by CHUCK DELSMAN , Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The first round for Arrowhead's varsity football team was a good one, and the second round was even better. But to make it to the WIAA Division 1 state championship game at historic Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, a team must win four rounds of games.

Round No. 3 awaits the Warhawks on Saturday.

After eliminating Janesville Parker (28-12) in the first round last Tuesday and Classic 8 Conference rival Waukesha West (21-14) last Saturday night, Arrowhead will now face Verona (9-2) at 4 p.m. at Middleton High School. The winner of that game will advance to the state semifinals.

"These are the kinds of games we want to be in every season," said 28-year veteran AHS coach Tom Taraska. "That's one of the goals of our program. We want to play in big games in the WIAA playoffs. It's nice to still be playing in the third round."

Certainly playing big games is nothing new to the highly successful Arrowhead program. The Warhawks have played in the last three state championship games and will play this week in its fourth straight Level 3 game, a new school record. This is Arrowhead's 14th consecutive playoff appearance and 18th trip to the playoffs in the last 19 years.

The Wildcats, seeded No. 3 in their bracket, opened tourney play last week by edging visiting Hartford (5-5) by a 28-21 score, followed by an upset of second-seeded Middleton (8-3), 21-14.

During the Warhawks 2007 state-championship run, AHS defeated Verona at Monterrey Stadium in Janesville, 24-7.

Verona had lost to Middleton during the Big Eight Conference season by a 26-0 score. The Wildcats trailed Middleton, 14-7, going into the final period before rallying for two touchdowns to win the game.

Junior running back Ryan McDonald, who scored all three of his team's touchdowns on running plays, joined running mate Cameron Bathe to gain 226 yards on the ground. Both backs had 113 yards. McDonald scored on a 64-yard run on the game's second play and got his yardage on just 11 carries. Junior Danny Burns, also a running threat for the Wildcats, is the quarterback for Verona.

Verona shared the Big Eight title this past season with Middleton, Madison Memorial and Sun Prairie. Verona and Sun Prairie are still alive in the Division 1 playoffs.

Arrowhead has its own weapons

The senior trio of quarterback Tom Parish, running back Brian Crook and wide receiver Russ Finco comprise the nucleus of the Arrowhead offense. Parish, who has signed to play at the University of Minnesota next year, is having a terrific year both passing and running.

Crook, the all time leading scorer and rusher in school history, played his best game of the season last Saturday against West. Finco has 14 caught touchdown passes and has also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns.

A big key for the Warhawks will be how well their offensive line plays. Senior Brad Fisher was the only returning starter, and regulars Austin Gatchel, Tyler May, Jake Lindenberg, Nick Fisher and Trevor Schell have improved in recent weeks.

Division 1

Saturday, Nov. 7

* Arrowhead (9-1) vs. Verona (9-2) at Middleton, 4 p.m.

* Milwaukee Marquette (11-0) vs. Kenosha Bradford (11-0) at Indian Trail Field, 6 p.m.

* Stevens Point (11-0) at Appleton North (11-0), 4 p.m

* Menomonee Falls (10-1) at Sun Prairie (9-2), 1 p.m.

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