The first week of conference cross division contests. While Friday projects a high of 70 degrees, it should feel like fall for the first time this season by kickoff.
Friday
Eisenhower (0-7) at Lanphier (0-7)
The battle of the Panthers versus the Lions will result in someone getting their 1st win. The Panthers have played somewhat better this season. Eisenhower 40 Lanphier 18. Massey prediction: Eisenhower 41 Lanphier 22.
Southeast (1-6) at U High (5-2)
The Spartans got their 1st win last week but don't expect them to go back-to-back against the Pioneers. U High 55 Southeast 14. Massey prediction: U High 48 Southeast 13.
Lincoin (4-3) at QND (6-1)
When Lincoln has played teams with a winning record this season, they have been outscored 172-7. QND, along with U High, has been the biggest positive surprise of the conference. The Raiders should win comfortably and also have a great chance to go 8-1. QND 42 Lincoln 7. Massey prediction: QND 42 Lincoln 7.
MacArthur (2-5) at Jacksonville (4-3)
These schools have battled closely several times recently, including a playoff deciding Week 9 contest in 2021 and a 1-point outcome last year. The Crimsons have been clearly better this season and have a great chance to get their 5th win at home with their strong running attack. After seeing Mac last week, they are in a bit of a rebuilding mode. Jacksonville 33 MacArthur 12. Massey prediction: Jacksonville 36 MacArthur 26.
Chatham (5-2) at SHG (5-2)
The Game of the Week. This matchup looked a lot different three weeks ago, after Chatham walloped Rochester and QND did the same to SHG. Since then, the Titans have underperformed twice on the road struggling to finish off MacArthur in Week 5 until the 4th Quarter and losing by three scores to U High in Week 6. SHG looked their best of the season last week in pulling away from Springfield in the 2nd half with a strong running game and winning 35-7. I've mentioned this several times before but am still unaware of the status of Titan WR Blake Lehnen who has been out injured most of the season. Should he play, Lehnen is an extra weapon for Chatham. SHG's defense performed very well last week and will get back their two starting DE's who were serving a 1-game suspension in Week 7. They need another strong defensive effort. There is a definite Cyclone win scenario here, especially since the game is at KL Stadium and the Cycs have dominated the series since Chatham last won in 2019. The Titans biggest advantage is having QB Colten Knoedler, who will be making his 20th career start. Properly protected, he will pick apart a defense. This is a QB driven league. I think Knoedler makes enough plays to pull out a narrow Chatham win. Chatham 27 SHG 23. Massey prediction: SHG 35 Chatham 28.
Saturday
Rochester (5-2) at Springfield (5-2)
Rochester's 2nd Saturday game of the season, coming off back-to-back shutouts of Eisenhower and MacArthur. Springfield had a tough loss to SHG last week but is playoff eligible and has the capability to score lots of points having an experienced QB, good Receivers, and a hard-running big back. Derek has mostly gone with Tanner Beal at QB since the injuries to Zulauf and Carlson but has also used Sophomore JP Leonard at times in both the last two games. Each team is hoping to have the opportunity to get 7 wins, which makes getting a 1st round home playoff game more likely. Rochester 39 Springfield 14. Massey prediction: Rochester 42 Springfield 7.
Friday
Eisenhower (0-7) at Lanphier (0-7)
The battle of the Panthers versus the Lions will result in someone getting their 1st win. The Panthers have played somewhat better this season. Eisenhower 40 Lanphier 18. Massey prediction: Eisenhower 41 Lanphier 22.
Southeast (1-6) at U High (5-2)
The Spartans got their 1st win last week but don't expect them to go back-to-back against the Pioneers. U High 55 Southeast 14. Massey prediction: U High 48 Southeast 13.
Lincoin (4-3) at QND (6-1)
When Lincoln has played teams with a winning record this season, they have been outscored 172-7. QND, along with U High, has been the biggest positive surprise of the conference. The Raiders should win comfortably and also have a great chance to go 8-1. QND 42 Lincoln 7. Massey prediction: QND 42 Lincoln 7.
MacArthur (2-5) at Jacksonville (4-3)
These schools have battled closely several times recently, including a playoff deciding Week 9 contest in 2021 and a 1-point outcome last year. The Crimsons have been clearly better this season and have a great chance to get their 5th win at home with their strong running attack. After seeing Mac last week, they are in a bit of a rebuilding mode. Jacksonville 33 MacArthur 12. Massey prediction: Jacksonville 36 MacArthur 26.
Chatham (5-2) at SHG (5-2)
The Game of the Week. This matchup looked a lot different three weeks ago, after Chatham walloped Rochester and QND did the same to SHG. Since then, the Titans have underperformed twice on the road struggling to finish off MacArthur in Week 5 until the 4th Quarter and losing by three scores to U High in Week 6. SHG looked their best of the season last week in pulling away from Springfield in the 2nd half with a strong running game and winning 35-7. I've mentioned this several times before but am still unaware of the status of Titan WR Blake Lehnen who has been out injured most of the season. Should he play, Lehnen is an extra weapon for Chatham. SHG's defense performed very well last week and will get back their two starting DE's who were serving a 1-game suspension in Week 7. They need another strong defensive effort. There is a definite Cyclone win scenario here, especially since the game is at KL Stadium and the Cycs have dominated the series since Chatham last won in 2019. The Titans biggest advantage is having QB Colten Knoedler, who will be making his 20th career start. Properly protected, he will pick apart a defense. This is a QB driven league. I think Knoedler makes enough plays to pull out a narrow Chatham win. Chatham 27 SHG 23. Massey prediction: SHG 35 Chatham 28.
Saturday
Rochester (5-2) at Springfield (5-2)
Rochester's 2nd Saturday game of the season, coming off back-to-back shutouts of Eisenhower and MacArthur. Springfield had a tough loss to SHG last week but is playoff eligible and has the capability to score lots of points having an experienced QB, good Receivers, and a hard-running big back. Derek has mostly gone with Tanner Beal at QB since the injuries to Zulauf and Carlson but has also used Sophomore JP Leonard at times in both the last two games. Each team is hoping to have the opportunity to get 7 wins, which makes getting a 1st round home playoff game more likely. Rochester 39 Springfield 14. Massey prediction: Rochester 42 Springfield 7.
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