Franklin-Marquette and other recurring playoff rivalries
Franklin and Marquette will square off in the playoffs for the fourth time since 2011 when they meet Friday in Level 3 of the Division 1 playoffs. Franklin elevated from Division 2 in recent years and seems to be destined to see the Hilltoppers each time, winning the first two meetings in 2011 (Level 2) and 2013 (Level 3), the latter en route to the silver ball.
But in 2014, Marquette got some atonement with a 23-13 win in Level 3 before falling to Kimberly in Level 4.
A look at some other notable playoff rivalries in recent history:
Germantown and Ashwaubenon
The Warhawks won the 1998 state title with a 21-14 win over fellow Division 2 state power Ashwaubenon, and it ignited a series of spirited battles between the teams.
In 2000, Ashwaubenon beat Germantown in Level 3, 14-7, en route to the state title. But two years later, Germantown bit back with a 41-26 win in Level 3.
They met yet again in 2005, when a missed extra-point in the fourth quarter was the difference in a heartbreaking 17-16 win for Ashwaubenon. Two weeks later, the Jaguars were state champs.
Homestead and Arrowhead
For an uncanny three straight years, these two teams met in the Division 1 title game, and after the two sides each recorded a blowout in 2006 (Homestead) and 2007 (Arrowhead), it was Homestead that broke the tie with a thrilling 13-11 win in 2008. The two teams thereafter forged a regular-season rivalry the past four years that will come to an end with the new realignment layout beginning in 2017. Homestead, now firmly entrenched in Division 2, isn't likely to meet Arrowhead in the playoffs again.
Wisconsin Lutheran and Catholic Memorial
It's fitting that last Friday's battle came down to the wire, won by Memorial under dramatic circumstances. The two teams had split in the playoffs since 2008, 2-2, and Eric Fridl's 51-yard field goal broke the tie on Oct. 28.
The two teams met in Level 3 of the 2012 season, with Mitch Meindel kicking a game-winning field goal for CMH in a 24-21 victory, as Memorial headed toward the Division 3 state title. Wisconsin Lutheran defeated Memorial in Level 3 of the 2014 season, 22-0, en route to a state championship of its own.
In 2010, Memorial topped Wisco, 24-17, in Level 3 and advanced to the Division 3 state title game the following week before falling to West De Pere. Pete Karczewski ran for a 74-yard touchdown with 4:26 left in the game to give Memorial the winning points against Wisco. That game served as atonement for Wisco's 28-10 win over CMH in Level 2 of the 2008 postseason.
Mukwonago and Racine Park
In 1996, Racine Park edged Mukwonago by a 7-6 score, and the two schools were far from done squaring off. It was the first of three straight playoff meetins.
In 1997, Mukwonago got even with a 26-21 Level 3 victory on its way to Level 3. The stakes were raised when the teams met in Level 3 in 1998, and Mukwonago prevailed, 34-20, before falling in an 8-3 battle in Level 4 to Oak Creek.
The schools renewed acquaintances again in Level 3 in 2005, when Park won, 24-8, and went on to win the state championship behind running back John Clay.
Waukesha West and Waterford
This isn't a rivalry in the truest sense, because it's pretty one sided, but the two schools met in the previous four postseasons. That was never more apparent in 2015, when West won by a stunning 60-0 score in Level 3 (and also defeated additional Southern Lakes foes Wilmot and Badger en route to a state-final appearance).
West edged Waterford in 2014, 20-14, in Level 2 on its way to the title game. And in 2013, West took a 27-7 decision in Level 3 over the Wolverines.
In Level 1 of 2012, West edged Waterford, 14-12. In 2004, West won an opening-round battle against Waterford, 28-7.