Round 1 Playoff Preview: No. 1 Monona Grove Hosts Milton in Familiar Playoff Rematch

WIAA Division 2 — Level 1 Playoffs

No. 8 Milton Red Hawks (4–5) at No. 1 Monona Grove Silver Eagles (8–1)

Friday, October 23, 2026 — 7:00 p.m. Buy Game Tickets on Bound Wisconsin

John Klement Stadium — Monona Grove High School

Live Broadcast on Monona Community Media and ESPN Madison PrepMania

Six possessions. Six touchdowns. A 42–0 halftime lead.

That's how Monona Grove opened against Milton back in Week 3. The Silver Eagles scored on all six first-half possessions, while the defense kept the Red Hawks off the scoreboard.

With the starters resting in the second half, MG cruised to a 42–7 victory.

Seven weeks later, the two teams are meeting again, this time with their seasons on the line.

Monona Grove enters the WIAA Division 2 playoffs as the No. 1 seed, finishing the regular season 8–1 overall and 6–1 in the Badger-Large. Milton, the No. 8 seed, finished 4–5 but has shown improvement since its difficult 0–3 start. It's a familiar postseason matchup, and one with an interesting historical connection.

A Familiar Playoff Matchup, 13 Years Later

In 2013, MG entered the playoffs undefeated at 9–0, while Milton qualified at 3–6. The Silver Eagles had beaten the Red Hawks 14–7 just two weeks earlier, then won the playoff rematch 42–12 at John Klement Stadium.

Thirteen years later, the circumstances are similar. MG again enters as the No. 1 seed, faces No. 8 Milton at home, and brings a regular-season victory over the Red Hawks into the rematch.

Different teams, different seasons, but a familiar opportunity for Monona Grove to begin another playoff run.

The Silver Eagles also hold a 2–0 postseason record against Milton, winning 22–6 in 2006 and 42–12 in 2013. Friday will mark the programs' third WIAA playoff meeting.

MG Enters the Playoffs With Some of Division 2's Top Performers

Monona Grove has put together an impressive regular season, averaging 39.7 points per game while allowing just 7.6.

All eight victories have come by at least 30 points, including three shutouts. MG scored 42 or more points in each of its first seven games before suffering its only defeat, a hard-fought 7–3 loss at Waunakee.

The Silver Eagles responded in Week 9 by shutting out DeForest 36–0, finishing the regular season with renewed momentum.

Several MG players have also established themselves among the top statistical performers in Wisconsin Division 2.

Senior Deangelo "D'Lo" Clay has been one of the state's most disruptive defensive players. His 26 tackles for loss lead all Wisconsin Division 2 players, six more than second-place JJ Fletcher of Union Grove. Clay has recorded 68 total tackles, including 43 solo stops and two sacks.

A significant contributor on both sides of the football, Clay has also rushed for 139 yards and four touchdowns on just 21 carries, averaging 6.6 yards per attempt. His physicality in the running game and ability to make plays in the opponent's backfield have made him one of MG's most valuable two-way performers.

Junior quarterback Jaxon Zukowski has produced one of the state's most impressive offensive seasons, accounting for 33 touchdowns, second-most among all Division 2 players. Only Notre Dame senior running back Kingston Allen, with 48, has more. Zukowski has also been one of Division 2's most efficient passers. His 182.5 quarterback rating ranks third statewide, as a runner he leads MG with 814 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on 93 carries, averaging 8.8 yards per attempt.

Junior running back Carson Schoenherr has provided another major offensive weapon, rushing for 588 yards and seven touchdowns on 84 carries. His 7.0 yards per attempt and team-long 42-yard run reflect his ability to produce significant gains when given opportunities.

Senior Jay Ramsey has added 116 rushing yards on 26 carries, averaging 4.5 yards per attempt. Together with Clay, Schoenherr and Zukowski, MG has multiple experienced options capable of moving the football on the ground.

The Silver Eagles have also received substantial production from a deep group of receivers.

Junior Nic Busalacchi leads MG with 25 receptions for 378 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 15.1 yards per catch. Junior Diego Adame has added 16 receptions for 268 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 16.8 yards per catch, including a 57-yard scoring reception.

Senior Hunter Meyer has caught 15 passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 17.3 yards per reception. Senior Henry Parrott has made the most of his opportunities, turning four catches into 129 yards and a touchdown, including a 68-yard scoring play. His 32.2 yards per catch are the highest among MG's listed receiving leaders. Senior Steven Brumm has contributed another 10 receptions for 100 yards, giving MG another dependable option in the passing game.

The production across multiple receivers has helped make Monona Grove difficult to defend, with different players capable of turning a single completion into a significant gain.

Senior kicker Hans Haffele has been nearly automatic, converting a perfect 49 of 49 extra-point attempts, the second-most successful PATs in Division 2. He also connected on a 47-yard field goal in Week 2, the second-longest field goal in Division 2 this season.

MG Defense Has Been Just as Impressive

While the offense has produced nearly 40 points per game, Monona Grove's defense has been equally important to the team's success.

Led by Clay, the Silver Eagles have consistently limited opposing rushing attacks, created negative plays and prevented opponents from sustaining scoring drives.

Junior defensive back Landry Ganshert has recorded 56 total tackles, including 27 solo stops and one tackle for loss. His production from the secondary has made him one of MG's most active defenders.

Junior Cole Kessenich has contributed 52 tackles, including 29 solo stops, seven tackles for loss and one sack. Senior linebacker Dom Melone has been another disruptive presence, recording 51 tackles, 24 solo stops, 11 tackles for loss and a team-high 3.5 sacks among the listed leaders.

Along with Clay's Division 2-leading 26 tackles for loss, that group has helped establish a defense that has held opponents to just 68 points in nine games.

The Silver Eagles have recorded three shutouts and allowed double-digit points to only three opponents throughout the regular season.

Milton Has Improved Considerably Since Week 3

When the Red Hawks last visited Monona Grove, they were still trying to establish their identity. Milton lost its first three games, including the 42–7 defeat against MG, before responding with three consecutive conference victories over Sun Prairie West (34–6), Oregon (27–21) and DeForest (7–6).

That turnaround helped establish an offense built around junior quarterback Brice Remington and a talented group of receivers.

Milton nearly extended its winning streak in Week 7 against Sun Prairie East. Trailing 21–12 in the second half, the Red Hawks put together a 16-play, 77-yard touchdown drive to pull within 21–18. Milton later reached the Cardinals' 19-yard line in the final two minutes before its comeback ended on fourth down.

The following week against Watertown, Milton's offense broke out in a 48–21 victory. Remington threw for 274 yards and five touchdowns, including three scoring passes to Junior WR Max Grady, who delivered one of the conference's best receiving performances with seven catches for 219 yards and three touchdowns. His scoring receptions included plays of 84 and 43 yards.

Senior running back Gabe Mathews provided additional balance, rushing for 94 yards on 16 carries, including a 56-yard gain that helped set up a touchdown.

Milton's regular-season finale brought a tougher challenge against Waunakee. The Red Hawks opened with an impressive touchdown drive and led 7–0 before the Warriors eventually pulled away for a 45–7 victory.

Defensively, junior linebacker Evan Jagodzinski ranks third among Wisconsin Division 2 players with 109 total tackles. He recorded 13 tackles against Sun Prairie East and 10 against Watertown.

Milton's 4–5 record doesn't fully reflect the progress it has made since September. The Red Hawks have developed a more productive passing attack, played competitive games against quality opponents and demonstrated an ability to battle back when trailing.

MG Looking to Extend Recent Playoff Success

Monona Grove enters the postseason having won its opening-round playoff game in each of the last three seasons.

In 2023, the Silver Eagles defeated Nicolet 28–15 before falling to Sun Prairie East in Level 2.

In 2024, MG won a dramatic 34–31 first-round game against Menomonie before losing another close contest, 35–34, to Rice Lake.

Last season, Monona Grove put together its deepest playoff run since 2018. The Silver Eagles opened with a convincing 39–8 win over Brookfield Central, then defeated Germantown 28–14 to reach the Division 2 state quarterfinals. Their season ended in a 14–10 defensive battle against Homestead.

Over those three postseasons, MG has earned four playoff victories and three consecutive opening-round wins. A victory Friday would extend that streak to four straight seasons.

The program's broader postseason tradition includes three WIAA state championships (1977, 1984 and 2013) and state runner-up finishes in 2004 and 2016.

Under head coach Brandon Beckwith, the Silver Eagles have reached the 2016 state championship game and advanced to the state quarterfinals in 2017, 2018 and 2025.

What to Watch Friday Night

The biggest question is how much has changed since these teams last met on September 4.

Milton has developed a considerably more productive passing attack, with Remington gaining confidence and Grady emerging as a dangerous downfield threat. The Red Hawks have shown they can move the football against quality opponents, but finishing drives and establishing a consistent running game have remained challenges.

For Monona Grove, the focus is on carrying its regular-season success into the playoffs. The Silver Eagles have been dominant in nearly every victory this season, with a productive rushing attack, multiple downfield receiving threats and a defense capable of controlling games.

Milton will be looking to show how far it has come since Week 3. MG will be looking to take the first step toward another deep playoff run.

There are no more second chances. Monona Grove has earned the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage, putting itself in a strong position to begin another postseason in front of its home crowd.

Now the goal is simple: win Friday night and keep playing.

Go MG!