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From the Hip: Football writer Travis Wilson answers your Week 3 questions

09/04/2013, 11:45am CDT
By Travis Wilson

"From the Hip" is your chance to ask questions of WisSports.net Football Writer and Content Manager Travis Wilson about anything going on in high school football. It could be questions on players, games, storylines, teams, or whatever else is happening around the state. Submit questions for next week's mailbag via Twitter by tweeting @travisWSN with the #FromtheHip hashtag or emailing Travis with "From the Hip" in the subject line.

With SWC scheduling problems, should the WIAA just go to districts by division? -- submitted via Twitter by @flynn_randy

Travis Wilson:  The WIAA has indicated the previous district idea is dead in the water. That doesn't mean something similar or a modification of that plan couldn't be advanced. However, my opinion is the district plan as presented just created too many new problems than it solved. There are certainly a number of conferences with issues, perhaps none moreso than the SWC. I think there are several viable options to fix that league, whether it's moving Westby & Viroqua in, combining with the Coulee to create one league with two divisions, or simply disbanding and re-distributing the SWC teams to other conferences. We'll get more clarification of the WIAA plan at the upcoming area meetings, and a (hopefully) final resolution will be presented for Board of Control approval at the September 15th BOC meeting.

Is Kenosha Indian Trail primed to make a run for the Southeast Conference title? How do they hold up in the grind that the SEC usually is? -- submitted via Twitter by @Galaxy_Diener

TW:  With opening wins over EWC favorite Plymouth and a Stevenson (IL) team that was at the time ranked #1 in the AP Poll in Illinois' largest division, I think Indian Trail has firmly established itself as a contender in the SEC. With Franklin and Oak Creek each dropping a game in their non-conference schedule, Indian Trail (or KIT as many people refer to the team) may be closer to the top of the league than we thought. Playing at a high level as they did in the non-conference each and every week during the SEC schedule will be a challenge, but at this point I think the SEC race is pretty wide open and it would not surprise me to see KIT win the conference in just its second season as a varsity program. 

How far do you see Monona Grove going in the playoffs this year? -- submitted via Twitter by @max_ethridge

TW:  We knew the Silver Eagles were going to be strong up front with a veteran offensive line led by Jaden Gault. The questions were in the backfield where almost all of last year's production graduated. Head coach Mike Stassi has been very good at adapting his offense to suit the personnel in recent years, at times throwing the ball a lot, others running outside quite a bit, and this year going to more of a run-heavy approach led by quarterback Tyler Blang. MG hasn't been challenged yet but the offense has certainly been impressive. If they can continue to improve and Blang can make some more plays in tough situations in the passing game, the Silver Eagles can again make a deep run. As was the case last year, they're right on the D2/D3 cutline, and Iike their chances in D3 much better than D2, where they might have early games against DeForest, Waunakee, or even Sussex Hamilton.

Is 8-man football really the answer to lower numbers? How long before schools with less than 12 players co-op? -- submitted via Twitter by @flynn_randy

TW:  I do think 8-man football is a viable long-term solution for programs with low numbers. I hope it continues to grow and in a few years is officially sponsored by the WIAA and we see an 8-man title game at Camp Randall with 11-man going to six divisions. One of the good things about 8-man football is it gives schools a better chance to field their own team instead of having to co-op. It negates the travel, time, and budget issues with co-ops, and gives the communities a more unique identity. There will still be co-ops in 11-man and many have been very successful and will continue to be so. 8-man co-ops may continue as well, but I think we could see fewer co-ops as a result of the 8-man option.
 

Submit questions for next week's mailbag via Twitter by tweeting @travisWSN with the #FromtheHip hashtag or emailing Travis with "From the Hip" in the subject line.

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