Week 5 of the high school football season in the Appleton area includes only one game — Fox Valley Lutheran at Freedom — in which both teams have a winning record.
While the schedule might be lacking in marquee matchups, they’re no less important as October approaches and teams start separating themselves from playoff contenders and pretenders.
Here’s a look at four games to watch this week, with comments from the coaches, our predicted winners and the rest of the schedule. All games are at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19.
Last week’s prediction record: 2-3.
Season prediction record: 12-9.
MUST-SEE GAMES
Kaukauna (1-3) at Fond du Lac (2-2)
The teams: Fond du Lac leads the all-time series 14-10 but Kaukauna has won two of the last three meetings, including 35-20 last season. The Ghosts are coming off a 35-7 loss against Neenah. Ryan Carrel passed for 236 yards and Kavanaugh Weyenberg caught 11 passes for 132 yards. Wyatt Romenesko led the defense with 10 tackles. The Cardinals lost to Kimberly 49-21 last week and have dropped two games in a row. Mason Henschel ran for 116 yards and two touchdowns against Kimberly. Ethan Kolb led the defense with 5.5 tackles.
Kaukauna coach Matt Binsfeld: “We have a great game coming Friday with Fond du Lac. We need a win and have looked like two completely different teams over the past two weeks. Fond du Lac does a lot of things really well, so they will be a major challenge. I am excited for the opportunity and our kids are as well.”
Fond du Lac coach Sam Plucker: “Kaukauna football has established itself as one of the best football programs in the state. Coach Binsfeld has done an excellent job revitalizing the entire program. Kaukauna is extremely well-coached, disciplined and competitive. We are looking forward to the challenge of competing against such a great program.”
Prediction: Kaukauna 17, Fond du Lac 14.
Fox Valley Lutheran (4-0) at Freedom (3-1)
The teams: Fox Valley Lutheran leads the all-time series 15-13 but Freedom has won three of the last four meetings, including 43-42 last season. FVL stayed unbeaten with a 45-9 victory over Waupaca last week. Blessings Kapande ran for 131 yards and two touchdowns. Jacoby Dobberstein had six receptions for 65 yards and two TDs. Jack Schlueter had six tackles for the defense, which has allowed only 16 points in the last three games. Freedom lost for the first time last week, falling 17-7 against Little Chute. Owen Henkel passed for 167 yards. Nixon Heinke led the Irish defense with 10 tackles.
Fox Valley Lutheran coach Seth Jaeger: “There is a lot to be thankful for heading into this week as far as the effort and buy-in from our guys. They have remained consistent in their play, dedicated to what we are doing as a program and executing well what we have put in as coaches. This week has always been a very good matchup for us against Freedom. They present new challenges, play very physically and are always well-coached.”
Freedom coach Charlie Jadin: “Fox Valley Lutheran is playing some very good football right now and finding ways to create explosive plays like usual. Coach Jaeger and his staff always have their team ready to play on Friday nights. We will have to play a much more disciplined game of football and clean up some of the things which impacted our game last week.”
Prediction: Fox Valley Lutheran 27, Freedom 20.
Appleton East (2-2) at Kimberly (3-1)
The teams: The all-time series is close with Kimberly leading 31-23-1, but the Papermakers have won 21 in a row and have not lost to the Patriots since 2003. Appleton East edged Hortonville 15-12 last week. Alex Thompson rushed for 95 yards and a touchdown. Maks Chevalier led the defense with 12 tackles. Kimberly has won three in a row since losing the opener, including a 49-21 win over Fond du Lac last week. Maddux Hermus ran for 108 yards and three touchdowns. Jackson Diedrich and Logan Clavijo each had 6.5 tackles for the Papermakers.
Appleton East coach Jarrius James: “Our focus this week has been on tightening up our own defense and creating more opportunities on offense. We’ve been working on new strategies to counter Kimberly’s strengths, and we’re confident in our ability to rise to the occasion. This game isn’t just another match on the schedule. It’s a crucial test of our progress and a chance to measure how far we’ve come in building our own success. Kimberly’s reputation precedes them, and we’re preparing for a hard-fought battle.”
Kimberly coach Chad Michalkiewicz: “Appleton East comes in with a 2-2 record, which is an improvement from recent years. They have a new coach and the players appear to be playing with a little extra excitement. FVA football presents challenges week in and week out. For our team, it’s continuing to trust our process and build lasting habits that we will need as the season continues to progress. We will never take an opportunity to compete on a Friday night, especially at Papermaker Stadium, for granted. We look forward to taking the next step on our journey.”
Prediction: Kimberly 41, Appleton East 20.
Denmark (2-2) at Little Chute (3-1)
The teams: Little Chute leads the all-time series 11-2 and won last year’s meeting 23-0. Denmark knocked off Two Rivers 22-16 last week. Steven Kielpikowski ran for 210 yards and two touchdowns. Carson Yahnke led the defense with 6.5 tackles. Little Chute has won three in a row, including 17-7 over Freedom last week. Reece Joten had 69 yards rushing for the Mustangs and added 6.5 tackles on defense. Kaden Hoffman led the defense with seven tackles.
Denmark coach Rick Diny: “Little Chute is a solid team that executes very well. They are a physical team that runs the ball with great effectiveness. They are stout defensively and make teams earn every yard. We have been able to move the ball and use our skilled players effectively. Defensively, we can bring pressure in a variety of ways and have utilized that to our advantage so far this season.”
Little Chute coach Mark Krommenacker: “I’m really proud of the focus our guys have shown the last two weeks in practice and on the field. Freedom is a really good and physical football team and to win over there is not easy to do. Our guys played with discipline. We’re excited about having the (County N) sign back, but at this point it doesn’t matter. We need to get better. We need to focus on what’s important and that’s preparing to stop a Denmark team coming off a big win versus Two Rivers. They run the ball very well and we have work to do.”
Prediction: Little Chute 27, Denmark 13.
Week 5 high school football schedule
Friday, Sept. 19 (all games 7 p.m.)
Hortonville (0-4) at Appleton North (3-1), Green Bay Southwest (0-4) at Appleton West (2-2), Valders (2-2) at Chilton (1-3), Cedar Grove-Belgium (1-3) at Hilbert (4-0), St. Mary Catholic (2-2) at Kiel (1-3), Brillion (3-1) at Kohler/Lutheran/Christian (1-3), Crivitz (3-1) at Manawa (1-3), Green Bay East (1-3) at Menasha (2-2), Clintonville (0-4) at Oconto Falls (3-1), Neenah (3-1) at Oshkosh West (0-4), Coleman (3-1) at Shiocton (1-3), Winneconne (4-0) at Shawano (1-3), Wrightstown (3-1) at Two Rivers (0-4), Seymour (3-1) at Waupaca (0-4), Stratford (2-2) at Weyauwega-Fremont (3-1), New London (0-4) at Xavier (1-3).
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Appleton-area high school football Week 5: Top matchups, what the coaches say and predictions
Reporting by Mike Sherry, Appleton Post-Crescent / Appleton Post-Crescent
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
