Here are the top matchups and predicted winners for Week 9 of the 2025 high school football season in the Appleton area.
It’s now or never for high school football teams in Wisconsin.
The final week of the regular season will settle a few conference championship races, determine where teams safely in the playoffs will be seeded, and give teams on the playoff bubble a last chance to secure a spot before the WIAA announces the official 32-team field in all seven divisions.
Here’s a look at five must-see Week 9 games, with comments from the coaches, our predicted winners and the rest of the schedule. All games are at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, unless noted.
Last week’s prediction record: 4-1.
Season prediction record: 28-12.
MUST-SEE GAMES
Kimberly (6-2) at Appleton North (5-3)
The teams: The Papermakers are 5-1 in the Fox Valley Association and can still clinch a share of the title with a win over North and a Neenah loss to Hortonville. Kimberly edged Kaukauna 8-6 last week. Logan Clavijo led the defense with 12 tackles and Reid Lindenberg had nine. Appleton North is 4-2 in the FVA after losing to Appleton East 13-7 last week. Ben Wenzel had 15 tackles (6 solo) and Trey Fox had 13 tackles (8 solo) for the Lightning. Kimberly leads the all-time series 23-11 and has won five in a row, including twice last season.
Playoff qualifying standings: Kimberly 14th in Division 1; Appleton North 18th in Division 1.
Kimberly coach Chad Michalkiewicz: “Appleton North has consistently played some great football games with us over the years. They are a team that always seems to be in the correct spots and assignment-sure. We are looking to build off of last week’s victory, stack some success and build some more confidence heading into the playoffs. We don’t need any added incentive beyond our own process, but jockeying for playoff seeding and potential home playoff games adds some motivation.”
Appleton North coach Rob Salm: “They are a traditional powerhouse with great coaching and talent on both sides of the ball, and we have tremendous respect for their program. Last week, we didn’t play up to our standard. This week, our focus is simple: get back on track. There is no better opportunity to do that than against a high-quality opponent like Kimberly. We look forward to a great atmosphere and the chance to compete and play to our standard.”
Prediction: Kimberly 17, Appleton North 14.
Luxemburg-Casco (7-1) at Freedom (7-1)
The teams: The Spartans and Irish are both 5-1 in the North Eastern Conference, one game behind Little Chute. Luxemburg-Casco lost to Little Chute 42-27 last week. Eli Derenne passed for 265 yards and three touchdowns in the defeat. Freedom beat Sheboygan Falls 41-0 for its fourth win in a row. Owen Henkel passed for 101 yards and two touchdowns. Nixon Heinke and Mason Van Groll both had six tackles to lead the defense. Luxemburg-Casco leads the all-time series 12-6, but Freedom has won four of the last six, including 34-21 last season.
Playoff qualifying standings: Luxemburg-Casco 7th in Division 3; Freedom 13th in Division 4.
Luxemburg-Casco coach Neil Seering: “Freedom is a very complete team that is coached very well. They are one of the top teams in our league and in the area. We have to find a way to respond after last week and we will see where we are at. It will be a huge challenge for us and our goal is to compete and hopefully have a chance in the end.”
Freedom coach Charlie Jadin: “Luxemburg-Casco is a very good team, coming off a tough loss to another very good team. We expect to see them at their best. They have a talented roster, led by a great coaching staff, a suffocating defense and two strong running backs. We have seen a lot of growth each week this season. Our leaders have done an excellent job keeping the team focused on our controllables and upholding a team first environment. Regardless of the outcome of this game, we will certainly grow some more thanks to a great matchup with Luxemburg-Casco.”
Prediction: Freedom 27, Luxemburg-Casco 20.
Appleton East (3-5) at Kaukauna (3-5)
The teams: Appleton East is 2-4 in the FVA after a 13-7 victory over Appleton North to snap a three-game losing streak. Ayden Kruse ran for 206 yards and a touchdown. Randy Mercedes led the Patriots defense with seven tackles. Kaukauna is 3-3 in the FVA after its loss to Kimberly. Pierson Bauer caught four passes for 55 yards. Wyatt Romenesko led the Ghosts defense with 10 tackles (9 solo). Kaukauna leads the all-time series 31-23 and has won nine in a row against the Patriots.
Playoff qualifying standings: Appleton East 38th in Division 1; Kaukauna 29th in Division 2.
Appleton East coach Jarrius James: “We’re looking forward to a tough matchup against Kaukauna. They’re a well-coached team that plays physical, disciplined football. As for us, we’re continuing to focus on execution and playing a complete game in all three phases. The team has been working hard and we’re excited to finally have a healthy team and for the opportunity to finish the regular season strong.”
Kaukauna coach Matt Binsfeld: “We are excited to play East this week. They are riding high after a great win against North, so we know we are getting them at their best right now. Both teams are playing for a 10th game, so there is a lot on the line. I expect a great game and a great atmosphere.”
Prediction: Kaukauna 21, Appleton East 14.
Sheboygan North (5-3) at Menasha (5-3)
The teams: Sheboygan North is 3-3 in the Fox River Classic Conference-South and Menasha is 4-2. The Golden Raiders lost to Oshkosh North 48-6 last week. Blake Buhr led the defense with seven tackles. Menasha blanked Sheboygan South 42-0 last week. Carter Rateau (135 yards, 1 TD) and Keonte Thigpen (113 yards, 3 TDs) led a rushing attack that had 390 yards. Thigpen also led the defense with eight tackles. Menasha leads the all-time series 8-0 and won last year’s meeting 35-14.
Playoff qualifying standings: Sheboygan North 40th in Division 1; Menasha 20th in Division 2.
Sheboygan North coach Joe O’Brien: “We are looking forward to the opportunity to take on Menasha. They are a quality opponent, really well-coached and play good, physical football. We are excited. The guys are prepared to have a great week of practice and we plan on making a few adjustments throughout the week. Each week we talk about how this week is the most important. That is even more true this week. It is the last time that this team will suit up together in a regular-season conference game. This week is for our seniors.”
Menasha coach Jeramie Korth: “We are starting to get a little healthier and really focused on our team and making the necessary improvements to win this week and beyond. We are hoping for a little luck with going into the postseason, as we have limped in the last couple of years. We know that we will not get all our players back and we miss them, but our younger players are starting to step up. This is the youngest team I have coached in 25 years, and we are excited to see them finish strong.”
Prediction: Menasha 34, Sheboygan North 16.
Winneconne (8-0) at Seymour (7-1)
The teams: Both teams are 6-0 in the Bay Conference, with the winner of this game claiming the conference title. Winneconne beat Fox Valley Lutheran 38-31 last week. Brody Schaffer ran for 200 yards and two touchdowns for Winneconne. Trey Zemke led the defense with eight tackles. The Thunder beat New London 28-6 last week. Xavier Salzman ran for 96 yards and a touchdown and added five solo tackles on defense. Isaac Feske led the defense with seven solo stops. Winneconne leads the all-time series 4-0 and won last year’s game 35-21.
Playoff qualifying standings: Winneconne 7th in Division 4; Seymour 15th in Division 4.
Seymour coach Jason Bins: “Winneconne is a great football team whose record speaks for itself. Brody Schaffer is a major game changer and we need to know where he is on the field in all three phases. We, too, are doing some great things and look forward to a great game against Winneconne to determine the Bay Conference champion.”
Prediction: Winneconne 28, Seymour 26.
Week 9 high school football schedule in the Appleton area
Thursday, Oct. 16 (7 p.m.)
Northland Pines (4-4) at Shiocton (1-7).
Friday, Oct. 17 (all games 7 p.m.)
Valders (3-5) at Brillion (6-2), Crandon (4-4) at Clintonville (0-8), Weyauwega-Fremont (4-4) at Colby (1-7), Shawano (1-7) at Fox Valley Lutheran (5-3), Oostburg (2-6) at Hilbert (6-2) , Neenah (7-1) at Hortonville (1-7), Two Rivers (2-6) at Little Chute (7-1), Oconto Falls (7-1) at Manawa (2-6), St. Mary Catholic (4-4) at New Holstein (6-2), Chilton (3-5) at Roncalli (6-2), Xavier (2-6) at Waupaca (2-6), Appleton West (3-5) at West De Pere (8-0), New London (1-7) at Wrightstown (5-3).
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: High school football Week 9 top matchups, predictions, schedule
Category: General Sports
