GAME OF THE WEEK (Aug. 25–31)
PREP FOOTBALL: Pecatonica/Argyle (1–0) at Iowa–Grant (1–0), Friday, Aug. 26, 7 p.m.
Pecatonica/Argyle defeated Iowa–Grant twice last year. Friday night the Panthers hope to exact a measure of revenge against the defending Six Rivers Conference champion, but it won’t be easy as the Vikings and Panthers tangle in this week’s McDonald’s swnews4u.com Game of the Week.
The Vikings began defense of the their league title last week with a convincing 36–6 victory over SRC rival Potosi, which won five straight league crowns from 2010–14. But the conference figures to be Pec’s at least for another year. Friday the Vikings will step out of league play to play Gary Allen’s Iowa–Grant Panthers for the third time in 14 games. Iowa–Grant hammered Pec 40–0 in the first round of the 2012 playoffs, but that game is ancient history.
However, both schools remember how Pec/Argyle dominated I–G 34–12 in the second game of last season then ended Panthers’ season with a 20–9 victory in the second round of the 2015 WIAA Division 6 playoffs. The Vikings lasted just one more week before being bounced by Melrose–Mindoro 21–17 in Level 3 to finish the year 11–1.
The Panthers lost 1,800-yard rusher Brayden Johnson (1,873 yards, 27 TDs) and leading receiver Isaac Anderson (24 rec., 423 yards, 6 TDs) from last year’s 6–5 team, but return senior quarterback Caleb Hill (53.8%, 1,049 yards, 11 TDs, 7 Int). Hill completed 8 of 11 passes for 151 yards and a pair of touchdowns in Iowa–Grant’s 46–28 victory at Richland Center. Junior Brady Peat (166 yards, 2 TDs) and senior Travis Arndt (115 yards, 2 TDs) proved a viable 1-2 punch in the backfield.
The Vikings also suffered key graduation losses from last year’s 11–1 conference championship team, but they do return senior signal caller Logan Green (61.5%, 1,101 yards, 15 TDs, 4 Int). Green completed 10 of 15 passes for 146 yards and a pair of short touchdowns in last week’s win over Potosi, but was intercepted twice. The Vikings’ defense figures to be very stout again this year. Pec limited Potosi to 230 total yards and forced three turnovers.
This Friday’s game will come down to which team can control the line of scrimmage and limit turnovers.
PREP FOOTBALL: This week’s other games, all games Friday, Aug. 26, 7 p.m.
Prairie du Chien (1–0) at Darlington (1–0)
The reigning SWAL champion Redbirds host the reigning SWC champion Blackhawks in Week 2. Darlington opened the season with a 48–7 win at Westby a week ago, while Prairie du Chien defeated La Crosse Aquinas in a 33–27 in overtime contest.
Cuba City (0–1) at Lancaster (1–0), (KIYX 106.1 FM)
The Arrows will welcome Cuba City in a battle of former SWAL I conference foes. Lancaster rushed for 466 yards (275 yards and 4 TDs from junior fullback Evan Gates) in a 40–32 win at Fennimore last Friday. The Cubans are coming off a 21–13 home loss to Platteville.
Dodgeville (1–0) at Mineral Point (1–0)
The Dodgers and Pointers renew the neighborly rivalry Friday night at Mineral Point. The Pointers are coming off a 32–6 victory over Necedah, while Dodgeville opened the season last Friday with a 35–17 win over Orfordville Parkview.
Columbus (1–0) at Platteville (1–0), (WPVL 107.1 FM)
Platteville hopes to contend for a Southwest Wisconsin Conference title this fall. Columbus is the preseason favorite to win the Capitol North. Both opened the season with victories last week. Senior halfback Luke Fugate rushed for 267 yards and three TDs to lead the Hillmen to a 21–13 win at Cuba City. Columbus crushed Ripon 44–6 a week ago.
Nekoosa (0–1) at River Valley (0–0)
River Valley opens the season after a Week 1 bye.
Belleville (1–0) at Boscobel (0–1)
Southwestern (1–0) at North Crawford (1–0)
Richland Center (0–1) at Fennimore (0–1)
Belmont (0–1, 0–1 SRC) at Highland (1–0, 1–0 SRC)
Benton/Scales Mound (0–1, 0–0 SRC) at River Ridge (0–1, 0–1 SRC)
Black Hawk (1–0, 1–0 SRC) at Shullsburg (1–0, 1–0 SRC),(www.south78radio.com)
Potosi (0–1) at Wild Rose (1–0)
Hillsboro (0–1) at Kickapoo/La Farge (0–1)
Brookwood (0–1) at Riverdale (0–1)
Fall River (0–1) at Wauzeka/Seneca (1–0)
Port Edwards (0–1) at Ithaca (1–0)
PREP VOLLEYBALL: Highland Six Rivers Jamboree, Saturday, Aug. 27, 9 a.m.
Participating teams: Argyle, Belmont, Cassville, Highland, Ithaca, Potosi, Shullsburg, Southwestern and Weston
Nine area small school volleyball teams will open the season at the Highland Six Rivers Jamboree on Saturday.
Monticello Six Rivers Jamboree, Saturday, Aug. 27, 9 a.m.
Participating teams: Albany, Black Hawk, Benton, Darlington, River Ridge and Monticello
Area small school volleyball teams will also open the season at the Monticello Six Rivers Jamboree on Saturday morning
