The Lake Country area picked up more representation that it might have expected at this stage of the WIAA football playoffs when Sussex Hamilton turned its third straight upset of the tournament and reached the state semifinals in Division 2. Arrowhead, meanwhile, turned in its best effort of the season to get that far in Division 1. Some news and notes:
- I find the win by Hamilton over Waunakee to be flat-out jaw-dropping. It was one thing to defeat DeForest -- a decent team in a conference perhaps comparable or slightly worse than the Greater Metro. It was another to shock Brookfield Central, a conference foe that had smashed HHS earlier in the year. But to defeat an undefeated top seed, a team many picked to reach the state title game? I can't believe it. Tyler Janus again comes up with the big play of the game on a 50-yard touchdown reception from Justin Rupnow, and the Chargers scored a 14-7 upset to face Verona in the state semifinals. The Chargers are absolutely playing their best football of the season right now, and it's not like they're getting a favorable draw in the opponents they've faced. I'm completely impressed.
- Arrowhead was no less impressive Saturday, absolutely thrashing one of the best programs in the area -- Hartford. The 35-0 win featured a running clock early in the second half, a series of incredible defensive plays (including four turnovers) and a four-touchdown day for Brian Crook that showcased both the explosive running back's ability and the dominating offensive line. AHS took no prisoners whatsoever. Jeff Budzien practically put on an exhibition with his out-of-the-end-zone kickoffs and a 63-yard punt. They get Stevens Point next week, and while SPASH is always a threat to win a state title, the Arrowhead team we saw Saturday is close to unbeatable. Then again, the AHS team we saw against Waukesha West was fallible. It strikes me that the playoff plights between last year's Warhawks and this year's are similar -- a close-call loss was necessary en route to a state title in 2007. Same in 2008?
- Homestead handled Racine Park, 42-6, really flexing their muscles against a team with a superstar running back (Deion McClain) and a legitimate shot to upset the Highlanders. They draw Middleton in the semifinals, a team that has dispatched Mukwonago and both Kenosha teams on the way. By extension, Park beat both of those Kenosha teams, and Homestead beat Park badly, so that implies the obvious -- Middleton has its toughest test ahead. The chance of a Homestead-AHS title game for a third straight year is really good.
- Kimberly manhandles Kaukauna and looks unstoppable in Division 2. Wisconsin Lutheran survives narrowly past Greendale in a spirited Division 3 contest. Along with Arrowhead, we could have repeat champs in all three divisions with those teams all looking strong.
- Verona shuts down Franklin in the second half and strikes a 35-21 win over the Sabers after the game was tied at 21 headed into halftime. The Sabers played deeper into the tournament than people expected, but Verona proves to be Franklin's undoing.
- Whoever faces Wisconsin Lutheran in the state title game -- if Wisco can get past a Reedsburg team enjoying a Hamiltonian late-season surge through the playoffs -- will be a very tough opponent. 2006 state champion Waupaca and state heavyweight Kewaskum are both undefeated and will face each other in the other semifinal.