If you drive west on Highway 50 through Paddock Lake, the enormous facility upgrade project under way at Central High School is hard to miss.

The Falcons are the latest in Kenosha County to join the athletics facility upgrade party.

In recent years, Shoreland Lutheran, Tremper and Bradford have overhauled their athletics facilities for the better.

Wilmot built a state-of-the-art indoor arena that is quickly becoming the envy of southeastern Wisconsin.

But Central’s $7.89 million project includes dropping a new stadium for football, soccer and track in what used to be vacant land just west of the school.

Whether Central is able to play a football game on the new synthetic surface this season remains to be seen, but whenever the stadium opens it will seal Kenosha County’s status as the king of quality fields.

It wasn’t that long ago that every single county team had to slosh through a muddy mess whenever a steady rain hit the area.

Not anymore.

St. Joseph, Tremper and Bradford share a prime synthetic surface at Ameche Field. Ditto for Wilmot at Frank Bucci Field. Bradford also has a contract at Carthage College’s Art Keller Field.

Heck, even a school without an athletic program yet, Indian Trail, has a brandnew synthetic surface field.

If you take in a game in the county to the north, where most of the high school action takes place on uneven and/or poorly maintained fields, the difference is night and day.

The commitment to quality in Kenosha County is something that the school districts and their residents can be proud off.

I know I am.

Fantasy flash

For those who play fantasy football, here’s a brief look at this week’s players to watch:

*Must start: Green Bay’s skill players. After a sub-par offensive performance against the Bears, expect Aaron Rodgers, Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and Ryan Grant to have stellar days vs. Cincinnati. In deeper leagues, you could trot out Jermichael Finley at tight end and either Jordy Nelson or James Jones as a No. 3/flex receiver.

*Bust: Joe Flacco. Coming off a top-tier output in Week 1, the Ravens QB’s numbers will drop back down to earth at San Diego.

*Sleeper: Larry Johnson. People are burying the former fantasy stud after a bad game vs. the Ravens, but in his career L.J. has owned the Raiders. Expect No. 1 numbers from the Chiefs running back.

Book it

The not-so funny thing about picking a three-team parlay is that all three have to hit to cash in. The Eagles and 49ers came through on the road in Week 1, but the Redskins fell short, dropping my record to 22-21.

This week, give me the Carthage football team to win its home opener against Lakeland.

Mike Larsen can be reached at