Schools

Everything You Need To Know for Saturday's Central-Kenosha Bradford Playoff Clash

Lancers look to knock off unbeaten Red Devils and advance to semifinals

If you’re looking for the breakdown on Saturday afternoon’s WIAA Division 1 Level 3 football playoff tussle between Brookfield Central and Kenosha Bradford, look no further.

We have the stats and stories, photos and videos that can make you sound like the smartest fan in the stands.

HOUSEKEEPING

Find out what's happening in Brookfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Saturday’s game is at 2 p.m. at . Tickets are $4 and there is no pre-sale. Gates open at 12:30 p.m. at three ticket gates — two on the south side of the stadium at the permanent booth, and one on the west side, near the home stands.

Parking will be at a premium, but fans are also welcome to park at City Hall, immediately west of the stadium.

Find out what's happening in Brookfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

BRACKETOLOGY

Brookfield Central (9-2) was co-champion of the Greater Metro Conference and seeded second in the sectional. Kenosha Bradford (11-0) was champion of the Southeast Conference and seeded first in the sectional. Saturday’s winner faces the winner of the Verona/Sun Prairie game in Level 4.

ABOUT BROOKFIELD CENTRAL

The Lancers average 38.1 points per game, and have six consecutive games of at least 30. They operate from a spread offense that emphasizes the run, led by quarterback Jason Meichtry (141 carries, 795 yards, 13 TDs) and DeMario Harris (147 carries, 998 yards, 17 TDs), according to stats compiled at WisSports.net. It’s also a deep group at the skill positions, with Craig Jordan (462 yards) capable on the ground and Charlie O’Dwyer (281 yards rushing, 14 receptions for 261 yards) also an option.

Defensively, the Lancers don’t down shut folks down but have picked up seven turnovers in two playoff games. That’s helped offset a pass defense that has permitted Milwaukee Hamilton and then Franklin to throw for a combined 640 yards and five touchdowns.

ABOUT KENOSHA BRADFORD

The Red Devils are one of the most feared programs in southeast Wisconsin, with a 60-11 mark since 2006. They entered this year featuring perhaps the state’s best player, running back Vonte Jackson, but he was lost for the year following a knee injury in the opening game. Without him, five rushers have gained between 483 and 700 yards, according to stats compiled at WisSports.net. John Meyers leads the group with 12 touchdowns in 81 carries for 700 yards.

The Red Devils, too, have been more prone to outscoring opponents than shutting them down. But they blanked Franklin 25-0 earlier this year and also kept the lid on Milwaukee Riverside in the opener, 27-14.

COACHES PERSPECTIVE

Three teams played both Brookfield Central and Kenosha Bradford during the season. One coach who lost to both teams sizes up the game.

Louis Brown, Franklin (lost to Bradford, 25-0, lost to Brookfield Central 42-28)

“What they do, they both do real well,” Brown said. “Obviously, they have some weapons. Brookfield, the size of some of their kids, the receivers, that can pose a bit of a threat, but Bradford’s secondary is probably the best we faced all year.

“Both are very physical and pretty compatible. What they do, they do well. When you get two teams like that, it usually comes down to turnovers.”

VIDEO GALLERY

Catch highlight video of the Lancers from FOX 6 for last week’s Franklin game, also from FOX 6 for the West Allis Hale matchup, and finally the two-overtime loss against Marquette, from WISN TV.

You can get a look at highlights from last week’s Level 2 win against Muskego on the Fox Sports PrepZone. Among regular season games, see the Red Devils beating Kenosha Tremper in a My 24 Thursday Night Lights game, shutting out Franklin as mentioned earlier, from WISN TV, and finally taking care of Muskego in the regular season with highlight by WTMJ’s PrepsPlus.

READ ALL ABOUT IT

From the Journal Sentinel, the story of Bradford’s 27-21 win over Muskego in last week’s Level 2 game. JSOnline.com also had a story detailing the deep bench on Brookfield Central's coaching staff, from Phil Datka, a Wisconsin Football Coaches Association hall of famer to Joe Koch and Sal Logue.

From Patch, in a 42-28 affair. 


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