We have made it to the state semi-finals in the WIAA Football Playoffs! 28 schools remain and 14 will play for a championship next week at Camp Randall Stadium. Here are the top three games I will be watching Friday night.
WIAA Football Semi-Finals: Kimberly vs. Bay Port
Kimberly-Bay Port is one of two WIAA Football semi-finals in Division 1. Bay Port has been the top team in this division for a while now. Cole Benson is one of the best quarterbacks in the state. Not only can he beat you with his arm, but he is almost just as lethal with his legs. Can Bay Port take down one of the Goliaths in the state?
Kimberly has had an impressive run to get to this point. As a three-seed in the WIAA Football Playoffs, they went on the road and defeated Neenah and Waunakee. The Papermakers seem to be playing their best ball of the season at the right time. Seth Miron and Blake Barry are a great QB-RB duo as well. Kimberly has also been in this position a ton, so they have the edge in experience. There should a lot of points in this football contest.
Catholic Memorial vs. Two Rivers
When the WIAA Football Playoffs brackets were revealed as well as most of the season, it was Catholic Memorial against the field. At the time, it seemed as if the field had no shot. Make no mistake about it, Catholic Memorial has been impressive and has done what they need to do.
Two Rivers is probably one of the most confident football teams left. As they should be. The Purple Raiders went on the road last week and blew out top-seed Racine St. Catherine’s. A three-seed for an undefeated team was questionable when the WIAA Football Playoffs brackets were revealed. However, Two Rivers has embraced this and is playing like the 12-0 team they are. I like Catholic Memorial, but I think Two Rivers gives them all they can handle.
WIAA Football Semi-Finals: Stratford vs. St Mary’s Springs
Stratford and Springs continue to be two of the best small-school football programs in the state. You don’t want to see either team on your schedule. Both are dominant in the WIAA Football Playoffs and have great defenses to carry them.
The Tigers continue to roll. They defeated top seed Grantsburg last week. They could have easily been a one-seed. Currently, the Tigers have given up seven points in this postseason. That’s right: SEVEN.
The Ledgers had an impressive win last week, They went on the road and defeated last year’s runner-up in WIAA Football Playoffs Division 7, Coleman. The Ledgers are winning close games in the postseason and using their defense to carry them. Like Kimberly, they know how to get the job done this time of year. This seems like a low-scoring game. Maybe 14 points is enough to win? Either way, it should be a great game.
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