WAUSAU — It's time to enter level two.
Powerhouse Edgar's pursuit of a 10th state title under head coach Jerry Sinz got off to a strong start last week, and Medford knocked off Lakeland, 28-7, to set up a matchup with Fox Valley Lutheran. The Foxes narrowly escaped Wausau East, 44-41, on Oct. 25.
Wausau East rally falls short: WIAA football playoffs: Wausau East rally falls short; D.C. Everest stuns No. 2 Hudson
There is plenty more playoff action to watch around the area.
Here is everything you need to know about the remaining Central Wisconsin schools participating in the next level of the state tournament, including seeds and game times for teams in the 11-man and 8-man races.
Friday, Nov. 1
Division 1:
No. 7 D.C. Everest (8-2) at No. 3 Vel Phillips Memorial (9-1)
D.C. Everest has a lot to feel good about riding into the second phase of the WIAA football playoffs. The Evergreens offense is firing on all cylinders, knocking off No. 2 Hudson, 50-21, on Oct. 25.
Senior quarterback Logan George pioneered the aerial assault, throwing 15-for-19 for 255 yards and four touchdowns, while senior running back Blake Bangston dominated the ground, rushing 28 times for 238 yards and two touchdowns.
Bangston only knows one speed: 'He only knows one speed': How D.C. Everest's Blake Bangston has caught fire off an injury
George has thrown for 11 touchdowns in his last three games, while Bangston recorded his third 200-yard rushing game in the win over the Raiders.
Division 5:
No. 4 Wittenberg-Birnamwood (8-2) at No. 1 Saint Croix Falls (10-0)
Wittenberg-Birnamwood is coming off a dominant 48-0 win over Barron in the opening round of the WIAA football playoffs.
On Friday, the Chargers will look to make it seven consecutive wins against a tough Saint Croix Falls team.
The Saints completed one of their best seasons in years, culminating in an undefeated record and the Heart O'North conference crown. Wittenberg-Birnamwood finished second in its conference, its only loss being to division winner Stratford, but since then, it has yet to taste defeat.
Division 6:
No. 4 Abbotsford (9-1) at No. 1 Coleman (10-0)
Abbotsford's offense refound its groove at just the right time in last week's 42-28 win over Nekoosa.
Falcons quarterback Irvin Aguilera threw 5-for-8 for 164 yards and two touchdowns to help the Falcons bounce back from their 42-21 loss to Edgar. Junior running back Chase Boller rushed 12 times for 130 yards and a touchdown.
Senior Andrew Brodhagen made the most of his touches, too, finishing with two catches for 110 yards and a touchdown.
The Falcons will also face an undefeated No. 1 seed on Friday night in Coleman. It will take another complete performance in all phases for the Falcons to be the first team this year to beat Coleman.
8-man:
No. 2 McDonnell Central Catholic (8-1) at No. 1 Owen-Withee (9-0)
While the Thunderbirds coasted to a 60-6 win over Port Edwards on Friday night to advance, their offense will be tested on Nov. 1 against No. 2-seeded McDonnell Central Catholic.
The Macks' defense has been stingy in the past couple of weeks, allowing only eight points to opponents in back-to-back games. The Macks have not relented two scores since Sept. 20 on the road at Gilman.
Conversely, the Thunderbirds have produced points in bunches this season. They scored 78 points in a win at Cornell on Sept. 6 and 76 points on Oct. 4 over Lake Holcombe.
They've been well-rounded, too; on defense, they have pitched five shutouts this year.
Friday, Nov. 1, at 7 p.m.
Division 3: No. 5 Fox Valley Lutheran at No. 1 Medford
Division 5: No. 4 Amherst at No. 1 Stratford
Division 6: No. 3 Auburndale at No. 2 Bonduel
Division 7: No. 5 Shiocton at No. 1 Edgar
Contact or send game stats/info to Sports Reporter Alfred Smith III at alfred.smith@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @AlfredS_III .
This article originally appeared on Wausau Daily Herald: 2024 WIAA playoffs: Central Wisconsin HS football guide, game times, info for level 2
Local News