The prep football regular season has come to a close, and the first week of the WIAA playoffs is upon us. With a new seeding system in place this year, there were a fair share of surprises, but regardless, teams will be looking to get their playoff run started on the right note. Here is a look at all the Round 1 playoff games for Waukesha County teams by division.
Division 1
No. 5 Oconomowoc at No. 4 Mukwonago, Friday at 7 p.m.
The only all-area Round 1 matchup this week, No. 5 Oconomowoc (5-4 overall, 3-4 conference) visits fellow Classic 8 Conference program No. 4 Mukwonago (6-3, 5-2).
Both programs had excellent campaigns in 2024, with Oconomowoc taking a share of the Classic 8 title and Mukwonago making it to the state semifinals, eventually losing out to Muskego 16-14. But 2025 has seen both programs take a slight step back, although Oconomowoc is seeded one spot higher than it was a year ago.
The two programs met earlier in conference play this season, with Mukwonago trouncing the Raccoons 35-6. Junior quarterback George Molitor had an excellent game when the two programs met earlier, completing 12 of 16 pass attempts for 175 yards and a touchdown. Senior tight end Luka Tess caught three passes for 100 yards and a touchdown, while junior running back Jerrell Anderson had 108 yards and two touchdowns on just 10 carries. Oconomowoc’s offense was stifled that game, scoring its six points late in the fourth quarter.
But the Raccoons, and particularly senior running back Alex Seraphine, had a strong end to the season, beating Pewaukee 42-35, in which Seraphine dashed for 227 yards and two touchdowns as he finished the regular season with 1,327 yards and 14 scores on the ground.
No. 8 Wausau West at No. 1 Arrowhead, Friday at 7 p.m.
After a tough 21-17 loss to eventual Classic 8 Conference champions Muskego in Week 5, Arrowhead (8-1, 61) won four in a row to end its regular season, including a 26-23 overtime win at Mukwonago and a 21-20 win against Hamilton. The Warhawks’ sustained momentum earned them a No. 1 seed, as they will welcome No. 8 Wausau West (5-4, 4-3) on Friday.
West had an up-and-down end to its season, going 2-2 over its last four, most recently losing 56-19 in the final week of the season to River Falls. Only one of the Warriors’ five wins came against an opponent that finished the season above .500, so expect Arrowhead’s potent offense, led by junior quarterback Nolan Hanson (1,362 yards, 11 touchdowns) and senior running back Jacob Siner (979 yards, 11 touchdowns), to enjoy their Round 1 visit from the Warriors.
No. 5 D.C. Everest at No. 4 Brookfield East, Friday at 7 p.m.
It’s been no less than a remarkable season for Brookfield East (7-2, 5-2), which last week, with a 42-0 win over Menomonee Falls, secured a share of the Greater Metro Conference title for the first time since 2012. The Spartans earned a No. 4 seed in this year’s playoffs and host Wisconsin Valley Conference champions D.C. Everest (6-3, 6-1) in the hopes of winning their first Division 1 playoff game in program history.
After losing its first two games to open the season, Everest went 6-1 over its final seven games, finishing the season with a 43-7 thumping of Eau Claire Memorial. Senior running back Corbin Enzenroth is Everest’s biggest offensive threat, finishing the regular season with 1,082 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns.
That being said, East’s defense, led by senior linebacker Jake Snyder (86 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, one sack), has been stifling this season, allowing just 13.4 points per game. Senior Zeke Sawall has had another solid season under center for East, throwing for 1,063 yards and 14 touchdowns.
No. 7 Marquette at No. 2 Hamilton, Friday at 7 p.m.
In an all-GMC first-round matchup, No. 2 Hamilton (7-2, 5-2) hosts No. 7 Marquette (4-5, 4-3).
The Chargers took the regular-season meeting 28-9 in Week 6, holding the Hilloppers’ offense to just one touchdown while tallying an interception and a fumble recovery.
Hamilton junior quarterback Cole Erdmann had a solid game when the two sides faced off earlier, completing 16 of 20 passes for 198 yards, while junior running back Brayden Schroeder rushed for two scores.
When Marquette has put up points this season, it’s been mainly due to the play of junior quarterback Ben Schroeder and senior running back Tommy Novotny. Schroeder has thrown for 1,715 yards and 20 touchdowns, while Novotny has 958 rushing yards, 230 receiving yards and 13 total touchdowns.
The Chargers are more than aware of the threat Marquette’s offense poses, and having a familiar matchup in the first round may prove to be a blessing when all is said and done on Friday.
No. 8 Madison West at No. 1 Muskego, Friday at 7 p.m.
Off the back of winning its sixth Classic 8 title in the past eight years, Muskego (8-1, 7-0) welcomes No. 8 Madison West (5-4, 4-3) to InPro Field on Friday.
After falling to Neenah in Week 1, the Warriors finished the season with eight straight wins, including a 38-21 win over Mukwonago to end the season.
Despite that, there was a noticeable absence last week as head coach Ken Krause was not on the sideline. But the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Famer is back at practice this week.
Division 1 is very familiar with Muskego’s run-heavy Wing-T offense, which has combined for 2,191 rushing yards this season. Senior Jackson Niemiec has led the way for the Warriors’ running game, dashing for 807 yards and 10 touchdowns. Junior quarterback Joey Shaw has come into his own under center this year, throwing for 581 yards and 10 touchdowns on just 38 pass attempts.
Madison West runs a much more balanced attack, led by senior quarterback Michael Suominen (1,331 passing yards, 12 touchdowns) and junior running back Kamaria Carter (676 yards, seven touchdowns).
Division 2
No. 6 Waukesha West at No. 3 Union Grove, Friday at 7 p.m.
After a difficult 2024, Waukesha West (4-5, 2-5) earned its first playoff birth since 2023 in Steve Vitale’s first year in charge of the Wolverines. West had impressive wins against Wisconsin Lutheran, Waukesha North and Kettle Moraine this season, but has a difficult first-round task when it visits No. 3 Union Grove (8-1, 6-1) this Friday.
Union Grove’s only loss this season came to undefeated Badger, but other than that, the Broncos have been flawless. Senior running back Quintyn Martinez has been the biggest offensive threat this season, rushing for 1,354 yards and 21 touchdowns.
West’s offense has been potent at times this season, led by another stellar campaign from junior quarterback Jamison Larsen, who threw for 1,168 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Friday’s contest may prove difficult for West, but if it can manage to slow Martinez and the Broncos’ potent run game, the Wolverines could be in with a shout.
No. 8 Menomonee Falls at No. 1 Homestead, Friday at 7 p.m.
After going winless in 2024, Menomonee Falls (3-6, 2-5) earned its first postseason birth in two years, but faces undefeated Homestead (9-0, 7-0) in its Round 1 matchup.
The Phoenix lost their final three games by a combined score of 146-0, albeit to the three teams that tied for the GMC conference title (Brookfield East, Germantown and Hamilton).
Homestead has run through nearly every opponent this season, but did face a bit of trouble against Slinger and West Bend West in the final two games. Homestead runs the ball on almost every play, evidenced by junior quarterback Lee Zortman’s 23 pass attempts the entire season. Senior Connor Pangallo has been the biggest threat out of the backfield for the Highlanders, rushing for 1,094 yards and 13 touchdowns.
The Phoenix’s offense is a completely different story, as junior quarterback Anishka Amarasinghe has thrown for 1,103 yards on 165 pass attempts, while senior running back CJ Spence ran for 316 yards and two scores.
Friday could be a tough evening for the Phoenix, but regardless of the outcome, after last season, 2025 can be considered nothing other than a success.
No. 7 Brookfield Central at No. 2 Monona Grove, Friday at 7 p.m.
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Brookfield Central’s (3-6, 2-5) topsy-turvy season, in which it lost to Menomonee Falls but beat GMC cochampions Germantown, earned it a No. 7 seed in Division 2, and in turn the Lancers will visit No. 2 Monona Grove (8-1, 6-1) on Friday.
The Lancers, led by senior dual-threat quarterback AJ Seymour (1,343 passing yards, 1,118 rushing yards, 24 total touchdowns), have been difficult to stop on multiple occasions this season, but keeping teams off the board has been Central’s biggest issue.
Monona Grove has done an excellent job of doing just that, having shut out its final three opponents to end the season. The Silver Eagles’ only loss this season is a 14-13 defeat to Division 1 No. 1 seed Waunakee in Week 3.
Both teams boast nearly the same total yards of offense this season (3,195 for Central, 3,219 for MG), so if both offenses are firing, Friday’s game could be much more competitive than the seeding would suggest.
Division 3
No. 8 Jefferson at No. 1 Catholic Memorial, Friday at 7 p.m.
New year, same Catholic Memorial. The Crusaders (8-1, 7-0) lost their two biggest playmakers to graduation, and it didn’t seem to matter.
Save for a narrow defeat to Division 1 No. 1 seed Franklin in Week 1, the Crusaders destroyed every opponent they faced the rest of the season. And given the Crusaders’ current form, one can expect them to have similar results when they welcome No. 8 Jefferson (54, 4-3) on Friday.
While offense usually makes the headlines, it’s been the Crusaders’ defense that has arguably been its biggest strength. Led by the imposing figure of senior defensive tackle Neeko Rodgers Jr. (72 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 10 sacks), CMH hasn’t given up more than 14 points in a game since Week 1, and has an average margin of victory of 35.9 points per game.
To pair with the stifling defense, sophomore quarterback Dalton Steinke has looked right at home in his first year under center, throwing for 1,426 yards and 18 touchdowns, while junior running back Devon Williams Jr. has complemented things nicely, rushing for 934 yards and 11 scores.
Jefferson’s biggest threat comes in the form of senior running back Connor Witucki, who has rushed for 1,128 yards and 17 touchdowns. But considering CMH hasn’t given up a rushing touchdown since Oct. 3, Witucki’s impact could be severely limited.
No. 6 Burlington at No. 3 New Berlin Eisenhower, Friday at 7 p.m.
With an impressive 15-10 win over crosstown rival New Berlin West to end the regular season, New Berlin Eisenhower (5-4, 5-2) earned itself a No. 3 seed in this year’s playoffs, five spots higher than they were a year ago. In doing so, the Lions earned themselves a home game to start the postseason and will welcome No. 6 Burlington (5-4, 3-4) on Friday.
Burlington lost three of its final four games to end the season, while the Lions won four of their last five. The Demons’ offense is pass-heavy, with senior quarterback Grant Sulik throwing for 1,530 yards and 17 touchdowns. Eisenhower has also boasted a pass-heavy offense, but with senior starting quarterback Jarrett Hall sidelined with an injury, Ike will likely use a more run-heavy approach as it did in the win against West last Friday. Senior Wesley Fitch filled in for Hall under center last week and will likely do the same against the Demons.
If the Lions can get another performance like they had against West last week, they could walk out with their first playoff win since 2021.
No. 6 Pewaukee at No. 3 Sauk Prairie, Friday at 7 p.m.
It was an up-and-down season for Pewaukee (4-5, 2-5), but being a Division 3 school playing in the Classic 8 is no easy task. The Pirates gave 2024 Classic 8 champion Oconomowoc a run for its money in the final game of the season, and in doing so helped earn themselves a No. 6 seed and a trip to No. 3 Sauk Prairie (7-2, 6-1) on Friday.
The Eagles finished in a three-way tie with Edgewood and Mount Horeb/Barneveld at the top of the Badger- Small Conference standings, which are No. 1 and No. 2 seeds, respectively.
The Pirates’ defense, which has been shaky at times this season, will have to contend with senior dual-threat quarterback Cayden Hermsdorf. Hermsdorf threw for 1,102 yards, rushed for 620 yards and totaled 16 touchdowns.
For a Pirates’ offense that struggled early in the season, senior running back Omar Cherrington finished things strong, ending the regular season with 903 yards and five touchdowns.
No. 8 Whitefish Bay at No. 1 New Berlin West, Friday at 7 p.m.
Despite the aforementioned loss to New Berlin Eisenhower to end the season, New Berlin West (7-2, 5-2) earned itself a No. 1 seed, and in doing so would have home-field advantage until Round 4. The Vikings will face off against No. 8 Whitefish Bay (3-6, 2-5) on Friday.
The Blue Dukes are a team that can put up points, as evidenced by their 39 points against 2024 Division 2 state champion Slinger in Week 6, but they also give up plenty of points as well (they gave up 56 points to Slinger in the same game).
Whitefish Bay has a balanced attack, with junior quarterback Chase Wolter throwing for 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns, and junior running back Lateef Love Jr. rushing for 928 yards and eight scores.
New Berlin West is a run-heavy offense, led by junior running back Aidan Devine (1,074 yards, 18 touchdowns). Junior all-conference wide receiver Zachary Hewitt was sidelined with an injury against Ike in the final week of the season, so if he is unable to go this week, expect Devine and the Vikings to run the ball even more against a Blue Dukes team that allowed 364 rushing yards to Slinger in Week 6.
Division 5
No. 8 Kiel at No. 1 Lake Country Lutheran, Friday at 7 p.m.
It was another successful regular season for Lake Country Lutheran (8-1, 6-1) under head coach Greg Brazgel. The 2019 Division 5 state champions’ lone loss of the season came to last year’s Division 4 state champions, Racine St. Catherine’s, in Week 4, but other than that, it has been nearly a flawless campaign. LCL earned itself a No. 1 seed and welcomes No. 8 Kiel (3-6, 2-5) on Friday.
Kiel boasts a run-heavy offense, rushing for 1,633 yards compared to only 687 passing yards. Junior running back Mason Schaefer is the Raiders’ biggest offensive weapon, rushing for 983 yards and 11 touchdowns.
The Lightning’s offense, led by senior quarterback Connor Lubbers (1,130 passing yards, 335 rushing yards, 15 total TDs), will be chomping at the bit to face a Kiel team that gives up an average of 30.2 points per game and lost its final two to end the season.
No. 5 Wittenberg-Birnamwood at No. 4 Brookfield Academy, Friday at 7 p.m.
Dave Archibald enjoyed a successful first season at the helm of Brookfield Academy (7-4, 6-1), leading the Blue Knights to a second-place finish in the Midwest Classic-Small. The Blue Knights earned a No. 4 seed in this year’s Division 5 playoffs and will host No. 5 Wittenberg-Birnamwood (4-5, 3-4) on Friday.
The two programs come into Friday’s contest with differing momentum, as BA won its last four games, while the Chargers dropped their final two, including a 56-28 loss to Amherst in the final game of the regular season.
Senior running back Beau Libbey has been the biggest weapon for the Blue Knights this year, rushing for 1,363 yards and 17 touchdowns, including a 165-yard, three-touchdown performance against Cudahy in the final game of the regular season.
Senior running back Kaden Yaeger is W-B’s main offensive threat, having rushed for 977 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Division 7
No. 8 Palmyra-Eagle at No. 1 Kenosha St. Joseph, Friday at 7 p.m.
Although Palmyra-Eagle (3-5, 2-5) ended the 2025 season with one fewer win than it did a year ago, the Panthers are making their first playoff appearance since 2019. The Panthers are a No. 8 seed in Division 7, and have a tough Round 1 matchup against undefeated Kenosha St. Joseph (12-0, 7-0).
Kenosha St. Joseph has had one close game this year, a 28-21 win over Greenfield in Week 4. Other than that, the Lancers’ average margin of victory is a whopping 37 points. Palmyra-Eagle, on the other hand, has lost its last five games by an average margin of 37.8 points.