EDGYTIM.com's 2021 Western Big 6 Conference Predicted Finish
+Rock Island
* Moline
*Sterling
*Geneseo
Alleman
United Township
Galesburg
Quincy
+denotes predicted 2021 conference champion
*denotes IHSA state playoff projected qualifier
They Said It! Quotes from Those Around the Western Big 6 Conference
"Rock Island had a strong team in the fall and quite a few of the key kids will be back."
"Moline has a lot of talent coming. They are my surprise team."
"Sterling really man handled us."
"United (Township) was a great story in the spring but they had all seniors."
"Geneseo has some big kids upfront and some good kids coming from the lower levels."
"Alleman has to deal with low numbers more now than ever before."
"Galesburg is a decent program but they just can't seem to win the close games lately."
Preseason Conference Most Valuable Player?
Rock Island senior QB Eli Reese
Reese is a multi-year starter for the Rocks and head coach Ben Hammer, and Reese will again be asked to kickstart a Rocky offense that always has speed and athletic skills. Reese, who has been drawing recruiting looks and attention from various FCS/D2 schools this summer is also a standout basketball player. Reese has great speed and is as dangerous with his feet as he is with his arm. If the Rocks can make a run and win the WB6, look for Eli Reese to have a big fall season.
Toughest Overall Schedule?
Sterling- LOVE the fact that the Golden Warriors always seem to schedule "up" when it comes to the non conference portion of the schedule. Sterling will host Lakes in Week 1 then will host Montini Catholic in Week 2 action. Needless to say the Golden Warriors have a bit of post-season history with Montini over the years. Non conference scheduling for decades has been an adventure for the Western Big 6, but with the expansion of the conference finally comes "normal" Week 1 and Week 2 non conference games.
Sleeper Player to Watch?
Sterling senior DL Jason Farnham Jr. - Farnham Jr. has been a varsity starter for the Golden Warriors since his freshman year, no small accomplishment in a program that is one of the most successful in the Western part of the state. Farnham Jr. was called by Sterling head coach Jon Schlemmer as one of the best he's ever coaches at Sterling. That's some praise. Look for Farnham Jr. to draw more recruiting interest and offers this fall. The only knock on Franham Jr. si his overall height (5-foot-11, 250 pounds)
Top 2021 Conference Games?
Rock Island at Moline September 17th-
Alleman at Geneseo October 1st-
Sterling at Rock Island October 8th-
Western Big 6 Conference Statement Game?
Montini Catholic at Sterling- Again it's not every season that a CCL/ESCC power like a Montini Catholic decided to hop aboard a charter bus and head a few hundred miles straight down I-80 West to take on Sterling in Sterling. Needless to say the Golden Warriors and a few others in Class 5A sized schools have had a run in or two with Montini, and more often than not....it didn't go too well. Give Montini credit for playing this game....and also let's hope other Chicagoland powers discover the true benefits of playing out West....or South.....or whatever direction away from the greater Chicagoland area.
+Rock Island
* Moline
*Sterling
*Geneseo
Alleman
United Township
Galesburg
Quincy
+denotes predicted 2021 conference champion
*denotes IHSA state playoff projected qualifier
They Said It! Quotes from Those Around the Western Big 6 Conference
"Rock Island had a strong team in the fall and quite a few of the key kids will be back."
"Moline has a lot of talent coming. They are my surprise team."
"Sterling really man handled us."
"United (Township) was a great story in the spring but they had all seniors."
"Geneseo has some big kids upfront and some good kids coming from the lower levels."
"Alleman has to deal with low numbers more now than ever before."
"Galesburg is a decent program but they just can't seem to win the close games lately."
Preseason Conference Most Valuable Player?
Rock Island senior QB Eli Reese
Reese is a multi-year starter for the Rocks and head coach Ben Hammer, and Reese will again be asked to kickstart a Rocky offense that always has speed and athletic skills. Reese, who has been drawing recruiting looks and attention from various FCS/D2 schools this summer is also a standout basketball player. Reese has great speed and is as dangerous with his feet as he is with his arm. If the Rocks can make a run and win the WB6, look for Eli Reese to have a big fall season.
Toughest Overall Schedule?
Sterling- LOVE the fact that the Golden Warriors always seem to schedule "up" when it comes to the non conference portion of the schedule. Sterling will host Lakes in Week 1 then will host Montini Catholic in Week 2 action. Needless to say the Golden Warriors have a bit of post-season history with Montini over the years. Non conference scheduling for decades has been an adventure for the Western Big 6, but with the expansion of the conference finally comes "normal" Week 1 and Week 2 non conference games.
Sleeper Player to Watch?
Sterling senior DL Jason Farnham Jr. - Farnham Jr. has been a varsity starter for the Golden Warriors since his freshman year, no small accomplishment in a program that is one of the most successful in the Western part of the state. Farnham Jr. was called by Sterling head coach Jon Schlemmer as one of the best he's ever coaches at Sterling. That's some praise. Look for Farnham Jr. to draw more recruiting interest and offers this fall. The only knock on Franham Jr. si his overall height (5-foot-11, 250 pounds)
Top 2021 Conference Games?
Rock Island at Moline September 17th-
Alleman at Geneseo October 1st-
Sterling at Rock Island October 8th-
Western Big 6 Conference Statement Game?
Montini Catholic at Sterling- Again it's not every season that a CCL/ESCC power like a Montini Catholic decided to hop aboard a charter bus and head a few hundred miles straight down I-80 West to take on Sterling in Sterling. Needless to say the Golden Warriors and a few others in Class 5A sized schools have had a run in or two with Montini, and more often than not....it didn't go too well. Give Montini credit for playing this game....and also let's hope other Chicagoland powers discover the true benefits of playing out West....or South.....or whatever direction away from the greater Chicagoland area.
