Wisconsin High School Sports | Wisconsin Sports Networks

Bradford dominates #1 vs. #2 and two state champs start 0-2

By: Travis Wilson | 9/4/2010

The big match-up on everyone's mind this week took place in Stevens Point as the Panthers played host to Kenosha Bradford. Bradford was the #1 team in the state in many people's minds, including those that voted in the Week 1 WSN Coaches Poll. SPASH came in second in the first rankings of the season.

Stevens Point stayed close with the explosive Red Devils for one quarter, trailing 14-10 after the opening period. Bradford's speed and well-disciplined flexbone attack was too much from there though, as they outscored Point 38-7 the rest of the way. University of Iowa recruit Melvin Gordon had a monster game, racking up four touchdowns and 291 yards on just 12 carries (24.25 yards per carry).

In other big news from Week 2 action, a pair of defending state champs dropped their second straight game to fall to 0-2. Milwaukee Marquette rolled through Division 1 last year and captured a state title over Menomonee Falls (who themselves have started 0-2 with losses to Oconomowoc and West Bend East). The Hilltoppers have a tough opening schedule, and are paying for it. After falling 28-7 in Week 1 against Wisconsin Lutheran, Marquette was shutout 21-0 in a loss to a very talented Franklin team. Big Foot was the Division 4 champion last year but suffered a 15-7 loss to Harvard (IL) in Week 1 and fell 34-14 to Delavan-Darien in Week 2. Reedsburg (D3) and Catholic Central (D7) both won state last year and lost in Week 1, but were able to rebound with dominating wins in Week 2.

Lancaster began the season ranked #1 in the WSN Coaches Poll in Division 5, but were tripped up for the second time in three years by Fennimore. The Golden Eagles scores an 18-14 win over the Flying Arrows. Another upset occurred in the northwest part of the state, as Somerset, ranked third in D4, went down 20-19 to Bloomer, 14th in D4. In what may not be a huge upset, Oconomowoc, fresh off the big win over Menomonee Falls in the opening week, were defeated 21-9 by Kettle Moraine.

Yet another big early season game took place in the Fox Valley Association, as Appleton North traveled to Menasha. The Lightning were coming off an emotional 10-6 win over Kimberly, and couldn't hold off the Bluejays (many people's sleeper pick in the FVA) as Menasha pulled out an 8-3 hard-fought win. Elsewhere in the Fox Valley area, Manitowoc Lincoln got handled fairly easily by Pulaski in Week 1, but the Ships came back strong to score a 6-3 win over Notre Dame, who was ranked fourth in Division 3.

Wisconsin Lutheran was mentioned earlier with their 28-7 win over Marquette in Week 1, but the Vikings were unable to continue that momentum, losing 33-13 to a very strong Waukesha West team. A couple of big Badger Conference crossover games took place this week as well. Monona Grove recorded its second straight shutout of a North division tri-champ from a year ago, knocking off DeForest 15-0 one week after blanking Reedsburg 17-0. Waunakee scored a big one for the North though, dominating Milton for the third straight season with a 63-21 victory.

Pacelli travelled to Aquinas in a match-up of former WISAA rivals and eeked out a close 22-21 decision over the Blugolds. In news that would surprise few, Edgar's domination continued as the Wildcats recorded their 13th shutout in the last 16 games with a 50-0 decision over Rib Lake/Prentice.