This week's Big Hit Team of the Week is Marquette. The Hilltoppers have been manhandling their opponents all season long, outscoring the opposition 244-54. Marquette's offense has been putting up 40 points per game, led by quarterback Kevin Fink and running back Brock LaFace while the Toppers' stellar defense led by the Trotter brothers has held opponents to 9 points per game. This week Dick Basham's squad has their toughest challenge since they played Franklin in the second week of the season as they travel to Brookfield to take on Central for what could be for the conference title.

This week's Team on the Rise is Madison Memorial. The Spartans are 5-1 on the season with their only loss at the hands of a very tough Verona team the second week of the season. The Spartans have had convincing wins the last two weeks in a row behind solid play by quarterback Mike Moss. The defense & special teams have also come up big for the Spartans behind Jordan Frederick and kick returner Lechein Neblett. The Spartans have a rough one this week as they host #8 Middleton for Homecoming.

Here are the biggest matchups throughout the state for this week's edition of Friday Night Lights - Last week I was 10-2 with my pigskin prognosticating so now I am standing at 28-10. This week there was a little movement in the polls, but some major matchups should result in some changes next week! A lot of tough games last week so I made 12 picks, this week is no different and I'll go with 10.....

~ Games of the Week ~ Big Schools ~

#1 Homestead (6-0) vs Whitefish Bay (5-1) ~ Whitefish Bay has been on a roll, and now Cal Ehrke and the Blue Dukes head to Mequon to take on #1 ranked Homestead for the Highlanders' Homecoming. Unfortunately for Coach Borto and the Dukes, the rain will force the ariel attack to the ground and not many can stand up to the Highlanders in the trenches. Homestead stays on top.
#3 Marquette (6-0) @ Brookfield Central (4-2) ~ Marquette is just too good this year. Their offense can't be stopped and their defense will shut out the Crusaders.
#5 Bay Port (6-0) @ Ashwaubenon (5-1) ~ The Pirates will sail into Ashwaubenon to face the Jaguars, but the Jaguars will find a way to take down Zac Thelan and Alexander Lepp will find a way to get into the enzone and pull off the upset.
#9 Middleton (5-1) @ Madison Memorial (5-1) ~ This is the best season the Spartans have had in a long time, but the Cardinals are flying into Madison and will spoil the Spartans season.

Here is where the rest of the biggest and best in the Large Division (enrollment 744 and up) play

1. Homestead (6-0) vs Whitefish Bay (5-1)
2. Stevens Point (6-0) @ DC Everest (2-4)
3. Marquette (6-0) @ Brookfield Central (4-2)
4. Appleton North (6-0) @ Kaukauna (0-6)
5. Bay Port (6-0) @ Ashwaubenon (5-1)
6. Waukesha West (6-0) vs Pius (2-4)
7. Arrowhead (4-1) vs Waukesha North (3-3)
8. Kenosha Bradford (6-0) vs Racine Case (0-6)
9. Middleton  (5-1) @ Madison Memorial (5-1)
10. Kimberly (5-1) @ Oshkosh West (3-3)

~ Games of the Week ~ Medium Schools ~

#1 Kewaskum (6-0) vs Plymouth (5-1) - The Indians have been fueld by Cody squared, (Seibel & Nuernberg) but Jon Criter and the Panthers will be on the prowl. Look for Pymouth to give them all they can handle, but the Indians will find a way to pull it out.
#5 Big Foot (6-0) vs #6 Brodhead-Juda (6-0) -The Cardinals have been unstoppable, and Big Foot's center from a year ago is starting for the Badgers, but the Chiefs had enough in the stable to stay strong - look for Big Foot to prevail.
#8 Kewaunee (6-0) @ Valders (5-1) ~ Second major opponent in a row for the Indians, but the Vikings won't have enough to knock them off. Kewaunee wins.
#10 Black River Falls (5-0) vs Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau (5-1) ~ Second major opponent in a row for Black River Falls. The Gale-Ettrick-Trempeleau Redmen will try to do what others have attempted, to stop the Tigers' Jake Perner. They will also have the same result. Perner runs wild, Tigers win big.

Here is where the rest of the biggest and best in the Medium Division (enrollment 284-743) play

1. Kewaskum (6-0) vs Plymouth (5-1)
2. Fond du Lac Springs (6-0) @ Laconia (3-3)
3. Lancaster (6-0) vs Richland Center (1-5)
4. Pewaukee (6-0) @ Cudahy (0-6)
5. Big Foot (6-0) vs Brodhead-Juda (6-0)
6. Brodhead-Juda (6-0) @ Big Foot (6-0)
7. Northwestern 49, Barron 6 (Thurs)
8. Kewaunee (6-0) @ Valders (5-1)
9. Colby (6-0) @ Altoona (1-5)
10. Black River Falls (6-0) vs Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau (5-1)

~ Games of the Week ~ Small Schools ~

#2 Stratford (5-0) @ McDonnell Central (5-1) ~ Second major opponent in a row for Stratford. Alex Hiess and the Macks try and ground Alex Kitchner and the Tigers, but they will come up short, Stratford returns home undefeated.

Here are where the rest of the biggest and best in the Small Division (enrollment up to 283) play

1. Edgar (6-0) vs Phillips (1-5)
2. Gilman (6-0) vs Athens (3-3)
3. Potosi  (6-0) vs Benton-Scales Mound (4-2)
4. Shiocton (6-0) vs Wittenberg-Birnamwood (2-4)
5. Flambeau 34, Turtle Lake 12 (thurs)
6. DeSoto (6-0) @ Weston (0-6)
7. Darlington (5-1) @ Boscobel (2-4)
8. Eau Claire Regis (5-1) vs Fall Creek (1-5)
9. Stratford (5-1) @ McDonnell Central (5-1)
10. Burlington Catholic Central  (5-1) vs University School (3-3) sat