Wisconsin's high school football season kicked off with a few games on Thursday, but the action gets serious on Friday. Here are some intriguing matchups in the western part of the state.
Eau Claire Memorial, Hudson, 7 p.m.
Eau Claire Memorial and Eau Claire North will compete in the Wisconsin Valley Conference this year, and Big Rivers' realignment will see the return of defending Division 3 state champion Rice Lake.
But to keep the rivalry and tradition going, Hudson will play the Old Abes, except this time it will be a non-conference Week 1 game. Memorial and Eau Claire North will play Big Rivers Conference schools in the first two weeks of the season. North plays Menomonie on Thursday. Our prediction: Hudson 42, Eau Claire Memorial 14
Baldwin Woodville vs. Mount Horeb/Barnewald, 7 p.m.
A year ago in an early-season powerhouse showdown, Baldwin-Woodville was one of the top programs in Division 4, while Mount Horeb/Barnefell earned the same honor in Division 3.
The challenge in Week 1 will be especially tough for Baldwin-Woodville, who will have to find a way to replace the dominant dual-threat quarterback Cal Smith. Our prediction: Mount Horeb/Barnefell 30, Baldwin-Woodville 20
Prescott vs. Northwestern, 7 p.m.
Prescott is a team to watch this fall. The Cardinals finished 4-5 last year and missed the playoffs in a always-tough Middle Border Conference schedule.
But they do return a lot of production this season, with quarterback Teddy Bernick directing a passing attack featuring receivers Kobe Russell and Will Packard, and 2023 leading tacklers Barrett Themmers and Owen Beyer also returning.
A win over Northwestern, who they won by double digits last fall, would be something of an arrival for the Cardinals. We have Prescott 32, Northwestern 28.
