The Playbook: take a look at our Level 3 contests
Check out our schedule for Level 3 of the football playoffs Friday, and who you can follow on Twitter to get updates.
(2) Marquette (9-2, 6-1 in Greater Metro) at (1) Franklin (10-1, 7-0 in Southeast). Franklin held off a determined Oak Creek team in a rematch at Level 2, and the Sabers are now improbably one step away from away from matching what last year’s team did despite losing a boatload of seniors from that unit. Marquette has looked very strong in its first two weeks and annually represents a threat to reach Level 4. The winner of this battle faces either Badger or Middleton, and one of those four teams will play for a state title. Follow John Rech for updates on Twitter.
(5) Monona Grove (9-2 overall, 5-1 in Badger South at (3) Waukesha West (8-3, 5-2 in Classic 8). Another year, another Waukesha West team in Level 3 – it’s been four straight years now, and no matter where the program is seeded, it always seems to work deep into the playoffs. Monona Grove upset Waunakee in Level 2 and is a passing team just like West’s Level 2 foe, Watertown. Alec Ogden has thrown for 2,384 yards and 26 touchdowns, with Andryi Nahirnak catching nine of them. The winner of this game will face Homestead or Whitefish Bay for the chance to go to the D2 title game. Follow Evan Frank for updates.
(2) Whitefish Bay (8-3, 5-2 in North Shore) at (1) Homestead (10-1, 7-0 in North Shore). Homestead took care of business against Germantown in Level 2, and Bay held off a challenge from Greenfield in a shootout. The Highlanders got the best of Bay in the regular season and are the heavy favorite to repeat the feat, particularly with Bay seemingly struggling in the home stretch despite a series of victories. Recent Iowa commit Mike Bruner leads the talented Homestead defense that is primed for yet another appearance in Madison after winning last year’s Division 2 title. Follow Steven Tietz for updates.
(3) Brookfield East (9-2, 5-2 in Greater Metro) at (1) Brookfield Central (10-1, 6-1 in Greater Metro). It’s on. The annual clash of crosstown titans gets another heightened spotlight in Level 3 in a rematch of last year’s playoff battle that went East’s way. Central won the regular-season meeting both last year and this year, and this year’s team won convincingly and still looks like a state-title contender. East ended the Menomonee Falls run in Level 2, and Central ran over Hartford. Follow Andrew Gruman for updates.
(3) Pewaukee (10-1, 6-1 in Woodland West) at (1) Monroe (11-0, 6-0 in Badger South). Monroe has been on a magical ride, winning its first conference title in 18 years and then defeating Fort Atkinson in double overtime in Level 2, 41-40, after successfully converting a 2-point conversion and holding Fort from doing the same. Pewaukee’s schedule stacks up favorably, and the Pirates shouldn’t be seen as a dramatic underdog after an encouraging showing against Delavan-Darien in Level 2. The Cheesemakers have two 1,000-yard rushers in Isaac Allen and Jake Kind. Follow JR Radcliffe for updates.
(2) Kewaskum (10-1, 6-1 in East Central) (1) Catholic Memorial (11-0, 7-0 in Classic 8). Memorial’s absolutely thrilling Level 2 win over Wisconsin Lutheran required a furious two-score comeback in the final minutes and a 51-yard field goal by Zach Fridl, but the top-ranked team in the state plays on and may have cleared its most dangerous hurdle in downing Wisconsin Lutheran. But Kewaskum is no slouch, led by 1,900-yard passer Dalton Poole. Follow Chuck Delsman for updates.