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High School Football Playoffs: Second Round Matchups and Predictions

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Ten teams from the Post-Crescent coverage area are still alive in the WIAA football playoffs.

This week's second round features exciting rematches between the Fox Valley Association and Bay Conference, as well as a rare clash on Saturday afternoon.

Here's a look at the second-round games, with comments and predictions from the coaches. Unless otherwise stated, all games take place on Friday at 7 p.m.

Last week's forecast record: 12-3.

Season forecast record: 44-17.

Division 1

Neenah (8-2) vs. Kimberly (8-1)

The teams: The Rockets ended a 19-game losing streak against the Papermakers with a 29-28 win on October 4 when Jack Klundt kicked a 29-yard field goal with 10 seconds left. Neenah has won six straight overall, including a 42-8 victory over Milwaukee Hamilton last week. Grant Dean has rushed for 962 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. Luke Jung leads the defense with 84 total tackles. Kimberly advanced last week with a 35-16 win over Appleton North and has won three straight since the loss to Neenah. Braedon Ellefson had 12 tackles, including a sack, against the Lightning. Brennen Resch added seven tackles.

Livestream coverage: Watch Kimberly take on Neenah in the playoff showdown

Neenah coach Steve Jung: “Our path once again leads through Kimberly. Our playoff games the last two years against Kimberly were decided in the final minute of the game, with Neenah ending up eliminated. We need to have a great week of practice and on Friday we need to emphasize execution and be efficient in the red zone.”

Kimberly coach Chad Michalkiewicz: “Neenah has had another great season and will bring big challenges when we face them for a second time. Coach Jung and his team do an outstanding job preparing the Rockets every week and we have a very competitive game coming up on Friday night. The team that controls the line of scrimmage and limits errors will most likely emerge victorious at the end of the game. Our team is excited to have another chance in round two of the playoffs.”

Forecast: Kimberly 24, Neenah 21.

Department 2

Beaver Dam (9-1) at Kaukauna (8-2)

The teams: The Golden Beavers have won seven straight games, including 35-21 against Menasha in the first round. Eli Bryant has thrown for 1,421 yards and 18 touchdowns. Jeffrey Freund caught 47 passes for 725 yards and eight touchdowns. Broc Mullenbach leads the defense with 69 tackles. Kaukauna defeated Pulaski 45-13 in the first round. Bron Schaefer passed for 1,755 yards and 17 touchdowns for the Ghosts. Aiden Reardon passed for 1,168 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Kaukauna coach Matt Binsfeld: “Beaver Dam is a very good team that has shown they can play in all three phases of the game. They have some really talented kids that they can rely on in both directions. To win this game we need to play well all around and rely on our strengths to endure. I think the game will be won in the second half.”

Forecast: Kaukauna 28, Beaver Dam 20.

Department 3

Fox Valley Lutheran (6-4) at Medford (9-1)

The teams: The Foxes have won their last two games, including a 44-41 win over Wausau East in the first round. Nic Martin caught five passes for 100 yards and a touchdown and led the defense with ten total tackles, including a sack. Lucas Papendorf has rushed for 2,601 yards and 26 touchdowns for the Foxes this season. Medford has won eight straight games since its lone loss to Onalaska on Aug. 30. The Raiders defeated Lakeland 28-7 in the first round. Paxton Rothmeier rushed for a national-leading 2,135 yards with 28 touchdowns.

Fox Valley Lutheran coach Seth Jaeger: “Medford presents us with some challenges in the form of a very good rushing attack led by the state's leading rusher. We have to limit their range on the ground. Our offense has definitely been working lately and we're excited to be as healthy as we have been all year. Our boys continue to look forward to every opportunity and challenge that comes our way.”

Forecast: Medford 35, Fox Valley Lutheran 27.

Department 4

Prescott (9-1) at Freedom (10-0), Saturday, 1 p.m

The teams: Prescott advanced with a 46-30 victory over Seymour. Teddy Bernick passed for 298 yards and two touchdowns in the win and has 1,960 yards and 22 touchdowns this season. Will Packard was his top target with 41 catches for 808 yards and 10 touchdowns. Freedom advanced with a 28-7 win over St. Croix Central. Drew Kortz has passed for 233 yards and one touchdown and thrown for 2,385 yards and 25 touchdowns this season. Nixon Heinke leads the defense with 75 total tackles.

Freedom trainer Charlie Jadin: “Prescott is having a great season and finishing on top of a difficult Middle Border conference. They have some great two-way players and we expect them to play at a high level on Saturday. Taking care of the football and making turnovers will be an important part of this game. Our players need to focus on the things that are within our control.”

Forecast: Freedom 27, Prescott 21.

Xavier (6-4) at Winneconne (10-0)

The teams: The Hawks and Wolves will meet for the second time this season. Winneconne won 37-19 on September 27th. Xavier defeated Little Chute 21-14 in the first round. Carter Appl had 17 total tackles and one interception. He leads the Hawks with 99 tackles this season, including 20 for loss. Winneconne remained undefeated with a 35-13 win over Kohler/Lutheran/Christian in the first round. Brody Schaffer passed for 1,379 yards and 13 touchdowns and scored 1,364 yards and 27 touchdowns for the Wolves. Hudson Samolinski leads the defense with 56 total tackles, including 10 for a loss.

Xavier coach Dave Hinkens: “Winneconne is a very talented team in all phases. We have to minimize their big plays, but the challenge is they have one of the most dynamic players I have coached against in my 20-plus year coaching career.”

Winneconne coach Nate Ryf: “I’m really looking forward to playing against Xavier in Level 2 and I have a lot of respect for Coach Hinkens and his program. With nearly 25 years at the helm, he is the longest-tenured coach in our conference – a remarkable commitment that speaks volumes about his commitment. He will have his guys ready to play. This duel will definitely be another exciting playoff game. To succeed we must stick to our game plan: we must take care of the football and limit the big-play potential of Matthew Potter and the other experienced players on their team.”

Forecast: Winneconne 28, Xavier 24.

Department 5

Southern Door (7-3) at Wrightstown (9-1)

The teams: Southern Door has won seven straight games since the start of the season and suffered three straight losses. The Eagles defeated New Holstein 24-7 last week. Drew Daoust has rushed for 1,736 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. He also has eight rushing TDs. Landon Vandertie leads the defense with 113 tackles and Cruz Calvillo has eight sacks. Wrightstown defeated Sturgeon Bay 64-18 in the first round. Aiden Humphreys ran for 154 yards and four touchdowns, increasing his season totals to 1,144 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also has a team-high 69 tackles.

Wrightstown coach Steve Klister: “We have to stop the talented quarterback from Southern Door. He runs and throws the ball effectively. We hope to limit their possessions and take care of the ball.”

Forecast: Wrightstown 35, South Door 21.

Choose the athlete of the week: Select nominees from volleyball, football and soccer: Vote for the Cellcom Post-Crescent High School Athlete of the Week

Nationwide preview: High School Cross Country: Here are the top runners and teams to watch at the WIAA state meet

Department 7

Shiocton (4-6) vs. Edgar (9-1)

The teams: Shiocton defeated Roncalli 20-13 last week to secure its second straight win after losing four straight games. Isaiah Carton ran for 121 yards and a touchdown. Jordan Jahnke leads the defense with 66 tackles this season. Edgar has won eight straight since his lone loss to Stratford on August 30. The Wildcats defeated Pittsville 36-0 last week for their fifth shutout of the season. Maverick Butt rushed for 701 yards and 15 touchdowns for Edgar. Tyler Schnelle leads the defense with 88 tackles.

Shiocton coach Brock Pahlow: “I think our team is starting to realize what they are truly capable of. If we carry this belief into this week and it is reflected in our attitude and effort during training, then it will show in our execution on Friday evening. When we face an experienced playoff repeat team like Edgar, we need to be able to play consistently in all aspects of the game. Edgar's defense is dynamic and moves often. However, if we re-execute our plays and make the right reads, we will be able to move the ball well. With Edgar facing threats both on the ground and in the air, our defense must keep an eye on the results and do their job on every play. I have confidence in our guys’ abilities and if they show up and believe the same, we should be in for a big fight.”

Forecast: Edgar 27, Shiocton 14.

Hilbert (5-5) at Lourdes Academy (6-4)

The teams: The Wolves defeated Iola-Scandinavia 28-14 in the first round. Brody Hein ran for 145 yards and two touchdowns. Ayden Keuler led the defense with six tackles. Jack Pakala leads the Wolves in rushing with 907 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. Lourdes has won five straight games after starting with a 1-4 record. The Knights defeated Crivitz 23-21 in the first round. Wade Lindahl has passed for 1,954 yards and 20 touchdowns this season and added 815 yards on the ground with 10 touchdowns.

Hilbert coach Ben Krueger: “It’s just a matter of who wants more in the playoffs. Live in the moment and take it little by little. Control what you can control and eliminate turnovers. The more physical team will win.”

Forecast: Hilbert 26, Lourdes Academy 20.

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