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Last week I went 12-3 in picking the state semi-final and 8-player championship contests, giving me an overall record of 184-39, good for a 82.5% prediction rate. Here's my picks and breakdown of each of the state title contests.

DIVISION 1

Bay Port (11-2) vs. Muskego (9-4), Friday 4 pm

Muskego becomes the first team to ever qualify for the state championship game with a losing conference record, though one of the Warriors' losses was a crossover defeat against Greater Metro Conference member Germantown. Muskego opened the year with wins over three teams who ended up making the playoffs, but the injury bug hit mid-season and the Warriors lost three straight and four of five. They were able to get into the playoffs and get healthy, and have looked very good, with wins over Franklin, Neenah, and Mukwonago the last three weeks. Bay Port wasn't necessarily among the favorites in Division 1 either, but after falling to West De Pere in a de facto FRCC-North championship game in Week 9, the Pirates got a favorable early draw to build some confidence. Then, in Level 3, Bay Port shocked many with a dominating 35-21 win over defending state champion Marquette. 

My Pick: Muskego 24, Bay Port 20

D1 Last Week: 2-0
D1 Overall: 22-8; 73.3%

DIVISION 2

Rice Lake (11-2) vs. Slinger (13-0), Friday 1 pm

Rice Lake won the Division 3 state championship last year but the WIAA's Tournament Performance Factor bumps the Warriors up to D2 this season. They've shown they're up to the challenge, knocking off previously undefeated New Richmond in Level 3 before a 31-24 slugfest victory over a very talented West De Pere squad last week. Slinger has done something few teams can claim, which is beat two outstanding teams not once but twice in the same season. The Owls took down Homestead in the regular season and Level 3, then handed defending Badger a second loss in the semi-finals. Rice Lake and Badger both run the flexbone, though different versions. Still, preparing for that offense for a second straight week, when it can be very difficult to prep, may be a boost to Slinger's defense.

My Pick: Slinger 28, Rice Lake 26

D2 Last Week: 0-2
D2 Overall: 24-6; 80%

DIVISION 3

Notre Dame (13-0) vs. Catholic Memorial (11-2), Friday 10 am

Notre Dame has chewed up everyone in its path this season, with a dominating rushing attack behind a big, talented front group. Christian Collins is on the precipice of leading the state in rushing for a second straight season behind that line, despite missing the first two games of the year due to injury. He has four, 300-yard rushing performances in his last five games. That powerful rushing attack will be a tough test for a Catholic Memorial defense that has struggled against the run at times this season, allowing 843 yards in the last three playoff games. The Crusaders have plenty of athletes on both sides, however, though it is a group that relies quite a bit on a strong sophomore class. M.J. Mitchell is an x-factor at quarterback and someone who can just flat-out beat you, with his legs or his arm.

My Pick: Notre Dame 28, Catholic Memorial 20

D3 Last Week: 2-0
D3 Overall: 25-3; 89.3%

DIVISION 4

Baldwin-Woodville (12-1) vs. Racine St. Catherine's (13-0), Thursday 7 pm

Baldwin-Woodville dropped a tough road game at Mount Horeb/Barneveld way back in Week 1, but the Blackhawks have handled all comers since. The champions of the Middle Border Conference, Bladwin-Woodville relies heavily on the talented backfield of quarterback Gavin Sell, a North Dakota State defensive recruit, and running back Taden Holldorf. Sell was banged up a bit in last week's win over Winneconne, and his health will be a key piece of the equation. The last time Racine St. Catherine's made it to a state title game in 2018, the Angels played a tough team out of the Middle Border Conference. That time, they took down Saint Croix Central in a low-scoring 8-7 decision, scoring late to win. A similar low-scoring battle wouldn't be a surprise, as St. Cat's has featured one of the state's best defenses this season, allowing just 26 points in four playoff games.

My Pick: Baldwin-Woodville 20, Racine St. Catherine's 16

D4 Last Week: 1-1
D4 Overall: 26-4; 86.7%

DIVISION 5

Wrightstown (12-1) vs. Stratford (13-0), Thursday 4 pm

Wrightstown was the Division 5 runner-up last season, when the Tigers fell to Aquinas. A solid returning group featuring ten starters from last year has the team back at Madison as they try to improve from silver to gold this season. On the other side is two-time defending Division 6 champion Stratford, who is bumped up to D5 this year due to the WIAA's Tournament Performance Factor. The Tigers' offense has evolved quite a bit this year, as Jack Tubbs has taken on more of the load via the passing game, throwing for 2,330 yards on the season.

My Pick: Stratford 19, Wrightstown 18

D5 Last Week: 2-0
D5 Overall: 25-5; 83.3%

DIVISION 6

Grantsburg (12-1) vs. Lomira (11-2), Thursday 1 pm

With two-time defending state champion Stratford elevated to D5, we knew Division 6 would be open for the taking. I'm not sure anyone predicted none of the top seeds would advance to the state semi-finals, or that these teams would represent the division. Grantsburg got passed playoff rival Regis in Level 3 and survived against Bonduel last week. Lomira got a favorable regional draw and then dominated playoff darling and eighth-seeded Belleville 36-0 last week. Both teams are making their first-ever trip to the state finals.

My Pick: Grantsburg 23, Lomira 21

D6 Last Week: 2-0
D6 Overall: 22-8; 73.3%

DIVISION 7

Edgar (12-1) vs. Potosi/Cassville (13-0), Thursday 10 am

This is the 15th state title game appearance for Edgar, and the fifth coming in Division 7. As was the case in the previous four trip to state in D7, the Wildcats matchup with a team out of the Six Rivers Conference. So far they've split those contests, including a 36-6 win over Black Hawk/Warren last season. In the state semi-final win over Boyceville, the Edgar program became the first in state history to record 100 playoff victories, all coming under legendary coach Jerry Sinz. Potosi/Cassville is coming off an unbeaten regular season that included a Six Rivers Conference title, as the co-op is making its first state title game appearance, though Potosi won it all in 2012 and Cassville had four title game appearances on its own back in the 80's and 90's. 

My Pick: Edgar 20, Potosi/Cassville 16

D7 Last Week: 2-0
D7 Overall: 25-5; 83.3%

8-PLAYER

8-Player Last Week: 1-0
8-Player Overall: 15-0; 100%

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.