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Week 7 Football Preview

10/02/2015, 1:30am CDT
By Travis Wilson

As the season winds down to the final three weeks, there is a lot on the line for many teams. Some are looking to take control of conference races, others trying to clinch playoff spots, and some are just looking to keep their postseason hopes alive.

For the full schedule of games this weekend, please click here.

Week 7 Game of the Week: Oconomowoc (6-0, 4-0; D1 #5) at Slinger (6-0, 4-0; D2 #6) -- Friday, 7 pm
Who would have thought before the season that these two teams would meet up in Week 7 sporting undefeated records? Oconomowoc was coming off an extremely challenging 2014 season that saw them finish just 1-8, a year after going unbeaten in the regular season. But the Raccoons are healthy this season, and riding a powerful offense headlined by quarterback Ben Nienhuis. The junior signal-caller has thrown for more than 1500 yards to go with 22 touchdowns, second in the state. While Oconomowoc likes to spread it out, it will be about ground and pound with Slinger. The Owls feature a big and physical offensive line, with a balanced rushing attack that averages more than 250 yards per game. Quarterback Jarod Scheff doesn't throw it much, but he is very efficient when he does so, averaging 9.8 yards per attempt with 10 touchdowns.

Vote for who you think will win the Game of the Week between Oconomowoc and Slinger here.

All game times 7 pm unless otherwise noted.

Friday

Madison/Southwest

Sun Prairie (3-3, 3-3; UR) at Janesville Parker (3-3, 3-3; UR) – Two teams that have looked very good at times, but struggled at times as well, with consistency a challenge for each. The loser may need to win out to get into the playoffs.

Verona (4-2, 4-2; UR) at Madison La Follette (5-1, 5-1; D1 #10) – After Middleton's loss last week, La Follette is suddenly in a tie for the league lead, and will try to stay there against a Verona team that has been improving over the course of the year.

Janesville Craig (2-4, 2-4; UR) at Madison Memorial (4-2, 4-2; UR) – A likely elimination game for Craig, they're hoping Memorial has a bit of a let-up after the big victory over Middleton last week. Can Craig slow down the high-powered passing attack of Memorial?

Reedsburg (4-2, 2-1; UR) at Mount Horeb/Barneveld (4-2, 2-1; UR) – The winner of this one is hoping that DeForest finds a way to knock off Waunakee and force a three-way atop the league, though Reedsburg will get a crack at the Warriors in Week 8 as well. Run, run, run Reedsburg presents an interesting contrast to pass-heavy Mount Horeb/Barneveld, who is building momentum late in the season.

DeForest (4-2, 3-1; UR) at Waunakee (6-0, 3-0; D2 #1) – One of the state's most heated rivalries, this one always produces big crowds and competitive games. DeForest was tripped up by Mount Horeb/Barneveld last week, but can force a three-way tie atop the Badger-North Conference win a win over Waunakee, who is looking like the Waunakee we've become accustomed to over the years.

Lakeside Lutheran (5-1, 1-1; D5 #8) at Poynette (5-1, 1-1; D5 #10) – Both teams started 4-0 in non-conference play, but with 1-1 league records at this point, the loser of this one is in a bit of trouble for making the playoffs, as they'd need to win the final two games of the year to get in.

Waterloo (4-2, 2-0; UR) at Marshall (3-3, 2-0; UR) – Both teams struggled in the non-conference season, but they are 2-0 in the Capitol-South, with the winner taking control of the league race with just two games to go.

Randolph (4-2, 3-0; UR) at Cambria-Friesland (6-0, 3-0; D7 #6) – The only remaining undefeated teams in the Trailways-South Conference, the winner of this one will almost certainly capture the league title. 

Mineral Point (5-1, 3-1; UR) at Cuba City (5-1, 3-1; D6 #7) – The only loss for each of these clubs this season has been to Darlington, and while it is highly unlikely either will catch the Redbirds for the SWAL title, this one is huge for seeding purposes in the playoffs.

Milwaukee/Southeast

Menomonee Falls (3-3, 3-1; UR) at Brookfield East (5-1, 3-1; UR) – The winner of this one clinches a playoff spot, as East tries to make it six straight postseason appearances under head coach Tom Swittel.

Waukesha West (5-1, 3-1; D2 #3) at Catholic Memorial (4-2, 2-2; D3 #8) – Catholic Memorial spent the first four weeks at #1 in Division 3, but after two straight losses, the Crusaders have to win two of their final three games to make it in the playoffs. It won't be easy, especially this week against a West team that is one of the best in the state.

Kenosha Indian Trail (4-2, 4-0; UR) at Franklin (6-0, 4-0; D1 #3) – Franklin has looked like a state title contender all season, but have another big game as they try to close out a Southeast Conference title. Indian Trail started 0-2 in non-conference play, but have somewhat quietly won four straight in the SEC.

Racine Horlick (3-3, 3-1; UR) at Oak Creek (5-1, 3-1; UR) – Horlick has struggled against the better teams on their schedule, but the Rebels have another shot against a quality team in Oak Creek, who is hoping Franklin goes down to Indian Trail this week so they control their destiny in trying for a share of the league title.

Hartford (3-3, 2-2; UR) at Wisconsin Lutheran (3-3, 2-2; UR) – A couple programs that started the year with high expectations, this is a pivotal game for both, as the loser will need to win the final two games of the year just to qualify for the playoffs.

Cedarburg (5-1, 3-1; D2 #10) at Germantown (4-2, 3-1; UR) – The winner of this one keeps their conference title aspirations alive, though will need help to catch league-leading Whitefish Bay. 

Whitnall (5-1, 4-0; UR) at Greenfield (5-1, 3-1; UR) – The two surprise teams in the Woodland-East square off in this one, with control of the league on the line. The winner gets the top seed in the Woodland crossovers the final two weeks of the year.

New Berlin Eisenhower (5-1, 3-1; D3 #9) at Pewaukee (3-3, 2-2; UR) – Another rivalry that has seen some heated moments over the years, the focus needs to be on the field and taking care of business for each team. Ike is looking to stay in second place in the Woodland-West, while Pewaukee needs a win to become playoff-eligible.

Kenosha St. Joseph (4-2, 4-0; UR) at Shoreland Lutheran (501, 3-1; UR) – St. Joe's needs a win to stay in a tie atop the Metro Classic with Catholic Central, while Shoreland Lutheran is looking for another signature win in as it continues to turn things around.

Waterford (6-0, 4-0; UR) at Union Grove (5-1, 3-1; UR) – Despite being unbeaten this year, Waterford hasn't gotten any love in the Coaches Poll yet, though that could change with a win over a one-loss Union Grove team that is looking to force a logjam at the top of the Southern Lakes Conference.

Fox Valley/Northeast

Appleton West (3-3, 3-2; UR) at Kimberly (6-0, 5-0; D1 #1) – Appleton West has been a bit of a surprise team this year, but going against powerhouse Kimberly is certainly a different ballgame for the Terrors.

Fond du Lac (6-0, 5-0; D1 #4) at Hortonville (5-1, 4-1; UR) – First place in the VFA-South is on the line in this one, as Hortonville may be the toughest challenge Fond du Lac faces in the regular season. This one came right down to the end last year, as Fondy scored a 28-26 victory.

Bay Port (5-1, 5-1; D1 #7) at Notre Dame (5-1, 5-1; D3 #7) – These teams each trail De Pere in the standings by a game, and the winner keeps conference title aspirations alive. 

Berlin (6-0, 4-0; D3 #5) at Kewaskum (6-0, 4-0; D3 #3) – One of the top games in the state, unbeaten teams in the new East Central Conference square off in this one. Berlin's balanced rushing attack has three players that average more than 55 yards per game, while Kewaskum relies heavily on returning All-State running back Brandon Thull. This foreshadows the Iowa-Wisconsin game a bit, as Kewaskum coach Jason Piittmann is a graduate of the University of Iowa, while Berlin coach Joe Stellmacher was a starting safety at the University of Wisconsin. 

Plymouth (3-3, 3-1; UR) at Winneconne (4-2, 3-1; UR) – The undercard to the Berlin-Kewaskum game in the East Central, these teams have just one league loss and are hoping things break right for a possibility at a shared league title. 

Wrightstown (5-1, 4-1; D4 #6) at Freedom (6-0, D3 #4) – This may have been a consideration for Game of the Week, but Wrightstown was taken down last week by Luxemburg-Casco. It still has big-time implications however, as it could decide the champion of the first season of the North Eastern Conference.

Little Chute (4-2, 4-2; UR) at Menasha (5-1, 5-1; D2 #4) NC – You don't usually see non-conference games of this quality this late in the year, but last year's state champion in Division 2 (Menasha) meets up with the runner-up in Division 4 (Little Chute).

Xavier (6-0, 5-0; D3 #2) at Green Bay East (3-3, 3-3; UR) – Xavier has faced big game after big game, but has to be careful not to lose any focus against an East team that has shown flashes of being a legit playoff contender this season and has experience in the past against larger schools in the FRCC.

Hilbert/Stockbridge (6-0, 5-0; D7 #7) at Oostburg (5-1, 4-1; UR) – Hilbert/Stockbridge leads the new Big East Conference at 5-0, but Oostburg is one of three teams close behind with just one loss.

Southern Door (4-2, 3-0; at Kewaunee (4-2, 4-0; UR) – No other team in the five-team Packerland Conference is within 2 ½ games of these teams in the standings, and this one is essentially a conference title game.

Eau Claire/La Crosse/Northwest

Chippewa Falls (6-0, 4-0; D2 #5 at Hudson (0-5, 0-4; UR) – We've talked about it every week it seems, but it is absolutely shocking to see Hudson winless on the season still, and they are no doubt the best winless team in the state. They cannot finish over .500 in conference, but if they can win out and get to 3-4 in league play, there is a very small chance they could squeak in the playoffs. Getting it done against unbeaten Chippewa Falls will be a challenge though.

Eau Claire Memorial (4-3, 3-1; UR) at Menomonie (4-2, 2-2; UR) – Menomonie was once unbeaten and ranked #1 in Division 2, but after two straight losses, the Mustangs must win two of the final three to make the postseason, which is no sure thing.

Superior (5-1, 3-1; D2 #8) at Rice Lake (6-0, 4-0; D3 #1) – The Big Rivers race is still very much up in the air, and these are two of the league's best, no doubt. Rice Lake's ground game has been outstanding this season, but has been slowed down a bit the last two weeks in wins over Hudson and Menomonie. All kinds of outstanding D1 college athletes will be on the field in this one, as Rice Lake tries to keep pace with Chippewa Falls, while Superior hopes to stay in the league title race.

New Richmond (3-3, 2-2; UR) at Somerset (2-4, 2-2; UR) – Rival schools meet up with a lot on the line, as the loser will need to win the final two games of the year to get into the postseason.

Chetek-Weyerhaeuser (5-1, 4-0; D5 #7) at Northwestern (4-2, 3-1; UR) – Chetek is trying to keep pace with Hayward at the top of the league, and can't look ahead to a match-up against the Hurricanes next week.

Westby (6-0, 2-0, D5 #3) at G-E-T (4-2, 1-1; UR) – Westby's most difficult challenge to date, the Norsemen take on Arcadia and Black River Falls in the next two weeks, and they'll have to win at least one of those games to make the postseason.

Hillsboro (5-1, 2-1; D7 #9) at Bangor (6-0, 3-0; D7 #3) – Bangor's undefeated season is on the line against a Hillsboro squad hoping to force a tie atop the Scenic Bluffs standings. This game should move quickly, as both teams rely heavily on the running game and rarely throw the football.

Saint Croix Falls (4-2, 3-0; UR) at Grantsburg (6-0, 3-0; D5 #9) – The Lakeland-North title is on the line in this one, as the teams are the last remaining undefeated teams in league play.

North Central

Marathon (5-1, 4-0; D6 #10) at Edgar (6-0, 5-0; D6 #1) – The teams are more than two games clear of anyone else in the Marawood Conference, and this one will be for the league title.

Marshfield (3-3, 2-3; UR) at Stevens Point (4-2, 3-2; UR) – The 100th meeting between these teams, there's a lot on the line in terms of playoff qualification after both squads missed the postseason last year.

Suring (4-2, 3-1; UR) at Coleman (6-0, 4-0; UR) – Coleman is unbeaten, but faces back-to-back difficult games the next two weeks against Suring and Peshtigo, who each have just one loss in the M&O as of right now.

Wausau West (0-6, 0-5; UR) at Wausau East (1-5, 1-4; UR) – The teams have struggled mightily this year, but the “Log Game” is always big news in the Wausau prep sports scene. 

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.

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