While Waunakee, Monona Grove, Black Hawk, and Cambridge all won to stay undefeated, the same couldn't be said for Lodi, Johnson Creek, and Fennimore. Week 8 set up a number of big games for the final week of the regular season, with big conference title implications in several contests next week.
In the Big 8, Sun Prairie and Madison Memorial head into Week 9 tied for the Big 8 lead, and lurking one game behind are Verona and Janesville Craig. Memorial and Craig play each other in Week 9, our Madison Taxi Game of the Week.
Big Eight
D1 #8 Sun Prairie (7-1) 35, Middleton (5-3) 7: Our Madison Taxi Game of the Week, Sun Prairie aired it out for 281 yards and three touchdowns on a rainy evening at Middleton, and got a monster defensive performance from Maven Kretche, who had five sacks and a fumble recovery touchdown. Middleton didn't crack the 100-yard mark for offense until a fourth-quarter drive, which had two long scrambles by Bryce Carey.
📈 Janesville Craig (6-2) 39, Madison West (3-5) 6: Janesville Craig used five rushing touchdowns and scored 25 points unanswered to take down the Regents, which gets the Cougars one step closer to a home playoff game. Madison West can no longer clinch a playoff spot, but with an upset of Sun Prairie, they can almost certainly get in.
📈 Madison La Follette (4-4) 33, Madison East (1-7) 21: The Lussier Cup goes to La Follette, as the Lancers are almost certainly into the playoff field now with their fourth win.
D1 #10 Verona (6-2) 40, Beloit Memorial (1-7) 20: Adam Bekx tossed four touchdown passes to lead Verona to a win over a frisky Beloit Memorial squad that had it tied at the end of the first quarter, and stayed within a score through the midway point of the third quarter.
Madison Memorial (7-1) 48, Janesville Parker (0-8) 6: A late touchdown return by Janesville Parker on a kickoff averted the shutout, but Memorial was in control from the start, winning easily and setting up a big game against the other Janesville school, Craig, in the final week of the regular season.
Standings:
*7-1 Madison Memorial
*7-1 Sun Prairie
*6-2 Janesville Craig
*6-2 Verona
*5-3 Middleton
4-4 Madison La Follette
3-5 Madison West
#1-7 Beloit Memorial
#1-7 Madison East
#0-8 Janesville Parker
🏆Conference Championship
*Clinched Playoff Spot
#Eliminated From Playoff Contention
Week 9 Games:
Madison Memorial (7-1) at Janesville Craig (6-2): Madison Taxi Game of the Week: If Madison Memorial can win, they will clinch a share of the Big 8 title, and could win outright if Sun Prairie loses. If Janesville Craig wins and Sun Prairie loses, it would force at least a three-way tie for the Big 8 crown.
Sun Prairie (7-1) at Madison West (3-5): A rematch of last year's Level 3 game, what a difference a year makes. Sun Prairie can win and clinch a share of the conference title (and get it outright if Madison Memorial loses), and still can get a share if they lose and Madison Memorial also loses. Madison West can't clinch a playoff spot, but it's almost a certainty that they would be in with a fourth win if they can pull the upset.
Middleton (5-3) at Madison La Follette (4-4): Both teams find themselves facing the probability of Level 1 on the road, although both teams are almost certainly in the playoffs (Middleton has clinched). La Follette needs a win to clinch, but they're already likely in.
Madison East (1-7) at Verona (6-2): Verona needs a win and for both Sun Prairie and Madison Memorial to lose to clinch a share of the conference title. The Wildcats aren't guaranteed a home game in the playoffs, but a seventh win would put them at the table with the other Big 8 teams as well as other teams pulled from eastern Wisconsin into the group to argue to host at least one game.
Janesville Parker (0-8) at Beloit Memorial (1-7): For the seniors on both teams, this is the last chance to play high school football, so toss out the records.
Playoffs: Madison Memorial, Sun Prairie, Janesville Craig, Middleton, and Verona have clinched a playoff spot. Janesville Parker, Madison East, and Beloit Memorial have been eliminated from playoff contention. Madison La Follette clinches with a win this week, although they are likely already in with a fourth win. Madison West needs to win to (likely) get into the playoffs, but a loss will keep them out.
Conference Title: Madison Memorial and Sun Prairie clinch a share of the Big 8 title with wins, and if one wins and the other loses, that team clinches the Big 8 crown outright. If both lose, Janesville Craig and Verona (with a win in their game against Madison East) can tie for the Big 8 title.
Badger North
DeForest (6-2, 5-1) 25, D3 #4 Mount Horeb/Barneveld (6-2, 4-2) 22: Neither team will probably catch Waunakee for a Badger North title, but it was significant for seeding meeting reasons. DeForest got out to an 18-point lead and never trailed, keeping the Vikings off the board in the fourth quarter to preserve a close victory.
📈 D1 #1 Waunakee (8-0, 6-0) 43, Baraboo (3-5, 3-3) 0: Waunakee clinched a share of the conference title, and did all of their scoring in the first half, as Jarrett Wulf accounted for five touchdowns in the Warriors' shutout victory. All of the points were scored in the first half.
📈 Reedsburg (5-3, 3-3) 49, Portage (0-8, 0-6) 13: Portage scored first, but then Reedsburg piled up 42 points before Portage could score again. The Beavers are now close to a playoff spot,
Sauk Prairie (2-6, 2-4) 13, Beaver Dam (2-5, 1-4) 7: Garrett Hertzfeldt scored both touchdowns for Sauk Prairie, including a fourth-quarter score, to push the Eagles to a win over Beaver Dam to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
Standings:
🏆Waunakee 6-0 (8-0)
*DeForest 5-1 (6-2)
*Mount Horeb/Barneveld 4-2 (6-2)
Baraboo 3-3 (3-5)
Reedsburg 3-3 (5-3)
Sauk Prairie 2-4 (2-6)
#Beaver Dam 1-5 (2-6)
#Portage 0-6 (0-8)
🏆Conference Championship
*Clinched Playoff Spot
#Eliminated From Playoff Contention
Week 9 Games:
Baraboo (3-5, 3-3) at Reedsburg (5-3, 3-3): One of the area's only true "play-in" games, the winner clinches a playoff spot while the losing team has to sweat out tiebreakers. Last year, neither team made the playoffs, and Baraboo got their only win of the season by upending their bitter rival. If either team can afford a loss, it's Reedsburg, with two non-conference wins in the Badger Crossovers, as the Beavers would be in decent shape for tiebreakers among 3-4 teams. But why leave it to chance for either team?
Sauk Prairie (2-6, 2-4) at Mount Horeb/Barneveld (6-2, 4-2): Both teams have something to play for: Sauk Prairie needs a win to have a slim shot at making the playoffs, while MH/B could really use a seventh win to solidify an argument to host a Level 1 game.
DeForest (6-2, 5-1) at Portage (0-8, 0-6): Speaking of playoff scenarios, DeForest will likely match up with another Badger Conference team in Level 1, perhaps a Stoughton, Oregon, or Watertown. A shot at a home playoff game is what's at stake for the Norskies here, and if Waunakee somehow slips up in their finale, DeForest would also get a share of the conference title.
Waunakee (8-0, 6-0) at Beaver Dam (2-6, 1-5): Waunakee can clinch the Badger South title outright with a win.
Playoffs: Waunakee, DeForest, and Mount Horeb/Barneveld have clinched a playoff spot. Portage and Beaver Dam have been eliminated from playoff contention. Sauk Prairie needs a win to have a shot of making the playoffs as a 3-4, but is near the bottom of the tiebreakers. The winner of Baraboo and Reedsburg will clinch a playoff spot, while the losing team will have to see how they fare in tiebreakers with other 3-4 teams.
Conference Title: Waunakee has clinched a share of the Badger North title. They get it outright with a win in Week 9. DeForest can get a share of the Badger North crown with a win and a Waunakee loss.
Badger South
📈 D2 #4 Monona Grove (8-0, 6-0) 42, Stoughton (5-3, 3-3) 7: Stoughton scored first in this one, leading after the first quarter 7-0. Monona Grove responded with 21 points in the second quarter and all 42 of their points unanswered in clinching a share of the Badger South championship.
Oregon (6-2, 5-1) 31, Watertown (6-2, 5-1) 20: Oregon's bend-but-don't-break defense picked off reigning statewide player of the week Ethan Pauly four times, and rallied for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to come back and beat Watertown.
Monroe (2-6, 2-4) at Edgewood (2-6, 1-5): Monroe pulled away late, scoring two fourth-quarter touchdowns to pick up a second straight win after starting the season 0-6. Edgewood's playoff dreams end with the loss.
Milton (3-5, 2-4) at Fort Atkinson (0-8, 0-6): Milton keeps their playoff hopes alive for one more week, drubbing winless Fort Atkinson, getting four rushing touchdowns in the winning effort.
Standings:
🏆Monona Grove 6-0 (8-0)
*Oregon 5-1 (6-2)
*Watertown 5-1 (6-2)
Stoughton 3-3 (5-3)
Milton 2-4 (3-5)
Monroe 2-4 (2-6)
#Edgewood 1-5 (2-6)
#Fort Atkinson 0-6 (0-8)
🏆Conference Championship
*Clinched Playoff Spot
#Eliminated From Playoff Contention
Week 9 Games:
Monona Grove (8-0, 6-0) at Watertown (6-2, 5-1): Monona Grove's already clinched a share of the conference title, but can win it outright by beating Watertown. The Goslings could have set up a winner-take-all game, but lost a fourth-quarter lead to Oregon last week. They can still get a share of the title by beating Monona Grove.
Monroe (2-6, 2-4) at Oregon (6-2, 5-1): Monroe has an outside shot of a playoff spot if they can get to a third conference victory, but they'll have to do it against Oregon, and the Panthers need the dub to possibly host a Level 1 game in a very crowded Division 2 field.
Edgewood (2-6, 1-5) at Milton (2-4, 3-5): Milton can win and get a slim chance at getting into the playoffs, and avenge last year's Week 9 loss to Edgewood.
Fort Atkinson (0-8, 0-6) at Stoughton (5-3, 3-3): Stoughton needs to stop their three-game losing streak to clinch a playoff spot, although with a loss, the Vikings could still get in via tiebreakers.
Playoffs: Monona Grove, Oregon, and Watertown have clinched playoff spots. Fort Atkinson and Edgewood have been eliminated. Stoughton can clinch a playoff spot with a win. If either Milton or Monroe get a win, they have a slim chance of a postseason bid.
Conference Title: Monona Grove has clinched a share of the title. They win it outright with a win in Week 9. Watertown clinches a share of the Badger South title with a win, and Oregon clinches a share of the conference crown with a win and if Watertown defeats Monona Grove.
Capitol Conference - North
📈 Lake Mills (6-2, 3-1) 25, D4 #2 Lodi (7-1, 3-1) 14: Lodi goes down for the first time this season, and Lake Mills clinches a playoff spot by beating the defending Division 4 champions.
Luther Prep (5-3, 2-2) 17, Columbus (1-7, 0-4) 14: Luther Prep keeps their playoff hopes alive for one more week, while Columbus loses a second straight close game against teams that have clinched winning regular seasons.
D4 #9 Lakeside Lutheran (7-1, 4-0) 49, Poynette (4-4, 0-4) 7: Poynette's losing streak reaches four games, but Lakeside Lutheran firmly establishes themselves as the class of the Capitol North, with a chance to solidify that hold in Week 9. The Warriors clinched a share of the conference title with the win this week and Lodi's loss.
Standings:
🏆Lakeside Lutheran 4-0 (7-1)
*Lodi 3-1 (7-1)*Lake Mills 3-1 (6-2)
Luther Prep 2-2 (5-3)
#Poynette 0-4 (4-4)
#Columbus 0-4 (1-7)
🏆Conference Championship
*Clinched Playoff Spot
#Eliminated From Playoff Contention
Week 9 Games:
Lakeside Lutheran (7-1, 4-0) at Lodi (7-1, 3-1): Lakeside Lutheran can win the Capitol North outright with a win, while Lodi can get a share of the conference title if they can take down the Warriors.
Luther Prep (5-3, 2-2) at Lake Mills (6-2, 3-1): A huge game for both, as Luther Prep needs a win to get in to the playoffs, while Lake Mills can get a win and hope Lodi beats Lakeside to clinch a share of the conference title themselves.
Columbus (1-7, 0-4) at Poynette (4-4, 0-4): It's the last game for the seniors on both squads. Columbus' season was full of tough, one-score losses, while Poynette's 4-0 start has faded away to a .500 record entering Week 9. Both programs should be positioned for success in coming years, however, with younger players gaining valuable experience this year.
Playoffs: Lodi, Lakeside Lutheran, and Lake Mills have clinched playoff spots, while Poynette and Columbus have been eliminated. Luther Prep gets in with a win over Lake Mills, but if they lose, they are eliminated.
Conference Title: Lakeside Lutheran has clinched a share of the Capitol North title and earns it outright if they beat Lodi. Lodi can get a share with a win over Lakeside, while Lake Mills can get a share with a win over Luther Prep and if Lakeside Lutheran loses to Lodi.
Capitol Conference - South
Not counting Capitol crossovers, the Capitol Conference is 26-12 in non-conference games this season (North 13-6, South 13-6)... the Capitol North dominated crossover games 5-0
📈 D5 #9 Cambridge (8-0, 3-0) 42, Marshall (3-5, 2-1) 12: Cambridge clinched a second straight Capitol South championship (shared three ways last year) and can win it outright this week. Marshall is playoff-eligible and can clinch next week.
📈 New Glarus/Monticello (4-4, 2-1) 35, Waterloo (0-8, 0-4) 6: NG/M clinches playoff eligibility and plays for a share of the Capitol South title next week.
Cuba City (4-4, 3-2) 27, Belleville (5-3, 1-2) 14: A non-conference tune up, both teams have playoff scenarios in their final week of the regular season to look forward to.
Standings:
🏆Cambridge 3-0 (8-0)
Marshall 2-1 (3-5)
New Glarus/Monticello 2-1 (4-4)
Belleville 1-2 (5-3)
#Waterloo 0-4 (0-8)
🏆Conference Championship
*Clinched Playoff Spot
#Eliminated From Playoff Contention
Week 9 Games:
New Glarus/Monticello (4-4, 2-1) at Cambridge (8-0, 3-0): A huge game this week since NG/M can clinch a share of the conference title with a win (and Marshall could jump up to tie for a share of the title as well if they beat Belleville), while Cambridge can win outright. NG/M can also clinch a playoff spot with a victory.
Belleville (5-3, 1-2) at Marshall (3-5, 2-1): Belleville needs a win to become playoff-eligible, while Marshall needs a win to get a playoff spot clinched and also have a shot at a share of the conference crown.
Fennimore (7-1, 5-1) at Waterloo (0-8, 0-4) - Non Conference: Fennimore gets to take out some frustrations from last week's loss to Mineral Point before the playoffs while Waterloo says farewell to this year's group of seniors.
Playoffs: Cambridge has clinched a playoff spot. Marshall and New Glarus/Monticello are playoff-eligible. Belleville can become playoff-eligible with a win over Marshall. Marshall and New Glarus/Monticello clinch playoff spots with victories.
Conference Title: Cambridge has clinched a share of the conference title and wins it outright with a win this week. If New Glarus/Monticello wins that match-up, they will clinch a share of the title. Marshall can clinch a share of the Capitol South title with a win and a NG/M victory.
Rock Valley
East Troy (6-2) 28, Jefferson (5-3) 12: A big game for fans of the seeding meeting process, East Troy moved one step closer to a possible home playoff game.
📈 Brodhead/Juda (3-5) 42, Big Foot (3-5) 6: Brodhead/Juda saved their season for one more week, while Big Foot saw perhaps their playoff dream crash as the Cardinals routed the Chiefs in this game.
📈 Clinton (2-6) 46, Turner (4-4) 7: One of the most surprising results in the area this week, the defending Rock Valley Conference champs prevented Turner from clinching a playoff spot this week by routing them on Clinton's Homecoming. Since Turner's 9-7 loss to McFarland, the Trojans have struggled in the back half of their schedule.
D4 #10 Edgerton (7-1) 45, Whitewater (2-6) 6: Edgerton got a seventh win in a row, and is looking to lock up a home playoff game regardless of the division they end up in. Whitewater can't get into the playoffs now with their sixth loss.
D3 #3 McFarland (8-0) 48, Evansville/Albany (0-8) 0: McFarland's eighth straight win is Evansville/Albany's ninth straight loss, and the Spartans clinched a share of the Rock Valley title this week.
Standings:
🏆McFarland 8-0
*Edgerton 7-1
*East Troy 6-2
*Jefferson 5-3
Turner 4-4
Brodhead/Juda 3-5
Big Foot 3-5
#Whitewater 2-6
#Clinton 2-6
#Evansville/Albany 0-8
🏆Conference Championship
*Clinched playoff berth
#Eliminated
Week 9 Games:
Brodhead/Juda (3-5) at McFarland (8-0): Both teams have plenty to play for here. McFarland can win an outright Rock Valley championship, while Brodhead/Juda can likely get into the playoffs with an upset.
Edgerton (7-1) at Big Foot (3-5): Edgerton needs a McFarland loss to clinch a share of the conference crown, but they'll have to beat Big Foot, as the Chiefs need a win to (likely) make the playoffs.
Turner (4-4) at East Troy (6-2): Turner's likely in already, but they clinch a playoff spot with a win over East Troy. East Troy could use the win to set up a possible home playoff game, especially if they drop to D4.
Jefferson (5-3) at Whitewater (2-6): Whitewater's seniors play their last game while Jefferson tries to get a sixth win to help in favorable placement in a crowded D3 field.
Evansville/Albany (0-8) at Clinton (2-6): For the past few years, this has been a crucial game for the Rock Valley title. This year, it's a farewell to seniors that were around for multiple conference championships during their high school careers, groups that have passed the torch from recent success to future success.
Playoffs: McFarland, East Troy, Jefferson, and Edgerton have clinched playoff spots. Turner can clinch a playoff spot with a win over East Troy, although they're likely in already. Big Foot and Brodhead/Juda will need to upset one of the top teams in the conference each to get to four wins and a playoff spot, or else they're eliminated.
Conference Title: McFarland has clinched a share of the conference title. Edgerton can clinch a share of the conference title with a win and McFarland loss.
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