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The following article was originally published in NOW Newspapers under the "State of Play" feature, a series of bi-weekly feature columns penned by WSN General Manager Travis Wilson.
 

That magical time of the year is just around the corner, as we are mere days away from the 2015 WIAA Football State Championships. One of the highlights on the high school sports schedule, it is the culmination of another outstanding season. 

As we approach the 2015 title games, let's take a look back at some of the best and most memorable championship contests in recent memory, going back to the first finals I covered in 2008.

Homestead vs Arrowhead, 2008 Division 1
The game itself, which saw Homestead hold on for a 13-11 victory, wasn't especially exciting, but it was the culmination of a three-year run that saw these two heavyweights square off in the championship game each season. Homestead won this one after the teams split the first two match-ups. Both have gone on to great success since then, with Arrowhead claiming two state titles since 2008 and Homestead adding a championship in 2012.

Reedsburg vs West De Pere, 2009 Division 3
Reedsburg had failed on a two-point conversion attempt late in the 2008 championship game, coming up short against Waupaca 21-20. The Beavers got an opportunity at redemption just a year later, as Chad Mazur took over at quarterback for brother Tyler. Reedsburg racked up 359 yards on the ground, including several dizzying touchdowns by Mazur to wrap up a 34-27 victory. It wasn't the last we'd see of West De Pere however, as the Phantoms would win the next Division 3 titles.

Waukesha West vs Stevens Point, 2010 Division 1
The “Joe Schobert Game” we'll call this one, as the junior running back from Waukesha West put on a performance for the ages, carrying the ball 38 times for 296 yards and 2 touchdowns, adding a 33-yard scoring catch as well. In the process he broke the D1 state finals rushing record previously held by John Clay. Mysteriously under-recruited, his tale is becoming well known after a late walk-on offer led him to Wisconsin, where he has become an All-American candidate as an outside linebacker.

Colby vs Lancaster, 2011 Division 5
After pulling off a 49-48 thriller over Cedar Grove-Belgium in Level 4, Lancaster was in for another barn-burner in the title game. Colby went up 23-7 in the second quarter, but Lancaster came roaring back to take a 34-30 lead early in the fourth. The teams slugged it out to a 37-37 tie, as Lancaster blocked a potential game-winning field goal with 36 seconds remaining. After Lancaster scored a touchdown on its first possession in overtime, Colby returned the favor, blocking the Flying Arrows extra point. The Hornets scored on their first play and Michael Knetter's extra point was good for a 44-43 Colby victory.

Wrightstown vs Somerset, 2011 Division 4
Immediately following the heart-pounding and high-scoring Lancaster-Colby game, Wrightstown and Somerset nearly put fans to sleep in playing to a 0-0 halftime tie. Things quickly picked up from there however, as a Jordan Johnson to Cody Lukes touchdown pass and ensuing Johnson two-point conversion run with just 23 seconds remaining forced overtime, as the teams were tied at 20. Wrightstown scored on its first possession and converted the two-point run once again. Somerset got on the board with a touchdown, but a potential game-winning two-point conversion run by Tyler Ledbetter was snuffed out, giving Wrightstown a 28-26 victory, as fans got their moneys worth with back-to-back overtime thrillers.

Somerset vs Big Foot, 2012 Division 4
Remember that 2011 title game and failed two-point conversion in overtime by Somerset? It's funny how things come back around, as just a year later the Spartans were back in a similar situation. Facing undefeated Big Foot and WFCA Offensive Player of the Year Mason Dixon, Somerset again found itself heading to extra football, with the game tied at 27. Getting the ball first this time, Somerset scored on a Ledbetter 5-yard run, with Robert LeRoy adding a successful two-point conversion. Big Foot scored just three plays later, but a potential game-tying two-point conversion pass fell incomplete, giving Somerset a 35-33 victory.

Homestead vs Waunakee, 2012 Division 2
Waunakee entered the game with much fanfare, coming off three straight Division 2 state titles and riding a 48-game winning streak, which tied the state record set by Manitowoc Lincoln from 1984-1987. Looking to break the record, Waunakee was instead stonewalled by the Homestead defense, which held the Warriors to 57 rushing yards and limited Waunakee to 16 of 43 passing, including a pair of interceptions. Homestead did just enough offensively to win 14-0.

Arrowhead vs Sun Prairie, 2012 Division 1

One of the most anticipated D1 title games in some time, the game pitted a pair of unbeatens. Sun Prairie became the first Big Eight team to represent the league in the Division 1 title game since winning the 1995 state title, while Arrowhead was back at Madison for the first time under Greg Malling after nine appearances under Tom Taraska. A 7-0 Arrowhead lead after the first quarter, it got out of hands quickly, as the Warhawks scored 28 points in the second quarter and cruised home for a 35-14 victory after a pair of late Sun Prairie scores. It was the first of three (and counting) finals appearances for Arrowhead.

Winneconne vs Platteville, 2013 Division 4
Some people argue there are too many teams that make the playoffs, that only teams that finish first or second in their conference should get in. Such thinking would have robbed us from the ultimate Cinderella title game, as the teams entered the D4 contest with a combined nine losses. With leading rusher William Cooley unable to go on offense due to an injury, Platteville struggled to move the ball, and Winneconne took advantage in a 28-14 victory, as the Wolves' five losses are the most ever by a state champion.

Monona Grove vs Greendale, 2013 Division 3
It appeared things may be over quickly, as Greendale led 17-0 at halftime, with Monona Grove seeing all three of its first half drives come to an end in the red zone. Fumbles on their first two possessions of the second half didn't bode well either, but somehow Monona Grove got things turned around, scoring three touchdowns in the final 12 ½ minutes to shock Greendale 21-17, holding the Panthers to just 80 yards of offense in the second half.

Owen-Withee vs Pepin/Alma, 2014 Division 7
It appeared we would be headed for yet another blowout in a Division 7 title game, as Owen-Withee went ahead 17-0 midway through the fourth quarter. Stymied for much of the game, the Pepin/Alma offense suddenly came alive, scoring on back-to-back possessions to make it 17-12 with 2:50 remaining in the game. Owen-Withee was able to convert a pair of third and long situations on its next drive, allowing the Blackhawks to run out the clock and secure the victory. It marked the first time since 2002 that the D7 championship game was decided by one possession.

Saint Mary's Springs vs Darlington, 2014 Division 6
Saint Mary's Springs took a 21-0 lead on Darlington with 4:55 remaining in the first half, and it appeared we might be headed to a repeat of the 2013 championship game when Shiocton shutout Darlington 35-0. However, by the time Springs took its next offensive snap, the game was tied at 21. Darlington scored on a 42-yard Myles Leahy run, then recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff. After a Hunter Johnson scoring run, Springs again fumbled the kickoff, which Darlington converted to a game-tying touchdown. Springs did take the lead into halftime however, as All-State kicker Zach Hintze booted a 49-yard field goal into the win as time expired in the half. Hintze would connect on two more field goals and Luke Gellings iced the game with a 26-yard touchdown catch from Blake Bauer on fourth and nine for a 37-28 Springs victory.

Lancaster vs Amherst, 2014 Division 5
The teams were just two years removed from a title game showdown, won the first time around by Amherst 19-7. It was part of three straight runner-up finishes for Lancaster, who got another chance to capture a state record-tying seventh state title under head coach John Hoch. The Flying Arrows wouldn't be denied this time after several close losses, opening up a 35-14 lead early in the fourth quarter before winning 41-21. The teams combined for 850 yards of offense, including 662 on the ground.

Kimberly vs Arrowhead, 2014 Division 1
For the first time in history, a pair of defending state champions met up in the championship game. The year before, much of the discussion at the state finals had been about the “Best Team” in the state. Many felt it was Kimberly, who dominated in the Division 2 championship, while other believed back-to-back D1 champ Arrowhead deserved the honor. A year later, the teams settled it on the field. Kimberly was up 28-6 at halftime and won 31-6, putting up 440 yards of offense on the Warhawks.