Tom Dombeck predicts Manitowoc/Sheboygan Week 8 football games with playoff implications

We’re getting to the last chances for teams to not have to worry about if they’ll make the postseason or not, entering Week 8.

I’ll be looking at each of the nine conference games in the Manitowoc and Sheboygan area involving a team with at least two conference wins and predicting a winner.

In order to automatically qualify, a team needs four conference wins although teams can still make the playoffs with less than four.

And just some added context, of the 18 11-player teams in the area, I’ve seen 15 of them play in person in seven weeks across 13 games. I’ll be seeing teams 16 and 17 on Friday as well.

Oshkosh North (5-2) at Sheboygan North (6-1)

Outside of Sheboygan North’s loss to Notre Dame, the rest of the Golden Raiders’ games have been wins of at least three scores.

This game will potentially be a little closer but with a very sound defense and a dynamic triple option run game headlined by explosive back Vince Nienhuis I envision North prevailing.

Predicted winner: Sheboygan North

Plymouth Panthers (5-2) at Kettle Moraine Lutheran Chargers (4-3)

A win over Kettle Moraine Lutheran will clinch a playoff berth, and that’s exactly what I believe will happen.

The Panthers got a wakeup call last week in a loss to Port Washington and coach Dan Knaus will have the players ready to rebound.

Plymouth’s offense revolves around running back Brett Shutter who is capable of carrying a heavy workload.

Predicted winner: Plymouth

Manitowoc Lutheran Lancers (4-4) at Hilbert Wolves (4-4)

Manitowoc Lutheran is coming off a pair of blowout victories over Random Lake/Ozaukee and Oostburg, with one more ensuring a postseason spot.

Outside of a lopsided loss to Cedar Grove-Belgium in Week 4, the Lancers have been in each Big East game they’ve played.

Behind quarterback Jayman Ott, Manitowoc Lutheran will handle business against Hilbert this week.

Predicted winner: Manitowoc Lutheran

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Random Lake/Ozaukee co-op (0-7) at Howards Grove Tigers (6-2)

Howards Grove has the perfect opportunity to ensure it will be in the playoffs with a win over the winless co-op.

The Tigers have a primarily passing offense which should be effective against Random Lake/Ozaukee.

Predicted winner: Howards Grove

Reedsville Panthers (6-2) at Oostburg Flying Dutchmen (5-3)

This has been an interesting season for both Reedsville and Oostburg.

The Panthers have won three of their four Big East games played but none have been by excessive margins.

The Flying Dutchmen are coming off back-to-back losses and are one win away from clinching the playoffs.

Both teams would be very happy to not pass the ball at all, so expect a tight contest won by Reedsville based in large part by the Panthers ability to find ways to win games just like these.

Predicted winner: Reedsville

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Chilton Tigers (2-5) at Kohler/Lutheran/Christian tri-op (2-5)

Kohler/Lutheran/Christian needs to defeat Chilton to have any hope of making the postseason.

A win over the Tigers gives KLC three wins and a chance to qualify given as the tri-op will face Kiel to close out the regular season in Week 9.

Quarterback Carmine Moctezuma is the leader on KLC’s offense and should have a strong game to lift the tri-op to victory.

Predicted winner: Kohler/Lutheran/Christian

Kiel Raiders (7-0) at New Holstein Huskies (5-2)

Kiel is the last undefeated team in the area and have the opportunity to clinch the Eastern Wisconsin Conference with a win over New Holstein.

The undefeated Raiders have too many weapons to count on offense while the Huskies rely primarily on running back Erick Burns.

New Holstein has, like Reedsville, displayed an incredible ability to win games one way or another.

Both teams have clinched playoff berths and this one will likely go the way of Kiel.

Predicted winner: Kiel

Valders Vikings (2-5) at Roncalli Jets (5-2)

Roncalli hasn’t made the postseason since 2014 but that streak likely ends this season, and on Friday with a win over Valders.

There used to be a clock in the Valders high school counting down to the matchup with the Jets, so this game will be a great atmosphere regardless.

Quarterback Landon Chalupny powers the Jets offense while quarterback Carter Valleskey does the same for the Vikings.

Predicted winner: Roncalli

Marinette Marines (2-5) at Mishicot (2-5)

Mishicot hasn’t made the postseason in a non-Covid season since 2017 but a win over Marinette on Friday should but the team in excellent position.

An incredibly scrappy team which has taken on the relentless positivity of coach Kevin Fix, Mishicot will rely on multi-purpose athlete Ben Backus to get the victory.

Predicted winner: Mishicot

*Editor’s note: All Big East teams have an extra game due to the late formation of the Random Lake/Ozaukee co-op which resulted in a forfeit win being added to their record.

Manitowoc/Sheboygan complete Week 8 football schedule

Thursday, Oct. 10

Sheboygan Falls at Freedom

Xavier at Two Rivers

Friday, Oct. 11

Sheboygan South at Menasha

Manitowoc Lincoln at Green Bay East

Oshkosh North at Sheboygan North

Marinette at Mishicot

Plymouth at Kettle Moraine Lutheran

Cedar Grove-Belgium at Columbus

Manitowoc Lutheran at Hilbert

Random Lake/Ozaukee at Howards Grove

Reedsville at Oostburg

Chilton at Kohler/Lutheran/Christian

Kiel at New Holstein

Valders at Roncalli

Contact Tom Dombeck at 920-686-2965 or tdombeck@htrnews.com . Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Tom_Dombeck .

This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Tom Dombeck predicts Manitowoc/Sheboygan Week 8 football games with playoff implications