All Friday night games and only one CS8 vs Big 12 matchup this week. The CS8 leads the Big 12 2-1 after one week. A mix of interesting contests, probable blowouts, and one game that already has important playoff implications.
Peoria Richwoods (0-1) at Southeast (0-1)
A rough first week for both teams, Richwoods lost to Bloomington 41-0 while Southeast lost to MacArthur 50-0. Richwoods, who is in the Big 12, was 1-8 last year as was Southeast. For both teams, this is one of their best chances for a win this season. I think Southeast finds a way to get the home victory for new Coach Kinkade. Southeast 19 Richwoods 17
Eisenhower (0-1) at Lincoln (1-0)
Lincoln gets a 2nd straight game against an opponent who went 1-8 last season. Their initial game back in the conference was a success as they routed Lanphier 41-8. Eisenhower lost to Jacksonville 51-6. Lincoln should go to 2-0 with a competitive game on the schedule next week against Springfield. Lincoln 42 Eisenhower 7
Chatham (1-0) at Lanphier (0-1)
Chatham ran the ball well in their 14-12 victory over Danville, but it didn't translate into a lot of points. After scoring on big plays most of last season, the Titans probably attempted only 10 or so passes last week. They played both a Sophomore and a Junior at QB. The Sophomore got about 80% of the snaps. In the 1st game at the renovated Memorial Stadium, Lanphier had a rough start against Lincoln and was out of it early. Expect Chatham to open up the offense a bit this week and to win comfortably. Chatham 48 Lanphier 6
U High (1-0) at SHG (0-1)
For me, the surprise of Week 1 was the performance of U High. I expected them to take a step back early in the year due to losing 2-year starting QB Colin Cunningham. Instead, they controlled the 2nd half against Springfield on the road and won 35-18. They had success both running and passing against the Senators. The Pioneers did give up over 300 yards passing last week but also got three interceptions. SHG had a rough start on the road against 7A Normal Community. Trailing 20-7 in the 2nd quarter, there was a lengthy weather delay. The Cyclones gave up 2 pick 6's after the game resumed and lost 54-14. The rest of the conference will be watching this result closely to gauge how beatable SHG seems after dominating the conference in last year's regular season. I expect a much better performance from the Cyclones at home. Only 2 CS8 teams have ever won at Ken Leonard Stadium (Chatham and Springfield) SHG 43 U High 17
Springfield (0-1) at Rochester (1-0)
Springfield tries to rebound from last week's disappointing loss to U High, where they led 18-13 at halftime but was outscored 22-0 in the second. Their Sophomore QB did throw for over 300 yards to a variety of Receivers last week and 2 TD's. He also had 3 interceptions. The defense was unable to get off the field in the much of the second half. Rochester needs to forget about last week's impressive performance at Peoria and start quickly. Springfield has had issues in recent seasons being out of games early against the better conference teams. Rochester does not want this to be close at halftime. The Rockets will continue to use Junior's Bryan Zulauf and Eli Carlson at QB. In certain situations, they were on the field at the same time. They both had good performances against Peoria in their first major varsity experience. Rochester 48 Springfield 14
MacArthur (1-0) at Jacksonville (1-0)
The game of the week, with playoff implications for both teams. Jacksonville has won 2 years in a row and has the home field advantage. Their win in Week 9 two years ago got them in the playoffs. They easily beat Eisenhower 51-6 last week. The Crimsons have a shot at 5 wins even if they lose this game, but they would need to win against Peoria Notre Dame, Lincoln, and U High. For MacArthur, they are probably looking at 5 to 6 victories if they can win here. The Generals hammered Southeast last week 50-0. This should be a close game that may hinge on QB play. Not sure how much Mac's touted Freshman RB carried the ball last week, but he did have a 60-yard TD on his first varsity carry. I think Mac avoids a third straight loss in the series. Mac 28 Jacksonville 22
One Big 12 game I'll be monitoring is Peoria vs Danville. Danville competed well against Chatham but only dressed about 30 and tired late. I'm curious to see how Peoria responds after last week's disappointment against Rochester.
Peoria Richwoods (0-1) at Southeast (0-1)
A rough first week for both teams, Richwoods lost to Bloomington 41-0 while Southeast lost to MacArthur 50-0. Richwoods, who is in the Big 12, was 1-8 last year as was Southeast. For both teams, this is one of their best chances for a win this season. I think Southeast finds a way to get the home victory for new Coach Kinkade. Southeast 19 Richwoods 17
Eisenhower (0-1) at Lincoln (1-0)
Lincoln gets a 2nd straight game against an opponent who went 1-8 last season. Their initial game back in the conference was a success as they routed Lanphier 41-8. Eisenhower lost to Jacksonville 51-6. Lincoln should go to 2-0 with a competitive game on the schedule next week against Springfield. Lincoln 42 Eisenhower 7
Chatham (1-0) at Lanphier (0-1)
Chatham ran the ball well in their 14-12 victory over Danville, but it didn't translate into a lot of points. After scoring on big plays most of last season, the Titans probably attempted only 10 or so passes last week. They played both a Sophomore and a Junior at QB. The Sophomore got about 80% of the snaps. In the 1st game at the renovated Memorial Stadium, Lanphier had a rough start against Lincoln and was out of it early. Expect Chatham to open up the offense a bit this week and to win comfortably. Chatham 48 Lanphier 6
U High (1-0) at SHG (0-1)
For me, the surprise of Week 1 was the performance of U High. I expected them to take a step back early in the year due to losing 2-year starting QB Colin Cunningham. Instead, they controlled the 2nd half against Springfield on the road and won 35-18. They had success both running and passing against the Senators. The Pioneers did give up over 300 yards passing last week but also got three interceptions. SHG had a rough start on the road against 7A Normal Community. Trailing 20-7 in the 2nd quarter, there was a lengthy weather delay. The Cyclones gave up 2 pick 6's after the game resumed and lost 54-14. The rest of the conference will be watching this result closely to gauge how beatable SHG seems after dominating the conference in last year's regular season. I expect a much better performance from the Cyclones at home. Only 2 CS8 teams have ever won at Ken Leonard Stadium (Chatham and Springfield) SHG 43 U High 17
Springfield (0-1) at Rochester (1-0)
Springfield tries to rebound from last week's disappointing loss to U High, where they led 18-13 at halftime but was outscored 22-0 in the second. Their Sophomore QB did throw for over 300 yards to a variety of Receivers last week and 2 TD's. He also had 3 interceptions. The defense was unable to get off the field in the much of the second half. Rochester needs to forget about last week's impressive performance at Peoria and start quickly. Springfield has had issues in recent seasons being out of games early against the better conference teams. Rochester does not want this to be close at halftime. The Rockets will continue to use Junior's Bryan Zulauf and Eli Carlson at QB. In certain situations, they were on the field at the same time. They both had good performances against Peoria in their first major varsity experience. Rochester 48 Springfield 14
MacArthur (1-0) at Jacksonville (1-0)
The game of the week, with playoff implications for both teams. Jacksonville has won 2 years in a row and has the home field advantage. Their win in Week 9 two years ago got them in the playoffs. They easily beat Eisenhower 51-6 last week. The Crimsons have a shot at 5 wins even if they lose this game, but they would need to win against Peoria Notre Dame, Lincoln, and U High. For MacArthur, they are probably looking at 5 to 6 victories if they can win here. The Generals hammered Southeast last week 50-0. This should be a close game that may hinge on QB play. Not sure how much Mac's touted Freshman RB carried the ball last week, but he did have a 60-yard TD on his first varsity carry. I think Mac avoids a third straight loss in the series. Mac 28 Jacksonville 22
One Big 12 game I'll be monitoring is Peoria vs Danville. Danville competed well against Chatham but only dressed about 30 and tired late. I'm curious to see how Peoria responds after last week's disappointment against Rochester.
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