Many students remember the bright lights on those chilly Friday nights. It’s about that time of the year again for all of the high school football teams in Wisconsin to begin their journey to Camp Randall in search of that golden ball.

Each team is now only four wins away from making the trip. Of 238 football teams that made the playoffs, only 14 will have the opportunity of playing in front of thousands on live television, and only seven will have the pleasure to hold that state championship trophy over their heads. It’s either win, or go home.

Division 1

Top seeds: Verona Area, Homestead, Janesville Parker, Milwaukee Riverside

Other teams to beat: Arrowhead, Stevens Point, D.C. Everest, Hartford

Possible early key games: Stevens Point vs. D.C. Everest, Arrowhead vs. Hartford

Overall Outlook: There will be no repeat of last year’s state championship with Racine Park failing to make the playoffs and Wisconsin Rapids matching up with a No. 1 seed in the first round.

Milwaukee City Conference teams look to make an unexpected impact this year with top-seeded Milwaukee Riverside and second-seeded Milwaukee King.

My pick, Championship Game: Homestead over Arrowhead

Fans’ pick (wisfootball.net): Homestead

Division 2

Top seeds: Menomonie, Kimberly, Waunakee, Franklin

Other teams to beat: Ashwaubenon, Brookfield Central, Marshfield, Pius XI, West Allis Nathan Hale

Possible early key games: Kimberly vs. Cedarburg, Menomonie vs. Marshfield

Overall Outlook: This may be the strongest division in Wisconsin this season, with five teams entering the playoffs undefeated. There are several other teams with one loss that also have the power to make a run for the title.

There are many possible upsets in D2, especially with unseeded Ashwaubenon (4-4), which is really 8-0, but faced a rule violation causing them to forfeit four of their games. Ashwaubenon won the state title last season. Cedarburg could also possibly upset No. 1 Kimberly in an amazing second-round match up.

My pick: Menomonie over Waunakee

Fans’ pick: Menomonie

Division 3

Top seeds: Osceola, West DePere, Union Grove, Waupun

Other teams to beat: Wisconsin Lutheran, Green Bay Notre Dame, New Berlin Eisenhower, Greendale

Possible early key games: New Berlin Eisenhower vs. Greendale, Green Bay Notre Dame vs. Waupaca

Overall Outlook: Wisconsin Lutheran, 2005 state champion, enters the playoffs with only a No. 4 seed. However, both regular season losses come from top rated D1 and D2 teams.

New Berlin Eisenhower should meet Greendale in the second round in what could be an extraordinary match between the Woodland Conference North and South division champions.

My pick: Wisconsin Lutheran over West Depere

Fans’ pick: Wisconsin Lutheran

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