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Prior to last year, I decided it might be fun to try to attend seven games in Week 1: a Thursday night game, a Friday afternoon game at Darlington, a Friday night game, and four games at the Six Rivers Jamboree in Platteville. Unfortunately, storm damage at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium in Platteville caused them to cancel the event and move all four games back to the high schools.

As I began preparations for this year, I started to revisit the idea of an opening weekend football smorgasbord. While Darlington had moved all its games to 7 pm with the installation of permanent lighting at Martens Field (and played on the road in Week 1 anyways), the Six Rivers Jamboree returned to UW-Platteville, and added another non-conference game between Benton/Scales Mound (IL) and North Crawford. This meant the seven games in three days option was alive again in 2015.

I made the decision to give it a try, and lined up babysitters for my boys (my wife works third shift and sleeps during the day). I was filled with anticipation at getting to see so much football in Week 1. 

However, as Week 1 approached, I began to wonder if I was being a bit too ambitious. Would I get footballed out in Week 1? Would so much driving and late nights burn me out at the start of the season?

I made my plans however, and set my schedule for what Thursday and Friday games I would attend. Below is the recap of my busy Week 1.

Why this game: The Thursday schedule featured about a dozen games, including some true heavyweights. Arrowhead-Homestead, Shiocton-Saint Mary's Springs, Stevens Point-Wausau West, and Greendale-Menomonie. No games were particularly close to my home in Reedsburg, so I was going to be making a 2+ hour drive either way. I decided to get to an area I would otherwise not be able to, and watch two very good teams with three of the top ten players in my senior rankings.

Result: Menomonie 34, Greendale 28

Seen and heard: Menomonie's program included an insert soliciting donations for an on-campus athletic complex, as many sports, including football, currently use UW-Stout. As I arrived, I learned that Greendale linebacker Tristian Pipp, #3 in my rankings, would not play due to lingering injury issues from last year that caused him to miss the entire baseball season. Head coach Rob Stoltz indicated he would miss "a few games" most likely. Also, Menomonie linebacker/running Mason Stokke, my #7 player and a Wisconsin commit, did not play in the first half due to tightness in his knee. He spent most of the first half trying to loosen the knee, to no avail. Greendale went up 21-7 at halftime, but after the break, Stokke returned to the field. He put on a Herculean effort, rushing for more than 200 yards with 3 touchdowns and recording 13 tackles in the second half to rally Menomonie for a 34-28 win. Menomonie senior Nate Stanley, my #4 player and an Iowa commit, showed off his arm on several occasions. In fact, he has the best arm strength I've ever seen from a high school quarterback. As Menomonie ran out the final seconds of the game, head coach Joe LaBuda turned to me and said, "I hope that was worth your drive." Yes coach, it most definitely was.

Miles driven: 302

Why this game: With my postgame radio duties, I have to stay close to Madison on Friday nights in order to get back to the studio. In fact, I left this game late in the 3rd quarter. Stoughton is coming off its first playoff appearance since 1998 with a large number of returning players, but a new head coach in Dan Prahl. Reedsburg I saw at the scrimmage last week, but wanted to see more of their offense, which lost most of the production from last year. 

Result: Reedsburg 21, Stoughton 7

Seen and heard: Reedsburg's flexbone offense may not be as explosive as in the past, but they have the ability to grind out yards, as evidenced by a 16-play opening scoring drive. Fullback Chris Jepson and quarterback Jack Yager do well running inside, while halfback Cal Mazur has a bit more wiggle and could be the big-play threat. Zeffary Smith, primarily a defensive back last year, played a good amount at split end and will be a threat in the passing game. The Reedsburg defense was outstanding. They have talent and experience at every level, with 8 starters back. It is going to be a hard group to get yards against. Stoughton didn't start the way they wanted, but there's still a lot of good things going for the Vikings. I expect them to rebound and push for another playoff spot.

Miles driven: 149

Why these games: It is rare to be able to see five games in one day in one spot, and I wanted to take full advantage of it. The Six Rivers figured to be a very tough conference once again, with the teams that finished towards the bottom last year much improved. I also got to check off UW-Platteville as a college facility I've seen a game at. I've now seen high school games at five of the seven WIAC facilities: Stout, Platteville, Oshkosh, La Crosse, and Stevens Point, along with Camp Randall of course.

Results:
Benton/Scales Mound (IL) 51, North Crawford 12
Highland 29, River Ridge 0
Cassville 70, Shullsburg 22
Black Hawk 32, Belmont 27
Pecatonica/Argyle 38, Potosi 0

Seen and heard: It was a beautiful day for football, warm but not hot, with a bit of a welcomed breeze. Things started with a non-conference game between Benton/Scales Mound (IL) and North Crawford. Coming off a one-win season in 2014, Benton/Scales Mound (IL) made quite a statement, throttling North Crawford 51-12. Senior running back Kyle Pulvermacher was especially impressive, having a big day. Highland had a promising season debut as well, with the return of junior quarterback John Ross Linscheid, who went down in Week 2 with a season-ending injury in 2014, giving the Cardinals a big play threat in their spread offense. I don't think anyone could have predicted the dominating performance Cassville put on Shullsburg. After missing the playoffs a year ago, while Shullsburg qualified, the Comets put up 50 points in the second quarter and took a 64-6 lead at halftime before cruising home for a 70-22 victory. Black Hawk and Belmont played the best game of the day, as the fourth quarter was wild and very much back and forth. Ultimately, Black Hawk rallied for the win, though both teams made very good showings. The nightcap between Pecatonica/Argyle and Potosi was the most anticipated, but it ended in a running clock, as Pecatonica/Argyle was incredibly impressive in a 37-0 win. Potosi is a very good team, but Pecatonica/Argyle's size and athleticism are at an elite level. They run different schemes, but in terms of their personnel, they remind me of the Darlington and Black Hawk teams from the last few years. Big offensive lines with skill players that are not only athletic but with good size as well. Overall, the Six Rivers is going to be a very, very good league in 2015. The bottom teams from last year are improved, though I'm not sure anyone can match what Pecatonica/Argyle brings to the table. 

Miles driven: 152

It was a great three days, despite the fact I returned home after midnight every day and certainly missed some family time during the weekend. And I still like football after all.

Miles driven: 603
Games seen: 7
Teams seen: 14
Conferences covered: 6
Time spent watching football: Approximately 16 hours
Time in the car: 11 hours
Hours slept: Not enough
Poor concession stand and gas station food consumed: Too much

For the latest and most up to date football news and recruiting information, follow Travis on Twitter @travisWSN. Email story ideas, recruiting info, etc. to Travis at travis(at)wissports.net.