Here are 5 intriguing Week 1 high school football games to watch in the Milwaukee area
Are you ready for some (high school) football?
The time is upon us as the 2023 high school football season kicks off Thursday night with 31 games across Wisconsin, followed by a monstrous 148-game slate Friday.
The Milwaukee area again is loaded with talent and programs that could make deep runs into November and find themselves playing at Camp Randall Stadium for a shot at one of the seven gold-ball trophies.
Here's a look at five of the more intriguing games in Week 1. The list includes a rematch from 2022 that went down as one of the games of the season and a few matchups of programs with strong campaigns last year that are looking to replicate that success.
All games are 7 p.m. Friday unless otherwise noted.
Arrowhead at Marquette
This matchup features two teams with title aspirations in their respective conferences. Arrowhead is seen by many as the program that could end the recent run of Muskego and Mukwonago dominating the Classic 8. Marquette was a rugged bunch in the Greater Metro Conference last season that won four of its last five games to vault into the Division 1 playoffs. The Warhawks won last season's matchup between these teams by one possession (22-17), thanks in large part to a 27-carry, 135-yard performance from Drew Nagy and an eight-catch, 98-yard, two-touchdown night from Andrew Weske, both of whom have graduated. The Hilltoppers aren't scared of a challenge. This is the first of two nonconference foes with the second being powerhouse Catholic Memorial next week.
Franklin at Catholic Memorial
In the Milwaukee area, this is most likely the marquee matchup of Week 1. The Sabers' second state championship that they won in 2021 is still fresh, while the Crusaders were a play or two away from winning their fourth straight state title last season. These two programs played in a classic to open their campaigns a year ago with Catholic Memorial edging Franklin by a touchdown (34-28) in Bill Young's 500th career game with the Crusaders. There's star power on the field no matter who has the ball. This could potentially be one of the better games of the year again and we're getting it on the second official day of the season.
(Note: this game will be played at Waukesha South High School.)
Muskego at Verona
The Warriors aren't easing into their season by any means. They'll travel to Verona for their opener and it could be a trickier spot than last year for the defending co-Classic 8 Conference champions on the road. Muskego won last year's meeting by a 28-6 margin, but the Wildcats then proceeded to go 8-0, including a perfect 7-0 mark in the Big Eight Conference, before being upset by No. 7 seed Marquette in the Level 1 playoffs. Verona did lose starting quarterback Kaden Kittleson and their bell-cow running back in Trey Engram to graduation, but do return their top two receivers from last year's team. All-Big Eight Conference first-team defensive back Tre Poteat also returns.
Racine Horlick at Kettle Moraine
The reigning Division 2 state champions open their title defense Friday with an interesting first game against Racine Horlick. The Rebels went 7-3 a season ago to finish third in the Southeast Conference and qualify for the Division 1 playoffs. Starting quarterback (and leading tackler) Blake Fletcher and Horlick's top three rushers all are gone, but last year's SEC co-outside linebacker of the year Carson Fletcher returns for a senior season. Kettle Moraine is dealing with some massive departures from last year's title team, including the Journal Sentinel's defensive player of the year, Sam Coufal, two-way do-it-all star Nolan Schopp and starting quarterback Chase Spellman. Navy commit Drew Wagner and all-Classic 8 Conference first-team linebacker Jonathan Ksobeich both return from last year's bunch, but both teams will have vital questions to start the season.
(Note: this game will be played at Pewaukee High School.)
Sussex Hamilton at Fond du Lac
Chargers coach Justin Gumm isn't shying away from the challenges of not having Nate Kollath under center this season. The defending GMC champions will travel to Fond du Lac for their opener. The Cardinals must replace starting quarterback Stephen Schreiter and leading rusher Brayden Eigenbrodt offensively, but they return 15 starters from last year, including their top three tacklers. They opened last season with a 28-20 victory over eventual state champion Kettle Moraine at home and are looking for that same kind of magic against a Hamilton program that was one win away from the Division 1 title game last year.
More: Here are 40 of the top Milwaukee-area football players to watch in the 2023 season
More: Here are 57 of the best high school football players in Wisconsin for 2023
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Five Week 1 Milwaukee-area high school football games to watch in 2023
