GMC still a 4-horse race, but Spartans have toughest route

Four teams remain in the battle for the Greater Metro Conference football race, about as tight a race as you can have in the final two weeks of the year.

Brookfield Central (4-1, 5-2), Brookfield East (4-1, 6-1), Marquette (4-1, 5-2) and Sussex Hamilton (4-1, 6-1) are in the hunt.

Brookfield Central has played the toughest schedule so far, so they have the easiest schedule left, with teams owning a combined GMC record of 2-8. Lancers coach Jamie Meulemans is pulling his hair right now reading this.

Both Marquette and Sussex Hamilton are tied with the second toughest remaining schedule, each playing teams with a combined 6-4 (.600) conference mark.

Then there is Brookfield East, which has played the easiest schedule so far. The Spartans have the toughest two opponents left, with a combined 8-2 GMC record (.800).

A breakdown:

Brookfield Central: Friday at Wauwatosa East (0-5, 1-6); Oct. 14, Menomonee Falls (2-3, 4-3)

Marquette: Friday at Brookfield East (4-1, 6-1); Oct. 14, West Allis Central (2-3, 3-4)

Sussex Hamilton: Friday at West Allis Central (2-3, 3-4); Oct. 14, Brookfield East (4-1, 6-1)

Brookfield East: Friday, Marquette (4-1, 5-2); Oct. 14 at Sussex Hamilton (4-1, 6-1)

Barring some huge upset (these games aren't played on paper!), Brookfield Central should win its final two games. The Red Raiders are winless and just don't match up with the Lancers' size - physically or roster-wise.

If Central comes ready to play Menomonee Falls it should win, based on talent. But Falls coach John Baker will have his troops ready to play because they should beat Hale this week and then will need the victory over the Lancers to make the playoffs. Motivational factors are in play on both sides - playing for the title vs. playing to make the playoffs.

So with the Lancers at 6-1, the key remaining games for the title will have Brookfield East playing Marquette and Sussex Hamilton.

The Chargers should coast by West Allis Central this week.

The Marquette-Brookfield East game is perhaps the biggest game of the year for both teams. Realistically, the loser loses a share of the GMC championship.

A win over East all but assures the Hilltoppers of a title share, because a loss to West Allis Central in their finale seems unlikely.

A win for the Spartans keeps coach Tom Swittel's crew alive, but then they need another motivational speech to get ready for the Chargers on the road.

West Allis Central should have Brookfield fans cheering for them in the final two weeks.

The bottom line is this: Each team controls its own destiny. Win out and the title is there for the taking - or at least sharing.