Only six 11-player football teams remain alive after Level 1 of the WIAA playoffs.
I’ll break down each of the five games involving Manitowoc and Sheboygan county teams, including a Week 9 rematch.
I went 7-4 last week picking games and am 21-8 since Week 8 when I started.
The Sheboygan North Golden Raiders have enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in team history.
There is no denying that, including winning the program’s first-ever playoff win last week in the Division 1 tilt.
This is where the season likely comes to a close though.
Bay Port is not Milwaukee Reagan and the Golden Raiders will need to play the games of their lives if they want to advance.
Running backs Vince Nienhuis and Alex Hernandez will be key for Sheboygan North.
Predicted winner: Bay Port
This will be tough test for the Plymouth Panthers, getting last year’s Division 3 runners-up in Grafton.
The two teams share one common opponent in Port Washington, which defeated Plymouth 28-14 while Grafton routed the Pirates 45-6.
Panthers running back Brett Shutter had a fantastic game in Level 1 but will need to be just as dynamic this week if Plymouth is going to move on.
Grafton has its own standout running back in Tommy Lutz, who has over 1,500 yards on the season and 22 touchdowns.
Whichever ground game is more effective wins, with the edge likely going to Grafton.
Predicted winner: Grafton
The best comparison I can make to the Kiel Raiders of this season is the St. Louis Rams teams of the early 2000s which were dubbed the Greatest Show on Turf.
This is just the Division 5 high school version.
Kiel has a plethora of offensive weapons across the board including running back Bryce Gullixon, quarterback Cade Voelker and receivers Harrison Zorn and Braden Aprill.
The Raiders are averaging 47 points per game and have scored at least 34 points in all 10 games.
I don’t genuinely think Kewaunee has the defenders to keep Kiel in check.
When the game is done, this will be another one that the Raiders win comfortably with a running clock a possibility if the Kiel defense is up to the task of keeping Kewaunee out of the end zone.
Predicted winner: Kiel
More football coverage:Tom Dombeck breaks down the future for Manitowoc/Sheboygan non-playoff football teams
These two teams back back in Week 9 two weeks ago, with the Cedar Grove-Belgium Rockets prevailing 49-14.
One big thing that’s happened since then is the loss of Cedar Grove-Belgium receiver, defensive back and return specialist Nolan Aponte due to injury last week in the Division 6 Level 1 contest.
The Howards Grove Tigers are a pass heavy team so losing one of your best defensive backs isn’t ideal.
Rockets running back Ira Hilbelink was fed the ball 41 times for 2289 yards in that Week 9 matchup so expect more of the same this time around.
As for Howards Grove, quarterback Trent Grunewald must avoid costly turnovers as he threw three interceptions back in that meeting.
The loss of Aponte hurts but Cedar Grove-Belgium still has to be considered the favorite to win.
Predicted winner: Cedar Grove-Belgium
Top performers:A single-season rushing record highlights top prep performers in Manitowoc and Sheboygan
Lomira is going to run the ball early and often against the Manitowoc Lutheran Lancers.
Taylor Schaumberg leads Lomira in rushing with over 1,300 yards and 20 touchdowns while two other players, Jackson Goebel and Jack Luedtke, have each scored at least 10 touchdowns.
Manitowoc Lutheran has been defying expectations all season so if they can contain the run, the Lancers might have a shot.
Offensively, quarterback Jayman Ott and receiver Derek Laabs will have to try and find the end zone a few times if running back Kamden Baye gets bogged down.
Predicted winner: Lomira
Contact Tom Dombeck at 920-686-2965 ortdombeck@htrnews.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at@Tom_Dombeck.
