Week 9 Preview: A Historic Rivalry and One Final Test Before the Playoffs
Updated: Oct 15
DeForest Norskies at Monona Grove Silver Eagles
Friday, October 16, 2026 — 7:00 p.m.
John Klement Stadium — Monona Grove High School
Badger Large Conference | Final Regular-Season Game
Since their first meeting in 1987, the two programs have played 25 times. Monona Grove leads the all-time series 14–11, with three consecutive victories heading into Friday. Across those 25 games, MG has outscored DeForest just 518–494 — a difference of only 24 points over nearly four decades.
The series has experienced dramatic swings. DeForest controlled the early years, winning nine of the first 14 meetings, including five straight from 1988 through 1992. Monona Grove turned things around when the rivalry resumed in 2009, winning six consecutive games through 2016.
More recently, the rivalry has delivered just about everything imaginable. DeForest won 33–7 in 2022. A year later, Monona Grove responded with an extraordinary 70–62 victory, one of the highest-scoring games in Wisconsin high school football history. In 2024, MG survived a hard-fought 31–24 road contest against an undefeated, state-ranked DeForest team. Last season, the Silver Eagles delivered one of their most dominant performances in the series, building a 36–0 halftime lead on their way to a 38–8 win.
Three consecutive MG victories. Three completely different games.
MG Looks to Respond After First Loss of 2026
Monona Grove enters Week 9 at 7–1 overall and 5–1 in the Badger Large, following a tough 7–3 loss at Waunakee. The Silver Eagles slipped one spot to No. 4 in the Division 2 Coaches Poll.
MG had dominated its first seven opponents, scoring at least 42 points in every game and winning each by 30 or more. Waunakee changed that.
Despite producing six of the game's seven longest offensive plays, MG struggled to sustain drives and failed to reach the end zone for the first time this season.
"You kick yourself in the teeth because I'm a big believer in momentum," head coach Brandon Beckwith said afterward. "Going up 3-0 in a game like this was great for a while, but they made a tremendous play and that's the whole tape."
MG's defense delivered a strong performance, holding Waunakee to a single touchdown. Now the Silver Eagles look to regroup and finish the regular season strong.
Depth and Playmakers Fuel the Season
The strength of this Monona Grove team has rarely been one player carrying the entire load. Through eight weeks, the Silver Eagles have shown they can score through a variety of players, force turnovers and generate big plays from nearly every position group.
Several MG athletes also enter Week 9 among the statistical leaders in Wisconsin Division 2.
Junior quarterback Jaxon Zukowski has accounted for 28 total touchdowns, ranking second among all Wisconsin Division 2 players, trailing only Notre Dame running back Kinston Allen's remarkable 43-touchdown season through eight weeks. Zukowski also owns the second-highest quarterback rating in Division 2 and ranks second among Division 2 quarterbacks in rushing with 702 yards on 81 carries.
A Receiving Group Capable of Big Plays
MG's passing game features four receivers who have combined for more than 900 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Junior Nic Busalacchi, a 6-foot-5, 220-pound tight end, leads the group with 22 receptions for 330 yards and four touchdowns. His size and athleticism have made him a difficult matchup, highlighted by his six-catch, 111-yard, two-touchdown performance against Sun Prairie East.
Senior Hunter Meyer has caught 13 passes for 249 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 19.2 yards per reception. Meyer has been particularly effective producing big gains downfield and turning opportunities into scoring plays.
Junior Diego Adame has added 14 receptions for 236 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 16.9 yards per catch. His speed and playmaking ability have been evident in several games, including a 57-yard touchdown against Watertown and a 43-yard reception against Sun Prairie East.
Senior Henry Parrott has made the most of his opportunities, catching four passes for 129 yards and a touchdown. His remarkable 32.2 yards per reception leads MG's primary receiving group, including a 68-yard touchdown catch.
A Backfield With Different Ways to Contribute
Junior running back Carson Schoenherr was sidelined with injury during Week 8 and enters Week 9 with 572 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, providing much of MG's production from the traditional running back position. His physical running style and ability to finish drives have been important throughout the season, including a three-touchdown performance against Sun Prairie East.
Senior Jay Ramsey returned healthy to full-time action in Week 8 and has accumulated 72 rushing yards on 18 carries this season. His return gives the Silver Eagles another experienced option in the backfield as they prepare for the postseason.
Senior Deangelo "D-Lo" Clay also provides offensive versatility and a physical running presence. His ability to contribute on both sides of the football has been valuable throughout his stellar 3 year varsity career.
Clay Leads a Defense With Some of Wisconsin's Top Performers
The most impressive individual statistic entering Week 9 belongs to the senior defensive lineman and captain. Through eight games, D-Lo has recorded 24 tackles for loss, tied for the most by any player in Wisconsin, regardless of division.
Within Division 2, he leads the next-closest player by six tackles for loss, 24 to 18.
His production extends beyond plays behind the line of scrimmage. Clay leads MG with 62 total tackles, including 39 solo stops and two sacks. His tackle total ranks fourth among all players in the Badger Large Conference.
Clay has consistently disrupted opposing offenses, whether stopping running plays before they develop, pressuring quarterbacks or making tackles in critical situations. His production has been one of the defining features of MG's defense.
Junior defensive back Landry Ganshert has also been exceptionally productive, recording 53 total tackles, good for 10th in the Badger Large Conference through eight weeks.
The Silver Eagles have received important contributions from several other defenders:
Cole Kessenich, junior: 44 tackles, seven tackles for loss and one sack.
Dominic Melone, senior: 44 tackles, eight tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
Santana Jackson, junior: 21 tackles, four tackles for loss and three sacks.
Aiden Dennis, junior: 21 tackles, including 12 solo stops and one tackle for loss.
Melone has been a steady presence at linebacker, while Kessenich has consistently contributed against both the run and pass. Jackson's three sacks lead the team, providing another source of pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Jay Hurley, Lucas Jordan and Nic Busalacchi have also contributed along the defensive front, while Makai Fowler, when healthy, gives MG another experienced playmaker capable of making an impact in multiple phases.
Haffele's Perfect Season Continues
Special teams have been another area of strength. Senior kicker Hans Haffele enters Week 9 with the second-most made extra points in Divison 2, having converted a perfect 45 of 45 PAT attempts this season. Haffele's consistency has been valuable throughout MG's high-scoring season, and his experience becomes even more important as games tighten in the postseason.
DeForest Comes to Monona Riding a Two-Game Winning Streak
DeForest arrives at MG with a 3–5 overall record and 3–3 conference mark. The Norskies opened with difficult losses against Slinger and Reedsburg before defeating Oregon 8–7 in a defensive battle. They later held a third-quarter lead against Sun Prairie East before falling 28–13, scored first against Waunakee before losing 42–13, and narrowly lost 7–6 at Milton after a mishandled extra-point attempt proved decisive.
But October has been different. DeForest defeated Watertown 33–22 on October 2, producing a season-high 432 yards of offense. The Norskies followed with a convincing 27–8 victory over Sun Prairie West on October 9. Their defense overcame three first-half interceptions by the DeForest offense and kept the Wolves scoreless until the final minutes.
Those victories have given head coach Todd Grundahl and his team momentum heading into the regular-season finale. After struggling offensively earlier in the season, DeForest has scored 60 points over its past two games, its best two-game scoring stretch of 2026.
DeForest Players to Watch
DeForest's biggest question heading into Friday may be at quarterback. Senior starter Tru Killerlain has been the Norskies' primary offensive playmaker, combining running plays with a passing game. He completed 13 of 17 passes for 256 yards against Watertown and rushed for two touchdowns against Sun Prairie West before leaving that game with an apparent shoulder injury.
Junior backup Macrae Midlikowski, who had also seen significant playing time earlier this season, was unavailable in Week 8. Senior Colin Flaherty stepped in for Killerlain and threw a touchdown pass to tight end Owen Taylor. With both Killerlain's status and Midlikowski's availability uncertain, DeForest enters Week 9 with questions about who will lead its offense.
Senior running back Dalton Lee has been another major contributor, highlighted by a 66-yard touchdown run against Waunakee and 122 combined rushing and receiving yards against Watertown. Sam Weisbrod has also delivered explosive plays, including an 88-yard touchdown against Waunakee and a 29-yard score against Watertown.
Cooper Brown leads a capable receiving group. Through the first five games, he had 18 receptions for 140 yards, then added six catches for 88 yards against Watertown. Experienced Junior Tight End Michael Allen provides additional receiving threat.
Defensively, junior linebacker Baylor Skolaski and senior Bryar Herring led DeForest through its first five reported games with 42 and 41 tackles, respectively. Senior Dane Faas added 31 tackles, while defensive lineman Brody Schmidt recorded 24 tackles and a team-leading five tackles for loss.
Looking Back: MG's Three Consecutive Wins Over DeForest
The last three meetings have produced some of the most memorable performances in this rivalry, and several players who helped deliver those victories remain important pieces of the 2026 Silver Eagles.
2025: Habeck's Opening Kickoff Sparks a 38–8 Rout
September 12, 2025 — Monona Grove 38, DeForest 8
Last year's meeting was essentially over before halftime, Senior Tremayne Habeck took the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, immediately putting the Norskies on their heels. Sophomore quarterback Jaxon Zukowski followed with a two-point conversion pass to junior Jay Hurley, giving MG an 8–0 lead before its offense had even taken the field.
From there, the Silver Eagles controlled the night. After the defense stopped DeForest on fourth down inside the MG 5-yard line, the offense marched downfield and Habeck finished the drive with a three-yard touchdown run.
The defense then created another opportunity. Senior Nick Gallagher forced a fumble on a sack, with Henry Hogan recovering at the DeForest 14-yard line. On the next play, Zukowski connected with Gavyn Williams for a touchdown and a 22–0 first-quarter lead.
Gallagher continued making plays, intercepting a deflected pass in the second quarter. Habeck added another short touchdown run before Zukowski delivered a 43-yard scoring pass to tight end Zach Dresen.
At halftime, MG led 36–0.
Special teams and defense added another memorable moment in the third quarter. A punt by Hans Haffele was downed at the DeForest 1-yard line by Henry Parrott, and a bad snap on the ensuing possession resulted in Colten Jenkins making the tackle in the end zone for a safety.
DeForest finally scored in the fourth quarter, but the Silver Eagles had long since secured the victory. The 38–8 final represented MG's largest margin of victory over DeForest in 30 years.
2024: Thomsen Does It All in 31–24 Win at DeForest
September 13, 2024 — Monona Grove 31, DeForest 24
The 2024 matchup was much different.
Both teams arrived undefeated at 3–0, with DeForest ranked eighth in Division 2. The Norskies had already scored 66 points against Reedsburg and 52 against Fort Atkinson, presenting MG with an early-season test against a talented offense.
Senior quarterback Jace Thomsen responded with one of the more unusual individual performances in recent MG history. Thomsen threw a touchdown pass, ran for a touchdown and caught a touchdown pass — all in the same game. The first score came on a 38-yard flea-flicker touchdown to Cal Woerth, giving MG an early 7–0 lead.
After DeForest responded, Thomsen scored on a four-yard run to put the Silver Eagles ahead 13–7. The Norskies answered again, taking a 14–13 lead in the second quarter.
A critical defensive play helped change the game. Junior linebacker Collin Hablewitz forced and recovered a fumble as DeForest threatened to extend its lead. MG took advantage of the turnover, moving into field-goal range, where sophomore Hans Haffele connected from 27 yards to give the Silver Eagles a 16–14 halftime lead.
Junior Tremayne Habeck added an eight-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, extending the advantage to 23–14.
Then came the play everyone remembered. On a reverse, Woerth took the football and appeared ready to run. Instead, he pulled up and threw a pass toward the end zone, where Thomsen had slipped behind the DeForest defense. Thomsen made the 19-yard touchdown reception, completing his remarkable passing-rushing-receiving touchdown combination. MG converted the two-point attempt to lead 31–17.
DeForest scored late, but Monona Grove finished the 31–24 victory.
Thomsen passed for 120 yards, rushed for 76 more and accounted for three touchdowns. Woerth caught four passes for 120 yards and a score, while also throwing the touchdown to Thomsen. Habeck added 126 rushing yards.
The defense featured several players who remain important to MG today.
Deangelo Clay, then a sophomore, led the team with 12 tackles and a sack. Senior linebacker Jenner Zeutzius also recorded a sack, while sophomore Makai Fowler intercepted a DeForest pass in the end zone during the fourth quarter.
For Clay, Fowler and Haffele, Friday's game will be another opportunity to build on their history against the Norskies.
2023: An Unforgettable 70–62 Shootout
September 22, 2023 — Monona Grove 70, DeForest 62
Nothing in the previous 20-plus meetings could have prepared fans for what happened in 2023.
The teams combined for 132 points, more than 1,270 yards of offense and 56 first downs in a game that became part of Wisconsin high school football history.
DeForest jumped out to a 14–0 lead early, but MG refused to let the game get away.
Sophomore quarterback Cal Moreau connected with junior receiver Preston Huemmer for a 77-yard touchdown to get the Silver Eagles going. Later in the second quarter, Moreau found Huemmer again, this time from 23 yards, to put MG ahead.
The offense was just getting started.
Senior running back Gavin Hablewitz delivered one of the most impressive rushing performances of the season, piling up 246 yards and four touchdowns, including a 57-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter.
Moreau was outstanding as well, completing 14 of 23 passes for 319 yards while rushing for another 145 yards and two touchdowns.
The Silver Eagles rushed for 393 yards as a team, and head coach Brandon Beckwith credited the offensive line and Hablewitz's relentless running with helping MG maintain control during a game in which scoring seemed almost automatic.
The highlights extended well beyond conventional offensive plays.
Junior defensive end Jesus Garcia intercepted a pass deflected by senior lineman Eli Theiler and returned it 10 yards for a touchdown.
On offense, MG executed a memorable trick play. Moreau handed the ball to Hablewitz, who passed it off to Cal Woerth on a reverse. Woerth pitched the ball back to Moreau, who found a wide-open Isaiah Erb for a 60-yard touchdown.
But MG continued answering.
When the final whistle sounded, Monona Grove had scored 70 points — the highest single-game total in the program's documented history — and survived one of the wildest games Wisconsin high school football has ever seen.
One More Friday Night Before the Playoffs
Friday's matchup brings together two teams entering the final week from different directions.
Monona Grove has spent most of the season among Wisconsin's best Division 2 teams, with a powerful offense, an aggressive defense and seven convincing victories. Last week's loss at Waunakee was disappointing, but the Silver Eagles remain No. 4 in the state and have an opportunity to finish with eight regular-season wins.
DeForest arrives with renewed confidence after two consecutive victories. The Norskies have proven capable of winning defensive struggles, creating turnovers and producing explosive offensive plays.
Every Week 9 game in Wisconsin counts toward the WIAA playoff point ratings, which help determine seeding and first-round matchups. Once Friday night's games are complete, attention turns immediately to the postseason.
The WIAA Football Bracket Reveal Show begins Saturday, October 17, at 10:00 a.m. The hourlong program will air statewide, including on Catchy Comedy (WKOW 27.2) in the Madison area, with a livestream available through WKOW's WIAA Football Bracket Reveal coverage.
MG has an opportunity to finish 8–1, extend its winning streak over DeForest to four games and enter Saturday's playoff bracket reveal with momentum.
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