Three Games to Have Your Eye On: Week One

We have made it! Week One of the Wisconsin high school football season is here! There is no waiting around either. Right away, there are several games that you will want to keep an eye on this Friday. In this article, we will take a look into three of them. With each game we will begin by discussing the top prospects from each team, the matchups I am looking forward to the most, and my prediction of how each game will go. Without any further wait, let’s talk about some actual football games! <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Game 1: Muskego vs Arrowhead</strong></span> <strong>Top Prospects From Each Team:</strong> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 210px;"> <tbody> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center; height: 21px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Muskego</strong></span></td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center; height: 21px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Arrowhead</strong></span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="30725" first="Hunter" last="Wohler"], DB</td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="30732" first="Max" last="Bredeson"], QB</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="30741" first="Alex" last="Current"], RB</td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="30778" first="Nate" last="Hess"], DL</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="30749" first="Mason" last="Buehler"], DB</td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="30795" first="Owen" last="Arnett"], DB</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="30780" first="Josh" last="Bulski"], RB</td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="30885" first="Alec" last="Swinehart"], DL</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="30789" first="Jared" last="Beilfuss"], DL</td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="30963" first="Tyler" last="Bittman"], K</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="30993" first="Brian" last="Radish"], DL</td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="31213" first="Joey" last="Okla"], OL</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="31007" first="Andrew" last="Durham"], OL</td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="31113" first="Jordan" last="Reneau"], RB</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="31061" first="Joe" last="Lawrence"], DL</td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="31230" first="Collin" last="Argue"], WR</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="30867" first="Kyle" last="Mason"], OL</td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="31400" first="Brady" last="Mader"], WR</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">[player_tooltip player_id="31124" first="Joey" last="Schaefer"], ATH</td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">[player_tooltip player_id="31108" first="Johnny" last="Orlando"], LB</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">[player_tooltip player_id="31185" first="Evan" last="Huckstorf"], ATH</td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">[player_tooltip player_id="31136" first="Brady" last="Russ"], RB</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <strong>Battles To Watch:</strong> <strong>Muskego DBs vs Arrowhead Passing Game</strong> This is going to be a fun matchup. Muskego’s defensive backs are one of their most talented positions while Arrowhead has a couple of emerging players in [player_tooltip player_id="31230" first="Collin" last="Argue"] and [player_tooltip player_id="31400" first="Brady" last="Mader"]. How close of a battle this is is going to come down to how accurate [player_tooltip player_id="30732" first="Max" last="Bredeson"] can be. Max just transferred in to Arrowhead this past year and is super athletic and the defense will have to focus on containing him, but the X factor of how this game goes could come down to how accurate he can deliver passes to his receivers while they are being guarded by one of the most talented collection of defensive backs in the state. <strong>Muskego RBs vs Arrowhead Box Defenders</strong> The battle in the trenches will have the largest impact on this game. If Muskego can consistently pound the rock with [player_tooltip player_id="30780" first="Josh" last="Bulski"] and hit some big plays with [player_tooltip player_id="30741" first="Alex" last="Current"] they will be tough to stop. Arrowhead is ready to step up to the challenge though. [player_tooltip player_id="31108" first="Johnny" last="Orlando"] at LB and the impressive defensive line duo of [player_tooltip player_id="30778" first="Nate" last="Hess"] and [player_tooltip player_id="30885" first="Alec" last="Swinehart"] will be the key factors in how much Muskego is able to get their run game going. Keep an eye on this battle. It should decide the game. <strong>Recent Powerhouse vs Historical Powerhouse</strong> Muskego is the recent powerhouse coming off of back to back state championships, while Arrowhead is the historical powerhouse that has made an appearance in 9 of the last 16 state championships. This history is going to amp up this showdown even more. Both of these programs are very proud programs that know what it takes to win consistently and they are going to come into this game ready to battle. I expect this to be one of the most popular games this season. We are starting week 1 off on the right foot with this matchup! <strong>Prediction: Muskego 28 Arrowhead 20</strong> I think the game will be much closer than the final score might show. This matchups pits two of Wisconsin’s powerhouse programs against each other and there isn’t a shortage of athletes that will be playing at the next level after their graduation. In the end, Muskego’s top end talent at a wide array of positions will be just too much to overcome for Arrowhead. Muskego rides their dominant backfield to an 8 point win as the Muskego defense is able to stifle Bredeson and the emerging receivers of Arrowhead as they try to mount a comeback. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Game 2: Sussex Hamilton vs Germantown</strong></span> <strong>Top Prospects From Each Team:</strong> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Sussex Hamilton</strong></span></td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Germantown</strong></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">[player_tooltip player_id="30787" first="Aidan" last="Enneking"], TE</td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">[player_tooltip player_id="30779" first="Noah" last="Galindo"], LB</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">[player_tooltip player_id="30870" first="Connor" last="Gordon"], OL</td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">[player_tooltip player_id="31011" first="Ethan" last="Neils"], LB</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">[player_tooltip player_id="30964" first="Liam" last="Wrench"], OL</td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;"><strong>Ethan Sawyer, QB</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">[player_tooltip player_id="31046" first="Noah" last="Strauss"], OL</td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;"><strong>Tony Loberger, RB/WR</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">[player_tooltip player_id="31052" first="Quantell" last="Booker"], ATH</td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;"><strong>Andrew Heinz, LB</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">[player_tooltip player_id="31066" first="Gabe" last="Baldewicz"], WR</td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;"><strong>Derrick Shill, DL</strong></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <strong>Battles to Watch:</strong> <strong>Sussex Hamilton OL vs Germantown LBs</strong> This is going to be a major strength vs a major strength matchup that will go a long way in deciding the game. As a unit the Hamilton offensive line is big and strong. Especially when you add in the dominating presence of TE [player_tooltip player_id="30787" first="Aidan" last="Enneking"] to the blocking. [player_tooltip player_id="30779" first="Noah" last="Galindo"], [player_tooltip player_id="31011" first="Ethan" last="Neils"], and Andrew Heinz’s ability to disengage with blocks and shoot gaps will be key on game day. The side that wins this battle most likely wins the game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="30787" first="Aidan" last="Enneking"] vs Germantown TEs in Pass Game</strong> When this game takes to the air, the matchup between Enneking and the Germantown LBs will be huge. I expect to see Aidan become a bigger factor in the pass game this season, so it will be important for Galindo and Neils to be able to run with him and shut him down. Especially down in the redzone. That is where I expect Enneking to see a lot of his targets. If Noah, Ethan, and Andrew can restrict passing windows that will go a long way in deciding this game. <strong>Balanced Attack vs Balanced Attack</strong> Neither of these offenses are one dimensional. Both of them can pound the rock or attack through the air. That ability is going to put a lot of stress on defenses. They have to rely on their ability to read and react instead of assuming one way or the other. If that leads to the defenses being a half step slower then that could lead to scoring opportunities for the offense. <strong>Prediction: Germantown 24 Sussex Hamilton 14</strong> I think this will come down to the battle in the box. Sussex’s OL vs the star Germantown LBs. In the end, I believe that the Germantown leaders at LB will be able to make the plays needed that keep Sussex from getting into a consistent rhythm on offense. Add in the factor of Sussex playing with a new QB under center and it looks like just too much to overcome week one against a very strong opponent in Germantown. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Game 3: Menomonie vs Hudson</strong></span> <strong>Top Prospects From Each Team:</strong> <table style="font-size: 1rem; width: 100%; height: 105px;"> <tbody> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center; height: 21px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Menomonie</strong></span></td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center; height: 21px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Hudson</strong></span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="30759" first="DeVauntaye" last="Parker"], RB</td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="30745" first="Matteo" last="Bonnin"], WR</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="30843" first="Brock" last="Thornton"], TE</td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="30965" first="Brandon" last="Moeri"], DB</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="30916" first="Will" last="Ockler"], RB/LB</td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="31067" first="Ethan" last="Amelsberg"], LB</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center; height: 21px;"><strong>Ryan Kahl, QB</strong></td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">[player_tooltip player_id="31071" first="Kade" last="Sundeen"], ATH</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;"><strong>Evan Sisko, OL</strong></td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">[player_tooltip player_id="31076" first="Owen" last="Anderson"], QB</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;"><strong>Chayce Graff, DL</strong></td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">[player_tooltip player_id="31082" first="Holden" last="Luetkens"], DL</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;"><strong>Domenic Stellino, WR</strong></td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">[player_tooltip player_id="31104" first="Carter" last="Herink"], WR</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;"><strong>Hayden Styer, OL</strong></td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">[player_tooltip player_id="31105" first="Riley" last="Hess"], OL</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;"><strong>Dominic Johnson, DL</strong></td> <td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;">[player_tooltip player_id="31273" first="Evan" last="Tyler"], DL</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> &nbsp; <strong>Battles to Watch:</strong> <strong>Trench Battle</strong> If I had to pick one battle that would decide this game it would be this battle. Both of these teams love to run the ball. They will lower their shoulder and pound it straight ahead and they will implement misdirection, but in the end they want to keep it on the ground and play physical. Whichever offensive and defensive lines are able to establish themselves and set the tone will most likely decide the outcome of this game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="30745" first="Matteo" last="Bonnin"] vs Menomonie DBs</strong> When they do take to the air, containing [player_tooltip player_id="30745" first="Matteo" last="Bonnin"] will be a key to this game. If Menomonie can do it then they will have taken away the major threat in the pass game. If they can’t, which many can’t, then Bonnin is going to be an even bigger problem than he would be as just a running back. If Bonnin can get downfield uninterrupted and without a guy right in his hip pocket he could blow this game wide open. The amount of impact he has on the game will be another key to the result of this matchup. <strong>Menomonie LBs vs Hudson Run Game</strong> Hudson loves to use misdirection in their rushing attack. This usually results in a lot of confusion for the defense, especially the linebackers. It is going to be important for them read their keys on every play. They can’t get caught looking in the backfield or they are going to be caught with their hand in the cookie jar. Even when their isn’t any misdirection, the LBs from Menomonie are going to have to consistently pick through the trash in front of them to make plays at the line of scrimmage if they want to win this game. If Hudson can consistently catch them out of position it will go a long way towards a victory. If the Menomonie LBs can stick to reading their keys each play then that will further increase their odds of victory. <strong>Prediction: Menomonie 28 Hudson 21</strong> This is going to be a fun game! Two teams that love to pound the rock with multiple running backs. Two teams that have no problem getting down and dirty in the trenches and finding out who wants it more. When you look at the key players it is really close between both teams. Hudson looks a little deeper, but Menomonie has the better top end talent. In the end, I believe the better players will be the difference. Especially when those players play both ways quite a bit. This game will be close throughout just like that season, but in the end Menomonie will be the more physical team.