EDGAR, IOLA-SCANDINAVIA LEVEL ONE FOOTBALL WINS SETS UP CLASSIC CLASH IN LEVEL TWO
SPORTSDESK - The Edgar Wildcats have been to the state championship three of the last four years, winning a gold ball in 2016. The Iola-Scandinavia Thunderbirds have been to the state championship two of the last three years, winning a gold ball in 2018. The two now turn their sights on each other in a level two contest on Thursday, November 19th.
Edgar (8-0) romped over Pacelli Catholic at home on Friday, sending the Cardinals packing by a score of 41-0. Iola-Scandinavia (8-0) took care of Hurley 35-6.
Neither the Wildcats or the Thunderbirds will be given an opportunity for a football state championship in 2020. A tough pill to swallow for all Wisconsin high school football fans especially considering all other fall sports have crowned state champions during their seasons. The Thursday game though is fitting for a state championship caliber game.
Let's go through the checklist:
Both teams undefeated, check.
Both teams conference champions, check.
Iola-Scandinavia averages over 47 points per game, check.
Edgar averages over 42 points per game, check.
Exquisite coaching on both sides of the field, check.
Both teams also feature top level players that are having outstanding seasons. Thunderbirds quarterback Parker Prahl has thrown for 498 yards and six touchdowns while rushing for an eye-popping 1,320 yards and 21 touchdowns. Wildcats quarterback Konnor Wolf has thrown for 528 yards and seven touchdowns. Edgar has given Kyle Brewster 75 carries and he has turned those totes into 894 yards and 19 rushing touchdowns.
The difference coming into Thursday is perhaps the quality of opponents each team has faced. Iola-Scandinavia was limited to a conference only schedule that yielded just two CWC conference playoff wins on Friday, with the Thunderbirds win over Hurley counting as one of the two. While the situation in the Marawood conference was the same on Friday, just two playoff wins, the difference was Edgar's allowance non-conference scheduling. Edgar (D7) travelled to ranked Onalaska (D3) on October 2nd and took down the Hilltoppers 12-7. On October 30th it was ranked Shawano (D3) being walloped at Wildcats Stadium 48-6. Both Onalaska and Shawano notched playoff wins on Friday night.
A year ago the WIAA designated November 19, 2020 as football state championship day. This Thursday will still include WIAA football playoff games. Perhaps the Thursday night match-up in Edgar will show itself to be one of classic championship quality.
Watch Thursday's Edgar vs Iola-Scandinavia football game live at zaleskisports.com/live-sports. Other Thursday playoff games will also be aired and that schedule will be announced Wednesday on Facebook at Zaleski Sports.