The Push 2017: A weekly rundown of area high-school football teams on their quest for the playoffs

JR Radcliffe
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Push is updated weekly during football season.

Each week, we provide a glimpse of each football team in the Now News Group coverage zone* as they work toward the WIAA playoffs. Teams finishing at or above .500 in conference play are eligible for the postseason. All stats based on available data in Wissports.net database as of noon Saturday.

Compiled each week by JR Radcliffe (jr.radcliffe@jrn.com). 

Player of the Week

Michael Schumacher catches a pass for Lake Country Lutheran earlier this year. The receiver has been emblematic of what makes LCL the program it is today -- players who stick it out for four years and evolve into contributors.

Michael Schumacher, Lake Country Lutheran. It may have been a rough state finals weekend for area teams, with all three qualifiers falling short, but Lake Country Lutheran had to feel the best about its showing after giving powerhouse Amherst a serious push in a 28-21 loss. Michael Schumacher caught five passes for 59 yards and two touchdowns and also registered 11 tackles on defense. It was LCL's first visit to the state final, while Amherst came away with a third straight state championship.

Past Players of the Week

  • Level 4: Zach Heckman, Brookfield Central
  • Level 3: Nick Leszczynski, Brookfield Central
  • Level 2: Jake Belongia, New Berlin Eisenhower
  • Level 1: Darios Crawley-Reid, Martin Luther
  • Week 9: Aaron Eimers, Shorewood/Messmer
  • Week 8: Peter MacCudden, Waukesha West 
  • Week 7: Stephen Halusan, New Berlin Eisenhower
  • Week 6: Max Alba, Franklin
  • Week 5: Cade Garcia, Whitefish Bay
  • Week 4: Chimere Dike, Waukesha North
  • Week 3: Tate Kopulos, Catholic Memorial
  • Week 2: Julius Davis, Menomonee Falls
  • Week 1: Andrew Mallmann, Whitnall

Surprise of the Week

New Berlin Eisenhower captains Joey Lang (center) and Bryce Miller (right) carry the runner-up trophy after their WIAA Division 3 state football championship game.

Wasn't meant to be. The way New Berlin Eisenhower dominated opponents all year en route to finishing 13-0, it was surprising to see the Lions on the wrong side of a lopsided performance in a 25-3 loss to Rice Lake for the Division 3 championship. Still, it was a remarkable season for Ike, which went back to Level 4 for the first time since 2002 and back to state for the first time since 1996.

Past Surprises of the Week

  • Level 4: LCL advances to state final thanks to field goals
  • Level 3: Martin Luther marches on
  • Level 2: Muskego tops top-seed Horlick
  • Level 1: Germantown gives Wolverines a scare
  • Week 9: Crazy finish in North Shore
  • Week 8: Franklin falls to Horlick
  • Week 7: New Berlin West downs Wisco
  • Week 6: Falls dominates Hamilton
  • Week 5: Port puts itself on the map
  • Week 4: Muskego snaps CMH winning streak
  • Week 3: Hamilton trips up Marquette
  • Week 2: Muskego dominates Arrowhead
  • Week 1: Oak Creek crushes Wisco

Push Pick Six (through Level 2)

 

In the rankings

State coaches poll (Week 8)

Division 1: 6. Franklin

Division 2: 2. Brookfield Central, 3. Waukesha West, 6. Brookfield East, 8. Homestead

Division 3: 1. Whitefish Bay, 2. Catholic Memorial, 3. New Berlin Eisenhower, 5. Whitnall

Division 5:  6. Lake Country Lutheran

Division 2 state final

Brookfield Central players walk away from their runner-up trophy after the WIAA Division 2 state football championship game at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. Waunakee beat Brookfield Central 14-13. A WIAA official had to pick the trophy up  and hand it to a member of the coaching staff.

MARK HOFFMAN/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL

Waunakee 14, Brookfield Central 13. It was a heartbreaking end for the Lancers (13-1), who took a 13-0 lead into the fourth quarter but ceded the lead after a crucial fumble turned the tide of momentum. Central had other opportunities to add points, as well, but state powerhouse Waunakee prevailed despite 174 rushing yards and a beautiful touchdown catch from senior Zach Heckman.

Division 3 state final

New Berlin head coach Matt Kern hands the runner-up trophy to his players after their WIAA Division 3 state football championship game at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. Rice Lake beat New Berlin Eisenhower, 25-3.

Rice Lake 25, New Berlin Eisenhower 3. For the first time all year, the Lions (13-1) truly struggled after dominating all season. They allowed their first first-quarter touchdown of 2017 and never got on track in their first title-game appearance since 1996. Mark Shields set an all-division record with 23 tackles, though that also spoke to a large time-of-possession disparity in favor of the Warriors. It remains a breakthrough season for coach Matt Kern and his program.

Division 5 state final

Lake Country Lutheran head coach Greg Brazgel carries the runner-up trophy back to his squad after the Lightning lost to Amherst in the WIAA Division 5 state football championship game on Thursday at Camp Randall Stadium.

Amherst 28, Lake Country Lutheran 21. The Falcons won a third straight title, and given that they kneeled out the final seconds in the LCL red zone, they perhaps could have scored once more. Still, this counts as a superb showing for Lake Country Lutheran (13-1), making its first state final and loaded with juniors and sophomores. Amherst's Marcus Glodowski finished with 269 yards rushing and four touchdowns, with a key interception to boot.

Eliminated in Level 4

Darios Crawley-Reid looks for running room against Lodi in the Division 4 state semifinal Nov. 10.

Muskego (9-4, 6-2 in Classic 8). The Warriors delivered a tremendous run through the playoffs by knocking off higher-seeded teams from Racine Horlick and Franklin to reach Level 4, where the Warriors put up a fight before falling to undefeated Sun Prairie, 26-21. It was a superb season for the Warriors, with a blowout win over Arrowhead among the highlights.

Martin Luther (8-5, 5-2 in Metro Classic). Martin Luther reached Level 4 for the first time in school history, aided by the rushing of Darios Crawley-Reid, who cleared 2,000 yards for the year. The Spartans bring a ton of talent back for 2018 and will be a viable threat to win the Metro Classic and more.

Eliminated in Level 3

Catholic Memorial's Tate Kopulos heads through a hole in the Waukesha West line at West on Oct. 13.

Brookfield East (10-2, 7-1 in Greater Metro). The third time wasn't the charm against Brookfield Central. After toppling the crosstown rival each of the past two postseasons -- including as part of the 2016 state-title run -- East ran out of gas in a major Level 3 clash in 2017. Both losses this year came at the hands of Central, and it was a fabulous football team with a sophomore quarterback (Sam McGath) and a superb defense.

Catholic Memorial (9-3, 6-2 in Classic 8). The 2016 Division 3 state champion and a state finalist one year earlier, CMH's football program continued to play at a high level but couldn't eke past New Berlin Eisenhower in a 7-0 loss in Level 3. The Crusaders had a shot at winning the Classic 8 title into the final week of the season, and running back Tate Kopulos will be back after wreaking havoc in 2017.

Franklin (10-2, 6-1 in Southeast). The Sabers took a 21-0 lead on Muskego in Level 3 but ultimately fell in a heartbreaker, 24-21. The Sabers took second in the Southeast and still delivered a remarkable season after reaching the 2016 state-title game. The program continues to be among the area's elite.

Greendale (9-3, 7-1 in Woodland West). Considering two of the Panthers' best playmakers on defense (Jaelen Johnson, Ricky Rosales) were unavailable almost the whole season with injury, this is a tremendous showing for the Panthers, who took three high-quality losses. Quarterback Mitchell Gnadt rose to the occasion in his senior year, and running back Kyle Weinkauf will also be missed after a tremendous 2017. Many key pieces return in 2018.

Eliminated in Level 2

Oconomowoc senior Luke Thelen (44) gets wrapped up by Arrowhead's John Doleschy (7) and Roby Symdon (9) during the game at Arrowhead on Friday, Sept. 22, 2017.

Arrowhead (7-4, 5-3 in Classic 8). Arrowhead fell in a tight battle with Fond du Lac, a squad that could be a sleeper candidate to get to the Division 1 title game, so it was all in all a quality showing for a Warhawks team that didn’t have the firepower of years past but still counted itself among the area’s toughest foes.

Greenfield (5-6, 4-4 in Woodland East). It was an up-and-down year for the Hustlin’ Hawks under first-year coach Keith Ringelberg, one that ended well short of a Woodland East title. But, the squad did replicate a feat the 2016 squad accomplished for the first time since 2002 – winning a first-round playoff game.

Homestead (9-2, 8-1 in North Shore). Homestead had the misfortune of facing a team as talented as Brookfield East in Level 2; otherwise, the Highlanders were a surefire Level 3 or 4 team. The losses were to two teams that brought one-loss records into Level 3 (Whitefish Bay and East), and the Highlanders looked very good the rest of the year. Losing running back Bradley Woldt to injury for the playoffs was a tough loss.

Kettle Moraine (7-4, 5-3 in Classic 8). The Lasers returned to the postseason for the first time since 2008, and second-year coach Justin Gumm appears to have built something pretty special. The Lasers traveled to Verona for an opening-round upset before running out of gas against top-seeded and No. 2-ranked Sun Prairie.

Pewaukee (8-3, 5-2 in Woodland West). It was a solid year for the Pirates, who fell to undefeated New Berlin Eisenhower twice and Level 3 qualifier Greendale, but won the rest of the games on the docket. The Pirates had to say goodbye to four-year starter Seth Bickett, who had a remarkable career on both sides of the ball.

Whitnall (9-2, 7-1 in Woodland East). Whitnall won an outright conference title for the first time in school history and achieved rare air with a Level 2 appearance and nine-win season. The Falcons didn’t quite have the firepower to hang with the elite Woodland West squads (New Berlin Eisenhower and Greendale), but the Falcons may not be far off the place.

Eliminated in Level 1

Oak Creek's James Carter Jr. spins upfield with a reception at Muskego on Oct. 20.

Sussex Hamilton (5-5, 5-3 in Greater Metro). The Chargers were hit by the injury bug a little bit heading into their Level 1 battle against Madison West, and Hamilton led at halftime but fell short on the road. This wasn’t a powerhouse Chargers team, but they did make the most of their opportunities, particularly in close wins against Marquette and Germantown. Quarterback Patton Germann, the team’s biggest offensive weapon, returns in 2018.

Oak Creek (6-4, 5-2 in Southeast). It’s the end of an era for Oak Creek with coach Mike Bartholomew leaving the area after 11 seasons helming the Knights. Oak Creek had an up-and-down season but took a solid third in a pretty tough conference in 2017, and junior quarterback Zach Reader was one of the year’s breakouts.

Germantown (4-6, 4-4 in Greater Metro). On paper, the ledger isn’t eye popping, but the bullet points don’t tell the story. This is a team that lost to undefeated GMC champ Brookfield Central by 3 points, one-loss Brookfield East by 2, playoff qualifier Sussex Hamilton by 2 and then pushed one of the D2 title favorites, Waukesha West, in Level 1 of the playoffs to a 21-all tie in the third quarter (after falling to West earlier this year, 48-0).  It was a breakout season for senior Blake Kunz in his only year of football, playing tight end.

Menomonee Falls (4-6, 4-4 in Greater Metro). It will be fun to watch the evolution of running back Julius Davis, a Division I scholarship candidate who delivered some of the more eye-popping numbers of any rusher in the state during his junior season. Falls fell to reigning state champion Brookfield East in Level 1 of the Division 2 playoffs.

New Berlin West (6-4, 5-3 in Woodland West). This was really a nice year for West, which demonstrated that it could hang with some top programs and won all the games it was supposed to, thus reaching the playoffs. West isn’t quite at the level of the “Big Three” programs in the Woodland West (Greendale, Eisenhower, Pewaukee), but it’s becoming more and more clear that the Vikings can get there.

Port Washington (5-5, 5-4 in North Shore). The Pirates’ big win came early in the season against Hartford, and once they had that one in the bag, a second straight playoff appearance seemed like a strong likelihood. With a very small senior class, this is a team that everyone needs to know about for 2018. All the team’s top skill players return. We’ll go as far as to say that this program can compete with Homestead, Bay and Hartford for the North Shore title.

Saint Francis (7-3, 4-2 in Midwest Classic). The Mariners had a tough first-round draw in Division 3 against powerful Greendale, but St. Francis had another nice year in the Midwest Classic, even if it fell just short of an upset over undefeated league champ Lake Country Lutheran. Ismael Bastardo had an excellent year running the ball.

Brookfield Academy (4-6, 4-3 in Midwest Classic). It was a tough first year without quarterback Ian Francis, though Academy benefitted from playing in a conference that didn’t have a ton of powerhouses. The Blue Knights ran into undefeated Clinton in Level 1.

Did not make playoffs

West Allis Hale's Mitchell Sankey celebrates a goal line touchdown at home against Wauwatosa East on Aug. 31.

Brown Deer (1-8, 1-7 in Woodland East). Brown Deer hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2014 after a successful stretch of years.

Cedarburg (1-8, 1-8 in North Shore). Cedarburg has an extremely young team and will be a squad to watch in the coming years, but the program’s 12-year streak of reaching the playoffs came to a definitive end in 2017.

Cudahy (0-9, 0-8 in Woodland East). Cudahy struggled mightily in 2017.

Dominican (4-5, 3-4 in Metro Classic). The Knights headed into the final game of the year still with a chance to make the playoffs, but a lopsided loss to Martin Luther put their hopes of a second straight WIAA playoff berth to bed. Dominican had never been to the WIAA postseason until a run in 2016.

Messmer/Shorewood (4-5, 3-5 in Woodland East). The Greyhounds came close to shocking Whitnall in a 14-11 loss in Week 8 and finished the year with a thrilling OT win over Wisconsin Lutheran in Week 9 that kept the Vikings out of the first WIAA playoffs for which they’ve been eligible (since 2000). It’s something to build on for the Greyhounds.

Mukwonago (3-6, 2-6 in Classic 8). Mukwonago couldn’t get on the scoreboard against Arrowhead in Week 8 and was officially eliminated from the playoff chase. It’s a third straight year that MHS has missed the playoffs.

Nicolet (1-8, 1-8 in North Shore). Nicolet snapped a 34-game losing streak in North Shore play on the final week of the season, topping Cedarburg in a thriller, 21-14.

Oconomowoc (1-8, 1-7 in Classic 8). Oconomowoc had some strong offensive performances and will look to grow with new coach Greg Malling.

St. John's Northwestern (0-7, 0-6 in Midwest Classic). The Lancers program struggled mightily in 2017.

Saint Thomas More (1-8, 1-6 in Metro Classic). The Cavaliers struggled mightily in 2017. The one win was awarded via forfeit.

South Milwaukee (3-6, 3-5 in Woodland East). It would have taken an upset against New Berlin West in the final week of the season that never materialized to reach the playoffs. The Rockets had some strong offensive performances during the year but will have to wait until 2018.

Waukesha North (4-5, 3-5 in Classic 8). North came achingly close to the playoffs for a second straight year, but despite lingering within 9-3 late to Arrowhead in the final week of the season, the Warhawks survived thanks to a defensive stop and late touchdown. Trapped in the talent-loaded Classic 8, North has not been to the playoffs in 11 years.

Waukesha South (1-8, 0-8 in Classic 8). Grayson Cooley was one of the state’s best players despite South’s struggles as a team, though the Blackshirts did win their crossover game in Week 9.

Wauwatosa East (1-8, 1-7 in Greater Metro). Tosa East snapped its 25-game losing streak in Week 3 and has shown some improvement, but it’s not quite at the same speed as other GMC programs yet.

Wauwatosa West (2-7, 2-6 in Greater Metro). It was no secret that the move to the Greater Metro didn’t do Wauwatosa West any favors, and even though the Trojans showed life at times this year, their challenge will be to ascend to the level of their GMC colleagues. West won its second game of the year in Week 7 over West Allis Hale and gave a push to Waukesha North before falling short.

West Allis Central (2-7, 2-6 in Woodland West). Central got its first two wins under first-year coach Ray Hubbard and will now see if it can take a lunge forward in 2018.

West Allis Hale (0-9, 0-8 in Greater Metro). Hale struggled mightily in 2017.

Final standings

(conference, overall records)

Classic 8

Greater Metro

North Shore

Southeast

Woodland West

Woodland East

Midwest Classic

Metro Classic

 

Division I

Players set to compete at the next level at NCAA Division I programs:

  • Max Alba, QB, Franklin (North Carolina for baseball)
  • CJ Goetz, LB, Catholic Memorial (Wisconsin)
  • Reggie Jennings, LB, Brookfield Central (Northern Illinois)
  • Will McDonald, DE, Waukesha North (Iowa State)
  • Michael Naze, TE, Catholic Memorial (Navy)
  • Chandler Pulvermacher, DB, Arrowhead (North Dakota State)
  • Michael Riege, DL, Arrowhead (Air Force)
  • Trevor Shohoney, OL, Franklin (South Dakota)
  • Bryce Texeira, OL, Waukesha West (Navy)
  • Caleb Wright, DE, Brookfield East (Northern Illinois)

A full rundown of current professional and Division I college players from area high schools.

Stat leaders

Passing yards

  1. Cade Garcia, Whitefish Bay, 2,547 yards
  2. Max Alba, Franklin, 2,259
  3. Drew Leszczynski, Brookfield Central, 2,212
  4. Johnny Kelliher, Waukesha North, 2,193
  5. Grayson Cooley, Waukesha South, 2,043
  6. Bryce Miller, New Berlin Eisenhower, 1,716
  7. Ethan Wilkins, Lake Country Lutheran, 1,704
  8. Bo Bennett, Dominican, 1,604
  9. Mitchell Gnadt, Greendale, 1,599
  10. Zach Reader, Oak Creek, 1,587

Passing touchdowns

  1. Cade Garcia, Whitefish Bay, 30 touchdowns
  2. Drew Leszczynski, Brookfield Central, 29
  3. Max Alba, Franklin, 25
  4. Ethan Wilkins, Lake Country Lutheran, 24
  5. Grayson Cooley, Waukesha South, 21
  6. Bryce Miller, New Berlin Eisenhower, 19
  7. Johnny Kelliher, Waukesha North, 19
  8. Bo Bennett, Dominican, 19
  9. Mitchell Gnadt, Greendale, 18
  10. Ben Nimz, Catholic Memorial, 16

Rushing yards

  1. Darios Crawley-Reid, Martin Luther, 2,182 yards
  2. Peter MacCudden, Waukesha West, 2,165
  3. Julius Davis, Menomonee Falls, 1,762
  4. Dane Vance, Lake Country Lutheran, 1,720
  5. Tate Kopulos, Catholic Memorial, 1,656
  6. Grayson Cooley, Waukesha South, 1,487
  7. Cody Krause, Muskego, 1,312
  8. Seth Bickett, Pewaukee, 1,307
  9. Jaylen Carter, Germantown, 1,210
  10. Andrew Mallmann, Whitnall, 1,085

Rushing touchdowns

  1. Darios Crawley-Reid, Martin Luther, 37 touchdowns
  2. Dane Vance, Lake Country Lutheran, 31
  3. Peter MacCudden, Waukesha West, 28
  4. Seth Bickett, Pewaukee, 18
  5. Julius Davis, Menomonee Falls, 17
  6. Tate Kopulos, Catholic Memorial, 17
  7. RJ Bosshart, Muskego, 17
  8. Andrew Mallmann, Whitnall, 16
  9. Jeff Holtz, Arrowhead, 15
  10. Brad Tobin, Franklin, 15

Receiving yards

  1. Alex Anthony, Whitefish Bay, 1,141 yards
  2. Julian Banda, Brookfield Central, 1,076
  3. Stephen Halusan, New Berlin Eisenhower, 857
  4. Drew Dlugopolski, Dominican, 764
  5. Isaiah Garcia, Waukesha South, 730
  6. Luke Fox, Catholic Memorial, 700
  7. Tejhaun Palmer, Brown Deer, 669
  8. Ryan Harvey-Turner, Oak Creek, 653
  9. Blake Kunz, Germantown, 652
  10. Michael Vandenberg, Brookfield Central, 644

Receiving touchdowns

  1. Julian Banda, Brookfield Central, 12 touchdowns
  2. Alex Anthony, Whitefish Bay, 11
  3. Luke Fox, Catholic Memorial, 10
  4. Drew Dlugopolski, Dominican, 9
  5. Blake Kunz, Germantown, 9
  6. John Hewitt, Lake Country Lutheran, 9
  7. Tripp Grebe, University School, 9
  8. Mitchell Hansing, Franklin, 9
  9. Stephen Halusan, New Berlin Eisenhower, 9
  10. Isaiah Garcia, Waukesha South, 8

 

By the numbers

Catholic Memorial team members celebrate their 24-14 win over Notre Dame de la Baie Academy's to claim the Division 3  2016 WIAA State football championship at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin, Friday, November 18, 2016.

WIAA state titles

  • 6 Arrowhead (2013, 2012, 2007, 1996, 1994, 1993)
  • 5 Homestead (2015, 2012, 2008, 2006, 1999)
  • 2 Catholic Memorial (2016, 2012), Waukesha West (2010, 2004), Germantown (2003, 1998), New Berlin Eisenhower (1996, 1995)
  • 1 Brookfield East (2016), Franklin (2006), Mukwonago (2004), Cudahy (1994), Kettle Moraine (1988), Grafton (1982), Menomonee Falls (1976, as Falls East)

Runner-up finishes

  • 7 Arrowhead (2015, 2014, 2008, 2006, 2003, 2002, 2000)
  • 4 Brookfield Central (2017, 2006, 2002, 1999)
  • 3 New Berlin Eisenhower (2017, 1989, 1986), Catholic Memorial (2015, 2010, 2001)
  • 2 Franklin (2016, 2013), Waukesha West (2015, 2014) , Greendale (2013, 2006), Menomonee Falls (2009, 1985), Oak Creek (1998, 1997), Germantown (1997, 1979),  Port Washington (1990, 1974), Grafton (1984, 1977)
  • 1 Lake Country Lutheran (2017), Cedarburg (2010), Homestead (2007), St. Francis (2004), Sussex Hamilton (2000), Muskego (1994), Waukesha South (1989), New Berlin West (1988), Oconomowoc (1987),  Waukesha North (1983), Wauwatosa West (1982), Cudahy (1982)

Current streak of playoff berths (through 2017)

  • 22 Arrowhead
  • 19 Homestead
  • 17 Franklin
  • 13 Greendale, Pewaukee
  • 11 Catholic Memorial, Waukesha West, Whitefish Bay
  • 10 Lake Country Lutheran
  • 8 Brookfield Central, Brookfield East, Germantown
  • 6 Oak Creek
  • 5 Greenfield, University School
  • Brookfield Academy, St. Francis
  • 3 New Berlin Eisenhower
  • 2 Martin Luther, Menomonee Falls, New Berlin West, Port Washington
  • 1 Kettle Moraine, Muskego, Sussex Hamilton, Whitnall
  • 0 Cedarburg (last: 2016), Dominican (2016), Messmer/Sorewood (2016), Oconomowoc (2016), South Milwaukee (2016), Wauwatosa West (2016), Cudahy (2015), Brown Deer (2014), Mukwonago (2014), St. Thomas More (2013), St. John's Northwestern (2012), West Allis Hale (2008), Wauwatosa East (2007), Waukesha North (2006), West Allis Central (2004), Waukesha South (1999), Grafton (1997), Nicolet (1989)

Past All-Area Teams

2016:All-Suburban Team | LCP All-Area

2015: All-Suburban Team | LCP offense | LCP defense

2014: All-Suburban Team | LCP offense | LCP defense

2013: All-Suburban Team | LCP offense | LCP defense

2012:All-Suburban Team | LCP offense | LCP defense

2011:All-Suburban Team | LCP offense | LCP defense

2010: All-Suburban Team | LCP offense | LCP defense

2009:All-Suburban Team | LCP offense | LCP defense

2008:All-Suburban Defense | All-Suburban Offense | LCP offense | LCP defense

2007: All-Suburban Defense | All-Suburban Offense

2006: All-Suburban Defense | All-Suburban Offense

Database: All-Suburban football selections through the years

*Now News Group includes suburban Milwaukee, schools located between Oconomowoc and the Milwaukee border.