By Joe Bachman

Two out of three local area high school football teams saw success last week, however, all three face stiff competition ahead this Friday.

The Lincoln Red Raiders picked up a 42-0 win over Kaukauna, moving their state ranking to 116. However, the high-powered Lincoln offense will have to step it up against the 8th ranked Kimberly Papermakers. The Red Raider defense will have to prepare for Papermaker quarterback Alec Rosner, who went 11-of-16, and passed for 286 yards in last week’s win over Fond du Lac. Running back D.J. Stewart put up two touchdowns in the 35-28 win, and proves to be a dangerous weapon for the Raiders defense to keep in check.

However, opportunity strikes, as Kimberly allowed four touchdowns in last week’s win, setting up stars Isaiah Westfall, Isaac Pelot, and Jacob Mancl for a big game. The big three combined for 361 yards in their win over Kaukauna.

They take the field this Friday night at Kimberly High School at 7:00 p.m.

After the late minute heroics of Joe Grundhoffer gave Assumption a season opening win, the Royals will head into Blanchardville to face a top 50 ranked Pecatonica/Argyle Vikings team who handled the Highland Cardinals last week 40-6. Both teams are expected to put up a lot of points in the contest, though it remains to be seen how effective Jake Sullivan will be coming off an injury for the Royals.

The Vikings will have to be on the look out for Assumptions fierce running game, as they put up a combined 325 yards in last week’s win. This includes high production from Cole Statz, who put up 114 yards on 12 carries and two touchdowns.

Assumption will look to start off the season 2-0 as they travel to Blanchardville Friday night; game time at 7:00 p.m.

After a gut-wrenching 43-0 loss Nekoosa looks to rebound against a River Valley team that gave up 586 yards last week to Onalaska. Leading the way for the Papermakers will be Kyle Olson, who was held to 30 yards last week to a tough Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau defense. Waltenburg and Bills looks to find the endzone this week against a rebounding Blackhawks team that is still ranked #58 in the state.

Nekoosa looks to avenge last year’s 32-6 loss to River Valley at Holland Field Friday night at 7:00 p.m.