By John Kemmeter

The groupings for the WIAA Football Playoffs were announced early Saturday, Oct. 13.

Each of the seven divisions include four groups, with eight teams in each group.

Three-time WIAA Division 5 State Champion Amherst (7-2) was placed in Group D in Division 5, along with defending WIAA Division 6 State Champion Fond du Lac Saint Mary’s Springs (9-0), which was the last team placed in Division 5 based on the enrollment of teams that made the playoffs.

Along with top-ranked Springs and third-ranked Amherst, Group D includes 2016 State Runner-up and sixth-ranked Cedar Grove-Belgium (8-1), Whitefish Bay Dominican (5-3), Howards Grove (6-3), New Holstein (6-3), eighth-ranked Omro (8-1) and Valders (7-2).

Almond-Bancroft (8-1) and Rosholt (3-6) were both placed in Group B in Division 7. Also in Group B are fourth-ranked Hilbert (8-1), Wisconsin Rapids Assumption (4-5), Pittsville (8-1), ninth-ranked Reedsville (8-1), Suring (3-6) and Wabeno/Laona (3-5).

The winner of each eight-team group will advance to the State Semifinals.

Coaches from each group will meet for a seeding meeting Saturday, with playoff brackets and first-round matchups set to be released Saturday afternoon.

Complete Playoff Groupings are available at the WIAA website.