WisconsinHigh.com - West De Pere faces rocky road to three-peat

October 18, 2012

Todd Mishler
WisconsinHigh.com Publisher

Top-ranked West De Pere hasn't lost since the 2009 WIAA Division 3 title game against Reedsburg. The Phantoms have gone on a 36-game winning streak in claiming the past two state trophies.

West De Pere is one of five remaining undefeated squads in D-3, and it could be a tall task for the Phantoms to stay that way this time around despite another wonderful regular season.

Chasing a three-peat

They are the top seed in Group B, a bracket that also includes two Eastern Wisconsin powers, unbeaten and fifth-ranked Plymouth and 7-1 Two Rivers, which are the second and fourth seeds, respectively. Third seed Seymour, ranked No. 9, nearly upset the Phantoms, who pulled out a 12-7 verdict in week six.

The other undefeated qualifiers are No. 2 Wisconsin Lutheran, No. 4 Pewaukee and No. 8 Waupaca.

Lutheran is the top seed in Group D. The Vikings have won three championships, all within a four-year run that ended with a trophy in 2007. They would like to atone for their 39-24 setback to West De Pere at Camp Randall last November, and that shot would come again in the finale should both teams survive.

WIAA playoff information

Lutheran is a heavy favorite through the first two rounds, and then would likely face second-seeded Pewaukee or third-seeded Catholic Memorial in Level 3.

Waupaca is the top seed in Group A, arguably the weakest of the four brackets. However, the 2-4 seeds could pose intriguing matchups, especially in round two if Rice Lake wins its opener.

Third-rated Monona Grove, which suffered its only loss in the season opener to Waunakee, earned the top seed in Group C, which features seventh-ranked and second-seeded Mount Horeb/Barneveld.

Here are the complete Level 1 pairings in Division 3, with overall records and seeds:

Group A
Rhinelander (3-5, 8) at Waupaca (8-0, 1) - 7 p.m. Friday
West Salem (5-3, 5) at Rice Lake (5-3, 4) - 7 p.m. Friday
Osceola (6-2, 6) at Mosinee (7-1, 3) - 4 p.m. Saturday
Onalaska (3-5, 7) at Medford (6-2, 2) - 7 p.m. Friday

Group B
Antigo (4-4, 8) at West De Pere (8-0, 1) - 7 p.m. Friday
Menasha (6-2, 5) at Two Rivers (7-1, 4) - 7 p.m. Friday
Kewaskum (6-2, 6) at Seymour (7-1, 3) - 7 p.m. Friday
Marinette (4-3, 7) at Plymouth (8-0, 2) - 7 p.m. Friday

Group C
Wisconsin Dells (4-4, 8) at Monona Grove (7-1, 1) - 7 p.m. Friday
Reedsburg (5-3, 5) at Madison Edgewood (5-2, 4) - 7 p.m. Friday at Middleton
McFarland (5-3, 6) at Evansville/Albany (6-2, 3) - 7 p.m. Friday
Monroe (4-4, 7) at Mount Horeb/Barneveld (7-1, 2) - 7 p.m. Friday

Group D
Whitnall (5-3, 8) at Wisconsin Lutheran (8-0, 1) - 7 p.m. Friday
Jefferson (6-2, 5) at East Troy (6-2, 4) - 7 p.m. Friday
Brown Deer (5-3, 6) at Catholic Memorial (6-2, 3) - 7 p.m. Friday at Carroll University
New Berlin West (4-4, 7) at Pewaukee (8-0, 2) - 7 p.m. Friday

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