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West Salem and neighboring Onalaska met up in another big-time non-conference game in the Coulee region. West Salem would score a 27-7 victory, with senior Trevor Arentz playing a big role. Normally an offensive lineman, he moved into the backfield in a few packages and would rush for 81 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries. The rest of the time, he was a key figure up front at guard on offense for the Panthers. He also had a team-high 10 tackles as a middle linebacker.

Senior Carson Fletcher was all over the field for the Rebels as they opened the year with a hard-fought 42-37 victory over Union Grove. He carried the ball 21 times for 239 yards with five touchdowns, averaging more than 11 yards per attempt. He also caught four passes for 76 yards. Over on defense, he had a team-high 16 tackles, including nine solo stops.

Portage went on the road and scored an impressive 40-7 opening victory over Wisconsin Dells on Friday night. Max Kreuzinger opened the scoring with a nine-yard touchdown run early in the first quarter. A few minutes later, he'd step in front of a slant pass and race 76 yards for a Pick-6. He finished the night with 20 yards and a score on five carries, with a team-high 11 tackles defensively to go with the interception touchdown.

Verona has won back-to-back Big Eight titles, but the Wildcats are looking for more in 2024, and began on the right foot with a 27-7 road win at Sun Prairie East. Returning All-State senior Tre Poteat, who is committed to Tennessee, showed off even more versatility by moving into the backfield, carrying the ball 12 times for 179 yards and a touchdown, averaging nearly 15 yards per rush. He also caught three passes for 31 yards, and in his main job as a defensive back, recorded an interception to go with five tackles.

Bay Port avenged an opening home loss last season to Middleton by going on the road to knock off the Cardinals in Week 1 this year, 37-28 in an offensive shootout. Bay Port quarterback Max Stevens had an excellent game, completing 16-of-24 passes for 211 yards with three touchdowns. He added 11 carries for 57 yards and a touchdown on the ground as well for the Pirates, who delivered new head coach Steven Jorgensen a win in his debut with Bay Port.

Travis Wilson serves as the WisSports.net General Manager, Football Editor, and contributing writer for other parts of the site. Wilson was selected as part of the Sports 40 Under 40 list by Coach & AD Magazine and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association for 2019. The Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) named Travis the 2015 recipient of the Dave McClain Distinguished Service Award. He currently serves on the WFCA Executive Board and is a member of the Executive Board of the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association. A graduate of Richland Center High School and Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Travis was a three-sport athlete in high school (football, baseball, basketball), inducted to the Richland Center High School Hall of Fame in 2023, and currently resides in Reedsburg. You can follow him on Twitter at @travisWSN.

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.