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Warhawks want to leave no doubt

WHITEWATER — UW-Whitewater football coach Lance Leipold is not taking any chances.

Despite the fact that the Warhawks have clinched a fifth straight NCAA Division III postseason berth and at least a share of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title, Leipold is not about to sit any of his starters for Saturday's regular-season finale at UW-La Crosse.

Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Roger Harring Stadium at Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex.

"We're going in with the mindset that we want to win the outright (WIAC) championship," Leipold said. "Championships are hard to get, and even though I'm happy for the kids to get another one, nobody wants to share it.

"And although we've enjoyed our travels this season, a victory on Saturday means we open the playoffs at home. The more games we can play at home, the better."

The second-ranked Warhawks (9-0, 4-0) have won four straight against the Eagles, including a 31-0 shutout last year at Perkins Stadium.

Whitewater is winning by an average of more than 30 points a game this season, and only two teams have lost to the Warhawks by less than four touchdowns. That's how dominating Leipold's team has been.

"This team has done a great job of preparing one game at a time. That mentality has allowed us to focus on the task at hand," Leipold said.

"And that's why I won't change anything in regard to resting any of our starters. There's no reason to change our approach, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't mind getting some people off the field if we're in a position to do that."

La Crosse is 5-4 overall but just 2-4 in the WIAC. The Eagles won five of their first six games and were ranked in the top 25 after a 32-25 win over UW-Oshkosh in the WIAC opener. The team has lost three straight, including a 27-17 defeat at UW-Eau Claire last week.

Despite the late-season tailspin, Leipold expects the Eagles to be fired up with the No. 2 team in the nation coming to town.

"La Crosse has gone to more of a spread attack on offense and has been able to score a lot of points against most teams it has played," Leipold said.

"The thing that worries me most is that for their seniors, it's the last home game. I'm sure they'll give us all we can handle."

The Warhawks have yet to be severely tested this season. That may not happen until a fifth straight trip to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl and another date with top-ranked Mount Union.