Marshfield's key prep football games: Week 8
MARSHFILED — Even though it's a nonconference game, when Edgar takes on Spencer/Columbus, this is the big game in the area.
Both teams are ranked — Edgar is No. 4 in the small schools division in the latest AP poll and the Rockets are rated ninth in the middle schools division — adding a little extra excitement to the matchup.
Edgar lost for the first time this season last Friday to Marathon and will want to get back on track, while S/C wants to just keep winning.
When Owen-Withee and Athens square off, the Cloverwood Conference is usually on the line. Athens has one loss and needs to win to be in a position to share the title with undefeated Abbotsford, the Bluejays Week 9 opponent.
The Blackhawks have two losses, but like Athens, have already accumulated enough wins to be playoff eligible.
Two teams that need conference wins to earn playoff consideration are Stratford and Auburndale and they happen to be locking horns this week. Stratford needs one win and Auburndale two.
Marshfield, like Auburndale, must win twice to be .500 in the Valley Football Association South Division and travel to Titan Stadium Friday for a matinee game, 5 p.m. against Oshkosh North.
Other games on the Week 8 schedule include, Osseo-Fairchild at Colby, Fall Creek at Neillsville, Greenwood/Granton at Gilman and Abbotsford at Loyal.All games are 7 p.m. Friday unless otherwise noted.
Here are five games that highlight the Week 8 schedule.
EDGAR (6-1)
AT SPENCER/COLUMBUS (7-0)
Last meeting: Edgar 28, Spencer/Columbus 6
About Edgar: A loss to Marathon last Friday snapped the Wildcats’ 14-game Marawood winning streak that dated back to the 2013 season. Alec Hafferman and Wylie Frahm have combined for 878 yards and scored 16 touchdowns.
About Spencer/Columbus: The Rockets are on a roll. They have passed every test with flying colors and in Edgar, they have another difficult challenge. Hunter Luepke has rolled up 659 yards and 15 touchdowns, while Noah Zastrow, Hunter Hildebrandt and Jonny Tomke have combined for 14 touchdowns and 1,072 yards rushing.
STRATFORD (5-2, 3-2 MARAWOOD)
AT AUBURNDALE (3-4, 2-3 MARAWOOD)
Last meeting: Stratford 21, Auburndale 0 (2014)
About Stratford: The Tigers have won two straight, victories over Chequamegon and Rib Lake/Prentice and can become playoff eligible with a win. Kam Bornbach lead the Tigers’ rushing attack with 612 yards and nine TDs, while Taylor Krall is right behind with 598 yards and eight touchdowns.
About Auburndale: Auburndale has been up and down this season and must win its final two games to be playoff eligible. Kurt Jankowski is the squad’s top ground gainer with 956 and 12 touchdowns.
OWEN-WITHEE (5-2 CLOVERWOOD)
AT ATHENS (6-1 CLOVERWOOD)
Last meeting: Athens 28, Owen-Withee 0 (2014)
About Owen-Withee: The Blackhawk has pitched back-to-back shuts, over Gilman and Newman the past two weeks and had four on the season. The O-W defense has held opposing teams to just 70 yards rushing this season. Kole Karaba is the leading rusher with 828 yards and 13 touchdowns, followed by Kevin Kitlica with 592 and seven scores.
About Athens: Since a stunning loss to Assumption, on their home field now less, the Bluejays have run roughshod over their last three opponents, outscoring them 166-21. Max Stange and Jake Stange have racked up 1,188 yards and 19 touchdowns combined, while Lane Nicholds has thrown for just shy of 700 yards and has nine TD passes to his credit.
MARSHFIELD(3-4, 2-4 VFA-SOUTH)
AT OSHKOSH NORTH (4-3, 3-3 VFA-SOUTH)
Last meeting: Oshkosh North 29, Marshfield 0
About Marshfield: The Tigers have lost three straight, all to VFA rivals, but if they win their last two games, they will be playoff eligible. Senior running back Nick Hoheisel continues to run strong and now has amassed 1,318 yards and 15 touchdowns.
About Oshkosh North: The Spartans have won two straight, edging Neenah 10-0 and trouncing cross-town rival Oshkosh West 42-0. Against West, Eliot Dittmer rushed for 185 yards and scored three times, while quarterback Tyler Kujawa completed 4-9 passes for 120 yards and a TD.
PHILLIPS (2-5)
AT PITTSVILLE (3-4, 3-3 MARAWOOD)
Last meeting: Pittsville 49, Phillips 6 (2013)
About Phillips: The Loggers left the Marawood after the 2013 season and play an independent schedule now. Trent Sauter has thrown for 600 yards and three TDs, but has been intercepted 10 times. Sawyer Haubert and Tanner Riley have combined for 426 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
About Pittsville: Alec Kolar rushed for 213 yards and scored twice during last week’s 29-8 victory over Auburndale. The victory was the third in four games for the Panthers who can become eligible with a Week 9 win over Stratford.
Mark Massoglia can be reached at 715-423-7200 ext. 4736 or mark.massoglia@gannettwisconsin.com. Follow him on Twitter @markmazzy.