Slider Bowl on tap Friday to open 2024 season

What was typically a late-September tradition instead kicks off the high football season, with Lake Mills facing Lakeside Lutheran at LLHS in the annual Slider Bowl on Friday at 7 p.m.

With the Warriors moving from the Capitol Conference to the Badger Small, playing the rivalry game in one of the first two weeks of the season became a necessity to keep the tradition alive.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The L-Cats and Warriors have played a slew of barnburners over the years. The last six meetings are split down the middle with three wins apiece and four of those contests were decided by three points or fewer.

The road team has actually won four of the past five meetings in a rivalry that typically favors the home team (regardless of the sport).

Both teams have high hopes for 2024. Lakeside checks in at No. 6 in the Division 4 preseason poll produced by WisSports.net, while Lake Mills is ranked No. 7 in the same poll.

The Warriors will usher in the Matt Doering era on Friday as the longtime defensive coordinator replaces Paul Bauer as head coach.

Lakeside, 53-36 winners on the road in last year’s rivalry game, has no plans to veer away from its veer offense, which will be led by four returning starters up front. Seniors Ben Krauklis and Kaycee Guzman are among the returning contributors to keep your eye on offensively.

Lake Mills, under the leadership of fifth-year head coach Tyler Huber, has the luxury of returning nine starters defensively, plus eight more on offense, including sophomore quarterback Tyler Wollin and senior wideout Max Ruedebusch.