MONROE - Seven prep football teams will begin their quests to raise a gold ball as a state champion Friday with first-round playoff games.
The Evansville-Albany football team received a No. 5 seed and isn't shying away from taking on Fort Atkinson on the road despite being the Rock Valley Conference champion.
"You can throw out the records now," Evansville-Albany coach Ron Grovesteen said. "It will be a big challenge. They (Fort Atkinson) are a very good team and play in a tough conference. We just have to keep doing what we have been doing."
Here is more information about upcoming WIAA first-round playoff games Friday that feature area teams:
Division 3
Evansville-Albany (8-1) at Fort Atkinson (5-4)
How did they get here?
Evansville-Albany: The Blue Devils were co-Rock Valley Conference champions with Clinton. Evansville-Albany's 21-12 season-opening win over Clinton gave the Blue Devils the conference title for seeding purposes in the playoffs, but the Blue Devils were given a fifth seed.
Fort Atkinson: The Blackhawks finished fourth in the Badger South Conference but received a No. 4 seed.
Common opponents: None
Key Players
Evansville-Albany: The Blue Devils' offense is averaging 37.8 points per game and is led by senior running back Brennen Banks, who has rushed for 1,298 yards and 14 touchdowns. The Blue Devils have a strong one-two punch in the backfield with senior Chase Katzenmeyer (11 TDs). Evansville-Albany quarterback Zach Mielke has passed for 1,233 yards with 15 TDs. Mielke is completing 61.5 percent of his passes.
Fort Atkinson: The Blackhawks have a high-powered offense that averages 33 points per game. However, the Fort Atkinson defense has been vulnerable all season and gives up 24 ppg and 149 rushing yards per game. The Cheesemakers gashed the Blackhawks for 366 yards, and, in a 57-56 loss to Monona Grove earlier this year, the Silver Eagles passed for 317 yards and rushed for more than 200 yards against the Blackhawks. The key for Fort Atkinson is senior running back Preston Strasburg, who has rushed for 1,751 yards and scored 21 TDs.
Prediction: Evansville-Albany 35, Fort Atkinson 28
Division 4
Brodhead-Juda (5-4)
at Lodi (7-2)
How did they get here?
Brodhead-Juda: The Cardinals finished fifth in the Rock Valley Conference and received a fifth seed. Brodhead-Juda extended its playoff streak to 26 straight years, which is the second longest streak in the state.
Lodi: The Blue Devils, a state qualifier last year, finished tied for second in the Capitol North Conference with Lake Mills to earn a fourth seed.
Common opponents: None
Key Players
Brodhead-Juda: Senior quarterback Matt Schmitt has passed for 928 yards with 10 TDs and four interceptions. The leading rusher for the Cardinals is Jack Speckman (606 yards and five TDs). Jeffrey Williams (422 yards and nine TDs) has also given the Cardinals a spark. Parker Johnson is the leading receiver for the Cardinals with 27 receptions for 221 yards and two touchdowns.
Lodi: Running back Jacob Heyroth (870 rushing yards, 12 TDs) leads Lodi's rushing attack. Quarterback Cameron McDonald has passed for 778 yards with five TDs and two interceptions.
Prediction: Lodi 28, Brodhead-Juda 14
Division 5
New Glarus-Monticello (6-3)
at Arcadia (6-3)
How did they get here?
New Glarus-Monticello: The Glarner Knights were the Capitol South Conference champions, going 4-0 in league play.
Arcadia: Arcadia placed second in the Coulee Conference with a 4-1 record just behind conference champion Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau.
Common opponents: None
Key Players
New Glarus-Monticello: The Knights are led by senior fullback Tanner Jelle (700 rushing yards and 11 TDs and sophomore running back Zach Feller (608 yards with seven TDs). Feller is averaging 8.4 yards per carry. Tight end Drew Pickett is the favorite target of quarterback John Chenoweth. Pickett has 11 receptions for 234 yards and two touchdowns. Jon Errthum leads the Knights on defense with four sacks and two forced fumbles.
Arcadia: RB Dayton Sokup (703 yards and eight TDs) leads the ground game. Quarterback Brennan Scow has passed for 888 yards, an average of 126.9 yards per game, with seven TDs and three interceptions.
Prediction: Arcadia 27, New Glarus-Monticello 21
Division 6
Brookwood (4-5)
at Darlington (9-0)
How did they get here?
Darlington: The second-ranked Redbirds went unbeaten in the regular season and won the Southwest Wisconsin Activities League title for the seventh time in the past eight years. Darlington is the top seed.
Brookwood: The Falcons finished fourth in the Scenic Bluffs Conference at 3-3 to become playoff eligible and are the eighth seed.
Common opponents: None
Key Players
Darlington: The high-powered Darlington offense is averaging a staggering 59.2 points per game. The Redbirds are led by senior RB Hunter Johnson, who has rushed for 1,727 yards and scored 36 TDs. Johnson is averaging a stunning 17.6 yards per carry. Senior RB Trevor Johnson (684 yards and 11 TDs) provides a great compliment and is averaging 23.6 yards per carry. He also is the Redbirds' leading receiver (with four TDs). Darlington has five shutouts this season and has a strong and physical defensive line.
Brookwood: The Falcons are averaging just 13 points per game this season. Brookwood RB Ben DeWitt (627 yards and four TDs) is the focal point of the offense.
Prediction: Darlington 63, Brookwood 0
Waterloo (6-3)
at Pecatonica-Argyle (9-0)
How did they get here?
Pecatonica-Argyle: The Vikings went unbeaten in the regular season for the second straight year to win the Six Rivers Conference and landed the second seed.
Waterloo: The Pirates took second in the Capitol South with a 3-1 mark behind champion New Glarus-Monticello. The Pirates are the No. 7 seed.
Common opponents: None
Key Players
Pecatonica-Argyle: The Vikings are averaging 34 points per game and have a balanced offense. Senior QB Logan Green has passed for 1,044 yards with 16 TDs and just four interceptions. Green is completing 61 percent of his passes. The top receiver is senior A.J. Hendrickson with 33 receptions for 537 yards and 10 TDs. Senior RB Collin Argue has rushed for 733 yards with eight TDs. Argue also has caught three TDs. Senior LB Cam Treuthardt leads a Vikings' defense with 77 tackles, four tackles for loss and three sacks.
Waterloo: QB Weston Swarztrauber has passed for 1,126 yards with 11 TDs and seven interceptions. RB Joey Lauth (524 rushing yards and two TDs) leads the rushing attack. Swarztrauber has run for three touchdowns.
Prediction: Pecatonica-Argyle 42, Waterloo 13
Wauzeka-Steuben/Seneca
(6-3) at Black Hawk (7-2)
How did they get here?
Black Hawk: The Warriors tied for second in the Six Rivers Conference with Highland and Shullsburg at 6-2. The Warriors landed the third seed.
Wauzeka-Steuben/Seneca: Wauzeka-Steuben/Seneca finished third in the Ridge and Valley Conference at 4-2 and received a No. 6 seed.
Common opponents: None
Key Players
Black Hawk: The Warriors have a strong running game led by junior Brody Milz (1,017 yards and 10 TDs) and sophomore RB Colby Argall (951 rushing yards and 11 TDs). QB Michael Flanagan has passed for 740 yards and seven TDs. Jett Rufenacht is the top receiver for the Warriors with 23 receptions for 560 yards and seven TDs. Rufenacht is averaging 24.3 yards per catch. Mitchell Quinn (102 tackles, nine tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks) and Milz (100 tackles and eight tackles for loss) lead the Warriors' defense.
Wauzeka-Steuben/Seneca: QB Jared Payne has passed for 606 yards with 12 TDs and six interceptions. Payne is completing just 45.6 percent of his passes. RB Noah Allan (625 rushing yards and seven TDs) lead the ground game.
Prediction: Black Hawk 38, Wauzeka-Steuben/Seneca 12
The Evansville-Albany football team received a No. 5 seed and isn't shying away from taking on Fort Atkinson on the road despite being the Rock Valley Conference champion.
"You can throw out the records now," Evansville-Albany coach Ron Grovesteen said. "It will be a big challenge. They (Fort Atkinson) are a very good team and play in a tough conference. We just have to keep doing what we have been doing."
Here is more information about upcoming WIAA first-round playoff games Friday that feature area teams:
Division 3
Evansville-Albany (8-1) at Fort Atkinson (5-4)
How did they get here?
Evansville-Albany: The Blue Devils were co-Rock Valley Conference champions with Clinton. Evansville-Albany's 21-12 season-opening win over Clinton gave the Blue Devils the conference title for seeding purposes in the playoffs, but the Blue Devils were given a fifth seed.
Fort Atkinson: The Blackhawks finished fourth in the Badger South Conference but received a No. 4 seed.
Common opponents: None
Key Players
Evansville-Albany: The Blue Devils' offense is averaging 37.8 points per game and is led by senior running back Brennen Banks, who has rushed for 1,298 yards and 14 touchdowns. The Blue Devils have a strong one-two punch in the backfield with senior Chase Katzenmeyer (11 TDs). Evansville-Albany quarterback Zach Mielke has passed for 1,233 yards with 15 TDs. Mielke is completing 61.5 percent of his passes.
Fort Atkinson: The Blackhawks have a high-powered offense that averages 33 points per game. However, the Fort Atkinson defense has been vulnerable all season and gives up 24 ppg and 149 rushing yards per game. The Cheesemakers gashed the Blackhawks for 366 yards, and, in a 57-56 loss to Monona Grove earlier this year, the Silver Eagles passed for 317 yards and rushed for more than 200 yards against the Blackhawks. The key for Fort Atkinson is senior running back Preston Strasburg, who has rushed for 1,751 yards and scored 21 TDs.
Prediction: Evansville-Albany 35, Fort Atkinson 28
Division 4
Brodhead-Juda (5-4)
at Lodi (7-2)
How did they get here?
Brodhead-Juda: The Cardinals finished fifth in the Rock Valley Conference and received a fifth seed. Brodhead-Juda extended its playoff streak to 26 straight years, which is the second longest streak in the state.
Lodi: The Blue Devils, a state qualifier last year, finished tied for second in the Capitol North Conference with Lake Mills to earn a fourth seed.
Common opponents: None
Key Players
Brodhead-Juda: Senior quarterback Matt Schmitt has passed for 928 yards with 10 TDs and four interceptions. The leading rusher for the Cardinals is Jack Speckman (606 yards and five TDs). Jeffrey Williams (422 yards and nine TDs) has also given the Cardinals a spark. Parker Johnson is the leading receiver for the Cardinals with 27 receptions for 221 yards and two touchdowns.
Lodi: Running back Jacob Heyroth (870 rushing yards, 12 TDs) leads Lodi's rushing attack. Quarterback Cameron McDonald has passed for 778 yards with five TDs and two interceptions.
Prediction: Lodi 28, Brodhead-Juda 14
Division 5
New Glarus-Monticello (6-3)
at Arcadia (6-3)
How did they get here?
New Glarus-Monticello: The Glarner Knights were the Capitol South Conference champions, going 4-0 in league play.
Arcadia: Arcadia placed second in the Coulee Conference with a 4-1 record just behind conference champion Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau.
Common opponents: None
Key Players
New Glarus-Monticello: The Knights are led by senior fullback Tanner Jelle (700 rushing yards and 11 TDs and sophomore running back Zach Feller (608 yards with seven TDs). Feller is averaging 8.4 yards per carry. Tight end Drew Pickett is the favorite target of quarterback John Chenoweth. Pickett has 11 receptions for 234 yards and two touchdowns. Jon Errthum leads the Knights on defense with four sacks and two forced fumbles.
Arcadia: RB Dayton Sokup (703 yards and eight TDs) leads the ground game. Quarterback Brennan Scow has passed for 888 yards, an average of 126.9 yards per game, with seven TDs and three interceptions.
Prediction: Arcadia 27, New Glarus-Monticello 21
Division 6
Brookwood (4-5)
at Darlington (9-0)
How did they get here?
Darlington: The second-ranked Redbirds went unbeaten in the regular season and won the Southwest Wisconsin Activities League title for the seventh time in the past eight years. Darlington is the top seed.
Brookwood: The Falcons finished fourth in the Scenic Bluffs Conference at 3-3 to become playoff eligible and are the eighth seed.
Common opponents: None
Key Players
Darlington: The high-powered Darlington offense is averaging a staggering 59.2 points per game. The Redbirds are led by senior RB Hunter Johnson, who has rushed for 1,727 yards and scored 36 TDs. Johnson is averaging a stunning 17.6 yards per carry. Senior RB Trevor Johnson (684 yards and 11 TDs) provides a great compliment and is averaging 23.6 yards per carry. He also is the Redbirds' leading receiver (with four TDs). Darlington has five shutouts this season and has a strong and physical defensive line.
Brookwood: The Falcons are averaging just 13 points per game this season. Brookwood RB Ben DeWitt (627 yards and four TDs) is the focal point of the offense.
Prediction: Darlington 63, Brookwood 0
Waterloo (6-3)
at Pecatonica-Argyle (9-0)
How did they get here?
Pecatonica-Argyle: The Vikings went unbeaten in the regular season for the second straight year to win the Six Rivers Conference and landed the second seed.
Waterloo: The Pirates took second in the Capitol South with a 3-1 mark behind champion New Glarus-Monticello. The Pirates are the No. 7 seed.
Common opponents: None
Key Players
Pecatonica-Argyle: The Vikings are averaging 34 points per game and have a balanced offense. Senior QB Logan Green has passed for 1,044 yards with 16 TDs and just four interceptions. Green is completing 61 percent of his passes. The top receiver is senior A.J. Hendrickson with 33 receptions for 537 yards and 10 TDs. Senior RB Collin Argue has rushed for 733 yards with eight TDs. Argue also has caught three TDs. Senior LB Cam Treuthardt leads a Vikings' defense with 77 tackles, four tackles for loss and three sacks.
Waterloo: QB Weston Swarztrauber has passed for 1,126 yards with 11 TDs and seven interceptions. RB Joey Lauth (524 rushing yards and two TDs) leads the rushing attack. Swarztrauber has run for three touchdowns.
Prediction: Pecatonica-Argyle 42, Waterloo 13
Wauzeka-Steuben/Seneca
(6-3) at Black Hawk (7-2)
How did they get here?
Black Hawk: The Warriors tied for second in the Six Rivers Conference with Highland and Shullsburg at 6-2. The Warriors landed the third seed.
Wauzeka-Steuben/Seneca: Wauzeka-Steuben/Seneca finished third in the Ridge and Valley Conference at 4-2 and received a No. 6 seed.
Common opponents: None
Key Players
Black Hawk: The Warriors have a strong running game led by junior Brody Milz (1,017 yards and 10 TDs) and sophomore RB Colby Argall (951 rushing yards and 11 TDs). QB Michael Flanagan has passed for 740 yards and seven TDs. Jett Rufenacht is the top receiver for the Warriors with 23 receptions for 560 yards and seven TDs. Rufenacht is averaging 24.3 yards per catch. Mitchell Quinn (102 tackles, nine tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks) and Milz (100 tackles and eight tackles for loss) lead the Warriors' defense.
Wauzeka-Steuben/Seneca: QB Jared Payne has passed for 606 yards with 12 TDs and six interceptions. Payne is completing just 45.6 percent of his passes. RB Noah Allan (625 rushing yards and seven TDs) lead the ground game.
Prediction: Black Hawk 38, Wauzeka-Steuben/Seneca 12
