Jacksonville – Gary Hadden
Routt – Maggie Peterson
Beardstown – Zach DeSollar
Calhoun – Bonnie snyders
Glenwood – Megan Emrick
Matchups, Predictions & Standings
The Ultimate Central IL Friday Night Lights Preview
Ryne’s Pick ‘Em Record: 107-24
Jacksonville (5-3) @ Lincoln (4-4)
Now this is the Jacksonville team that can make waves in the postseason! The 53-13 home win over MacArthur locks in a playoff spot for the Crimsons. The Jacksonville backfield was phenomenal, rushing for 586 yards and eight touchdowns. QB Braden Hutchison got the offense started with a pair of rushing scores, RB LaMarion Williams put up a season high 175 yards and RB Jeremiah Jackson totaled 152 yards. Shoutout to the veteran Crimson offense line for dominating the line of scrimmage in the final three quarters. If the line plays like this, Jacksonville can compete with anyone in the area. The Crimsons head into Week 9 against a desperate Lincoln, who need a win to make the playoffs for the second straight year. I’m expecting a postseason atmosphere for this one, and with Jacksonville’s backfield back to full strength, they’ve got the edge.
My Pick: Jacksonville
Routt Catholic (5-3) @ Carrollton (5-3)
Routt picks up their biggest win of the year, taking down GNW 41-20. The Rockets capitalized off four first half Tiger turnovers, taking an early 21-0 lead. QB Kellen Creviston was dialed in, accounting for 309 yards of offense and five touchdowns. WR Jace Lautemann got the scoring going with a pair of touchdowns and WR Eli Olson added 52 yards, a score and interception. The Rockets went to the ground game in the second half as RB Charlie Alan put up 78 yards and a touchdown. WR/DB Owen Geirnaeirt put together his game of the year, which included an incredible interception and a late touchdown.
After knocking off Calhoun in Week 6, Carrollton has dropped their last two. The offense continues to produce, averaging 27 PPG, but the defense has allowed 40+ points in losses to GNW and Camp Point. Greene County will be home to the shootout of the week. Both teams are heading into the postseason, but reaching six wins gets you a favorable first round matchup. I’ll give the Rockets a slight edge.
My Pick: Routt
West Central (6-2) @ Camp Point (7-1)
West Central has now held their opponents to single digits five times. The Cougars scored in every quarter, beating Triopia 41-8. Tucker Arnold (90 yards), Anthony Hance (83 yards) and Ryker Ford (59 yards) all scored a pair of touchdowns. The Cougars are averaging 221 yards a game on the ground, getting all-conference performances from Ford and Carson Brown (110 tackles) and playing inspired football. Their stock couldn’t be higher.
Camp Point runs away with a 41-28 win over Carrollton. Leading 14-12 at halftime, the Panthers hit their stride in the third quarter, outscoring the Hawks 20-8. Big night for RB Nate Peters, who topped the Panther backfield with five touchdowns on 182 total yards. RB Kadin Niekamp has become a fixture in the Camp Point backfield and adds 85 rushing yards. QB Eli Genenbacher runs for 68-yards and a score. The Panthers have made plenty of adjustments to their depth chart, but one thing remains true, this team knows how to win.
This is the perfect postseason tuneup for both teams. Get ready for a battle in the trenches between two very exciting WIVC squads.
My Pick: Camp Point
Triopia (1-7) @ Greenfield Northwestern (6-2)
Another tough loss for Triopia, who’ve dropped their last seven games. On a positive note, RB Caleb Carpenter has taken over the backfield, accounting for 77 of the Trojans 138 rushing yards.
Turnovers came back to haunt GNW as they fell to Routt 41-20. Despite being down three touchdowns early, the Tigers showed signs of life in the second quarter, scoring 20 unanswered points and heading to halftime down one. The highlight of the day was a 51-yard touchdown pass from Talon Albrecht to Garrett Costello on a beautiful double move for the tight end.
Expect Joe Pembrook to get GNW motivated and back on track with a win heading into the postseason.
My Pick: GNW
Calhoun (7-1) @ Beardstown (1-7)
RB Conner Longnecker becomes Calhoun’s all-time rushing leader in the Warriors 31-16 win over Brown County. Longnecker, who rushed for 108 yards, found the end zone twice and is my pick for WIVC Player of the Year. RB Drew Wallendorf would tack on a 25-yard touchdown and Jack Goode capped off the scoring in the 4th quarter with a fumble recovery score. Calhoun will be huge favorites against Beardstown.
My Pick:Calhoun
North Greene (1-7) @ Mendon Unity (3-5)
Congrats to North Greene! The Spartans picked up their first win, 32-18 over Beardstown. It was all Spartans from the start, jumping out to a 20-0 lead in the first quarter. RB Ethan Clark led the way with a pair of touchdowns. Just for reference, North Greene had scored just 40 points through seven weeks. This was truly a memorable night for the Spartans program.
Wow what a shootout! Trailing 28-8 in the third quarter, Mendon Unity would rally to force double overtime and steal a 54-48 win against Pleasant Hill. To no surprise, Mendon Unity has caught fire and picked up three straight wins. The playoffs may be out of reach, but the Mustangs are out to prove something.
Both squads are coming off emotional highs, but Mendon’s track record makes them the favorite.
My Pick: Mendon Unity
Pleasant Hill (2-6) @ Brown County (4-4)
Heartbreak again. That’s two overtime losses for Pleasant Hill. Don’t let the record fool you, the Wolves and Brown County are my picks for the most improved WIVC teams of 2024.
Win and you’re in…that’s the Week 9 motto for Brown County. The Hornets once again prove they can play with the big dogs, taking a 16-15 lead into the fourth quarter on Calhoun. RB Tyce Fullerton, who put the Hornets on the board with a first quarter touchdown, is finding his groove in the backfield and QB Vince Little continues to make big plays with the game on the line.
Brown County has all the elements of the playoff team. Look for them to take the W.
My Pick: Brown County
Other Area Game Predictions
Glenwood over Springfield
U High over Lanphier
Rochester over SHG
Southeast over Eisenhower
QND over MacArthur
Maroa Forsyth over New Berlin
Pittsfield over PORTA
Williamsville over Pleasant Plains
Oregon over Athens
Olympia over Auburn
Quincy over Jefferson City
