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DIVISION 2 | Bracket
 
Group A
Game 1:  Merrill (#8) at Ashwaubenon (#1) – Friday, 7 p.m.
Game 2:  Menasha (#5) at Green Bay Southwest (#4) – Friday, 7 p.m.
Game 3:  Superior (#6) at Hortonville (#3) – at D.C. Everest -- Saturday, 3 p.m.
Game 4:  Marshfield (#7) at Menomonie (#2) – UW-Stout – Friday, 7 p.m.
 
Group B
Game 1:  Slinger (#8) at Oshkosh North (#1) – UW-Oshkosh - Friday, 8 p.m.
Game 2:  Watertown (#5) at DeForest (#4) – Friday, 7 p.m.
Game 3:  La Crosse Central (#6) at Fort Atkinson (#3) – Friday, 7 p.m.
Game 4:  Waunakee (#7) at Holmen (#2) – Friday, 7 p.m.
 
Group C
Game 1:  Milwaukee Madison Uni. (#8) at Homestead (#1) – Friday , 7 p.m.
Game 2:  Brookfield Central (#5) at Hamilton (#4) – Friday, 7 p.m.
Game 3:  Brookfield East (#6) at Cedarburg (#3) – Friday, 7 p.m.
Game 4:  Wauwatosa West (#7) at Kimberly (#2) – Friday, 7 p.m.
 
Group D
Game 1:  Milwaukee Bradley Technical (#8) at  Waukesha West (#1) – Friday, 7 p.m.
Game 2:  Whitefish Bay (#5) at Wilmot Union (#4) – Friday, 7 p.m.
Game 3:  Messmer/Shorewood (#6) at South Milwaukee (#3) – Friday, 7 p.m.
Game 4:  Greenfield (#7) at Waterford (#2) – Friday, 7 p.m.

The Placements
 
As is often the case, the Northwest region is spread across the northern part of Wisconsin, going from Menomonie in the west to Superior in the north to Green Bay in the east. There was some controversy, as Ashwaubenon was the top seed but one-loss Menomonie got the 2-seed ahead of unbeaten Hortonville. Group B spans the state east to west as well, with Oshkosh North the top seed after claiming a VFA-South title. There's good depth throughout and some very intriguing matchups. The most controversy in the seeding process may have occurred in Group C of Division 2. Homestead and Kimberly, the top two teams in the coaches poll all season, were placed in the same region, with the defending champion Highlanders getting the #1 seed. Greater Metro teams Brookfield Central, Brookfield East, and Sussex Hamilton also call the region home. Waukesha West got the top seed in Group D.
 
Six to Watch
 
Here are six of the most electric offensive players that will be lining it up beginning this weekend:
 
Elijah Fort, Waukesha West -- Fort went for more than 1500 yards with 22 touchdowns for a balanced Wolverines offense.

James Morgan, Ashwaubenon -- Morgan came on late in the year to post some eye-popping numbers for the FRCC champion Jaguars.

Drew Patterson, Sussex Hamilton -- One of the state's workhorse running backs, Patterson battled injuries but still went for 1300 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Scott Schreiber, Kimberly -- The state's leader in touchdown catches last year with 18, he switched to quarterback this season and has 17 touchdowns to just 1 interception.

Andrew Thompson, Hortonville -- Thompson has an incredible 20-1 touchdown to interception ratio this year in leading the Polar Bears to an unbeaten regular season.

Hudson Walton, Cedarburg -- A big play threat that can also grind out tough yards, Walton scored 24 touchdowns on the ground with 1618 yards.
 
Upset Alert
 
With as good as the Division 2 field is, there are some outstanding 5-8 seeds.

Any of the 4 vs 5 games could go either way, including a rematch featuring Brookfield Central and Sussex Hamilton.

La Crosse Central has won four in a row, scoring at least 42 points in each contest. With playmakers in quarterback Mitchell Johnson-Martin and running back LaMont Murphy in the backfield, they could post some challenges for third-seed Fort Atkinson.

In a reversal of the MVC-Badger scenario above, #7 seed Waunakee could pose problems to #2 seed Holmen. The Warriors have struggled more than any time in two decades, but still have considerable talent and a coaching staff as good as any in the state.
 
Best Level 1 Game
 
As many as eight games could qualify here, but I'll go with Brookfield Central at Sussex Hamilton. These two teams met in Week 8, with the Chargers scoring a 24-21 come from behind victory. Rivals, talented teams, numerous Division 1 caliber athletes -- it's hard to beat this game. I'd also be very interested to watch a match-up between Watertown's high-powered offense and DeForest's stingy defense.
 
Potential intriguing match-ups the rest of the way
 
Please note the emphasis on potential.
 
Homestead vs Kimberly, Level 3 -- They will each have tough games in Level 2, but many people thought these were the two best teams in the division and would have liked to see them in a state title game.

Menomonie vs Hortonville, Level 2 -- Hortonville wasn't happy to get a 3-seed behind the Mustangs, and if this game occurs it could end up at a neutral field, further angering the Polar Bears. The game on the field would be outstanding however.

Ashwaubenon vs Oshkosh North, Level 4 -- Incredibly tough roads await the top two seeds in Group A and Group B, but this game could be a feather in the hat for either side in the long-standing FRCC vs FVA (or VFA as it were) debate.
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