Community Corner

Playoff Picture Gets Clearer for High School Football Teams

While Muskego isn't assured a post season berth, two wins are all that stand between them and a first-time playoff appearance in the Classic 8.

Hey, Warrior fans, want to know if Muskego will be playing in this year’s WIAA postseason? Want to know what they need to get in?

Well, welcome to the second edition of Patch’s Postseason Possibilities, where we take a look at each high school team in the Milwaukee Patch area and breakdown its playoff  chances.

Records and scenarios are updated as of 11 a.m. Oct. 1. Look for an update to include this weekend’s game by noon Oct. 8.

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Classic 8

(To get in, a team needs four or more league wins.)

In for sure

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Waukesha West (3-3, 3-2): Even after losing to Catholic Memorial, 17-0, Friday, we won’t move the Wolverines out of this category, only because they finish against winless Waukesha North on Oct. 12. But with Arrowhead on the schedule next week, West might be heading to the playoffs with only a .500 overall record.

Catholic Memorial (4-2, 3-2): Before Friday’s games, we said it wouldn’t be easy for the Crusaders to get in. Well, they made it look easy Friday with a 17-0 win over Waukesha West, and now they need just one win over Waukesha North or Kettle Moraine to get in. We’re confident they get it and make it six straight years in the WIAA postseason.

Still a chance

Muskego (3-3, 2-3): The Warriors took care of business Friday by beating winless Waukesha North. Now Muskego needs wins over both Kettle Moraine and Waukesha South, two teams directly below them in the league standings to make it to the postseason in their first campaign in the Classic Eight.

Not this year

Waukesha North (1-5, 0-5): The Northstars have been eliminated from playoff contention and have not been to the playoffs since 2006.

Waukesha South (1-5, 1-4): South’s playoff drought, which extends back to 1999, continues.

North Shore

(To get in, a team needs four or more league wins.)

In for sure

Whitefish Bay (5-1, 4-1): With Rashadeem Gray and his 967 rushing yards leading the way, the Blue Dukes have locked up a playoff berth and now eye a share of the North Shore Conference lead. They host undefeated league leader Homestead at 7 p.m. Friday. A win gives Bay a share of the title.

Still a chance

Port Washington (2-4, 2-3): The Pirates haven’t been to the postseason since 2008 and after getting shut out by Germantown on Friday, they need to beat both Cedarburg on Friday, Oct. 5, and hapless Grafton in the league finale to get in.

Not this year

Nicolet (2-4, 1-4): The Knights have made the playoffs just once in their history, back in 1989. Cedarburg eliminated them from contention on Friday, as expected.

Southeast

(To get in, a team needs four or more league wins.)

In for sure

Oak Creek: (6-0, 5-0): The Knights continue to roll. They manhandled Kenosha Tremper, 40-7, Friday to set up a potentially tough matchup with Racine Horlick on Friday, Oct. 5. They’ll make their first playoff appearance since 2009 and are one game ahead of Franklin in the Southeast Conference standings.

Still a chance

Racine Horlick (3-3, 3-2): Rickey Neal Jr., with 870 rushing yards, is closing in on 1,000 and has Horlick poised for its first postseason berth since 2008. But it won’t be easy. After losing to Kenosha Bradford, 28-7, the Rebels still need a win over undefeated Oak Creek or Kenosha Tremper (3-3, 2-3) on Oct. 12. Horlick getting in this year is no sure thing.

Not this year

Racine Case (1-5, 0-5): The Eagles, who have not been to the playoffs since 1997, have been eliminated.

Racine Park (1-5, 1-4): The Panthers needed to win their final three games to get in for the first time since 2009. A loss to Franklin on Friday prevented that from happening.

Woodland Conference East

(A team needs four wins to qualify, or five or more wins to get in for sure.)

Looking good

Whitnall (4-2, 3-1): The Falcons already have enough wins to qualify for the playoffs out of the Woodland Conference, where all eight games count toward postseason requirements. Whitnall can finish no worse than 4-4 but a loss to Brown Deer on Friday knocked the Falcon in a tie for the East Division lead, and Whitnall is trying land its first league title in 12 years. A game against struggling Cudahy on Friday should lock up a share of the title and secure a playoff berth.

Still a chance

Greenfield (2-4, 2-2): The Hustlin’ Hawks made it very hard on themselves with a 14-7 loss to South Milwaukee on Friday. Now Greenfield needs wins over Brown Deer and Wauwatosa West – two teams with winning records – in the final two games of the season just to qualify for the postseason. The playoff light is dimming quickly.

Woodland Conference West

(A team needs four wins to qualify, or five ore more wins to get in for sure.)

In for sure

Wauwatosa West (5-1, 3-1): The Trojans haven’t been to the postseason since 2006, but that’s going to change this fall. A blowout, 42-0 victory over New Berlin Eisenhower ended what little doubt there was that the Trojans could put an end to that drought. Wins over Greendale and Greenfield in the final two games would build a huge level of momentum heading into the postseason.

Looking good

Greendale (4-2, 2-2): Before Friday’s games, we said the Panthers were well on their way to their eight-straight playoff appearance. And though Greendale has the minimum required number of wins to get in, an upset loss to New Berlin West on Friday clouds their playoff picture a bit. They still have upstart Wauwatosa West and Woodland East co-leader Brown Deer on the schedule.

Greater Metro

(To get in, a team needs four or more league wins.)

In for sure

Brookfield East (6-0, 5-0): The undefeated Spartans, led by quarterback Zach Damico (717 passing yards) have been spectacular all season and are eyeing a conference title.

Sussex Hamilton (5-1, 4-1): The Chargers could be the only thing standing in the way of Brookfield East and a perfect season. The two teams meet in the regular season finale Oct. 12, likely with a share of the GMC title on the line. … Drew Patterson bolted past the 1,000-yard rushing mark and is up to 1,125.

Menomonee Falls (4-2, 4-1): Coming off an upset win over Hamilton on Sept. 21, the Indians backed it up with a 21-7 win over Marquette to clinch their first playoff berth in three years. Now it’s about building momentum, and winning out against West Allis Hale and Brookfield Central would go a long way toward just that.

Looking good

Brookfield Central (4-2, 3-2): The Lancers are thankfully through the tough part of their schedule and took care of business Friday against winless West Allis Central. Next up is Wauwatosa East, a game the Lancers should win to punch their ticket to the postseason.

Not this year

Wauwatosa East (2-4, 1-4): The Red Raiders were bounced from playoff contention Friday, but could play the roll of spoiler when they take on Brookfield Central on Friday.

Midwest Classic

(A team needs three league wins to qualify or four or more to get in for sure.)

Looking good

Shorewood/Messmer (5-1, 3-1): The co-op has enough wins to get in for the second straight year and can lock up a berth with a victory over either Brookfield Academy on Oct. 5 or Living Word Lutheran on Oct. 12.

Brookfield Academy (4-2, 3-1): BA qualified with a win over winless HOPE Christian on Friday.

Not this year

University School (1-5, 0-4): A playoff team a year ago, USM will be on the outside looking in this fall.

More Patch-area teams: Racine St. Catherine’s (5-1, 4-0) has enough wins to get in out of the Metro Classic, where teams need to go 3-3 in league play. ... Also in the Metro Classic, Martin Luther (3-2, 2-2) is on the verge, but Racine Lutheran (1-5, 1-4) has been eliminated.

Attention fans! Add your thoughts on your favorite teams in the comments below, or upload photos or videos of your favorite players! On Friday nights, follow #wisfb on Twitter to keep up with live scores.


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