Week 9 Power Rankings

Honorable Mentions

Waterford

Lake Country Lutheran

Freedom

Prescott

DeForest

Kenosha Tremper

Janesville Parker

15. Watertown

Last week: 12

The Goslings lost to Arrowhead twice last week, but still earned the top seed in their sectional. They finished the season 19-7 and in second place in the Wisconsin Little Ten. Now their focus will turn to dethroning Sun Prairie as the reigning sectional champion. Watertown was no-hit by the Cardinals in the sectional semifinals a year ago. They’re certainly hoping for a different result this time around.

14. Ellsworth

Last week: 13

The Panthers fell to Prescott in their last game of the regular season, which means there are no undefeated teams going into the playoffs this year. Ellsworth finished 19-1 and earned the top seed in their Division 2 regional. A rematch with Prescott could potentially await them in the regional final, so returning to sectionals this year will be no small feat.

13. Jefferson

Last week: 10

The defending Division 2 state champs earned the top seed in their regional again this year after going 20-6 this year. However, they finished the season on a slight cold streak: they went 4-4 in their final eight games. They will face the winner of Racine Lutheran vs. Big Foot on Wednesday in their playoff opener.

12. Kenosha Bradford

Last week: Honorable mention

The Red Devils received the top seed in their sectional by virtue of their Southeast Conference title and 18-7 record. Their road to the state tournament won’t be easy, but they’ve already beaten several of the teams that they could potentially face in the playoffs. They’ve beaten both Kenosha Tremper and Kenosha Indian Trail three times already this year. Bradford last made it to the state tournament in 2013, and they have a great chance to get back to Appleton this June.

11. West De Pere

Last week: 14

The Phantoms locked up the #3 seed in their sectional last week and finished the year as co-Bay Conference champions with a 21-5 record. On Friday they doubled up Appleton North 10-5 in a game that featured some fresh faces mixed with the everyday starters. West De Pere may be in the toughest sectional, but they have as good a chance as anyone they’ll play of getting to the state tourney.

10. Neillsville

Last week: 11

The Warriors beat Aquinas on Friday in a matchup of our top two teams in Division 3. It was a big win for 21-1 Neillsville, but they won’t have a chance to celebrate for too long. Their road to the state tournament is one of the toughest in Division 3. They could potentially face Osseo-Fairchild (18-3) in the regional final, and then a rematch with Aquinas (22-3) could loom in the sectional semifinals.

9. Appleton North

Last week: 8

The Lightning got the #4 seed and the first round bye that comes with it in their sectional after finishing the year 18-7. As mentioned earlier, they dropped a game on Friday to #11 West De Pere, but that is no cause for alarm. North will open up their postseason campaign on Thursday against either Hortonville or Menasha.

8. La Crosse Aquinas

Last week: 6

The Blugolds lost a big game to #10 Neillsville on Friday, but they’re still our top team in Division 3. The Mississippi Valley Conference champs beat West Salem, a top Division 2 team, last week and have handled Division 1 teams with ease this year. They have the top seed in their regional, and could potentially get another crack at Neillsville in the sectional semifinals.

7. Sun Prairie

Last week: 9

The Cardinals won both of their games last week to finalize their record at 18-7. They got the #2 seed in their sectional this year, but they will have home field advantage throughout the road to state as long as they are still in it (sectionals are held at Sun Prairie this year). The Big 8 runners-up will kick off their quest for an unprecedented fourth consecutive state championship on Thursday against either Manitowoc Lincoln or Slinger.

6. Oshkosh North

Last week: 7

The Spartans won two games last week to make their regular season record 19-7. They finished in second place of the FVA and got the #2 seed in their sectional. They will certainly feel that this could be their year to get to Fox Cities Stadium despite playing in the toughest sectional in Division 1. They will play their first playoff game on Thursday against either Neenah or Appleton East. They swept two games against Neenah this year, but lost twice to Appleton East.

5. Denmark

Last week: 5

The Vikings finished the year with a 23-2 record and as co-champs of the Bay Conference. They have been our top team in Division 2 all season and earned the top seed in their regional. They’ll hope to ride their pitching staff all the way to the state tournament. It won’t be easy though, as they are in a sectional with a number of really good teams, including Mosinee (17-5, Great Northern Conference champs), Fox Valley Lutheran (18-6, Eastern Valley Conference champs), Freedom (20-5, 2nd place in EVC), and Notre Dame (15-10, 2nd place in FRCC). The Vikes will start their journey on Wednesday against either Valders or Roncalli.

4. Kimberly

Last week: 4

The Papermakers finished 20-4, won the FVA, and got the top seed in sectional #4. They did not lose to a team outside of the top 10 at all this year. Talk about an impressive regular season. Their tough schedule certainly prepared them for what is ahead of them: trying to navigate through their sectional and return to the state tournament for the second straight year. They will play the winner of Appleton West vs. Oshkosh West on Thursday.

3. Bay Port

Last week: 3

The Pirates won the FRCC and finished with a 21-4 record to claim the top seed in their sectional. They lost only one conference game all season (to Ashwaubenon last week) and have lost just twice since April 4th. They’re looking to return to the state tournament for the eighth time in eleven years. They open up postseason play on Thursday against either Antigo or D.C. Everest.

2. Janesville Craig

Last week: 2

The Cougars won the Big 8 this season and compiled a 23-1 record along the way. Their only loss of the year came to Sun Prairie a couple of weeks ago. They got the top seed in their sectional and are considered the strong favorites to emerge as sectional champions. They kick off the playoffs with a game against either Stoughton or Delavan-Darien on Thursday.

1. Arrowhead

Last week: 1

The Warhawks finish off the year in the #1 spot of our rankings, and for good reason. They are the champions of the Wisconsin Little Ten and boast a 24-1 record. They’re the top seed in their sectional, which is weakest in Division 1 as a whole. The Warhawks will rely on their pitching staff to carry them to Appleton, and then to Championship Thursday at Fox Cities Stadium. They will start their postseason campaign on Thursday against either Milwaukee Pulaski or Milwaukee Bay View. Going into the playoffs this week, Arrowhead is the favorite to take home the gold.

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