Sports editor Adam Krebs continued his late season surge and took a one game lead over sports reporter Mark Nesbitt. Adam (66-17) took the lead by correctly picking the Packers to beat the Jets. With the loss, Mark drops to (65-18). With two local football teams - Darlington and Brodhead-Juda still in contention for a trip to state at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, the football season is still going strong.
Brodhead-Juda (9-2) at Nekoosa (8-3)
Adam: Nekoosa sports an offensive rushing attack that resembles the Cardinals in terms of yardage. The Papermakers have relied heavily on Austin Kukulka to make plays for them the past two years, as he has racked up over 3,000 yards in that time. This year, with 29 total TDs (27 rushing), a team like Brodhead-Juda will no doubt key on him. Nekoosa's passing game can move the ball, but it is the running game has makes the offense go. For the Cardinals, it doesn't matter who touches the ball - any skills player can take it to the house. Case-in-point, In a 61-point throttling of Whitewater, nine different Cardinals scored a touchdown - NINE!
Pick: Cards
Mark: Brodhead-Juda is one of the hottest teams right now with an eight game winning streak. The last time the Cardinals lost was 21-20 in overtime to Big Foot in October. Nekoosa has a strong running game led by Austin Kukulka who has rushed for 1,555 yards and 27 TDs. Kukulka rushed for 180 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-25 Level 2 win over Platteville. The Cardinals' defense, which has allowed 15 ppg during the winning streak, will rise to the challenge in slowing down Kukulka. David Earleywine passing and Jesse DeLorme's running will give the Cardinals the balance needed to attack the Papermakers. The Cards will get a rematch with Big Foot in the state semifinals.
Pick: Brodhead-Juda
Arcadia (9-2) at Darlington (11-0)
Adam: A balanced offense and 20 seniors returning from last year's state-runner up squad, the Raiders will be the best team Darlington will have seen so far this year. After nine weeks of domination, the Redbirds have survived two second-half meltdown to hang on against perennial state powers Lancaster and Stratford. Is this the game Darlington plays all four quarters to perfection? They better if they want to continue their season of destiny.
Pick: 'Da Birds
Mark: Arcadia, last year's Division 5 state runner-up has a high powered offense like the Redbirds. Arcadia has a balanced offense led by running back Reid Christ (922 rushing yards, 19 TDs) and a quarterback Alonzo Genelin (1,223 yards passing with 14 TDs and 10 interceptions). The key will be the Redbirds' defense being able to force turnovers. With two high powered offenses, the game could down to special teams where the Redbirds have shined all season.
Last week Zach McArthur won the game with a 20-yard field goal. This week, it could be a long kickoff or punt return by Alex Erickson or Tucker Wiegel.
Pick: Darlington
Badgers (7-1) at Purdue (4-4)
Adam: Two big wins for Bucky against Ohio State and Iowa has not only a Big Ten title, but a BCS bowl game within reach. After a bye week to loosen the celebrating hangover and regain their wits and health, the Badgers should be more than ready to go. Purdue is having a down year, but cannot be taken loosely. However, this year's Wisconsin team has a sense of swagger and determination that I haven't seen in over 10 years - when they won the Rose Bowl.
Pick: Bucky
Mark: With four teams jumbled at the top of the Big Ten with one loss, the race for the championship the last four weeks will be crazy. The Badgers are in the hunt for a BCS bowl bid and they won't let this opportunity slip away. Especially, not coming off a bye against the Boilermakers.
Pick: Badgers
Cowboys (1-6) at Packers (5-3)
Adam: Green Bay is finally playing to its potential, despite losing nearly a dozen starters to injuries. Dallas has struggled all year and are an easy pick to be the most disappointing sports team in 2010. However, Dallas does have one of the top three or four teams in terms of talent, and if Jerry's Boys can put it together for a full 60 minutes, they can beat anyone. But Lambeau, in November, I'm taking the Cheeseheads.
Pick: Pack
Mark: These two teams are heading in opposite directions. The Packers have weathered the storm overcoming a ton of injuries to beat the Vikings and Jets. The Cowboys were struggling even when Burlington native Tony Romo was healthy. Now with Romo out with a broken collarbone, the Cowboys season is spiraling out of control. At the start of the season, there were many who were predicating that the Cowboys would be the first team to play a Super Bowl in its own stadium. Instead, Dallas will be battling with Buffalo and Carolina for the No. 1 pick in next year's NFL draft.
Pick: Packers
Brodhead-Juda (9-2) at Nekoosa (8-3)
Adam: Nekoosa sports an offensive rushing attack that resembles the Cardinals in terms of yardage. The Papermakers have relied heavily on Austin Kukulka to make plays for them the past two years, as he has racked up over 3,000 yards in that time. This year, with 29 total TDs (27 rushing), a team like Brodhead-Juda will no doubt key on him. Nekoosa's passing game can move the ball, but it is the running game has makes the offense go. For the Cardinals, it doesn't matter who touches the ball - any skills player can take it to the house. Case-in-point, In a 61-point throttling of Whitewater, nine different Cardinals scored a touchdown - NINE!
Pick: Cards
Mark: Brodhead-Juda is one of the hottest teams right now with an eight game winning streak. The last time the Cardinals lost was 21-20 in overtime to Big Foot in October. Nekoosa has a strong running game led by Austin Kukulka who has rushed for 1,555 yards and 27 TDs. Kukulka rushed for 180 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-25 Level 2 win over Platteville. The Cardinals' defense, which has allowed 15 ppg during the winning streak, will rise to the challenge in slowing down Kukulka. David Earleywine passing and Jesse DeLorme's running will give the Cardinals the balance needed to attack the Papermakers. The Cards will get a rematch with Big Foot in the state semifinals.
Pick: Brodhead-Juda
Arcadia (9-2) at Darlington (11-0)
Adam: A balanced offense and 20 seniors returning from last year's state-runner up squad, the Raiders will be the best team Darlington will have seen so far this year. After nine weeks of domination, the Redbirds have survived two second-half meltdown to hang on against perennial state powers Lancaster and Stratford. Is this the game Darlington plays all four quarters to perfection? They better if they want to continue their season of destiny.
Pick: 'Da Birds
Mark: Arcadia, last year's Division 5 state runner-up has a high powered offense like the Redbirds. Arcadia has a balanced offense led by running back Reid Christ (922 rushing yards, 19 TDs) and a quarterback Alonzo Genelin (1,223 yards passing with 14 TDs and 10 interceptions). The key will be the Redbirds' defense being able to force turnovers. With two high powered offenses, the game could down to special teams where the Redbirds have shined all season.
Last week Zach McArthur won the game with a 20-yard field goal. This week, it could be a long kickoff or punt return by Alex Erickson or Tucker Wiegel.
Pick: Darlington
Badgers (7-1) at Purdue (4-4)
Adam: Two big wins for Bucky against Ohio State and Iowa has not only a Big Ten title, but a BCS bowl game within reach. After a bye week to loosen the celebrating hangover and regain their wits and health, the Badgers should be more than ready to go. Purdue is having a down year, but cannot be taken loosely. However, this year's Wisconsin team has a sense of swagger and determination that I haven't seen in over 10 years - when they won the Rose Bowl.
Pick: Bucky
Mark: With four teams jumbled at the top of the Big Ten with one loss, the race for the championship the last four weeks will be crazy. The Badgers are in the hunt for a BCS bowl bid and they won't let this opportunity slip away. Especially, not coming off a bye against the Boilermakers.
Pick: Badgers
Cowboys (1-6) at Packers (5-3)
Adam: Green Bay is finally playing to its potential, despite losing nearly a dozen starters to injuries. Dallas has struggled all year and are an easy pick to be the most disappointing sports team in 2010. However, Dallas does have one of the top three or four teams in terms of talent, and if Jerry's Boys can put it together for a full 60 minutes, they can beat anyone. But Lambeau, in November, I'm taking the Cheeseheads.
Pick: Pack
Mark: These two teams are heading in opposite directions. The Packers have weathered the storm overcoming a ton of injuries to beat the Vikings and Jets. The Cowboys were struggling even when Burlington native Tony Romo was healthy. Now with Romo out with a broken collarbone, the Cowboys season is spiraling out of control. At the start of the season, there were many who were predicating that the Cowboys would be the first team to play a Super Bowl in its own stadium. Instead, Dallas will be battling with Buffalo and Carolina for the No. 1 pick in next year's NFL draft.
Pick: Packers
