The second week of division games. All Friday contests, although MacArthur vs Eisenhower has a 5 pm start time.
West Division
Lanphier (0-3) at Jacksonville (2-1)
The Crimsons led SHG 10-7 last week at half before losing 35-10. They should get back on track this week against the winless Lions. Jacksonville 48 Lanphier 6. Massey prediction: Jacksonville 47 Lanphier 7.
Springfield (3-0) at Southeast (0-3) Game at Memorial Stadium
Springfield has looked good so far this season and should go to 4-0 against the Spartans. After almost knocking off East Peoria in Week 1, Southeast has lost handily to Lincoln and been shutout and running clocked by QND. Springfield 45 Southeast 8. Massey prediction: Springfield 43 Southeast 13.
SHG (2-1) at QND (2-1)
SHG wants to build on the momentum they showed in the second half last week against Jacksonville, when they outscored the Crimsons 28-0 and put a slow 1st half behind them. QND has been impressive in all of their games so far, even in their Week 1 loss to 7A power Quincy. SHG wants a fast start on the road and will run the ball until the Raiders show they can stop them. QND cannot afford to get down by multiple scores early and needs maximum support from a large home crowd. I think this is a 4-quarter contest, but the Cyclones ultimately have more offensive firepower. SHG 31 QND 18. Massey prediction: SHG 40 QND 14.
East Division
Eisenhower (0-3) at MacArthur (1-2)
The battle of Decatur, which has been one-sided in favor of Mac recently. Eisenhower was competitive with Streator in Week 1 but has since been blown out by both Jacksonville and Chatham. The Generals should go to 2-2. MacArthur 41 Eisenhower 6. Massey prediction: MacArthur 44 Eisenhower 7.
Lincoln (2-1) at U High (2-1)
Other than the running of FB Paytan Bunner, Lincoln did not have much positive to point to after losing 63-7 to Rochester at home last week. U High had a strong bounce back week after their close loss to Bloomington by running clocking MacArthur. U High should win comfortably, possibly by a running clock. U High 45 Lincoln 13. Massey prediction: U High 42 Lincoln 21.
Rochester (2-1) at Chatham (2-1)
Rochester pulled away after a close 1st half last year and won 63-21. However, that was a much more experienced Rocket team which turned the offense over to RB Nolan Mrozowski during a 2nd half downpour. Now, the Titans have as many or more veteran players, especially with QB Colton Knoedler making his 16th career start vs Rochester QB Tanner Beal making his 2nd. The game hinges on a key question for both team's defenses. Can the Titans stop the run and force Rochester into 3rd and long passing situations? Can Rochester put enough pressure on Knoedler that he can't survey the field and has to get rid of the ball quickly? Chatham had a surprisingly low scoring 14-7 loss to 8A Edwardsville in Week 1. I expect this to be a higher scoring contest, though not a track meet. Rochester 38 Chatham 25. Massey prediction: Rochester 45 Chatham 20.
West Division
Lanphier (0-3) at Jacksonville (2-1)
The Crimsons led SHG 10-7 last week at half before losing 35-10. They should get back on track this week against the winless Lions. Jacksonville 48 Lanphier 6. Massey prediction: Jacksonville 47 Lanphier 7.
Springfield (3-0) at Southeast (0-3) Game at Memorial Stadium
Springfield has looked good so far this season and should go to 4-0 against the Spartans. After almost knocking off East Peoria in Week 1, Southeast has lost handily to Lincoln and been shutout and running clocked by QND. Springfield 45 Southeast 8. Massey prediction: Springfield 43 Southeast 13.
SHG (2-1) at QND (2-1)
SHG wants to build on the momentum they showed in the second half last week against Jacksonville, when they outscored the Crimsons 28-0 and put a slow 1st half behind them. QND has been impressive in all of their games so far, even in their Week 1 loss to 7A power Quincy. SHG wants a fast start on the road and will run the ball until the Raiders show they can stop them. QND cannot afford to get down by multiple scores early and needs maximum support from a large home crowd. I think this is a 4-quarter contest, but the Cyclones ultimately have more offensive firepower. SHG 31 QND 18. Massey prediction: SHG 40 QND 14.
East Division
Eisenhower (0-3) at MacArthur (1-2)
The battle of Decatur, which has been one-sided in favor of Mac recently. Eisenhower was competitive with Streator in Week 1 but has since been blown out by both Jacksonville and Chatham. The Generals should go to 2-2. MacArthur 41 Eisenhower 6. Massey prediction: MacArthur 44 Eisenhower 7.
Lincoln (2-1) at U High (2-1)
Other than the running of FB Paytan Bunner, Lincoln did not have much positive to point to after losing 63-7 to Rochester at home last week. U High had a strong bounce back week after their close loss to Bloomington by running clocking MacArthur. U High should win comfortably, possibly by a running clock. U High 45 Lincoln 13. Massey prediction: U High 42 Lincoln 21.
Rochester (2-1) at Chatham (2-1)
Rochester pulled away after a close 1st half last year and won 63-21. However, that was a much more experienced Rocket team which turned the offense over to RB Nolan Mrozowski during a 2nd half downpour. Now, the Titans have as many or more veteran players, especially with QB Colton Knoedler making his 16th career start vs Rochester QB Tanner Beal making his 2nd. The game hinges on a key question for both team's defenses. Can the Titans stop the run and force Rochester into 3rd and long passing situations? Can Rochester put enough pressure on Knoedler that he can't survey the field and has to get rid of the ball quickly? Chatham had a surprisingly low scoring 14-7 loss to 8A Edwardsville in Week 1. I expect this to be a higher scoring contest, though not a track meet. Rochester 38 Chatham 25. Massey prediction: Rochester 45 Chatham 20.
