FIRST AND SHORT

Week 8 Playbook: Thursday night thriller opens penultimate weekend

JR Radcliffe
jr.radcliffe@jrn.com

Week 8 gives us a couple teams desperately needing a win to get into the playoffs, a couple teams chasing a conference title and a Thursday night game that brings back some fun memories.

Oconomowoc at Wisconsin Lutheran. The Raccoons have a one-game lead in the Wisconsin Little Ten, and the outright title is theirs if they can knock off the Vikings in one last surefire classic for the WLT title. Remember when the two teams met with the WLT on the line in 2013? This one takes place Thursday night with television cameras watching. Follow Evan Frank for updates.

Mukwonago at Catholic Memorial. The Indians need a win to secure a playoff berth, while Memorial is looking to shore up a Classic 8 Conference championship. Follow JR Radcliffe for updates.

Whitefish Bay at Homestead. This battle had higher stakes before Bay took a surprising loss to Milwaukee Lutheran, but the two teams are essentially still battling for the North Shore title (though Homestead can still get a share even with a loss). Follow Steven Tietz for updates.

Brookfield East at Marquette. Second place is on the line in the Greater Metro, and a win would look good on a playoff resume for either side. Follow Andrew Gruman for updates.

St. Francis at Lake Country Lutheran. The Midwest Classic battle will have a lot to say about who wins the title this year, with LCL still the favorite but the Mariners capable of getting great footing for at least a share. Follow Evan Frank for updates.

West Allis Central at Sussex Hamilton. One of these two teams will be getting eliminated from the playoff chase with one week to go. Follow John Rech for updates.

Port Washington at Germantown. It’s a must-have for Germantown as it seeks to keep its playoff hopes alive. Port can still get in without it, but the Pirates surely will take a victory if they can get it to secure a berth with one week to go.

Waukesha North at Muskego. The Northstars still need a win to get into the playoffs, and with Catholic Memorial waiting in Week 9, this is the best route to a first berth since 2006. Follow Dan Zielinski for updates.