We're on to the state semifinals. Here's a look at the state quarterfinal results, filled with some outstanding games.
Game Audio: Sun Prairie 49, Madison West 17
By Jimmie Kaska
Football Friday Night: And Then There Were 28
By Jimmie Kaska
Madison-Area Results
Division 1: #1 Sun Prairie (12-0) 49, #3 Madison West (9-3) 17
Sun Prairie jumped out to a 27-0 first-quarter lead and held on in a long, penalty-mired game to win by 32. Madison West made the deepest run of any Madison public school in 15 years and the best season since 1981 in Regents history, but it ended at Ashley Field with their 14th consecutive loss to the Cardinals, dating to 2005. The Cardinals got a monster game from Draven Peeples, who scored four touchdowns and a two-point conversion in the win, and outside of double-digit penalties were able to corral an explosive West offense.
NEXT UP: vs Muskego at Arrowhead (Friday, 7pm): This may be the first time the Cardinals get a test this season. Outside of two quarters against Middleton and the first quarter against Kettle Moraine, Sun Prairie has rolled to lopsided victory after lopsided victory. Muskego has beaten Oak Creek, Racine Horlick, and Franklin already, so the glass slipper doesn't fit now that they've made it this far having topped quality opponents along the way. Sun Prairie's return trip to state for the first time since 2012 hinges on being able to put together a four-quarter game. Most of the Cardinals' games are done by the half, and so it remains to be seen how they'd react in a close game. Muskego got down 21-0 to Franklin tonight, and scored 24 unanswered to put away the Sabers.
Other Level 4 D1: #2 Appleton North vs #1 Kimberly at UW-Oshkosh
Division 2: #1 Waunakee (12-0) 45, #3 Hartford (9-3) 19
Waunakee never really got pressured in this game, one they led comfortably at halftime. Javian Dayne led the way for the Warriors.
NEXT UP: vs Green Bay Southwest at Menasha (Friday, 7pm): Waunakee, like Sun Prairie, has only really been tested for a handful of quarters this season. Green Bay Southwest rallied to put away a tough Menomonie team on the road, and has given up only 43 points in 3 playoff games. Waunakee has allowed just 26 this postseason, so it could be a defensive struggle in Level 4.
Other Level 4 D2: #2 Waukesha West (12-0) vs #1 Brookfield Central (12-0) at Oconomowoc
Division 2: #2 Waukesha West (12-0) 28, #1 Monona Grove (11-1) 7
Peter MacCudden scored three times to aid the Wolverines' efforts minus their starting quarterback, while pounding the Silver Eagles' offense into submission with a big 28-7 victory. Monona Grove, like Sun Prairie and Waunakee, hadn't really been tested this year, with their most daunting challenger being Stoughton in Week 8. Now, Waukesha West has beaten the first- and second-place Badger South teams a combined 63-7 in back-to-back weeks. Monona Grove will graduate the outstanding Alec Ogden, Jackson Thomsen, Lucas Gerlach, and a bevy of other top players.
Division 4: #1 Lodi (12-0) 35, #3 Lake Mills (10-2) 0
Lake Mills wanted a rematch, and Lodi obliged, but not kindly. Ben Dunkleberger was harassed and hobbled by the Blue Devils' stout defense, while Jacob Heyroth continued pilling up the rushing totals in a running clock win for Lodi.
NEXT UP: vs #6 Martin Luther at Waukesha North (Friday, 7pm): Martin Luther is by far the lowest-seeded team still in the playoff field in any division.
Division 5: #2 Lake Country Lutheran (12-0) 17, #1 Clinton 14 (11-1)
Lake Country Lutheran kicked a 41-yard field goal with 3.3 seconds left to win and advance. Clinton's season ends with its first loss coming deep into the playoffs for the second straight season.
Division 6: #1 Markesan (11-1) 47, #3 Mineral Point 26
Division 7: #1 Black Hawk (12-0) 28, #2 Potosi/Cassville 7