I'm back, everyone. Had a rough few weeks at work, but things have quieted down again. (For now!) On with the reviews...
Rock Island 24, UTHS 14 - Throwing two pick-sixes in a game will kill you and that killed UT this week. No more, no less, and good for the Rocks for getting a win.
Quincy 56, Galesburg 19 - This one was 56-5 at half. No shocks here.
Sterling 13, Geneseo 3 - Geneseo was one yard away from a win. Heartbreak for the Leafs, and sweet redemption (and a lifeline) for the Golden Warriors.
This week:
Mendota at Geneseo - Leafs by 60. Mendota is not good, Geneseo is angry.
Quincy at Sterling - The longest drive of the year in the conference. Sterling played well last week, I do not think they can keep it close against the Devils.
Rock Island at Galesburg - There's some reason for joy and optimism in Rock Island, not much in Galesburg. I think the Rocks win by a few scores.
Moline at UTHS - UT could keep this close, but they also lost their chance at the playoffs last week. Moline, off a bye, looks stronger.
EP 35, Orion 34 - BIG upset, and not a good showing from the Chargers, who are now seriously on the outside looking in. EP will now be looking for a possible 3-6 record.
Rockridge 28, Monmouth-Roseville 13 - Perhaps a better performance from the Titans than I expected. Good win from Rockridge, but not what they hoped for.
Morrison 42, Sherrard 14 - No shock here for either team. Neither should be too thrilled or disappointed.
Mendota 35, Riverdale 14 - Riverdale has a loooooooong way to go. Good win, likely the only one of the year, for the Trojans.
Princeton 37, Kewanee 14 - Slightly surprised at the final score, as I thought the Boilers would keep it closer, but I think Princeton is just that good.
Newman 20, Bureau Valley 14 - Very much on brand for the Comets. Tough loss for BV, who now need two wins to get to the playoffs and would have to beat at least one of Princeton and Morrison.
Hall 32, IVC 24 - I expected more out of the Red Devils, playing a winless Grey Ghosts squad. Not a good sign going into the meat grinder part of the schedule.
This week:
EP at Riverdale - I don't think Erie-Prophetstown is very good, but they should be just fine in Port Byron.
Kewanee at Monmouth-Roseville - Sneaky tough game for the Boilermakers. Long-ish drive and not a simple game. I think Kewanee is a favorite but this is an upset alert.
Rockridge at Morrison - Rockridge is winning games but looking rather unimpressive. Morrison is winning games and looking like a real 1A threat. Mustangs should win at home.
Orion at Sherrard - I think Orion is more talented, but they are on a serious skid and don't have much momentum. Both teams need to win out going into the playoffs, and both have viable paths to get there. I think Sherrard is in better shape; I take the Tigers.
Bureau Valley at Princeton - This could've been a cool rivalry if given time, especially if Coach Pistole can keep this team improving. Shame it won't happen any more, most likely. Princeton should be just fine.
Hall at Newman - Newman's offensive struggles really strike me - their high score in regulation for the year is 20 points, achieved in both of their last two games. They should hold down Hall OK, and I think the Comets win, but they do need to find some points as they get into the playoffs where some real juggernauts await.
Rock Island 24, UTHS 14 - Throwing two pick-sixes in a game will kill you and that killed UT this week. No more, no less, and good for the Rocks for getting a win.
Quincy 56, Galesburg 19 - This one was 56-5 at half. No shocks here.
Sterling 13, Geneseo 3 - Geneseo was one yard away from a win. Heartbreak for the Leafs, and sweet redemption (and a lifeline) for the Golden Warriors.
This week:
Mendota at Geneseo - Leafs by 60. Mendota is not good, Geneseo is angry.
Quincy at Sterling - The longest drive of the year in the conference. Sterling played well last week, I do not think they can keep it close against the Devils.
Rock Island at Galesburg - There's some reason for joy and optimism in Rock Island, not much in Galesburg. I think the Rocks win by a few scores.
Moline at UTHS - UT could keep this close, but they also lost their chance at the playoffs last week. Moline, off a bye, looks stronger.
EP 35, Orion 34 - BIG upset, and not a good showing from the Chargers, who are now seriously on the outside looking in. EP will now be looking for a possible 3-6 record.
Rockridge 28, Monmouth-Roseville 13 - Perhaps a better performance from the Titans than I expected. Good win from Rockridge, but not what they hoped for.
Morrison 42, Sherrard 14 - No shock here for either team. Neither should be too thrilled or disappointed.
Mendota 35, Riverdale 14 - Riverdale has a loooooooong way to go. Good win, likely the only one of the year, for the Trojans.
Princeton 37, Kewanee 14 - Slightly surprised at the final score, as I thought the Boilers would keep it closer, but I think Princeton is just that good.
Newman 20, Bureau Valley 14 - Very much on brand for the Comets. Tough loss for BV, who now need two wins to get to the playoffs and would have to beat at least one of Princeton and Morrison.
Hall 32, IVC 24 - I expected more out of the Red Devils, playing a winless Grey Ghosts squad. Not a good sign going into the meat grinder part of the schedule.
This week:
EP at Riverdale - I don't think Erie-Prophetstown is very good, but they should be just fine in Port Byron.
Kewanee at Monmouth-Roseville - Sneaky tough game for the Boilermakers. Long-ish drive and not a simple game. I think Kewanee is a favorite but this is an upset alert.
Rockridge at Morrison - Rockridge is winning games but looking rather unimpressive. Morrison is winning games and looking like a real 1A threat. Mustangs should win at home.
Orion at Sherrard - I think Orion is more talented, but they are on a serious skid and don't have much momentum. Both teams need to win out going into the playoffs, and both have viable paths to get there. I think Sherrard is in better shape; I take the Tigers.
Bureau Valley at Princeton - This could've been a cool rivalry if given time, especially if Coach Pistole can keep this team improving. Shame it won't happen any more, most likely. Princeton should be just fine.
Hall at Newman - Newman's offensive struggles really strike me - their high score in regulation for the year is 20 points, achieved in both of their last two games. They should hold down Hall OK, and I think the Comets win, but they do need to find some points as they get into the playoffs where some real juggernauts await.
