West De Pere, Kewaunee, Brillion top FOX 11/CW 14 poll

GREEN BAY - Friday is the opening day of the high school football season and what comes with it is optimism.

Every team is feeling good about its 2011 season, and why not? Everybody is undefeated.

Nonetheless, some teams by the end of Friday night will be wondering if they’re in for a long haul, while others will maintain positive thoughts for at least another week.

Throughout this season a lot will happen and nobody’s quite sure what will transpire.

Will West De Pere, Kewaunee and Brillion repeat their state titles from last season?

Can St. Mary’s Springs make the state title game again but this time win?

Will West De Pere’s Jay Tollefson have another remarkable season?

How many yards will Menasha’s Caleb Belknap rush for after more than 1,500 last season?

How will the Olympian-Packerland Large play out as the likes of Kewaunee and Wrightstown “welcome” Brillion and Roncalli to the division?

Can Green Bay Southwest surprise some by winning the Fox River Classic Conference?

Which team will be the ultimate sleeper this season?

So many questions and we’re going to have to wait for the answers. In the meantime, you might as well take a look at the FOX 11/CW 14 Preseason Top 11 poll. It includes teams from all divisions, in addition to some teams in the Red Zone (on the cusp of making the poll).

With season-opening kickoffs less than 24 hours away, here’s the poll:

FOX 11’s Preseason Top 11
1. West De Pere: Defending Division 3 state champs return do-everything QB Jay Tollefson.
2. Kewaunee: Defending Division 4 state champs have to replace a lot of firepower.
3. Brillion: Defending Division 5 champs will ride 1,000-yard rusher Tanner Behnke this season.
4. Xavier: Hawks’ only loss last season came to West De Pere in Level 4.
5. Appleton North: RB Courtney Watkins expected to carry the offense.
6. Bay Port: Pirates once again will be a contender in the FRCC.
7. Kimberly: New coach Steve Jones will once again have a playoff team.
8. Ashwaubenon: Only loss last season came in Level 2.
9. Menasha: RB Caleb Belknap looks to lead Bluejays to another stellar season.
10. St. Mary’s Springs: Ledgers could be in for a long run with plenty of returning players from last year’s Division 6 runner-up team.
11. Waupaca: Comets’ two losses last season came to Xavier.

In the Red Zone: Green Bay Southwest, Roncalli, Bonduel, Wrightstown, Coleman, Omro, Manitowoc, Notre Dame.

doug.ritchay@wluk.com