Wisconsin High School Football: Level 2 playoff predictions

Division 2

No. 4 Holmen (7-3) at No. 1 New Richmond (10-0), 7 p.m.

Joe Hoeppner ran for 274 yards and three scores on a season-high 35 carries in the Tigers’ Level 1 victory over Marshfield.

He figures to be leaned on heavily throughout this playoff run, and the season-long results suggest he’s built for the moment. Our pick: New Richmond 42, Holmen 14

No. 3 Monona Grove (8-2) at No. 2 Rice Lake (8-2), 7 p.m.

Jacob Kunz threw for three scores and ran for 105 yards in the Warriors’ Level 1. Meanwhile, Monona Grove surrendered 31 points to Menomonie.

Expect Rice Lake’s offense to produce at a high level this week to set up a rematch with New Richmond. Our pick: Rice Lake 44, Monona Grove 27

Division 4

No. 6 Ellsworth (7-3) at No. 2 Baldwin-Woodville (9-1), 7 p.m.

Ellsworth pulled an impressive upset of Mosinee in the first round, and has a chance for another Friday. Because in the previous meeting between these two teams – a 32-15 victory for Baldwin-Woodville, the Warriors were propelled by two defensive touchdowns.

Both teams struggled to move the ball. Should that hold true again, Ellsworth could remain in striking distance until crunch time, when anything can happen. Our pick: Baldwin-Woodville 17, Ellsworth 14

No. 4 Prescott (9-1) at No. 1 Freedom (10-0), 1 p.m. SATURDAY

Freedom went to the air in its Level 1 win over St. Croix Central, with Drew Kortz throwing for 233 yards in a 28-7 victory.

But throwing against the Cardinals’ skilled secondary is a losing proposition. Our pick: Prescott 27, Freedom 20

Division 7

No. 5 Glenwood City (7-3) at No. 1 Spring Valley (10-0), 7 p.m.

A rematch from two weeks ago, a 21-3 Spring Valley victory in which neither offense was overly successful, but Glenwood City averaged just 3.2 yards per carry. Our pick: Spring Valley 27, Glenwood City 7