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And then there were eight...
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November 04, 2009 | 09:23 AM
Both the Badger and Big Foot football teams have made it to November.
While the Chiefs went to the state final last year, Badger is enjoying its first trip to Level 3 of the WIAA playoffs. There has been a buzz around town and on our Web site about the success of this year's Badgers. And the Walworth area has been excited the past two seasons for its talented team.
But on Friday night, both teams will be all business for their 7 p.m. games. Both teams face their toughest opponents yet, and neither has the luxury of home-field advantage. However, unlike last game, both teams have a full week to prepare for the games.
Badger (9-2) vs. Franklin (9-2) at Greendale High School,
7 p.m., Friday
Badger beat South Milwaukee, 34-10, at Greendale High School, so they will be familiar with the field. Franklin won, 29-21, Saturday at Waterford, a team Badger also beat, to advance to the Level 3 playoffs for the second straight year.
Badger is coming off a 433-yard rushing performance against the Rockets, and they have averaged 446 rushing yards in two playoff games.
Franklin's offense is the opposite of Badger's. They rely on the pass. The Sabers have sparked the airwaves for an average of 200 yards passing in two playoff games. But they can also do it on the ground. In their playoff opener against Greendale, the Sabers racked up 263 yards on the ground.
Similar to Badger's running trio of Trevor York, John Leibforth and Kyle Poplar, Franklin boasts a threesome of Lance Baretz, Paul Lincoln and Jesse Palok. All three have gained more than 600 yards rushing on the season. But Franklin's passing attack sets them apart. Baretz has thrown for 2,092 yards and 20 touchdowns with only 12 interceptions.
Brady Oates is the main target for Baretz. Oates has caught 41 passes for 802 yards and 10 touchdowns. Also, Evan Walton has grabbed 46 passes for 579 yards. Matt Sklander has 27 catches for 340 yards.
Waterford, who usually racks up plenty of yards on the ground, was held in check by Franklin Saturday with 147 yards rushing. Badger will need to keep up their rushing dominance to stick with the high-powered Sabers.
Big Foot (11-0) at Ripon (9-2), 7 p.m., Friday
The Chiefs are coming off their biggest scare of the postseason, a 21-7 victory Saturday over New Holstein. Running back Mike Walker had another big game, scoring three touchdowns.
Big Foot coach Rodney Wedig said New Holstein was the fastest team he has seen, but Ripon has more speed. Ripon knocked off second-seeded Winnebago Lutheran, 24-13, on Saturday. Ripon back Connor Hanson had 144 yards rushing against Lutheran including an 80-yard touchdown.
Hanson is threatening to break several Ripon records, including yardage and scoring.
While Ripon has a solid ground game, the Chiefs have only allowed seven points per game in two playoff games. Big Foot combines the running of Walker and the passing of Steve Dowden for a balanced offensive attack. The Chiefs are allowing only 152 yards per game in the playoffs. Also, Walker has remained steady in the playoffs, averaging 106 yards rushing in two games.
Look for Big Foot's passing attack to play a major role Friday night.
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