Six Friday night games, with one CS8 vs Big 12 contest in Jacksonville vs Peoria Notre Dame. This game will break the current 3-3 tie between the conferences.
Lincoln (3-1) at Southeast (0-4)
The Railers have easily beaten three 1-8 teams from last year so far, Lanphier, Eisenhower, and Peoria Manual. This is their final game against a 1-8 team. The Spartans are probably slightly better than the other three, but I'm not expecting an upset here or even a very close result. Lincoln will run the ball almost exclusively with the Carson twins to the victory. Lincoln 34 Southeast 8
U High (3-1) at Lanphier (0-4)
Lanphier did score 24 points in their loss to Eisenhower last week, but they've given up at least 41 points in each game this season. Eisenhower scored 46 against them after having only 12 points through three weeks. U High got an impressive 28-14 win over Decatur MacArthur last week. The Pioneers are the most improved team in the conference. They have developed a balanced offense along with a defense capable of forcing turnovers. After finishing 3-6 last year, U High has a good chance at getting 6 wins with 7 a possibility. U High 54 Lanphier 6
Eisenhower (1-3) at Rochester (4-0)
Derek's homecoming wish is for a quick running clock and plenty of playing time for the reserves by halftime. After some sloppy moments in Week 3 against MacArthur, the Rocket offense produced one big play after another last week against Jacksonville and led 42-0 at half. Eisenhower got their first win of the season over Lanphier 46-24 last week. Last year, they lost to Lanphier and got their only win against Southeast. The Panthers are apparently playing a lot of underclassmen. They had low program numbers last year. A positive sign for Eisenhower would be increased participation. Rochester 51 Eisenhower 6
Springfield (1-3) at SHG (3-1)
Springfield had some success moving the ball against Chatham last week, but turnovers derailed several drives and the Senators lost 33-0. Turnovers have hurt the Senators all season, particularly interceptions. For them to have any chance to stay close, they will need to sustain long drives and hold on to the ball. SHG's defense got their first shutout of the season against Southeast and have given up fewer points each week. The Cyclones have developed a featured RB who has scored 7 or 8 TD's just in the last two games. SHG should go to 4-1, forcing the Senators to have to win out to get 5 wins. SHG 43 Springfield 12
Chatham (4-0) at MacArthur (1-3)
Prior to last week's games, I thought this could be a potential trap game for the Titans. Perhaps they could be looking ahead to SHG in Week 6 and vulnerable to Mac on the road. Week 4 changed my mind significantly. Chatham defeated Springfield 33-0, with their third straight shutout. The Titans have used an effective run-first approach, throwing just enough to keep defenses honest. Mac went on the road to U High as the favorite and then fell behind 28-0 before getting 2 late TD's to make the final 28-14. Mac has had some good moments in all three of their losses. However, their defense has struggled to hold down better teams. The offense has big play capability. To have any chance, the Generals need a fast start and big plays from RB Johnson-Cook. Chatham 34 MacArthur 14
Peoria Notre Dame (3-1) at Jacksonville (2-2)
The CS8 vs Big 12 game of the week and probably the most interesting contest of Week 5. Jacksonville has been running clocked two weeks in a row, losing 51-10 to SHG and 56-0 to Rochester. They have struggled mightily since losing their QB early in the SHG game to injury. He did not play against Rochester. The Crimsons were very run focused against Rochester, and the Rockets crowded the line of scrimmage consistently. Their defense gave up one big play after another with Rochester scoring in short 1-3 play drives. Jacksonville still has a path to 5 wins if they lose, but they at a minimum need to play much better than the last two weeks. Peoria Notre Dame has won big over three pretty weak teams and lost a close game to 3-1 Bloomington 34-26 in Week 3. The Irish are favored. Peoria Notre Dame 35 Jacksonville 23
Lincoln (3-1) at Southeast (0-4)
The Railers have easily beaten three 1-8 teams from last year so far, Lanphier, Eisenhower, and Peoria Manual. This is their final game against a 1-8 team. The Spartans are probably slightly better than the other three, but I'm not expecting an upset here or even a very close result. Lincoln will run the ball almost exclusively with the Carson twins to the victory. Lincoln 34 Southeast 8
U High (3-1) at Lanphier (0-4)
Lanphier did score 24 points in their loss to Eisenhower last week, but they've given up at least 41 points in each game this season. Eisenhower scored 46 against them after having only 12 points through three weeks. U High got an impressive 28-14 win over Decatur MacArthur last week. The Pioneers are the most improved team in the conference. They have developed a balanced offense along with a defense capable of forcing turnovers. After finishing 3-6 last year, U High has a good chance at getting 6 wins with 7 a possibility. U High 54 Lanphier 6
Eisenhower (1-3) at Rochester (4-0)
Derek's homecoming wish is for a quick running clock and plenty of playing time for the reserves by halftime. After some sloppy moments in Week 3 against MacArthur, the Rocket offense produced one big play after another last week against Jacksonville and led 42-0 at half. Eisenhower got their first win of the season over Lanphier 46-24 last week. Last year, they lost to Lanphier and got their only win against Southeast. The Panthers are apparently playing a lot of underclassmen. They had low program numbers last year. A positive sign for Eisenhower would be increased participation. Rochester 51 Eisenhower 6
Springfield (1-3) at SHG (3-1)
Springfield had some success moving the ball against Chatham last week, but turnovers derailed several drives and the Senators lost 33-0. Turnovers have hurt the Senators all season, particularly interceptions. For them to have any chance to stay close, they will need to sustain long drives and hold on to the ball. SHG's defense got their first shutout of the season against Southeast and have given up fewer points each week. The Cyclones have developed a featured RB who has scored 7 or 8 TD's just in the last two games. SHG should go to 4-1, forcing the Senators to have to win out to get 5 wins. SHG 43 Springfield 12
Chatham (4-0) at MacArthur (1-3)
Prior to last week's games, I thought this could be a potential trap game for the Titans. Perhaps they could be looking ahead to SHG in Week 6 and vulnerable to Mac on the road. Week 4 changed my mind significantly. Chatham defeated Springfield 33-0, with their third straight shutout. The Titans have used an effective run-first approach, throwing just enough to keep defenses honest. Mac went on the road to U High as the favorite and then fell behind 28-0 before getting 2 late TD's to make the final 28-14. Mac has had some good moments in all three of their losses. However, their defense has struggled to hold down better teams. The offense has big play capability. To have any chance, the Generals need a fast start and big plays from RB Johnson-Cook. Chatham 34 MacArthur 14
Peoria Notre Dame (3-1) at Jacksonville (2-2)
The CS8 vs Big 12 game of the week and probably the most interesting contest of Week 5. Jacksonville has been running clocked two weeks in a row, losing 51-10 to SHG and 56-0 to Rochester. They have struggled mightily since losing their QB early in the SHG game to injury. He did not play against Rochester. The Crimsons were very run focused against Rochester, and the Rockets crowded the line of scrimmage consistently. Their defense gave up one big play after another with Rochester scoring in short 1-3 play drives. Jacksonville still has a path to 5 wins if they lose, but they at a minimum need to play much better than the last two weeks. Peoria Notre Dame has won big over three pretty weak teams and lost a close game to 3-1 Bloomington 34-26 in Week 3. The Irish are favored. Peoria Notre Dame 35 Jacksonville 23
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