Sports reporter Mark Nesbitt and sports editor Adam Krebs are locked in a tie at 63-17 heading into the Level 2 playoff games today. Adam went 4-1 in the first-round playoff games and correctly picked Pecatonica-Argyle to beat Necedah while Mark went 3-2.
Brodhead-Juda (8-2) at NG-M (8-2)
Mark: The last time Brodhead-Juda played New Glarus-Monticello, the Cardinals pounded the Knights 47-0 in a first-round playoff game last year. The Knights behind Tyler Dorn with 125 rushing yards and two touchdowns stunned River Valley in an upset in the first-round of the playoffs Tuesday. The Knights' defense has thrived at forcing turnovers and the Cardinals have excelled at protecting the ball. It's pick your poison against Brodhead-Juda. The Cardinals have a balanced offense and if the Knights bottle up the run, they can do damage passing the ball.
Pick: Brodhead-Juda
Adam: The Knights have had a great season - one I didn't see coming. But that is why you have to love any team coached by Jeff Eichelkraut and his staff - they are a class act and get their kids to reach their potential time and time again. Cardinals coach Jim Matthys does the exact same. This game comes down to size and talent. There is no doubting the loads of talent on each side, but my pick goes to Brodhead-Juda. The ability to spread the offense around with an endless amount of guys capable of scoring - and a defense that can shut down anyone - gets my pick.
Pick: Cards
Stratford (8-2) at Darlington (10-0)
Mark: The Redbirds will need to play a complete four quarters to beat Stratford. The Darlington defense has had four shutouts this year. The Redbirds' defense will rise to the challenge. Stratford had their run of six straight state championships in Division 6 snapped last year with a 34-7 loss to Colby. Stratford is led by Mark Marquardt who has rushed for 10 TDs.
Pick: Darlington
Adam: This will obviously be the biggest test for the Redbirds this season. Stratford is big and well coached and dominates its opponents much like Darlington. The difference here is Stratford has a long bus ride ahead of them and Darlington is used to afternoon games on their home field. It should be a thriller.
Pick: Da 'Birds
Mineral Point (8-2) at Pecatonica-Argyle (6-4)
Mark: The Pointers knocked off one Six Rivers Conference team in River Ridge 28-8. It's amazing that Tannar Johnson was even able to kick two field goals in the wind in a 25-12 Level 1 playoff win over Necedah Tuesday. The Vikings face another challenge trying to slow down Mineral Point's Brady Tibbits who has rushed for 1,222 yards, 15 TDs and is averaging 9.1 yards per carry.
Pick: Mineral Point
Adam: The Vikings have played both good games and bad games this season. Mineral Point has too. But Brady Tibbits and the Pointers have the size that I don't know if Pec-Argyle can match. It should be a good game.
Pick: Pointers
Brodhead-Juda (8-2) at NG-M (8-2)
Mark: The last time Brodhead-Juda played New Glarus-Monticello, the Cardinals pounded the Knights 47-0 in a first-round playoff game last year. The Knights behind Tyler Dorn with 125 rushing yards and two touchdowns stunned River Valley in an upset in the first-round of the playoffs Tuesday. The Knights' defense has thrived at forcing turnovers and the Cardinals have excelled at protecting the ball. It's pick your poison against Brodhead-Juda. The Cardinals have a balanced offense and if the Knights bottle up the run, they can do damage passing the ball.
Pick: Brodhead-Juda
Adam: The Knights have had a great season - one I didn't see coming. But that is why you have to love any team coached by Jeff Eichelkraut and his staff - they are a class act and get their kids to reach their potential time and time again. Cardinals coach Jim Matthys does the exact same. This game comes down to size and talent. There is no doubting the loads of talent on each side, but my pick goes to Brodhead-Juda. The ability to spread the offense around with an endless amount of guys capable of scoring - and a defense that can shut down anyone - gets my pick.
Pick: Cards
Stratford (8-2) at Darlington (10-0)
Mark: The Redbirds will need to play a complete four quarters to beat Stratford. The Darlington defense has had four shutouts this year. The Redbirds' defense will rise to the challenge. Stratford had their run of six straight state championships in Division 6 snapped last year with a 34-7 loss to Colby. Stratford is led by Mark Marquardt who has rushed for 10 TDs.
Pick: Darlington
Adam: This will obviously be the biggest test for the Redbirds this season. Stratford is big and well coached and dominates its opponents much like Darlington. The difference here is Stratford has a long bus ride ahead of them and Darlington is used to afternoon games on their home field. It should be a thriller.
Pick: Da 'Birds
Mineral Point (8-2) at Pecatonica-Argyle (6-4)
Mark: The Pointers knocked off one Six Rivers Conference team in River Ridge 28-8. It's amazing that Tannar Johnson was even able to kick two field goals in the wind in a 25-12 Level 1 playoff win over Necedah Tuesday. The Vikings face another challenge trying to slow down Mineral Point's Brady Tibbits who has rushed for 1,222 yards, 15 TDs and is averaging 9.1 yards per carry.
Pick: Mineral Point
Adam: The Vikings have played both good games and bad games this season. Mineral Point has too. But Brady Tibbits and the Pointers have the size that I don't know if Pec-Argyle can match. It should be a good game.
Pick: Pointers
