Week 8 Power Rankings

Every Sunday during the season, we'll release power rankings of the top 15 teams in the state. The rankings will rank teams regardless of what Division they're in. Here are our Week 8 Power Rankings.

Honorable Mentions

Lodi

Beloit Turner

Waterford

St. Mary Catholic

Waupaca

La Crosse Logan

DeForest

Markesan

15. Coleman

Last week: 13

The Cougars carried a 22-0 record into their last regular season game against Freedom, but they fell to the Irish, 8-3. They are still the top-ranked team in Division 3, though. Matt Osterberg (10-0, 0.37 ERA on the mound) and co. have a very tough draw in their bracket, but they certainly are capable of making a run all the way to Appleton. Their first playoff game is against Crivitz.

14. Milwaukee Lutheran

Last week: 12

The Red Knights beat Oconomowoc in their regular season finale to make their record 18-6. The defending Division 2 state champions are now ready to defend their title. They won’t have an easy path back to the state tournament, but they’re definitely talented enough to return to Appleton. Their postseason campaign begins with a regional semifinal game against Wisconsin Lutheran.

13. Kenosha Tremper

Last week: 9

The Trojans finished their regular season campaign with a 1-2 week in which they lost to No. 1 Kenosha Indian Trail and No. 11 Kimberly. Their overall record for the year is 18-6, and they are the No. 2 seed in their sectional. They lost to Indian Trail three times this year, and if they are going to get to the state tournament, it’s likely that they’ll need to find a way to beat the Hawks. Could the fourth time be the charm for Justin Lavey (.425 average, 31 RBIs) and co.? They will start the playoffs by facing the winner of Racine Horlick vs. Badger.

12. Bay Port

Last week: 14

The Pirates went 2-0 with wins over two good teams last week to finish the regular season 19-4. They beat No. 9 Green Bay Preble to earn a share of the Fox River Classic Conference title on Tuesday, and on Thursday they beat a 17-7 Wausau West team. If Connor Sullivan (.397 average, 25 RBIs) continues his play into the postseason, he could be in line for an accolade or two. The Pirates will face either Notre Dame or Ashwaubenon in their playoff opener.

11. Kimberly

Last week: Honorable mention

The Papermakers catapult back into the top 15 for the first time since week three after beating both No. 1 Kenosha Indian Trail and No. 13 Kenosha Tremper on Saturday. They ended the regular season with a 20-4 record and they’re currently on a 13 game winning streak. They are the top seed in their sectional, and their first playoff opponent will be either Appleton East or Neenah.

10. Burlington

Last week: 8

The Demons lost their only game last week to No. 2 Arrowhead to close out the regular season with a 19-5 record. They enter the playoffs with one of the best offenses in the state, led by Bryan Sturdevant’s .506 batting average and Aaron Mutter’s five home runs. As a team, they’ve scored over 20 runs in a game four times this season. Their first playoff game will be against either Westosha Central or Racine Case.

9. Green Bay Preble

Last week: 7

The Hornets closed out the season with a 2-1 week to push their record to 20-5 this year. They are the co-champions of the Fox River Classic Conference along with No. 12 Bay Port after the Pirates beat them on Tuesday. As the top seed in their sectional, Preble will face either Rhinelander or DC Everest in their first playoff game.

8. Eau Claire North

Last week: 11

The Huskies won their only game last week to end the year with a 20-3 record. Two of their three losses this year were to No. 4 Eau Claire Memorial, and to get to the state tournament, they may need to play the Old Abes a third time. North’s postseason draw gave them the winner of the game between Marshfield and Merrill.

7. Middleton

Last week: 5

Middleton didn’t end the year the way they wanted, limping to a 2-2 week to finish the regular season at 19-5. They lost to both Beloit Memorial and No. 3 Janesville Craig before beating Ashwaubenon and Sheboygan South on Saturday. They are the only team ranked in the top 15 in their sectional, so they’re the favorites to get to the state tournament in that side of the bracket. Their first postseason game will be against either Holmen or Baraboo.

6. Stevens Point

Last week: 10

The Panthers concluded a 20-3 regular season with a 3-0 showing last week. They beat Waupaca, a contender for the Division 2 state title, on Monday. The Wisconsin Valley Conference champions are the No. 3 seed in their sectional, so they could be a dark horse to keep an eye on this postseason. They will face the winner of the game between River Falls and Superior in their first playoff game.

5. Sun Prairie

Last week: 4

The Cardinals went 3-1 last week to end the regular season at 20-5. Now they can focus on returning to the state tournament after missing out last season. They played a tough schedule this year that prepared them for anything they might face in the playoffs. Over the course of the season, they played No. 1 Kenosha Indian Trail (split two games), No. 3 Janesville Craig (lost twice) and No. 7 Middleton (won twice). Their first playoff game will be against either Oshkosh West or Slinger.

4. Eau Claire Memorial

Last week: 6

With a 2-0 week, the Old Abes finished the season with a 22-2 record. They also earned a share of the Big Rivers title. As the top seed in their sectional, Memorial is geared up for a run to the state tournament. They certainly have the pitching needed to make some noise in the playoffs. They’ve given up more than four runs in a game just twice this season. Their first playoff game will be against either Menomonie or New Richmond.

3. Janesville Craig

Last week: 3

The Cougars clinched a second consecutive Big Eight Conference title last week and picked up a win over No. 7 Middleton too. All in all, not a bad week for Craig. Their regular season record is 23-2, and they are definitely strong enough to defend last year’s state title. They will face either Milton or Oregon to start their title defense.

2. Arrowhead

Last week: 2

The Warhawks went 4-0 last week to finalize a 24-2 regular season. On Thursday, they beat No. 10 Burlington, 6-3. Now Arrowhead can focus on getting to the spring state tournament. They’re in the weakest sectional in Division 1, so they’re the overwhelming favorites to get to Fox Cities Stadium. From there, they have the goods to win a state title. Either Milwaukee Bradley Tech or Milwaukee Bay View will be their first playoff opponent.

1. Kenosha Indian Trail

Last week: 1

The Hawks retain the title of No. 1 team in the state heading into the postseason. They went 3-1 last week, with the only loss coming at the hands of No. 11 Kimberly. On Tuesday, they beat No. 13 Kenosha Tremper for the third time this season. With an overall record of 22-3, Indian Trail will now turn their attentions toward winning a second consecutive sectional title and a first state championship. They will face either Wilmot or Union Grove in their playoff opener.

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