And then just seven remained.
The 2025 WIAA high school football state semifinals are here and 28 programs across the state with seven from around the greater Milwaukee area are left in the battle for the gold ball across four divisions.
Let’s dive into a preview of all six games featuring those seven teams, starting with a colossal rematch of last year’s Division 1 state title game.
All games are at 7 p.m. on Nov. 14.
Division 1
Bay Port vs. Muskego (at UW-Oshkosh)
You could make the case that this semifinal is the most intriguing matchup of the weekend. Muskego heads north to UW-Oshkosh at Titan Stadium to face Bay Port in a rematch of last year’s Division 1 title game, won by Bay Port. The Warriors, outright winners of the Classic 8 Conference title, steamrolled their way through the first two rounds of the postseason before powering through a tough 20-13 victory over a game Badger side last week at home. The Pirates have been virtually unstoppable since an Oct. 10 loss to D2 state semifinalist West De Pere, 48-45. The Pirates have scored at least 41 points in all four of their contests since the defeat and haven’t allowed more than 13 points in any of those four wins. Last year’s meeting became a one-score game late, but it was all Bay Port early and often. The Pirates led 19-0 at halftime and 25-8 with 2:33 to play in the third quarter on the back of a 241-yard, three-touchdown performance from running back Brady Moon. It’s obvious, but Muskego can’t afford to fall behind by three scores early again if it wants a chance to exact some revenge and make it back to Madison for the fourth time since 2018. The Warriors defense will have to limit Moon’s big-play ability and get off the field when the opportunities present themselves.
Arrowhead vs. Waunakee (at Madison Memorial)
The Warhawks have made 13 state title game appearances in their illustrious program history, but none of them has come since 2015. Most of Waunakee’s 12 state title game appearances are since 2010, but none have come as D1 members. The Warriors have made three state title games since 2019 with all of them coming in D2. It’s been an interesting ride to the semifinals for Waunakee. It survived a 28-21 overtime thriller in the opening round against Chippewa Falls, shut out Mukwonago in Round 2, and then dispatched a 7-seed in De Pere last week in a 42-28 victory. Arrowhead had its own winding path to the semifinals. After cruising in Round 1 against Wausau West, the Warhawks survived a 31-29 nailbiter against Brookfield East and then came back from a 21-0 first-quarter deficit against Sussex Hamilton last week. Both of these teams have played in close encounters and have found a way through. This has the makings of another one-score affair and winning the turnover battle could be crucial for Arrowhead. After two early Nolan Hanson interceptions last week in the opening quarter, the defense allowed just three points and forced a pair of turnovers (with an added special teams fumble recovery). A better start from the Arrowhead offense could assist in the defense settling in quicker against a good, balanced Waunakee offense with five running backs tallying at least 30 carries this season and four pass-catchers with at least 10 receptions this season.
Division 2
Homestead vs. West De Pere (at Neenah)
The Homestead rushing attack, mixed with its sturdy, steady defense, has made for a fantastic combination this season. This week could bring the stiffest challenge the North Shore champions have faced all season in the high-flying West De Pere offense that has put up numbers you wouldn’t believe at this level. Not only has the offense scored at least 33 points in every game this season, quarterback Patrick Greisen has completed 69.1% of his passes for a state-leading 3,325 yards and a 44-to-8 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Ryan Lutz has rushed for 1,707 yards and 28 touchdowns. Judeah Kniskern has caught 59 passes for 1,028 yards and 16 touchdowns. This offense is an unstoppable machine, but if there’s a team left that can at least slow down the Phantoms, it could be the Highlanders. Homestead’s defense has only allowed 20 points just twice this season with seniors Brady Stammer and Ari Crabbe combining for 145 total tackles this season. The name of the game for Homestead could be ball control with its elite running attack and stops on defense. It doesn’t need to be pretty. It just needs to be effective for Homestead and that could be the way to victory. Lee Zortman, Connor Pangallo and Brady Hunt have combined for 3,103 yards and 45 touchdowns on the ground this season. The formula’s there. Can the Highlanders execute it?
Division 3
Catholic Memorial vs. Grafton (at Oconomowoc)
The lone all-area matchup features the runners-up of the last two Division 3 state title games. Grafton and Catholic Memorial is an excellent matchup of talent, physicality and strong coaching. Black Hawks coach Jim Norris has completely turned around Grafton to the point where the expectations of the program has it feeling like it’s the 1980s again. Crusaders coach Bill Young is one of the best coaches in the history of the state with an endless amount of accolades. The marquee matchup of this contest is probably Grafton’s bell cow in Jack Nelson (1,625 yards, 22 touchdowns) and that Black Hawks offensive front against Neeko Rodgers Jr. and a front seven for Catholic Memorial that’s as good as any in the area. Rodgers has been one of the most disruptive players in the state with 11 sacks and 30 tackles for loss this season, with both of those figures ranking inside the top eight across the state. The Black Hawks will have to get paws on him quickly any time he’s on the field to avoid playing behind the sticks. Offensively for CMH, Devon Williams Jr. has eclipsed 1,000 yards on the ground and eight of Dustin Roach’s 25 catches this season have gone for scores. Dalton Steinke was an efficient 10-of-16 for 102 yards and two scores last week against Mount Horeb/Barneveld. If the Crusaders offense can consistently move the ball and rely on the defense to slow down Grafton’s attack, the game plays into their hands. It’s easier said than done, though.
Reedsburg vs. Whitefish Bay (at Madison La Follette)
As the great Gus Johnson once exclaimed before Gonzaga became the powerhouse it’s known as today in men’s college basketball, the slipper still fits. Whitefish Bay, the third 8-seed in the current format to make the state semifinals in any division, sits one win away from a trip to Madison and a spot in the D3 state title game. Standing between the Blue Dukes and their first trip to state in program history is Reedsburg. The Beavers have been rolling coming into this week’s semifinal round, winning six of their last seven contests while averaging 40 points per game in that stretch. They won’t throw it much, partly because they haven’t needed to. Will Mikonowicz has tallied 2,110 yards and 35 touchdowns on the ground this season, including 145 yards and four scores in a 38-14 victory over Pewaukee last week. The Beavers defense has been better in the postseason, but the Blue Dukes will be able to move the ball. Chase Wolter has thrown for 1,566 yards and 16 scores this season, while Lateef Love Jr. has excelled in the backfield to the tune of 1,328 rushing yards and 14 total touchdowns. Since back-to-back one-score losses to end the regular season, the Bay defense has only allowed 29 points in the postseason. The lower the scoring output, the more it might play into the Blue Dukes’ hands this week. Can Cinderella keep dancing all the way to Camp Randall?
Division 5
Lake Country Lutheran vs. Mayville (at Slinger)
Two programs accustomed to postseason success in D5 will play for a spot in the state title game. Lake Country Lutheran heads to Slinger to face off with fellow top seed Mayville. The Lightning was the state runner-up in 2017 and won the D5 title in 2019, while the Cardinals made back-to-back state title game appearances in 2021 and 2022. This game also features a bit of contrasting styles. LCL is more balanced and willing to throw the football, even with a 25-carry game for quarterback Connor Lubbers last week against New Glarus. Lubbers has thrown for 1,556 yards and 17 touchdowns this season with 12 more scores on the ground. Emerson Mittelstadt has thrown 35 passes all season for Mayville. It’ll be a heavy dose of running back Landen Baker (1,556 yards, 22 touchdowns) on the ground against a Lightning defense that features three productive defenders in Adam Anderson, Tyson Graf and Teddy Kogutkiewicz. The trio has combined for 70 tackles for loss and 27.5 sacks this season, while the LCL defense has allowed 20 points just three times this season. Points may be at a premium with the Mayville defense pitching five shutouts this season.
WIAA high school football state semifinals for Friday, Nov. 14
Division 1
Bay Port (10-2) vs. Muskego (11-1) at Oshkosh
Waunakee (12-0) vs. Arrowhead (11-1) at Madison Memorial
Division 2
Notre Dame (12-0) vs. River Falls (11-1) at D.C. Everest
West De Pere (12-0) vs. Homestead (12-0) at Neenah
Division 3
Reedsburg (9-3) vs. Whitefish Bay (6-6) at Madison La Follette
Catholic Memorial (11-1) vs. Grafton (12-0) at Oconomowoc
Division 4
Little Chute (11-1) vs. Columbus (11-1) at Kewaskum
Winneconne (12-0) vs. Baldwin-Woodville (12-0) at Marshfield
Division 5
Stratford (10-2) vs. Northwestern (12-0) at Chippewa Falls
Mayville (12-0) vs. Lake Country Lutheran (11-1) at Slinger
Division 6
Edgar (12-0) vs. Mondovi (11-1) at Stanley-Boyd
Manitowoc Lutheran (12-0) vs. Darlington (12-0) at Waukesha West
Division 7
Kenosha St. Joseph Catholic (12-0) vs. Potosi/Cassville (11-1) at Stoughton
Lourdes Academy (12-0) vs. Cochrane-Fountain City (12-0) at Wisconsin Rapids
WIAA high school football 8-player championship game
McDonell Central Catholic (11-1) vs. Gilman (12-0) at Wisconsin Rapids, Nov. 15, 1 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: WIAA high school football state semifinals preview for the Milwaukee area
