Western Big Six
Moline 55, Galesburg 10 - Galesburg had hung with some people this year. Moline got a pick-six on the first drive and never looked back, in one of their best performances of the year.
Sterling 54, Rock Island 19 - It seems like the Warriors heard how Moline was doing, and just clocked a real contender in Rock Island. Fearsome performance from Sterling.
UTHS 42, Alleman 6 - This one was only 6-0 at halftime. Good for UT to get their first win.
Quincy 35, Geneseo 17 - Geneseo scored the last 14 points of the game to make this look closer, but Quincy certainly looked nice and have effectively clinched a playoff spot.
I was 4-0 last week. This week:
Moline over Sterling - this one is just what was anticipated at the start of the year, the conference championship game. (The winner clinches at least a share of the Big Six title.) I think Moline, at home, is a slight favorite. Anything could happen. Gonna be a great one.
Rock Island over Geneseo - If it wasn't for Moline-Sterling, this would be the game of the week. It's a must-win for both 4-3 teams, as both have tough games next week (Rocky goes to Quincy, while Geneseo faces Moline). The winner basically clinches a playoff spot, while the loser looks likely to be out. I think the Rocks will rise up to get this one, but again, any result would not surprise me.
UTHS over Galesburg - The Streaks took this game last year but they looked really bad against Moline, while the Panthers rediscovered their offense in the second half last week. A nice bit of good news for whichever team wins this one.
Quincy over Alleman - A nice get-healthy game for Quincy going into the playoffs (likely 6A but possibly 7A), as the Devils will hope to get to 7-2 and possibly host a game.
TRAC
Princeton 56, St. Bede 7 - A Tiger win wasn't a surprise, but a 40-point win was a shock. St. Bede is still a good team, but Princeton... scary, scary, scary. Their next home game should be a first-round home game and you can bet they will be pumped.
Kewanee 35, Mendota 34 - This conference has a lot of solid teams but not a lot of separation in the middle, and this proves it. The Boilermakers keep their slim playoff hopes alive at least for another week.
Erie-Prophetstown 33, Bureau Valley 0 - This one looks about right. BV is falling apart.
Newman 20, Hall 18 - Newman scored a touchdown on the last play of the game, showing how close these teams are. Huge win for Newman, crushing for Hall.
Monmouth-Roseville got the forfeit win.
Morrison 55, Orion 13 - This one was every bit as shocking as Princeotn. I didn't think Morrison would win - I didn't think in a million years they'd running-clock Orion. Meantime, Orion's playoff shot is basically dead.
Rockridge 35, Sherrard 21 - Rockridge has semeed to be slowing down for the last three weeks, though the Tigers are definitely showing more pluck.
I was 4-2 last week (missed on Kewanee and Morrison). This week:
Rockridge over Kewanee - The Rockets should certainly be on upset alert this week, as Kewanee has a slim shot at the playoffs if they win out. But I can't pick against Rockridge, especially in Rock Island County.
Orion over Sherrard - Again, Orion ought to be on upset alert, and I have no faith in Orion, but they do seem better than Sherrard.
Morrison over LeRoy - This game is at home and Morrison will make the 1A playoffs if they can win this game and next week against Erie-Prophetstown. I think the Mustangs get to 4-4 at least.
Erie-Prophetstown over Monmouth-Roseville - a must-win for both 4-3 teams, as EP has a tricky jaunt to Morrison next week and Monmouth-Roseville gets the enjoyable task of hosting Princeton. I think, at home the Panthers are a little better.
Princeton over Bureau Valley - BV is streaking down, Princeton is chugging along. This shouldn't be close.
Newman over Mendota - Mendota will be desperate, and Newman is 0-3 at their "home" at Sterling High School so far this year. But I think the Comets have some things figured out and they have decent momentum.
St. Bede over Hall - Hall is a daunting team when they figure things out, and they will be all out for this game with a 3-4 record and Bureau Valley next week. But St. Bede is at home in this rivalry, and they should bounce back all right.
Moline 55, Galesburg 10 - Galesburg had hung with some people this year. Moline got a pick-six on the first drive and never looked back, in one of their best performances of the year.
Sterling 54, Rock Island 19 - It seems like the Warriors heard how Moline was doing, and just clocked a real contender in Rock Island. Fearsome performance from Sterling.
UTHS 42, Alleman 6 - This one was only 6-0 at halftime. Good for UT to get their first win.
Quincy 35, Geneseo 17 - Geneseo scored the last 14 points of the game to make this look closer, but Quincy certainly looked nice and have effectively clinched a playoff spot.
I was 4-0 last week. This week:
Moline over Sterling - this one is just what was anticipated at the start of the year, the conference championship game. (The winner clinches at least a share of the Big Six title.) I think Moline, at home, is a slight favorite. Anything could happen. Gonna be a great one.
Rock Island over Geneseo - If it wasn't for Moline-Sterling, this would be the game of the week. It's a must-win for both 4-3 teams, as both have tough games next week (Rocky goes to Quincy, while Geneseo faces Moline). The winner basically clinches a playoff spot, while the loser looks likely to be out. I think the Rocks will rise up to get this one, but again, any result would not surprise me.
UTHS over Galesburg - The Streaks took this game last year but they looked really bad against Moline, while the Panthers rediscovered their offense in the second half last week. A nice bit of good news for whichever team wins this one.
Quincy over Alleman - A nice get-healthy game for Quincy going into the playoffs (likely 6A but possibly 7A), as the Devils will hope to get to 7-2 and possibly host a game.
TRAC
Princeton 56, St. Bede 7 - A Tiger win wasn't a surprise, but a 40-point win was a shock. St. Bede is still a good team, but Princeton... scary, scary, scary. Their next home game should be a first-round home game and you can bet they will be pumped.
Kewanee 35, Mendota 34 - This conference has a lot of solid teams but not a lot of separation in the middle, and this proves it. The Boilermakers keep their slim playoff hopes alive at least for another week.
Erie-Prophetstown 33, Bureau Valley 0 - This one looks about right. BV is falling apart.
Newman 20, Hall 18 - Newman scored a touchdown on the last play of the game, showing how close these teams are. Huge win for Newman, crushing for Hall.
Monmouth-Roseville got the forfeit win.
Morrison 55, Orion 13 - This one was every bit as shocking as Princeotn. I didn't think Morrison would win - I didn't think in a million years they'd running-clock Orion. Meantime, Orion's playoff shot is basically dead.
Rockridge 35, Sherrard 21 - Rockridge has semeed to be slowing down for the last three weeks, though the Tigers are definitely showing more pluck.
I was 4-2 last week (missed on Kewanee and Morrison). This week:
Rockridge over Kewanee - The Rockets should certainly be on upset alert this week, as Kewanee has a slim shot at the playoffs if they win out. But I can't pick against Rockridge, especially in Rock Island County.
Orion over Sherrard - Again, Orion ought to be on upset alert, and I have no faith in Orion, but they do seem better than Sherrard.
Morrison over LeRoy - This game is at home and Morrison will make the 1A playoffs if they can win this game and next week against Erie-Prophetstown. I think the Mustangs get to 4-4 at least.
Erie-Prophetstown over Monmouth-Roseville - a must-win for both 4-3 teams, as EP has a tricky jaunt to Morrison next week and Monmouth-Roseville gets the enjoyable task of hosting Princeton. I think, at home the Panthers are a little better.
Princeton over Bureau Valley - BV is streaking down, Princeton is chugging along. This shouldn't be close.
Newman over Mendota - Mendota will be desperate, and Newman is 0-3 at their "home" at Sterling High School so far this year. But I think the Comets have some things figured out and they have decent momentum.
St. Bede over Hall - Hall is a daunting team when they figure things out, and they will be all out for this game with a 3-4 record and Bureau Valley next week. But St. Bede is at home in this rivalry, and they should bounce back all right.
