Pewaukee, Brookfield East look to keep blazing unfamiliar trail

For the first time in either program's history, Brookfield East and Pewaukee have reached Level 4 of the WIAA playoffs, and though the two have to battle powerful programs Friday for a berth in the state-championship game, Camp Randall has never been closer.

East will travel to Stevens Point to face Menomonie, a high-flying offense with a number of state championships to its name.

Pewaukee will stay closer to home and face off with Catholic Memorial at Kettle Moraine. The Crusaders appeared in last year's state title game and haven't lost this season.

A look at teams making long-awaited voyages to Level 4:

First trip

Brookfield East. Program made Level 3 previously in 2012 and 2015.

Pewaukee. Made Level 3 in 2005 and 2011.

River Valley. Hasn't been to Level 3 since 1998 and never further.

Clinton. Division 5 squad had never even been to Level 3 before, winning its lone playoff game in 2013 before three this season.

Been a while

Two Rivers. After winning the 1982 state title, Two Rivers has only won two playoff games one time since -- 2012 -- let alone three.

Shullsburg. Won three playoff games in 1996 but not since, with Level 3 appearances in 2006 and 2009.

Abbotsford. First Level 4 appearance since 2003, with no Level 3 appearances since.

Saint Croix Central. After winning the 1988 state championship, St. Croix Central hasn't been this far since, despite Level 3 appearances each of the past five seasons.

Stevens Point. SPASH has had some powerful teams in the past but hasn't been to Level 4 since 2010.

State champs remain

A staggering six of the seven state champs remain alive in the postseason, including Kimberly in D1, Homestead in D2, Notre Dame in D3, Amherst in D5, St. Mary's Springs in D6 and Bangor in D7. Osceola (D4) is the only team to have fallen short of this stage, opening up the door for some pretty new blood (St. Croix Central, River Valley, Two Rivers) or Little Chute, which was state runner-up in 2014.