Sports editor Adam Krebs and sports reporter Mark Nesbitt each went 4-0 last week. Adam (70-17) still holds a one game lead on Mark (69-18) with two high school teams - Brodhead-Juda and Darlington each one win away from state at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
Brodhead-Juda (10-2) vs. Big Foot (10-2) at Middleton
Adam: Over the last nine weeks, Brodhead-Juda has played about as good as possible. The Cardinals' dream season nearly came to an end early a week ago when a last second field goal by Nekoosa sailed just wide to the left. In overtime, the Cards did what they needed to win - score and keep Nekoosa and beast running back Austin Kukulka from scoring. Big Foot is a rival of Brodhead-Juda's with a storied past. Will this be the game the Cards knock off the Chiefs? It will come down to execution, minimizing mistakes like turnovers and penalties, and lastly, the luck of the bounce from the oblong pigskin. Last week's win was one for the ages - maybe Saturday's game will top it.
Pick: Brodhead-Juda
Mark: Brodhead-Juda has won nine straight games. The last time Brodhead-Juda lost was in September before the leaves really started changing colors. Big Foot rallied from a 14-0 deficit to beat Brodhead-Juda 21-20 in overtime. The last time Brodhead-Juda went to state was in 2003 when the Cardinals lost to Ripon 21-7 in the title game. The loss to Big Foot, the defending state champions, was a defining moment for the Cardinals this season. Brodhead-Juda coach Jim Matthys' team has proven they are capable of beating anyone. The last time the two Rock Valley Conference teams played, Big Foot starting quarterback Jake Wedig didn't play due to an ACL injury. Wedig is healthy now. Big Foot running back Mason Dixon leads the Chiefs (1,184 rushing yards and 11 TDs), but it's Kenneth Walker that gave the Cardinals fits in the first game. Walker (812 rushing yards, 13 TDs) is a breakaway running back with great speed who can score any time he touches the ball.
Pick: Big Foot
Darlington (12-0) vs. Brillion (12-0) at Watertown
Adam: The Redbirds just seem to do what's necessary to get the win lately. After rolling over every opponent in the regular season, Darlington has faced state-renowned programs. Add Brillion to that list as well. With one game left before state, the Redbirds will have to play perfect in all four quarters, not three and a half. When in doubt, I would do what coach Scott Zywicki does and hand the ball off to the biggest playmaker in southern Wisconsin - Alex Erickson.
Pick: Darlington
Mark: Every week the Redbirds find a win to win and move on in pursuit of a trip to state at Camp Randall Stadium. There has been some adversity along the way, but Darlington has found ways to win.
This is a battle of unbeatens. Brillion was the champion of the Olympian-Packerland Small Conference. Brillion has a strong running game led by Tanner Behnke (1,059 yards, 20 TDs). It will be interesting to see how Darlington adjusts when Brillon stacks the line to take away the Redbirds' running game. The screen pass to Tucker Wiegel could offer a big play or two.
Pick: Darlington
Wisconsin (8-1) at Indiana (4-5)
Adam: The Badgers needed a half last week to knock of the rust of their bye week. And UW rolled after that, outscoring Purdue by over four scores in the second half. What else showed from Bucky a week ago is that with the offensive line, any one of three backs - John Clay, James White and Monte Ball - can have a big day. Indiana may lose this one by 30-plus, despite the Hoosiers' nice showing last week.
Pick: Bucky
Mark: Even if UW running back John Clay doesn't play, the Badgers should roll in this one. Wisconsin should be able to pound the ball. Freshman James White and Montee Ball are more than capable of carrying the load. Scott Tolzien also could have a field day passing to Nick Toon and Lance Kendricks. With the Badgers in the hunt for a Big Ten championship, there won't be any letdowns.
Pick: Badgers
Brodhead-Juda (10-2) vs. Big Foot (10-2) at Middleton
Adam: Over the last nine weeks, Brodhead-Juda has played about as good as possible. The Cardinals' dream season nearly came to an end early a week ago when a last second field goal by Nekoosa sailed just wide to the left. In overtime, the Cards did what they needed to win - score and keep Nekoosa and beast running back Austin Kukulka from scoring. Big Foot is a rival of Brodhead-Juda's with a storied past. Will this be the game the Cards knock off the Chiefs? It will come down to execution, minimizing mistakes like turnovers and penalties, and lastly, the luck of the bounce from the oblong pigskin. Last week's win was one for the ages - maybe Saturday's game will top it.
Pick: Brodhead-Juda
Mark: Brodhead-Juda has won nine straight games. The last time Brodhead-Juda lost was in September before the leaves really started changing colors. Big Foot rallied from a 14-0 deficit to beat Brodhead-Juda 21-20 in overtime. The last time Brodhead-Juda went to state was in 2003 when the Cardinals lost to Ripon 21-7 in the title game. The loss to Big Foot, the defending state champions, was a defining moment for the Cardinals this season. Brodhead-Juda coach Jim Matthys' team has proven they are capable of beating anyone. The last time the two Rock Valley Conference teams played, Big Foot starting quarterback Jake Wedig didn't play due to an ACL injury. Wedig is healthy now. Big Foot running back Mason Dixon leads the Chiefs (1,184 rushing yards and 11 TDs), but it's Kenneth Walker that gave the Cardinals fits in the first game. Walker (812 rushing yards, 13 TDs) is a breakaway running back with great speed who can score any time he touches the ball.
Pick: Big Foot
Darlington (12-0) vs. Brillion (12-0) at Watertown
Adam: The Redbirds just seem to do what's necessary to get the win lately. After rolling over every opponent in the regular season, Darlington has faced state-renowned programs. Add Brillion to that list as well. With one game left before state, the Redbirds will have to play perfect in all four quarters, not three and a half. When in doubt, I would do what coach Scott Zywicki does and hand the ball off to the biggest playmaker in southern Wisconsin - Alex Erickson.
Pick: Darlington
Mark: Every week the Redbirds find a win to win and move on in pursuit of a trip to state at Camp Randall Stadium. There has been some adversity along the way, but Darlington has found ways to win.
This is a battle of unbeatens. Brillion was the champion of the Olympian-Packerland Small Conference. Brillion has a strong running game led by Tanner Behnke (1,059 yards, 20 TDs). It will be interesting to see how Darlington adjusts when Brillon stacks the line to take away the Redbirds' running game. The screen pass to Tucker Wiegel could offer a big play or two.
Pick: Darlington
Wisconsin (8-1) at Indiana (4-5)
Adam: The Badgers needed a half last week to knock of the rust of their bye week. And UW rolled after that, outscoring Purdue by over four scores in the second half. What else showed from Bucky a week ago is that with the offensive line, any one of three backs - John Clay, James White and Monte Ball - can have a big day. Indiana may lose this one by 30-plus, despite the Hoosiers' nice showing last week.
Pick: Bucky
Mark: Even if UW running back John Clay doesn't play, the Badgers should roll in this one. Wisconsin should be able to pound the ball. Freshman James White and Montee Ball are more than capable of carrying the load. Scott Tolzien also could have a field day passing to Nick Toon and Lance Kendricks. With the Badgers in the hunt for a Big Ten championship, there won't be any letdowns.
Pick: Badgers
