State Championship X Factors

<p>The stage is set! State is only a couple days away and we have an elite lineup of matchups. The 14 teams have all proven they are worth of being inside Camp Randall Stadium. They know their strengths, the individual athletes know their roles. All that is left to do is execute and make plays. While digging through each roster it has quickly become apparent that within each of the 14 there are a few key pieces along with an X factor or two who will need to deliver for a chance at victory. Today I want to preview our Championship games by going through every team and identifying an X factor for each of them and how they could impact their games. By X factor I mean we are looking for the kid that may not be the statistical leader, but clearly has an important role that will be relied on in the final game. We will go from D7 up to D1.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cochrane- Fountain City X Factor</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Aidan caught my eyes Friday night with how hard he ran the rock. He lives behind his pads, churns that powerful lower body through contact, and is hard to get off balance. Plus on defense he is going to take on blocks and tackle with that same tenacity. Aidan isn't the leader in any category, but he is a high level contributor on both sides of the ball, and C-FC is going to need him to shine on Thursday to pull out the victory. He currently sits at 103 carries, 938 yards, 10 TDs, 39 tackles, 8 TFLs, and 5 sacks.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">St. Joseph Catholic Academy</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Tyler is a two-way athlete who will need to step up for the Lancers on Thursday. The RB/LB currently has compiled 71 carries, 491 yards, 10 TDs, 6 receptions, 53 yards, 46 tackles, 8 TFLs, 2 sacks. On offense it is clear that the team goes through junior Chris Kenesie, but Tyler is the one who keeps things churning any time they turn away from Chris. Tyler finds the endzone at a good rate and maintains the big play threat with his nearly 7 yds/carry average. Plus he is Top 5 in tackles and Top 6 in TFLs and sacks. The senior finds the way and gets to the ball. I'm excited to see how much we hear his name Thursday morning.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Edgar</h2>    <p>Edgar has put together an outstanding year. They have been absolutely lights out on defense and generating plenty of points on offense. Streit and Butt lead the way, but right behind them is Gavin. He has proven to be a big play threat they can lean on at times with his 20 yds/rec average and 7.1 yds/att average. The team's leading receiver and 2nd leading rusher has 10 TDs on the year. Plus he has flown around the secondary making 57 tackles, and 5 TFLs along with 8 PBUs and 6 INTs. If the senior can be a ballhawk on Thursday then Edgar is going to have a major boost to their game.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Darlington</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Calum is a force on defense. He is 2nd on the team with 60 tackles and adds 10 TFLs, 3 sacks. The LB is all over the field corralling the opposing run game. However, the reason he is an X factor is because of what they will need from him on offense. This Edgar defense has proven to be stout, so Darlington will need the 200+ lbs athlete to wear down the middle of this defense. He can do it with his angry running style and powerful contact balance. If Calum delivers like he could we could see him in the running for MVP of this game if they pull off the victory. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Northwestern</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Northwestern has one of the most explosive offenses in WI this season. Doesn't matter the school size. They have absolute dudes ready to attack on the ground and through the air. With that said, the x factor on this team in on defense. DE [player_tooltip player_id='1894411' first='Gage' last='Nollet'] has been a force on the edge. He is so disruptive in the backfield and powerful at setting the edge. Their opponent, Mayville, is a monster at running the ball so Gage and the rest of the front seven need to be at their best to take control of this game. Gage is coming off a great game and they will need more of the same to have success.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mayville</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">This team's successs runs through Landen Baker on both offense and defense. He is the leading rusher, receiver, and tackler. But the support system around that is the reason we are still watching Mayville. My choice for X factor is the DL Tate Drinkwine who has been a menace in the trenches. He has 15 TFLs and 3.5 sacks on the season, living in the backfield and disrupting plays every Friday night. This week we get to watch him do it on Thursday night. Definitely keep an eye on the senior athlete.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Winneconne</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Winneconne has been dominating games throughout the season. Schaffer leads the offense and has been producing at an unreal rate. The defense hasn't been sitting back and relaxing. That is where our x factor makes his plays. Jesse has been a piece of this defense for a couple years now. He has piled up 48 tackles, 13 TFLs, and 1.5 sacks on the season. Playing on the edge Jesse has learned how to take on blocks without giving ground and finding ways to hand fight through OL and get into the backfield to disrupt plays. Little Chute is going to run the ball, so keep an ear out for this kid's name.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Little Chute</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">This Little Chute offense is outrageous this season. They have the machine running the rock in Reece Joten, but my choice of X factor is Jaden Hermsen at QB. He has to make the reads on these options and put the ball in the right situation so that his boys can make plays. Jaden adds to his impact by being a big time playmaker himself. The junior has nearly 500 passing yards, and more importantly, 866 rushing yards. That is what forces the defense to stay honest and leave lanes open for Reece to attack alongside Jaden. Keep an eye on the Little Chute QB Thursday night.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Reedsburg</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Reedsburg has an absolute workhorse in Will Minkonowicz. His success will have a direct impact on the result. But the starting RB is only as good as the trench monsters in front of him. Leading the way will be sophomore OL [player_tooltip player_id='1618910' first='Landen' last='Knuth']. His explosive power and violence as a run blocker has helped spark this team's run. Landen also is an excellent two-way impact. He shines in control the trenches on the defensive side too. His ability to hold the line and still be able to make tackles to limit the electric Grafton run game will be a huge factor on how this game plays out. I watched Reedsburg back in Level 1 and am fired up to watch them again Friday morning.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Grafton</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">This was a tough choice. Grafton has a long list of difference makers on offense and defense. In the end I had to look at their opponent. Reedsburg is going to run the ball until the hide falls off it, then they are going to run it a few more times. That led me to my choice for Caleb Ernst as X factor. The DL has fantastic numbers in terms of winning at the line and getting into the backfield. He has 6 TFLs and 6 sacks. The senior understands leverage and has a knack for getting to the heels of the OL and tracking down the ball. I'm going to have my eyes on this kid Friday afternoon.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">West De Pere</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">This was a very tough choice. Do we take an X factor on one of the best offenses in the state or on the defense who will be facing another top offense in the state. In the end I believe this could be the highest scoring game of state. To do that Greisen and his offense will need all hands on deck. One of those is junior WR [player_tooltip player_id='1282584' first='Landon' last='Kibbe']. The 2027 has flashed the ability to take over games and be a go to weapon. He uses his size to his advantage and plays the ball in flight so well. He has 34/569/9 on the year despite missing some time. The targets will be shared, and I'll be watching to see Landon capitalize on his.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Green Bay Notre Dame</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Joey is one of the keys to success on both sides of the ball for Notre Dame. On offense he is an excellent TE who dominates with his run blocking. His ability to reset the line of scrimmage into the second level or provide a mismatch in the passing game will be key for the offense. The junior has been a breakout on defense this season too. He has been getting penetration, disrupting, showing that range to chase down the ball. The kid is tough for OTs to stay in front of. He has 16 TFLs and 4 sacks on the season to go along with his 321 yards receiving and 3 TDs. Watch this kid closely Friday. He is a special talent.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bay Port</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">The opponent, Arrowhead, is such a well balanced team. They have a talented QB with a deep group of WRs and a stable of RBs to attack with. So my choice of X factor is LB [player_tooltip player_id='1741261' first='Jordy' last='Walker'] who can play in the middle of the field, sideline to sideline and also drop into coverage. Jordy and the rest of the young LBs are going to need to do their job to the best of their abilities Friday night, and I'm excited for them because I know they have the talent to make the necessary plays.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Arrowhead</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">What an embarrassment of riches for Arrowhead when it comes to their RB talent. Devin is 3rd on the team in carries and tied for 2nd in rushing yards. He also leads the way in receiving among the three RBs. Devin provides elite depth that no other team can match. Being able to rotate RBs and always attack the defense with a fresh, electric athlete in the backfield gives the offense a major mismatch. Devin provides that depth and outstanding playmaking abilities. I'm fired up to watch this kid and his backfield teammates work on Friday night!</p>

The stage is set! State is only a couple days away and we have an elite lineup of matchups. The 14 teams have all proven they are worth of being inside Camp Randall Stadium. They know their strengths, the individual athletes know their roles. All that is left to do is execute and make plays. While digging through each roster it has quickly become apparent that within each of the 14 there are a few key pieces along with an X factor or two who will need to deliver for a chance at victory. Today I want to preview our Championship games by going through every team and identifying an X factor for each of them and how they could impact their games. By X factor I mean we are looking for the kid that may not be the statistical leader, but clearly has an important role that will be relied on in the final game. We will go from D7 up to D1.