Prairie began the year as the favorite in the Big Eight, then struggled out of the gates. They were able to turn it around however, despite the loss of running back Sean Marshall, whose off-field behavior couldn't allow him to stay on the field. Mike Mwelwa has seemingly come from nowhere to provide a nice threat running the ball behind a big and talented line the last several weeks. Quarterback Tyler Patterson has tossed 18 touchdowns this year to just 5 interceptions.
Edge: Menomonee Falls
Kenosha Bradford (11-0) vs. Milwaukee Marquette (11-0) Saturday 6 p.m. -- This is the one everyone's been waiting for. Unbeaten and extremely talented squads meet in a game that due to the incredible athletes on each side, some are calling the "Fastest game in the state". Behind third-year coach Jed Kennedy's option-heavy attack, Bradford has rolled up a state-high 48.6 points per game. Fullback Cody Brady, Torrie Tyson, and Melvin Gordon (who picked up a Wisconsin offer) are as good and athletic as any running back trio in the state. As if that's not enough, quarterback Gino DeBartolo is a maestro at running the option, and leads the team in rushing yards with 1030 and rushing touchdowns with 17. He's also completed 53% of his passes for 11 touchdowns and just 3 picks. On the other side, Milwaukee Marquette may feature the most talented defense in the state. The Trotter twins Michael (safety, headed to Wisconsin) and Marcus (linebacker, offers from Indiana among others) form a great team. Linebackers Cameron Botticelli and Nick Gral have been outstanding as well, and will undoubtedly play on Saturdays, maybe even at the Division 1 level. Junior defensive lineman Mark Scarpinato is beginning to get some college looks as well. They've combined to hold opponents to just 10.3 points per contest. The offense has been no slouch either, averaging 39.3 per game, good for third in Division 1. Running backs Brock LaFace and John LoCoco form an outstanding 1-2 punch, combining for over 2000 yards and 26 touchdowns. Quarterback Kevin Fink has been incredible, completing 59% of his passes for 1494 yards with 21 touchdowns to just 4 picks. This should be an incredible game, and is very tough to pick.
Edge: Milwaukee Marquette
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