And we are on for the kickoff of 2022! Here are my thoughts on what's likely to come this week in western Illinois. (Same credits as usual.) I will also post my picks for the outcome of the games, though these aren't my "hopes" for the outcomes.
Western Big Six:
UTHS at LaSalle-Peru: This one was a common enough nonconference matchup back in the 2000's and 2010's, so it's nice to seem them back. This represents a step up in the Panthers' nonconference matchups after their games with East Peoria and various CPS teams.
Galesburg at Dunlap: A rematch from what was a classic game last year; Dunlap took a 7-0 lead early and held it until the Streaks scored a touchdown with a half a minute to go. Galesburg got stuffed on their two-point attempt and hopes to turn it around this year.
Comer at Geneseo: This one also happened last year, with Geneseo winning extremely easily. I don't know that much has changed this year.
St. Laurence at Moline: Moline beat St. Laurence in Burbank last year, but graduation and (in the Vikings' case) staff changes will put a new complexion on things.
Quincy at Quincy Notre Dame: QND looked great beating the Blue Devils in Week 1 last year, but they faded down the stretch and Quincy's young kids improved over the course of the year. This one could be remarkably fun.
Alleman at Chicago Academy: Alleman wasn't competitive in any game last year. This one may change that, at least for Week 1.
Rock Island at Pekin: This is a rematch of a game where the Dragons ran all over the Rocks last year. Both teams have lost a ton to graduation.
Lakes at Sterling: Sterling went up to Lake Villa last year and won pretty convincingly, and will hope to do so again.
Picks: UT over LP, Dunlap over Galesburg, Geneseo over Comer, Moline over St. Laurence, Quincy over QND, Alleman over Chicago Academy, Pekin over Rock Island, Sterling over Lakes.
TRAC:
Kewanee at Monmouth-Roseville: A trendy pick for an early-season "conference championship" game between a pleasant-surprise Boilermaker team from last year and a Titans group looking to take the next jump.
Bureau Valley at Villa Grove: This game was a quick add-on after Riverdale cancelled, adding the additional bit of interest in that Villa Grove is no longer in their historic coop.
Mendota at Erie-Prophetstown: Two playoff teams from last year are hoping to extend their success.
St. Bede at Sherrard: Sherrard had a really rough go last year, while St. Bede made it to the second round. I am hearing the Tigers will improve themselves; time to prove it.
Princeton at Rockridge: Another possible conference championship game. That simple.
Hall at Orion: Intriguing game between two groups that are looking to improve their outlooks from last year; both have interesting crops of newcomers.
Newman at Morrison: The only game this week that counts as a rivalry in any reasonable fashion, and is it ever one. Short trip for the Comets.
Picks: Monmouth-Roseville over Kewanee, Bureau Valley over Villa Grove, Mendota over E-P, St. Bede over Sherrard, Princeton over Rockridge, Orion over Hall, Newman over Morrison.
Looking forward to the season, y'all.
Western Big Six:
UTHS at LaSalle-Peru: This one was a common enough nonconference matchup back in the 2000's and 2010's, so it's nice to seem them back. This represents a step up in the Panthers' nonconference matchups after their games with East Peoria and various CPS teams.
Galesburg at Dunlap: A rematch from what was a classic game last year; Dunlap took a 7-0 lead early and held it until the Streaks scored a touchdown with a half a minute to go. Galesburg got stuffed on their two-point attempt and hopes to turn it around this year.
Comer at Geneseo: This one also happened last year, with Geneseo winning extremely easily. I don't know that much has changed this year.
St. Laurence at Moline: Moline beat St. Laurence in Burbank last year, but graduation and (in the Vikings' case) staff changes will put a new complexion on things.
Quincy at Quincy Notre Dame: QND looked great beating the Blue Devils in Week 1 last year, but they faded down the stretch and Quincy's young kids improved over the course of the year. This one could be remarkably fun.
Alleman at Chicago Academy: Alleman wasn't competitive in any game last year. This one may change that, at least for Week 1.
Rock Island at Pekin: This is a rematch of a game where the Dragons ran all over the Rocks last year. Both teams have lost a ton to graduation.
Lakes at Sterling: Sterling went up to Lake Villa last year and won pretty convincingly, and will hope to do so again.
Picks: UT over LP, Dunlap over Galesburg, Geneseo over Comer, Moline over St. Laurence, Quincy over QND, Alleman over Chicago Academy, Pekin over Rock Island, Sterling over Lakes.
TRAC:
Kewanee at Monmouth-Roseville: A trendy pick for an early-season "conference championship" game between a pleasant-surprise Boilermaker team from last year and a Titans group looking to take the next jump.
Bureau Valley at Villa Grove: This game was a quick add-on after Riverdale cancelled, adding the additional bit of interest in that Villa Grove is no longer in their historic coop.
Mendota at Erie-Prophetstown: Two playoff teams from last year are hoping to extend their success.
St. Bede at Sherrard: Sherrard had a really rough go last year, while St. Bede made it to the second round. I am hearing the Tigers will improve themselves; time to prove it.
Princeton at Rockridge: Another possible conference championship game. That simple.
Hall at Orion: Intriguing game between two groups that are looking to improve their outlooks from last year; both have interesting crops of newcomers.
Newman at Morrison: The only game this week that counts as a rivalry in any reasonable fashion, and is it ever one. Short trip for the Comets.
Picks: Monmouth-Roseville over Kewanee, Bureau Valley over Villa Grove, Mendota over E-P, St. Bede over Sherrard, Princeton over Rockridge, Orion over Hall, Newman over Morrison.
Looking forward to the season, y'all.
