Big Eight
Beloit Memorial 13, Janesville Parker 6: Beloit Memorial has won two games in a season for the first time since 2007, and only the second time since they won three games in 2001. It's been slow progress, but it appears that Rodney Wedig is starting to see the fruits of his ongoing challenge, to bring Purple Knights football back to the consistency they enjoyed in the 1990s. For Parker, the sixth loss eliminates any chance that the Vikings will make the postseason.
Janesville Craig 24, Madison Memorial 12: How about the Cougars jumping into the upper half of the Big Eight, with a rally to put them into playoff consideration? Craig will have to find a win against either Madison West or Verona, both teams who are 5-2 in the later stages of their seasons. For Madison Memorial, they now do not control their own playoff destiny, needing to win out over Parker and Beloit Memorial to even have a chance at the playoffs.
Verona 28, Madison East 7: It wasn't unexpected that Verona would beat the winless Purgolders, but in doing so, the Wildcats have clinched a playoff spot. Verona's schedule is a fight to the finish, with Sun Prairie looking for a conference championship next week and Craig looking for a playoff spot in the final game of the regular season.
Middleton 24, Madison La Follette 6: La Follette's path to the playoffs now takes an interesting turn: they will need to beat East and then upset Sun Prairie, as they did in last year's Level 1 of the playoffs, in order to clinch a playoff spot. For Middleton, these later-season games show how much the team is improving, and getting healthy at the right time.
Sun Prairie 37, Madison West 7: Sun Prairie will play Verona next week, and with a win, would clinch at least a share of the conference title, so this win was a big one for the Cardinals. For Madison West, they missed a few early opportunities, but won't have long to hang their heads. Janesville Craig is next, and the Cougars are seeking a win to clinch their own playoff spot.
*Sun Prairie 7-0
*Middleton 6-1
*Madison West 5-2
*Verona 5-2
Janesville Craig 4-3
Madison La Follette 3-4
Beloit Memorial 2-5
Madison Memorial 2-5
#Janesville Parker 1-6
#Madison East 0-7
*Clinched Playoff Spot
#Eliminated
Week 8:
Sun Prairie (7-0) at Verona (5-2): Sun Prairie can earn at least a share of a conference title with a win on Friday night. Verona could use the upset to get them in position to perhaps host a playoff game. Either way, this game has been circled on our schedules for an entire year. Get ready for a battle. The key will be whether Verona can kick their offense into gear against a dominant Cardinals defense. Now that Sun Prairie's offense has found its on switch, the Wildcats will also need a strong defensive effort to keep the game in reach.
Madison West (5-2) at Janesville Craig (4-3): Janesville Craig's playoffs begin now essentially, with difficult games remaining against West and Verona, and they need to split the contests at worst in order to make the playoffs. For the Regents, losses to Middleton and Sun Prairie shouldn't necessarily dampen the spirits of an incredibly talented group of seniors, who have to play all three phases and all four quarters because of the numbers. Expect a fun, physical game if you're at Monterey Stadium next week.
Madison East (0-7) at Madison La Follette (3-4): While East is out of the playoff hunt, they can play spoiler for La Follette at their old home of Lussier Stadium. The Lancers need to win out in order to get into the playoffs. If it doesn't happen this year, don't expect La Follette to be out of playoff contention very long. Several Big 8 coaches believe that the Lancers will be loaded in the next year or two.
Beloit Memorial (2-5) at Middleton (6-1): The Purple Knights need to win out to have even a shot at the playoffs, but it's a tall order against Middleton. The Cardinals have been on a roll, particularly on defense, since a Week 2 loss to Sun Prairie. Middleton will get a better game than recent years out of Beloit Memorial.
Janesville Parker (1-6) at Madison Memorial (2-5): Madison Memorial's playoff hopes are slim, but they can still win out and get in if not enough .500 or better teams are available. Parker had too much to replace from a year ago, but it won't be the case next year, when some of this year's experienced varsity players settle into those roles a year from now.
Week 9:
Madison La Follette (3-4) at Sun Prairie (7-0)
Janesville Craig (4-3) at Verona (5-2)
Beloit Memorial (2-5) at Madison Memorial (2-5)
Madison West (5-2) at Janesville Parker (2-5)
Middleton (6-1) at Madison East (0-7)
Badger North
DeForest 35, Beaver Dam 7: One of two Badger North teams to grab a playoff spot this week, DeForest got a convincing win against conference newcomer Beaver Dam. For the Golden Beavers, they'll have to win one of their remaining two games to grab a playoff spot.
Mount Horeb/Barneveld 57, Portage 14: While the final margin is a little eye-opening, the simple truth in the Badger North is that while Waunakee is tops, Mount Horeb/Barneveld is a pretty solid football team, and has the horses to do some damage in the D3 playoffs. Portage has had a rough go of it as of late, but the competition is pretty solid in the conference. The Warriors will need to win out to make the playoffs.
Sauk Prairie 30, Baraboo 14: The Eagles notch their second victory of the season, as they work through a season under an interim (and former) coach. Baraboo will look for its first win, although next week's game is against Waunakee, one of the state's best teams.
Waunakee 43, Reedsburg 3: Waunakee eliminates the Beavers from postseason contention and continues their roll this year, with another no-doubter win. Reedsburg, meanwhile, is mired in a tough season as they have only won a single game one year after finishing as conference runner-up.
*Waunakee 5-0 (7-0)
*Mount Horeb/Barneveld 4-1 (6-1)
*DeForest 4-1 (5-2)
Beaver Dam 3-2 (3-4)
Portage 2-3 (2-5)
#Sauk Prairie 1-4 (2-5)
#Reedsburg 1-4 (1-6)
#Baraboo 0-5 (0-7)
*Clinched Playoff Spot
#Eliminated
Week 8
DeForest (5-2, 4-1) at Mount Horeb/Barneveld (6-1, 4-1): The winning team stays a game back of Waunakee in the conference, but more importantly gives themselves an opportunity to host a playoff game with a win over a quality conference opponent. Both schools have clinched playoff spots. DeForest is having a strong year after dropping an early-season contest to a possible Badger South playoff team in Oregon. MH/B has only lost to Waunakee thus far.
Portage (2-5, 2-3) at Reedsburg (1-6, 1-4): Portage will try to stave off playoff elimination for another week as they take on the Beavers, who will watch the postseason this season, after some tough losses earlier in the year. Portage will need to win out to grab a playoff spot, which won't be easy with DeForest looming in the regular-season finale.
Sauk Prairie (2-5, 1-4) at Beaver Dam (3-4, 3-2): The Eagles will attempt to play spoiler to Beaver Dam, who need a win here to wrap up a playoff bid in their first season in the Badger North. For Beaver Dam, with a date with Waunakee looming, this is their playoff game. Win and get in, lose and your playoffs begin with Waunakee, which could still happen if both teams are in the D2 field for a Level 1 1-8 game.
Waunakee (7-0, 5-0) at Baraboo (0-7, 0-5): Waunakee can clinch a share of the conference title with a win over Baraboo.
Week 9
Beaver Dam (3-4, 3-2) at Waunakee (7-0, 5-0)
Mount Horeb/Barneveld (6-1, 4-1) at Sauk Prairie (2-5, 1-4)
Portage (2-5, 2-3) at DeForest (5-2, 4-1)
Reedsburg (1-6, 1-4) at Baraboo (0-7, 0-5)
Badger South
Monroe 28, Fort Atkinson 27 (Overtime): Monroe's playoff hopes increased with a big win over the Blackhawks, while Fort Atkinson will miss the playoffs this year.
Oregon 37, Edgewood 6: These rivals squared off with plenty at stake for Oregon, who are now a win away from a playoff spot. Their Week 8 game is a play-in game of sorts, so this was a needed victory for the Panthers.
Stoughton 49, Watertown 7: Watertown's season hinges a bit on next week's date with Oregon since the Goslings finish the year with Monona Grove. The Goslings are also out of the running for any share of a conference title. Stoughton remains undefeated ahead of their game next Friday against Monona Grove. Speaking of.
Monona Grove 64, Milton 26: 90 combined points is fun. Monona Grove turned on the afterburners late in the second quarter and scored yet another win to set up a Badger South championship game against Stoughton. Milton is now eliminated from the playoffs, despite a strong first-half effort.
*Monona Grove 5-0 (7-0)
*Stoughton 5-0 (7-0)
Oregon 3-2 (4-3)
Watertown 3-2 (4-3)
Monroe 2-3 (3-4)
#Milton 1-4 (3-4)
#Fort Atkinson 1-4 (2-5)
#Edgewood 0-5 (0-7)
*Clinched Playoff Spot
#Eliminated
Week 8
Monona Grove (7-0, 5-0) at Stoughton (7-0, 5-0): Our Madison Taxi Game of the Week, this is for the Badger South. The winner will clinch at least a share of the conference crown, and both teams' unblemished records at stake. Alec Ogden and the Silver Eagles against Brady Schipper and the Vikings. This is what high school football is all about.
Watertown (4-3, 3-2) at Oregon (4-3, 3-2): How about this for an undercard: The winning team clinches a playoff spot, while the losing team will need to topple a tough Week 9 opponent to get in. Oregon has some passing touch and can run a very balanced offense depending on the looks they will see, while the Goslings have a vaunted spread attack. Oregon's defensive backfield will get a workout this week. Both teams hit the road against good competition next week, so a loss here would be hard to take.
Edgewood (0-7, 0-5) at Monroe (3-4, 2-3): Don't write off the Cheesemakers yet. They are the only other team besides the five above that could get into the playoffs. It'll start with a home game against the up-and-down Crusaders, who can be competitive in stretches. If the defending conference champs want to get back in to the playoffs, they'll have to keep winning, and could be facing a win-or-go-home game against Oregon in Week 9.
Milton (3-4, 1-4) at Fort Atkinson (2-5, 1-4): Milton has dropped four in a row after starting 3-0, while Fort Atkinson lost a heartbreaker to Monroe last week. There's still two games to play, so it's time to send the seniors out on a high note. Milton is playing for a winning record for the season yet.
Week 9
Watertown (4-3, 3-2) at Monona Grove (7-0, 5-0)
Oregon (4-3, 3-2) at Monroe (3-4, 2-3)
Stoughton (7-0, 5-0) at Watertown (4-3, 3-2)
Milton (3-4, 1-4) at Edgewood (0-7, 0-5)
Capitol North
Lake Mills 35, Lakeside Lutheran 7: This is usually an important Capitol North contest, and the L-Cats take down a very good Lakeside Lutheran squad in impressive fashion to get one win away from the playoffs. For Lakeside Lutheran, every game is must-win from here on out.
Lodi 56, Columbus 7: This match-up has been a can't-miss rivalry for the past several years, but Columbus is still reeling from graduation losses after an 11-1 campaign last year. Lodi will move up in the polls to #2 in the state behind Osceola in D4 and look like a favorite to make a run to Madison. Columbus must win out to make the playoffs. Lodi is now clinched for a postseason spot.
Luther Prep 29, Poynette 20: Poynette's playoff hopes end with this loss, while Luther Prep now finds themselves a win away from a playoff spot.
*Lodi 3-0 (7-0)
Lake Mills 2-1 (6-1)
Luther Prep 2-1 (5-2)
Lakeside Lutheran 1-2 (4-3)
Columbus 1-2 (2-5)
#Poynette 0-3 (2-5)
*Clinched Playoff Spot
#Eliminated
Week 8
Lodi (7-0, 3-0) at Luther Prep (5-2, 2-1): Lodi will look to keep winning against a battle-tested Phoenix squad that clinch a postseason berth--and a share of first place--with a win.
Lakeside Lutheran (4-3, 1-2) at Columbus (2-5, 1-2): The losing team will miss the playoffs. The winning team has a tough Week 9 opponent to face to play in to the postseason.
Lake Mills (6-1, 2-1) at Poynette (2-5, 0-3): Lake Mills can wrap up a playoff spot if they can take down the Pumas. I'm not sure what an L-Cat is, but this game features two feline monikers going head-to-head.
Week 9
Lake Mills (6-1, 2-1) at Columbus (2-5, 1-2)
Luther Prep (5-2, 2-1) at Lakeside Lutheran (4-3, 1-2)
Poynette (2-5, 0-3) at Lodi (7-0, 3-0)
Capitol South
-Not counting crossovers, the Capitol South is 13-4 in non-conference games this season
Cambridge 25, Belleville 19: Our Game of the Week this week showed an impressive rally by Cambridge, who rushed out to a 17-0 lead before Belleville rolled up 19 unanswered. Cambridge got the go-ahead score midway through the fourth quarter and held on for a big win, and the Blue Jays are now playoff eligible.
Waterloo 32, Marshall 6: Waterloo saves its season, avoiding the knockout third loss in dominating Marshall. The Cardinals have a lengthy playoff streak now in jeopardy with tough conference games remaining against New Glarus/Monticello and Belleville.
New Glarus/Monticello 26, Iowa-Grant 14: An impressive non-conference win for the Glarner Knights over a good southwestern Wisconsin team. NG/M plays conference games from here on out.
^Cambridge 2-0 (5-2)
^Belleville 2-1 (5-2)
New Glarus/Monticello 1-1 (4-3)
Waterloo 1-2 (3-4)
Marshall 0-2 (2-5)
*Clinched a playoff spot
^Playoff eligible
#Eliminated
Week 8
Marshall (2-5, 0-2) at Cambridge (5-2, 2-0): For the Cardinals, to keep their long playoff streak intact, they'll have to take down a very balanced Cambridge squad that would clinch a share of a conference title and a playoff bid with a victory.
New Glarus/Monticello (4-3, 1-1) at Waterloo (3-4, 1-2): Last year's 1-2 teams in the Capitol South play in a big one in terms of staying in the playoff hunt. Waterloo is eliminated with a loss here, while NG/M still has to play Cambridge in the season finale.
Belleville (5-2, 2-1) at Cuba City (5-2, 5-0): After a body blow against the Blue Jays, Belleville will get a non-conference game to right the ship perhaps and set up a big date against Marshall to close out the season. Cuba City sits atop the SWAL at the moment.
Week 9
Cambridge (5-2, 2-0) at New Glarus/Monticello (4-3, 1-1)
Marshall (2-5, 0-2) at Belleville (5-2, 2-1)
Waterloo (3-4, 1-2) at St. Francis - Non-conference
Rock Valley
Clinton 48, McFarland 6: McFarland has had a tough stretch of games, in both opponent quality and the ways they've lost the last three weeks. Expect the experience to pay off next year for the Spartans if they can't get in as a 4-5 team this year perhaps. Clinton stays undefeated.
Whitewater 28, Brodhead/Juda 27: The streak is over, and perhaps on two fronts. Whitewater snaps a 15-game conference losing streak, while Brodhead/Juda's 25-year postseason streak is now on life support with their fifth loss. A big win for the Whippets though, to get that streak over and done with.
Edgerton 40, Big Foot 36: In a second surprising result, the Tiders upset the Chiefs, handing Big Foot their fifth loss. Both teams now need to win out to even have a shot at the playoffs. For Big Foot, a season full of promise now dangles by a thread. 4-5 is no guarantee to get in.
Jefferson 42, Turner 27: Turner couldn't bounce back from their close loss to Clinton last week, and Jefferson stayed a game back of the Cougars in the conference standings.
Evansville/Albany 50, East Troy 42: Why is it East Troy finds themselves in these sorts of shootouts? Evansville/Albany now has won four in a row, and only needs to win one of their final two games to clinch a playoff spot. East Troy will have to get it going as their difficult stretch of games continues next week against Turner.
*Clinton 7-0
*Turner 5-2
*Jefferson 6-1
Evansville/Albany 4-3
East Troy 4-3
Big Foot 2-5
Brodhead/Juda 2-5
McFarland 2-5
Edgerton 2-5
#Whitewater 1-6
*Clinched playoff berth
#Eliminated
Week 8
Turner (5-2) at East Troy (4-3): The battle of the Trojans. East Troy can clinch a playoff spot with a win, while Turner has dropped two in a row after a 5-0 start to the year. Expect plenty of points in this game. Both teams are explosive.
Brodhead/Juda (2-5) at Evansville/Albany (4-3): A ton at stake for these co-ops whose home fields are only 12 miles apart. Brodhead/Juda's 25-year playoff streak officially ends with a loss, while Evansville/Albany needs a win to pick up a playoff spot.
Clinton (7-0) at Edgerton (2-5): Edgerton is clinging to some playoff hope but will need to upset the conference's top team in order to get there. Clinton wins at least a share of the conference title with a victory.
Jefferson (6-1) at McFarland (2-5): As is the case with Edgerton, McFarland will need to pull a big upset to stay in the hunt this week. Jefferson can stay a game back of Clinton for a conference title, but also position themselves for a D3 playoff home game.
Big Foot (2-5) at Whitewater (1-6): The Chiefs' playoff hopes took a tumble with the loss to Edgerton last week. Whitewater ended a long losing streak spanning two seasons with a victory last week, although their playoff chances are done.
Week 9
McFarland (2-5) at Turner (5-2)
East Troy (4-3) at Brodhead/Juda (2-5)
Evansville/Albany (4-3) at Big Foot (2-5)
Whitewater (1-6) at Clinton (7-0)
Edgerton (2-5) at Jefferson (6-1)
Statewide
Football Friday Night recaps the biggest games in the state:
Football Friday Night: A Huge Week For Wisconsin High School Football