In the last 28 games the Waupaca Comets have played, they have compiled a record of 24-4, including an incredible 21-game winning streak that began on December 1 of last year and ended with a loss to conference foe Mosinee in early February 2010.

One of the constants of that team has been All-Everything forward Brad Navin. The  6'2", 200 pound senior has scored 100 points in those 28 games, including 57 goals. He has notched seven hat tricks, six playmakers, and has nine short-handed goals. He is an aggressive player, yet has tallied only 63 PIM in that time span, which is a very low number for a big guy that plays the game all-out.

Add it all up, and that is why Navin is a key reason that Waupaca is in the midst of its best run in school history.

Navin recently committed to playing college hockey at the University of Wisconsin, which for many state players, is a dream come true.

"It was a tough decision, but great to be wanted," said Navin. "My top three were Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Bemidji State; I had to sit down and write the pros and cons for each school, and it came down to Wisconsin.

"There's nothing better than to play for your home state."

It is almost impossible for a high school player to go directly to college, and Navin acknowledges this fact when asked what might happen during the next couple of years.

"One year of juniors for sure," said Navin. "Maybe two, depending on my development and roster availability for me to come in, so (I'll play in Madison in) either 2012 or 2013."

Although Navin is almost a shoo-in for Player of the Year finalist in Wisconsin this season, he still sees shortcomings in his game that he knows he needs to improve upon.

"My skating could improve. I need to also work on my one-on-one battles. That will be huge at the next level."

Before that happens, Coach Randy Flesch and his Comets have some other business they would like to take care of.

Last season, the Comets were knocked off by BayPort 6-3 in the first round of the playoffs. The Pirates scored three goals in the first period to take control and ultimately win the game. Navin did his part, scoring all three goals in the loss.

That defeat didn't sit well with Navin and the Comets, and that gives them some incentive to work harder this campaign.

"As a captain, we have great expectations to do as well as we can and go as far as we can (in the playoffs). We want to get through the playoffs and make it down to Madison," stated Navin.

"Period."

Flesch hopes to play top level teams in order to get more high-caliber teams to play his squad.

"We're trying to get higher level teams to play us," noted Flesch. "We realize to be ranked that we have to bring those teams in and win against them. We need that higher level of play."

And the way that the Comets have been playing, watch for them to be battling top-ranked foes in the near future.