Central Wisconsin Conference-Large champ Amherst stays atop Power Poll
Regional prep football teams have reached the second season, more commonly known as the WIAA playoffs.
Win and you move on. Lose and you pack your shoulder pads and helmets and watch from the sidelines or stands.
Twenty-five teams from central Wisconsin earned the right to extend their season, and two them continue to stand out above the rest entering the postseason.
Defending state champions and 2017 conference champions Amherst (Division 5) and Edgar (Division 7) continue to sit atop the Power Poll.
The Falcons received a slight nod over Edgar for the No. 1 spot again this week in voting by the central Wisconsin sports staff.
Here is a look at the top five for Week 9 of the weekly football Power Poll.
1. AMHERST (8-1)
The Falcons wrapped up their fourth straight Central Wisconsin Conference-Large championship with a 35-0 win over Wittenberg-Birnamwood. Amherst, which owns wins over four playoff teams this season, begins its bid for a third consecutive Division 5 state title with a home date against Colby (6-3) on Friday.
2. EDGAR (9-0)
The beat goes on for the Wildcats, who clinched the outright Marawood Conference championship with a 10-0 victory in a slugfest with rival Stratford in the regular season finale Oct. 13. With eight shutouts in nine games to its credit, Edgar opens defense of its Division 7 title with a matchup against Athens (3-6).
3. SPENCER/COLUMBUS CATHOLIC (8-1)
The Rockets head into the WIAA postseason with a six-game winning streak after dismantling Glenwood City 44-21 in nonconference play to close out the regular season. Senior running back Hunter Luepke leads the state with 33 rushing touchdowns. Spencer/CC will meet Oconto (7-2) in the opening round of the Division 5 playoffs.
4. IOLA-SCANDINAVIA (7-2)
The Thunderbirds have handled their business all season in games where on paper they were the superior team. That was the case again Friday when Iola-Scandinavia drubbed Weyauwega-Fremont 54-14. The T-Birds' losses came to Bonduel and Amherst in CWC-Large action, and will host Mishicot (4-5) in a Division 6 playoff opener,
5. LOYAL (7-2)
It's hard to ignore a conference champion in the Power Poll, so the Greyhounds receive the final spot in the top five. Loyal picked up an 8-7 win over Abbotsford to claim the Cloverwood Conference title and cap an unbeaten league run. The reward is a rematch against Cloverwood foe Owen-Withee (3-6), which the Greyhounds handled 46-20 in Week 5.
Along the teams hot on the heels of top five recognition are Stratford, Abbotsford, Pittsville and winner of four in a row SPASH.
Newman Catholic also is under consideration after an unbeaten run through its eight-man regular season schedule.
Scott A. Williams can be reached at 715-345-2282, or by email at ssswilliam@stevenspoint.gannett.com. Find him on Twitter as @SPJScottWill