Big Eight
📈 Verona (4-2) 28, D1 #8 Madison Memorial (5-1) 10: Not only did Verona shake up the Big 8 standings in a big way, but they (likely) are now into the playoffs with their fourth win. The Wildcats are a very young program, with sophomores and juniors dominating the roster. Only a handful of seniors are starters (four total offense and defense) and that means Verona will only continue to grow behind their rising stars, such as Haakon Anderson and Adam Bekx. For Madison Memorial, lady luck ran out after a Hail Mary finish against Middleton and a barn-burner to top Sun Prairie in Week 1. Still, the Spartans still control their own destiny, as by winning out they would clinch no worse than a share of the Big 8 crown.
📈 D1 #10 Sun Prairie (5-1) 50, Madison La Follette (3-3) 6: Well. Sun Prairie has won five in a row since an opening-week loss to Memorial. They've out-scored opponents by 178 points since that loss in five weeks (a respectable 34.6 points per game winning margin). And, with a big date with Middleton looming in Week 8, look every part the Big 8 title contender they were projected to be before the season began. La Follette got overwhelmed in the second half, as the game slowly got away from them in the first half before the Cardinals turned on the jets. The Lancers continue the tough part of their schedule next week against Verona. Sun Prairie clinched a playoff spot with a win.
📈 Janesville Craig (5-1) 34, Madison East (1-5) 6: Janesville Craig clinched a playoff spot with a win over Madison East, and all of a sudden the Cougars are in prime position with a couple more wins to win a Big 8 title, or at least a share of one, since Craig meets Madison Memorial in Week 9. Madison East got their first win of the season last week, but took a step back against one of the Big 8 leaders.
📈 Middleton (4-2) 46, Janesville Parker (0-6) 0: Speaking of Big 8 teams named the Cardinals, Middleton is the road that the Big 8 title goes through the next two weeks, as they'll play Janesville Craig and Sun Prairie in back-to-back weeks before finishing with Madison La Follette, a team that may need a win to get into the playoffs by then. The Cardinals had little trouble in dispatching the Parker Vikings on Friday night, tossing a shutout and keeping their status as the stingiest defense in Big 8 play with only 63 points allowed. After tough losses in the final minute against both Verona and Madison Memorial, the Cardinals can (likely) count on a tenth game by picking up their fourth win. Parker, meanwhile, is eliminated from playoff contention.
Madison West (2-4) 38, Beloit Memorial (1-5) 13: Madison West gave themselves a chance to return to the playoffs, getting a win over Beloit Memorial. The Purple Knights now have to win out against teams like Verona and Madison Memorial in order to make the playoffs, while the Regents will play winless Janesville Parker before making a return trip to take on Janesville Craig at Monterey Stadium. West will have to beat either Craig or Sun Prairie to get into the playoffs, or both if they lose to Parker.
Standings:
*5-1 Madison Memorial
*5-1 Sun Prairie
*5-1 Janesville Craig
4-2 Verona
4-2 Middleton
3-3 Madison La Follette
2-4 Madison West
1-5 Beloit Memorial
1-5 Madison East
#0-6 Janesville Parker
🏆Conference Championship
*Clinched Playoff Spot
#Eliminated From Playoff Contention
Week 7 Games:
Janesville Craig (5-1) at Middleton (4-2): The Big 8 championship goes through Middleton the next two weeks, as the Cardinals will host the Cougars and then Sun Prairie next week. It's going to be an exciting battle in the trenches with Middleton's line trying to contain Craig's Keeanu Benton, while the Cougars and Cardinals will both run their outstanding running backs 20-30 times against talented defenses in what should be a strength-on-strength contest.
Verona (4-2) at Madison La Follette (3-3): (Madison Taxi Game of the Week) Both teams are very young, starting tons of juniors or even sophomores this year, and that means that things can be a bit unpredictable at times. Both teams had vastly different results last week, as Verona upended previously-unbeaten Madison Memorial while La Follette was drubbed by Sun Prairie. Still, it'll be a match-up of two of the best backs in the area, with Verona's Haakon Anderson against La Follette's Kayvion James-Ragland.
Madison East (1-5) at Sun Prairie (5-1): Madison East's schedule continues to be difficult in the later stages, with a game still remaining against Verona yet later in the year. Sun Prairie demolished La Follette last week, but will be looking to keep their five-game winning streak alive with a win prior to the big match-up with Middleton in Week 8. A loss for Madison East eliminates them from playoff contention.
Beloit Memorial (1-5) at Madison Memorial (5-1): Madison Memorial will probably be a little frustrated by the loss to Verona last week, and that could mean a big bounce-back game against Beloit Memorial, as the Purple Knights are on the verge of playoff elimination in this one, and would be eliminated with a loss.
Madison West (2-4) at Janesville Parker (0-6): Madison West will need a win here plus one more to have a shot at the playoffs--no easy task since they face conference-leading Janesville Craig and Sun Prairie in the final two weeks. Parker has been eliminated from playoff contention.
Playoffs: Madison Memorial, Sun Prairie, and Janesville Craig have clinched a playoff spot. Janesville Parker has been eliminated from playoff contention. Verona and Middleton, although likely already in, can clinch a playoff spot with wins in their games. Madison La Follette can likely get into the playoffs with one more win. Madison East and Beloit Memorial would be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss.
Badger North
⭐D3 #6 Mount Horeb/Barneveld (5-1, 3-1) 57, Reedsburg (4-2, 2-2) 32: Plenty of points as the Vikings continue to roll towards a playoff spot, which they can clinch in Week 7. Mount Horeb/Barneveld has continued to get healthier as the season has progressed. Reedsburg suffered a setback here, but they'll have to regroup quickly with Waunakee waiting next week.
DeForest (4-2, 3-1) 42, Baraboo (2-4, 2-2) 7: Baraboo took a 7-0 lead, but that disappeared as the Norskies poured it on and won going away. DeForest's lines can be overwhelming and tough to adjust to, and a touch of speed in the backfield makes them a difficult opponent for anyone. Baraboo's had a couple of frustrating losses, but this isn't one of them, as their schedule is in the tough stretch (with Waunakee looming in Week 8).
📈 D2 #1 Waunakee (6-0, 4-0) 51, Sauk Prairie (1-5, 1-3) 0: The Warriors have given up 13 points in four conference games so far, so color nobody surprised by this result. Waunakee will get Reedsburg next week, their last game against a team with a winning record until the playoffs.
Beaver Dam (2-4, 1-3) 42, Portage (0-6, 0-4) 15: A 3-4 record got teams into the playoffs last year, but either way, both of these teams needed a win to snap their respective losing streaks. Beaver Dam had some big third-quarter plays to pull away in this one.
Standings:
Waunakee 3-0 (5-0)Mount Horeb/Barneveld 2-1 (4-1)DeForest 2-1 (3-2)Reedsburg 2-1 (3-2)Baraboo 2-1 (2-3)Sauk Prairie 1-2 (1-4)Beaver Dam 0-3 (1-4)Portage 0-3 (0-5)🏆Conference Championship*Clinched Playoff Spot#Eliminated From Playoff Contention
Week 7 Games:
Reedsburg (4-2, 2-2) at Waunakee (6-0, 4-0): Waunakee won't see another team with a winning record after this week until the playoffs, and neither will Reedsburg. Still, this is important on a number of fronts. It'll give the Warriors something new to prepare for this week, since the Beavers' flexbone offense is fairly unique to the Badger Conference. Meanwhile, Reedsburg will have to find ways to score points against the Warriors' defense, which has given up 19 points total in six games.
DeForest (4-2, 3-1) at Beaver Dam (2-4, 1-3): If Beaver Dam can control the line of scrimmage and pick apart the Norskies for big plays, that would keep them from being on the wrong side of the playoff bubble. DeForest has been rolling since losing to Waunakee in Week 3, and with Mount Horeb/Barneveld coming up next, it would be in the Norskies' favor to clinch a playoff spot here. Of the 45 points DeForest has allowed in Badger North play, 31 of them were to Waunakee, and 14 of those were later in the fourth quarter as the Warriors salted the game away.
Portage (0-6, 0-4) at Mount Horeb/Barneveld (5-1, 3-1): Portage would be eliminated with a loss from playoff contention while Mount Horeb/Barneveld would clinch a playoff spot with a win. Portage has struggled to contain offenses this year, getting rolled for 196 points in four conference games. Mount Horeb/Barneveld is putting up 34 points per Badger North outing, but that's including the beatdown they took against Waunakee.
Sauk Prairie (1-5, 1-3) at Baraboo (2-4, 2-2): There's some playoff stakes here: Sauk Prairie won't be able to clinch a playoff spot with a loss, while Baraboo, with Waunakee and Reedsburg up after this one, needs to get a win to get back on track towards a playoff spot. The Thunderbirds have the conference's third-best scoring defense, but the gap from third to second in the league is the same as from the third to the seventh.
Playoffs: Waunakee has clinched a playoff spot. DeForest and Mount Horeb/Barneveld clinch playoff spots with wins. While 3-4 may not get a team into the playoffs, Baraboo and Reedsburg can get their third conference win this week. Portage will be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss. Sauk Prairie and Beaver Dam, with a loss, would no longer be able to clinch a playoff spot.
Badger South
📈 Oregon (4-2, 3-1) 35, D2 #6 Stoughton (5-1, 3-1) 10: (Madison Taxi Game of the Week Broadcast): The Battle for 138 went the way of Oregon for the first time in four tries, as the Panthers decisively won Homecoming and did it without anyone going over 100 yards rushing or passing. Stoughton had a good offensive night yardage-wise, but like their comeback win last week against Monroe, couldn't capitalize in the red zone, getting only 10 points on four trips inside the 20. Oregon coach Dan Kissling called the win a team effort.
📈 Watertown (5-1, 4-0) 26, Milton (2-4, 1-3) 13: Watertown secured a playoff spot with a win, while Milton falls into the danger zone, with a home game against Monona Grove next week to stay on the right side of the playoff bubble. The Goslings have scored points like everyone expected, over 35 points per Badger South game, but their defense has also been a revelation, second-fewest in points allowed in league play at 11 points per game.
📈 D2 #5 Monona Grove (6-0, 4-0) 48, Monroe (0-6, 0-4) 15: It wasn't a surprising result, but the Silver Eagles won easily to clinch a playoff spot. Monroe, meanwhile, continues to struggle a bit on offense, with only 13.5 points per Badger South game so far this season, while also giving up 32 points per game. Now, Monroe must win out to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
Edgewood (2-4, 1-3) 37, Fort Atkinson (0-6, 0-4) 6: Edgewood has now doubled their win total from a season ago, thanks to another solid defensive effort. The defense has already pitched one shutout this year, and that's what has allowed the Crusaders to have some success this season. Fort Atkinson's season continues to be a struggle, but it's the first year of a rebuild so these are the lumps programs take when figuring those things out.
Standings:
*Monona Grove 4-0 (6-0)
*Watertown 4-0 (5-1)
Oregon 3-1 (4-2)
Stoughton 3-1 (5-1)
Milton 1-3 (2-4)
Edgewood 1-3 (2-4)
Fort Atkinson 0-4 (0-6)
Monroe 0-4 (0-6)
🏆Conference Championship
*Clinched Playoff Spot
#Eliminated From Playoff Contention
Week 7 Games:
Watertown (5-1, 4-0) at Stoughton (5-1, 3-1): The Badger South pecking order gets decided in the next few weeks, and this is the first of a few high-profile Badger South showdowns. Stoughton's humbling loss last week could be a positive, since it pulled the bandaids off of a couple of big issues for the Vikings the past few weeks: finishing drives and losing the turnover battle (something they normally win). Meanwhile, Watertown's lone loss was to Waunakee by 30, but they've out-scored the four Badger South opponents they've had by an average of 25 points per game. Stoughton would clinch a playoff spot with a win.
Monona Grove (6-0, 4-0) at Milton (2-4, 1-3): Milton's season is on the brink while Monona Grove continues to work towards yet another Badger South title. The Silver Eagles have been getting it done with some good defensive work, but especially great line play, which seems to be the constant in the area this year for the teams that are at the top of the standings. Milton did bring back some talent up front, so this could be a good challenge for them.
Oregon (4-2, 3-1) at Edgewood (2-4, 1-3): A rivalry renewed. For the second straight week, the Oregon Panthers will face a big rival of theirs, and after a Homecoming win over Stoughton, they'll have to take care of the frisky Crusaders, who are playing great defense this year with a shutout already to their credit. Oregon would clinch a playoff spot with a win.
Fort Atkinson (0-6, 0-4) at Monroe (0-6, 0-4): One of these teams will get their first win of the season and keep their slim playoff hopes alive, while the other will be eliminated from playoff consideration and start playing for next year. Both teams are fairly young and have smaller varsity rosters than their Badger South brethren, so a win here could be good momentum for the players sticking it out through a tough season.
Playoffs: Monona Grove and Watertown have clinched playoff spots. Stoughton and Oregon can clinch playoff spots with wins. The losing team in Fort Atkinson and Monroe is eliminated from postseason consideration.
Capitol Conference - North
D4 #9 Lakeside Lutheran (5-1, 2-0) 41, Luther Prep (3-3, 0-2) 13: The final margin is a bit surprising. The Phoenix are a pretty solid program this year, with loads of experience, but Lakeside Lutheran's also a team bursting with veteran players and sets up the first of a few huge conference games down the stretch.
D4 #2 Lodi (6-0, 2-0) 27, Poynette (4-2, 0-2) 7: Poynette started 4-0, but the very difficult Capitol North has brought them back to earth a bit, despite a solid showing here. Lodi added a late score to give them an insurmountable lead, their 20th win in a row to match the state-long streak held by Bangor, St. Mary's Springs, and Waunakee, and keep the Blue Devils in control during their title defenses.
Lake Mills (5-1, 2-0) 43, Columbus (1-5, 0-2) 21: Both teams have had ambitious schedules so far this year, so no surprises that this one was competitive for a while. Lake Mills has made big improvements since Week 1, when they weren't able to move the ball well against a school twice their size, putting the L-Cats into the thick of the conference race. Columbus will have better days ahead given their relative youth, but they'll have to save their season by upsetting the defending D4 state champ next week.
Standings:
Lake Mills 2-0 (5-1)
Lakeside Lutheran 2-0 (5-1)
Lodi 2-0 (6-0)
Columbus 0-2 (1-5)
Luther Prep 0-2 (3-3)
Poynette 0-2 (4-2)
🏆Conference Championship
*Clinched Playoff Spot
#Eliminated From Playoff Contention
Week 7 Games:
Lake Mills (5-1, 2-0) at Lakeside Lutheran (5-1, 2-0): The Battle for Lake Mills will also give the winning team a pass to the playoffs, and keep the winning team in the hunt for a conference title. Lake Mills has figured some things out on offense to go with an already-solid defense, while Lakeside has been strong all season, including in their lone loss to Lake Country Lutheran. Both teams have played difficult schedules to this point. This one will be one of the biggest games in the state in Week 7.
Lodi (6-0, 2-0) at Columbus (1-5, 0-2): Until the last couple of years, this was a game on par with just about any rivalry game in the state, with huge stakes and usually a precursor to a Level 3 run. This year, Lodi will try to extend their state-long winning streak and clinch a playoff spot in the process, while this game is Columbus' season. A loss means no playoffs for the Cardinals.
Poynette (4-2, 0-2) at Luther Prep (3-3, 0-2): Speaking of this being the season, expect a playoff-type atmosphere in Watertown for this one. The losing team can no longer clinch a playoff spot, and two weeks ago that seemed unfathomable given that these squads were a combined 7-1 after Week 4. Luther Prep is big and physical and Poynette likes to control the pace with a good ground game and sound defense.
Playoffs: The winner of Lake Mills and Lakeside Lutheran clinches a playoff spot. Lodi clinches a playoff spot with a win. Columbus is eliminated from postseason consideration with a loss. The losing team between Poynette and Luther Prep can no longer make the playoffs.
Capitol Conference - South
Not counting Capitol crossovers, the Capitol Conference is 24-12 in non-conference games this season (North 13-6, South 11-6)... the Capitol North dominated crossover games 5-0
📈 Marshall (2-4, 1-0) 18, New Glarus/Monticello (2-4, 1-1): Marshall is known for their explosive offense, but it was defense working in this one as the Cardinals began conference play with a win and denied NG/M playoff eligibility for at least two more weeks. After playing larger schools for non-conference, including some with great recent success, Marshall doubled their win total with a big conference-opening W.
Belleville (5-1, 1-1) 42, Waterloo (0-6, 0-2) 0: Belleville bounced right back from their first loss last week with a big effort to shut out winless Waterloo on Friday night. The Wildcats will have to play Cambridge next week in order to become playoff-eligible. Waterloo can no longer clinch a playoff spot, but by winning out, could still become playoff-eligible.
Cambridge (6-0, 1-0) 21, Darlington (1-5, 0-4) 6 - Non Conference: Cambridge stayed undefeated, and while this is far from their most impressive non-conference win (the Blue Jays topped Horicon/Hustisford), it avenges last year's loss on the home field and keeps Cambridge unbeaten heading into the final three games of the season, all conference match-ups.
Standings:
Cambridge 1-0 (6-0)
Marshall 1-0 (2-4)
New Glarus/Monticello 1-1 (2-4)
Belleville 1-1 (5-1)
Waterloo 0-2 (0-6)
🏆Conference Championship
*Clinched Playoff Spot
#Eliminated From Playoff Contention
Week 7 Games:
Cambridge (6-0, 1-0) at Belleville (5-1, 1-1): Much like last year's game, conference title implications are all over this one, as well as playoff ramifications for both. Cambridge has looked strong in taking on solid competition this year, led by all-state caliber players in the backfield and on defense. Belleville, meanwhile, has a road-grader front and some outstanding two-way players leading the charge for them. Should be one of the better games in the area on Friday. Both teams are playing for playoff eligibility with a win. A loss for Belleville means they can't clinch a playoff spot.
Marshall (2-4, 1-0) at Waterloo (0-6, 0-2): Lots on the line for both. Waterloo can't make the playoffs with a loss, while Marshall will be playoff-eligible with a win. Marshall's defense got the job done last week in a win over NG/M, and they'll need another solid outing to (likely) put themselves into the playoffs.
New Glarus/Monticello (2-4, 1-1) at Iowa-Grant (Non-Conference)
Playoffs: Cambridge, Belleville, and Marshall can all become playoff-eligible with a win. Waterloo is eliminated with a loss. Belleville won't be able to clinch a playoff spot with a loss.
Rock Valley
📈 Edgerton (5-1) 52, Beloit Turner (4-2) 16: Edgerton punches their playoff ticket in one of the more eye-opening scores of the week. Beloit Turner held McFarland to just nine points, but Edgerton uncorked a 50-burger on the Trojans this week.
📈 East Troy (5-1) 35, Brodhead/Juda (2-4) 21: East Troy needed a late touchdown to put this one away, sending Brodhead/Juda to their fourth straight loss while the Trojans clinched a playoff spot in the process.
D3 #3 McFarland (6-0) 51, Big Foot (2-4) 12: McFarland continued their roll through the Rock Valley, as the Spartans won't see a team with a winning record again until the playoffs.
📈 Jefferson (4-2) 27, Clinton (1-5) 8: While it (probably) wont help in deciding the conference title this time around, it's too soon to stop appreciating the battles between these teams the past few years. Jefferson is likely onto the playoffs now with their fourth win under wraps. Clinton can't clinch a playoff spot anymore, but winning out would put them in most likely.
Whitewater (1-5) 22, Evansville/Albany (0-6) 21: The first team eliminated in the Rock Valley from playoff consideration is Evansville/Albany, who dropped Homecoming to fall to 0-6 and on to next season. After two straight years of massive graduation losses, it was sort of expected. Meanwhile, Whitewater can point to a win here as part of their turnaround, as they will have a new head coach to lead the program in 2019.
Standings:
*McFarland 5-0
*East Troy 5-1
*Edgerton 5-1
Beloit Turner 4-2
Jefferson 4-2
Brodhead/Juda 2-4
Big Foot 2-4
Clinton 1-5
Whitewater 1-5
#Evansville/Albany 0-6
🏆Conference Championship
*Clinched playoff berth
#Eliminated
Week 7 Games:
Edgerton (5-1) at East Troy (5-1): Another big-time big game in the Rock Valley, Edgerton's rapid ascension will get a big test with East Troy and their big ground game this week. In what could be one of the highest-scoring games in the state this week, the winner will stay a game back of McFarland should they slip up against the weaker part of their schedule, but more importantly give one of these teams a leg up in D3 seeding meetings should they be placed in the same pod.
Jefferson (4-2) at Beloit Turner (4-2): The undercard is still a big battle as both teams are fighting to clinch a playoff spot, and for Jefferson, wins now are critical because going in as a 5-4, 6-3 team at best would put them on the road against one of D3's best teams come playoff time, while a 7-2 finish could get them a more favorable Level 1 match-up. Beloit Turner lost by two to McFarland, and then by a bucket of points to Edgerton. This could be another exciting game in the RVC.
McFarland (6-0) at Clinton (1-5): This year's conference leader meets last year's conference champion in a game that could mark the official passing of the torch. Clinton graduated an outstanding senior class a year ago, and while a loss would eliminate them from the playoffs, the Cougars have done well under first-year coach Jacob Sandiford in terms of being competitive with younger or inexperienced players.
Brodhead/Juda (2-4) at Whitewater (1-5): If Brodhead/Juda wants to make the playoffs, the first step is to snap a four-game losing streak against a team that snapped their own long losing streak last year with a win, Whitewater.
Evansville/Albany (0-6) at Big Foot (2-4): The Chiefs have playoff aspirations, but they'll need to win the next two weeks to get there. Evansville/Albany has pride to play for now that the playoffs are out of reach, but they've been in some absolute battles again this year.
Playoffs: McFarland, East Troy, and Edgerton have clinched playoff spots. Jefferson and Beloit Turner's winner will clinch a playoff spot, although both have four wins and are likely in. Whitewater and Clinton are eliminated from playoff contention with losses. Brodhead/Juda and Big Foot can no longer clinch a playoff spot with a loss. Evansville/Albany is eliminated.
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