Packers fans spoiled

Green Bay Packers fans are already asking for Mike McCarthy's head after the team's 38-10 loss to the New York Jets Sunday.

But weren't these same fans in agreement that this year may be painful due to the team's need to rebuild? Making rash statements 12 games into McCarthy's tenure is downright ridiculous.

Mike Sherman put this team in a deep hole with several poor drafts. It's going to take time to dig out of that hole.

By changing coaches again at the end of the season is just idiotic. The Packers spoiled fans by winning too much over the past decade and now their expectations are way out of whack.

Give McCarthy and GM Ted Thompson some time and this team will be good once again.

Yes, Sunday's game was painful. But that's the price you pay for the damage Sherman's drafts did.

Buckeyes are the best

Ohio State proved they are the best team in the country on Saturday by downing Michigan 42-39.
The Buckeyes have the offense to beat anyone that steps in their way.

Good games featured tonight

Once again, this week features a number of excellent high school matchups in our area. Here is a look at the top five games. I'm now 14-11 this season on predictions.

1. Oshkosh West at Kimberly: Kimberly can all but clinch its first Fox Valley Association football championship with a win over the Wildcats. West should give the Papermakers all it can handle. Kimberly 21, Oshkosh West 20.

2. Deerfield at Oshkosh Lourdes: The Knights will face their stiffest test to date in the Trailways Large. Lourdes 21, Deerfield 17.

3. Wittenberg-Birnamwood at Manawa: Manawa made a huge statement last week with a rout of Weyauwega-Fremont and should win again this week. Manawa 32, Wittenberg-Birnamwood 20.

4. Appleton North at Oshkosh North (Saturday): The winner of this game moves closer to a playoff berth. Oshkosh North needs to rebound after a bad loss at Appleton East. Oshkosh North 23, Appleton North 21.

5. Oconto Falls at Waupaca. Oconto Falls continues to improve, while the Comets are preparing to make a run in the playoffs. This could go down to the wire. Waupaca 20, Oconto Falls 13.

Hats off to Stratford

The Stratford Tigers came within a couple of plays from tying the longest winning streak in Wisconsin prep football history Friday night. But a blocked punt and subsequent 37-yard field goal with three seconds to go gave La Crescent, Minn., a 34-31 win over the Tigers in non-conference action Friday night.

Stratford had not lost since the 2002 playoffs and was looking for its 48th straight win, which would have tied the mark set by Manitowoc from 1983 to 1987. The Tigers and coach Cal Tackes deserve all the credit in the world for what they have accomplished. It's too bad they couldn't have matched the Ships' record, but their streak is still remarkable.

More blogs to come

For those loyal few who enjoy this blog, I must apologize for not updating this the four times a week I promised when I started this in August. I will, however, try to be better at it in the coming weeks.

Since I am also responsible for putting together Packers Preview each week, I may throw NFL topics out there as well. Any suggestions are welcome.

Prep picks of the week

After going 4-1 last week, I am now 11-9 on the season. That's hardly anything to brag about but it does mean that the games of the week usually can go either way. Here are this week's five best games to watch:
1. Kimberly at Menasha: The Papermakers can move closer to a Fox Valley Association title with a win over the defending champion Bluejays. Menasha needs this game to move closer to a playoff berth. Kimberly 28, Menasha 14.
2. Fond du Lac at Oshkosh West: Fondy and West still have an outside shot at an FVA title and both are eyeing a playoff berth. Add in a good rivalry in the rain and this one is a can't miss game to watch. Oshkosh West 24, Fond du Lac 21.
3. Waupaca at Little Chute: Both teams are among the best programs the Valley 8 has to offer. This one should go down to the wire. Waupaca 18, Little Chute 14.
4. Oshkosh Lourdes at Randolph: The Knights can clinch a playoff berth with a win tonight. Randolph has struggled the past couple of years and are looking for the upset. Lourdes 35, Randolph 16.
5. Manawa at Weyauwega-Fremont: Injuries have hurt Weyauwega-Fremont this year but they still are among the best in the conference. Manawa also continues to improve. Weyauwega-Fremont 30, Manawa 24.

Good games featured

The area conference races are shaping up as the regular season reaches its midpoint this week. So far it's been a rough go for this prognosticator, but that shows just how good football is in eastern and central Wisconsin. Here are this week's top games. My record this season stands at 7-8.
1. Little Chute at Oconto Falls: Both teams are in the thick of the Valley 8 race. Whoever loses this game won't have much of a shot at winning the conference title. Little Chute 28, Oconto Falls 14.

2. Menasha at Fond du Lac: The defending Fox Valley Association champion Bluejays are already behind Kimberly in the standings. Another loss could end hopes of any back-to-back title talk. Menasha 20, Fond du Lac 12.

3. Oshkosh West at Neenah: Neenah put itself back in the mix with an upset win over Menasha last week. The Wildcats need a victory to keep pace with Kimberly. Oshkosh West 24, Neenah 21.

4. Xavier at Fox Valley Lutheran: The Hawks are clearly favored in this one but anytime these former Fox Valley Christian Conference foes meet, anything can happen. Xavier, however, looks unstoppable in the Valley 8. Xavier 42, Fox Valley Lutheran 21.

5. Montello at Oshkosh Lourdes: The Knights came back strong last week in a 35-0 win over Markesan after losing a non-conference heartbreaker to Omro the week before. Montello is also in the thick of the Trailways-Large race and will offer a stiff test this week. Lourdes 21, Montello 16.

Top games featured tonight

Prep football in northeastern Wisconsin continues to be among the best in the state. Tonight will be no exception.

After two weeks of predictions, I've improved to 4-6. Here are the top five area games to watch with predictions.

1. Oshkosh North at Kimberly: At the beginning of the season, not much was expected from North. But the Spartans have started off 2-1 and face the first-place Papermakers in a key Fox Valley Association matchup. Last year North beat Kimberly to deny the Papermakers a playoff spot. Kimberly had done the same to North the year before. Look for Kimberly to get its revenge. This one will be close. Kimberly 27, Oshkosh North 21.

2. Appleton North at Oshkosh West: Both teams stumbled last week but remain in the thick of the Fox Valley Association race. A loss, however, will severely damage someone's title hopes. Oshkosh West 17, Appleton North 7.

3. Oconto Falls at Xavier: Oconto Falls is vastly improved and could give the Hawks a run tonight. Xavier, however, has too much firepower and should begin to take control of the Valley 8. Xavier 35, Oconto Falls 21.

4. Valders at Hilbert: The Wolves need a win to stay in the Olympian title chase. Valders is one of only two unbeatens in the conference. Tradition may favor Hilbert, but Valders has the horses this year. Valders 16, Hilbert 14.

5. Neenah at Menasha: The Bluejays are the defending Fox Valley Association champions and need a win desperately. Neenah is talented, but struggling. But when these two teams meet, throw out the records. But records can only go so far. Menasha is just too talented not to come away with a victory this time around. Menasha 23, Neenah 16.

These aren't the only good games this weekend, so check out the rest of the high school action. If you can't go to the game, log on to: www.postcrescent.com

Soccer teams ranked

A pair of area soccer teams are ranked in this week's Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association state poll.

Fond du Lac (7-0) is ranked 10th in Division 1 while Xavier (4-2) is fourth in Division 2.

Area cross country runners among state's best

Four area high school cross country runners made the first Wisconsin High School Cross Country Honor Roll compiled by Eric Lehmann and Shawn Busteed of Waukesha.

Kelly Bogard of Kimberly tops the girls list with a time of 14:25 at the season-opening Appleton West Terror Invite.

Marie Hoffman of Appleton East is 10th with a time of 15:14.1 at the West Allis Hale Invitation on Sept. 1

Kimberly's Tyler Morey leads area boys at No. 4 in a time of 16:02 at the Appleton West Terror Invite, while Neenah's Christianson (no first name listed) is seventh in 16:09 at the Neenah Invite.

Another solid night of football ahead

Week 3 of the prep football season is once again filled with intriguing matchups. Here are my top five games of the week with predictions.

1. Oshkosh North at Oshkosh West: West just has too many weapons. Prediction: Oshkosh West 23, Oshkosh North 14.

2. Fond du Lac Springs at Winnebago Lutheran Academy: WLA has dominated the series in recent years but the Ledgers won't start the season 0-3. Prediction: Springs 28, WLA 21.

3. Kimberly at Appleton North: In a battle of FVA unbeatens, the Papermakers get the slight edge although they are on the road. Prediction: Kimberly 28, Appleton North 27.

4. Little Chute at Xavier: Xavier still is the top team to be in the Valley 8. Prediction: Xavier 27, Little Chute 7.

5. Waupaca at Hortonville: The Comets have history behind them but the Polar Bears are much improved. This one could go down to the wire. Prediction: Waupaca 17, Hortonville 14.

Last week: 1-4. Not a good start to a great season.

Behm out indefinitely

Dion Behm, the standout quarterback and defensive back for Weyauwega-Fremont, could miss the rest of the football season. Behm broke his collarbone this past weekend in the Indians' 27-7 loss to Xavier.

Weyauwega-Fremont, the defending CWC-Large champions, open conference play Friday when it hosts Tri-County.

Busy day ahead

It's a shame the NFL ends it's preseason tonight. Years past, teams would be allowed to play up until Sunday during the final week of the exhibition season.

Sadly, now all teams must complete play by Friday. By scheduling the Packers on Monday night, the NFL did not allow Green Bay to play its final preseason game Thursday like most teams were able to do.

Even though the Packers game was moved to 3 p.m. to avoid a conflict with high school football, it wasn't enough to prevent conflicts. Many parents are forced to make a choice between watching the Packers or watching their sons or daughters compete. Not only is there high school football tonight but there are also cross country meets and soccer and volleyball matches.

The NFL should rethink it's policy, especially when its preseason overlaps with the start of the high school fall sports season.

AP rankings are out to soon

The Associated Press football rankings are out, but isn't it a bit too soon for those? It's hard enough to figure out who the best teams are after three weeks much less one.

For several years I was a voting member as sports editor of the Oshkosh Northwestern and had a hard time with them since I wasn't able to see all of the teams I was voting on. I tried to be as fair as possible but to do so, you have to talk to coaches and other media members to get a feel for who the best teams are.

I think the state rankings are important, but coming out at the end of August is a bit premature.

Top prep football games of the week

If you can get out and watch some prep football this week, do so. There are a number of potentially great games out there this week. Here are my top five picks of games to watch:

1. Xavier at Weyauwega-Fremont: These are two of the best teams in the area and this one should go right down to the wire. Dion Behm is the quarterback for Weyauwega-Fremont and he is fun to watch. He is a three-year starter on defense and a two-year starter at quarterback. Last week he led the Indians to a 33-27 win over a very good Wautoma team. Behm scored three touchdowns on runs of one, 14 and five yards. Xavier is led by explosive running back Tony Van Asten, who rushed eight times for 150 yards and two touchdowns, including a 67-yarder with 24 seconds left in the first half of a 21-0 win over Winneconne. Xavier is the defending Valley 8 champion, while Weyauwega-Fremont won the Central Wisconsin Conference-Large Division in 2005. Prediction: Weyauwega-Fremont 21, Xavier 20.

2. Menasha at Appleton North: This game could go a long way in determining whether Menasha can repeat as Fox Valley Association champions. The Bluejays are led by Trevor Kinney. In his first varsity start a week ago against Appleton West, he rushed 21 times for 243 yards and three touchdowns. His scores included touchsown runs of four, 74 and 53 yards. Cory Reiland led a ball-controlled Appleton North attack last week with 159 yards on 30 carries in a 21-13 win over Appleton East. North beat Menasha 28-27 last year and expect a similar game this time around. Prediction: Menasha 17, Appleton North 14.

3. Clintonville at Wittenberg-Birnamwood: Clintonville had defending Division 4 champion Ripon on the ropes last week before falling in the last two minutes, 28-24. Kody Kuss led the Truckers with 136 yards rushing on 17 carries. Wittenberg-Birnamwood defeated Northland Pines 21-6 last week. Two years ago, Wittenberg-Birnamwood won the CWC-Large and is a contender almost every year. last year the Chargers were 5-4 before losing to Kewaunee in the first round of the WIAA playoffs. Prediction: Clintonville 27, Wittenberg-Birnamwood 21.

4. Green Bay Preble at Waupaca: Preble is a Division 1 school, while Waupaca brings a rich tradition to the fray. Preble is coming off of a 7-0 loss to New Berlin Eisenhower, while the Comets are coming off a 21-7 loss to Verona. Someone is going to get into the win column in thrilling fashion. Prediction: Green Bay Preble 13, Waupaca 12.

5. Sheboygan Falls at Ripon: Sheboygan Falls opened its season with a 21-6 win over Luxemburg-Casco, while Ripon rallied past Clintonville 28-24. Justin Baker rushed 13 times for 111 yards for Ripon in its win. Both schools are fueled by a rich tradition and this game should go down to the wire. Prediction: Ripon 28, Sheboygan Falls 25.

Times are a changing

I'm all for fair play and trying to get things right. But why is the WIAA going through yet another faze of conference realignment? I thought the last faze from roughly 1997-2000 was just fine. Sure, there is always room for fine tuning - like when Oshkosh Lourdes moved from the Midwest Classic Conference (primarily southern Wisconsin schools) to the Trailways Conference this season.

But let's get real. Someone want to tell me why Winnebago Lutheran switches from the Wisconsin Flyway (formerly known as the ECFC-Rivers) to the East Central Flyway (formerly the ECFC-Lakes) for one year? And then will be promptly moved out of that conference next year.

Menasha originally was going to be moved out of the Fox Valley Association but thankfully cooler heads prevailed and they will be staying. It's not like these schools are asking to get moved. Normally a school that does want to move out of a league can do so anyway, so why realign?

I know the Green Bay schools are whining because they must make the trek to Sheboygan and Manitowoc, but where are those schools to go otherwise? The only real option would be to move the two Sheboygan schools to the Fox Valley Association and swap them with Kimberly and Kaukauna. But if that were done, some very good rivalries would be severed causing more grief.

My vote would be to leave things pretty much as they are, but that certainly won't happen.

Harriers get started

Neenah opened the cross country season in fine fashion Saturday as the Rockets' boys and girls teams both took first in the West Bend Challenge.

On the boys side, Oshkosh North took 10th. Peter Tolly of Neenah finished in 15 minutes, 31 seconds, while Jordan Jacobson was North's top runner, also in 15:31.

In the girls race, North was also 10th. Bronwyn Mutchler of Neenah was the top finisher in 15:56, while North was led by Katie Lutgen in 16:54.

Opening week did not disappoint

What a great opening week of the high school football season. It featured just about everything - upsets, fantastic play and fun.

In the Fox Valley Association, Menasha proved why it is the defending conference champs. Senior running back Trevor Kinney rushed for 243 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries, including scores of 74 and 53 yards in a 25-14 win over Appleton West.

Oshkosh North, under second-year coach Chris Kujawa took Fond du Lac to overtime before falling 27-21. Juston Wara completed 14 of 19 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown for North.

In one of many battles of Appleton to be staged this season, North outlasted East 21-13 behind senior running back Cory Reiland who gained 159 yards on 30 carries.

Behind the running of Michael Sewall, Kimberly got off to a fast start in a 35-7 win over Neenah. He carried 21 times for 165 yards in the Papermakers' win.

Chris Agrell rushed 17 times for 146 yards to help lead Oshkosh West to a 31-6 win over Kaukauna. Eric Wall completed 10 of 20 passes for 199 yards to lead Kaukauna.

It wasn't a very good start for Valley 8 teams as only three of the eight teams picked up non-conference wins. Xavier, Oconto Falls and Little Chute were impressive in their wins, however. Xavier blanked Winneconne 21-0, Oconto Falls stunned Green Bay West 21-0 and Little Chute beat Sturgeon Bay 34-0 on Thursday.

Clintonville was the most impressive in defeat, dropping a heartbreaking 28-24 decision to defending WIAA Division 4 champion Ripon on Friday. Kody Kuss led Clintonville with 136 yards rushing on 17 carries.

For complete coverage, check out the Post-Crescent.

Tonight's the big night

Although the prep football season kicked off last night with Little Chute's 34-0 storm-shortened victory over Sturgeon Bay, most all of our area teams will be in action tonight.

When Oshkosh North kicks off at Fond du Lac tonight, the Spartans will have a new look. They will sport new uniforms. It will be quite a drastic change from the Notre Dame style digs to the black and gold and white ones they will wear tonight.

The game of the night in the Fox Valley Association should be the matchup between Appleton North and Appleton East. North is coming off of a deep playoff run, while East is looking to make strides after finishing 2-7 in 2005.

The other game to watch will be between Kaukauna and Oshkosh West at Titan Stadium. Both teams made the playoffs last season and are expected even more success this year.
Waupaca at Verona is another matchup fans shouldn't miss.

Ranking the Division 1 conferences

The high school football season kicks off today, Friday and Saturday. Here is a brief preseason power ranking of state Division 1 conferences:
1. Wisconsin Valley Conference (The conference has had a team in the state championship game in each of the last five years and nine of the past 10)
2. Fox Valley Association (Had six teams make the playoffs in 2005 and five of them advanced past the first round)
3. Southeast Conference (Racine Park won the state championship last season)
4. Big Eight (Always has teams among the state's elite)
5. Big Rivers (Menomonie is a Division 2 school but is always tough, as is Division 1 Chippewa Falls)
- Dan Kohn

Don't miss preps sections

The high school prep football editions will hit the streets this week. Don't miss the sections from The Post-Crescent, Oshkosh Northwestern and Fond du Lac Reporter.

The Post-Crescent section will preview all of the Fox Cities teams with stories, rosters and a look at coaches and key players.

The Northwestern section will be a little lean this year, but will focus heavily on the Oshkosh schools.

The Reporter section will be one to get as well. John Casper Jr. does a super job previewing all of the Fond du Lac area high schools. Casper was the catalyst for the Northwestern's section last year.

Welcome to my blog

This blog is being created to encourage discussion on local and state sports teams. My goal is to post to this blog at least four times a week and hopefully much more than that.