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.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Monday, August 28, 2006
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.
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.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
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.
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.
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.
Saturday, August 26, 2006
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.
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.
Friday, August 25, 2006
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.
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.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
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
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.
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.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
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.
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