GAME OF THE WEEK (Nov. 2–Nov. 8)

WIAA DIVISION 7 LEVEL 3 FOOTBALL: Potosi/Cassville (9–2) at Black Hawk (11–0), at South Wayne, Friday, Nov. 3, 7 p.m., WGLR (97.7 FM)

    The Potosi/Cassville Chieftains and the Black Hawk Warriors each posted a pair of lop-sided Level 2 playoff victories last Friday night to earn a rematch in Friday’s Level 3 playoff game at Black Hawk High School.

     The undefeated and third-ranked Warriors blasted Iowa–Grant  68–15 behind a 131-yard, 3-TD performance from senior fullback Brody Milz. Potosi/Cassville hammered visiting Wauzeka/Seneca 56–18. Junior Ty Bausch rushed for 137 yards and four touchdowns, all in the first half, on just 11 carries to lead the Chieftains.

     The Warriors took down the Chieftains, 30–16, in their first meeting back on Aug. 25, and these two teams have been on a collision course for a rematch ever since with the Chieftains bent on getting some revenge for that earlier loss. Potosi lost four fumbles and threw two interceptions in that first meeting.

    “I’m sure they’ve been waiting for a rematch, too,” said Black Hawk head coach Cory Milz. “They’re an excellent football team. It’s going to come down to all those important things, like turnovers. They’ve got explosive kids. They’ve got one heck of a defense. It’s really going to be a dogfight.”

     “We have to limit turnovers, because last time we saw them, we had six turnovers,” said Potosi/Cassville head coach Mark Siegert. “That’s a big reason why we didn’t perform really well. Also, controlling the line of scrimmage was something that we were struggling with in that week-two game. If you look back, that was 10 weeks ago now. That’s a long time ago. There was a lot of potential for growth, and we’re not the same team we were in week two. I’m looking forward to seeing how much we’ve actually grown from there.”

     On the year, Black Hawk averages 53 points per game, while giving up an average of just 8.4 points per contest. The Warriors average 354.5 yards rushing per contest and 80.4 yards passing, while allowing an average of 84.4 yards rushing and 25.6 yards passing per contest.

     Potosi/Cassville comes into Friday night’s contest averaging 47.7 points per game, while allowing 15.7 points per contest. On the ground they average 305.8 yards rushing per game and give up an average of 111.5 to their opponents. Through the air they average 115.7 yards, while giving up just 51.3 yards per contest to their opponents.

OTHER AREA GAMES

Division 6: #3 Mineral Point (8–3) at #1 Markesan (10–1), Friday, 7 p.m., WPVL (107.1 FM)

     Senior Riley Workman blocked a would-be go-ahead 27-yard field and returned 80 yards for the game-winning score 1:16 left to lift the Pointers to a stunning 14–7 victory over second-seeded Cuba City. Top-seeded Markesan overcame four turnovers to upend visiting Fennimore 15–7 last Friday night. The Hornets will host the Pointers in a Level 3 contest Friday at 7 p.m.

WIAA VOLLEYBALL STATE TOURNAMENT: Benton (27–2) vs. Oshkosh Lourdes Academy (35–9), at Resch Center, Green Bay, Friday, 10 a.m., WPVL (1590 AM)

     Benton earned the program’s first-ever state appearance with authority after sweeping the Bangor Cardinals, 30-28, 25-23, 25-19, in a WIAA Division 4 sectional championship match held at Wauzeka-Steuben High School last Saturday.

     “What a great feeling. I’m speechless. This was a goal the girls had. These girls prevailed and came through some obstacles and struggles, and now we are headed to state,” said Benton head coach Russell Hamm. “I’m just ecstatic for this program, for this school and for this community. It’s the first time for the volleyball team to get to state. I’m so proud to be their coach and to be part of this with them.”

     Benton will face Lourdes Academy (35-9) in a state semifinal match at the Resch Center in Green Bay on Friday at 10 a.m. The Knights, who were the D3 runner-ups a season ago, are making their third straight state appearance. The winner advances to face the winner of Friday’s other semifinal match between four-time defending D4 champion Newman Catholic (29-11) and Clayton (30-2). In last year’s state championship match, the Newman Catholic, which is making its seventh straight state appearance, swept the Bears, who are at state for the fifth straight state time.

Division 4 Championship: 

Benton or Lourdes vs.Wausau Catholic Newman (29–11) or Clayton (30–2), Saturday, 9 a.m., WPVL (1590 AM)

GIRLS SWIMMING: WIAA Division 2 Stoughton Sectional, Saturday, 1 p.m.

     Six members of the Platteville/Lancaster girls swim team will travel to Stoughton Saturday to swim for a chance to compete at next week’s WIAA D2 state meet. The Hillmen will compete against teams from Baraboo, DeForest, Edgerton, Jefferson/Cambridge, Lodi/Wisconsin Heights, McFarland, Monona Grove, Monroe/New Glarus, Platteville/Lancaster, Portage, River Valley/Richland Center, Sauk Prairie and Stoughton. The winner of each event in each of the four D2 sectionals across the state automatically qualifies for state, then the next 12 fastest times from all four sectionals move on to state.