The Ultimate Central IL Friday Night Lights Preview
Ryne’s Pick ‘Em Record: 124-25
Jacksonville (6-3) @ Joliet Catholic (6-3)
It was a slow start in Week 9 for Jacksonville until K Brandon Sims energized the Crimsons with a school record 55-yard field goal. He’d add two more field goals and Jacksonville knocked Lincoln out of the playoffs with a 51-21 victory. Sims is one of a handful exciting Crimson players I’ve had the privilege of calling this season.
Freshmen RBs Jeremiah Jackson and Darren Henry have put a spark in the backfield providing electrifying speed. Senior RB LaMarion Williams has thrived as the workhouse fullback with 13 TDs. QB Braden Hutchison continues to grow as a game manager and playmaker. I could go on and on, but at the end of the day this team is flat out exciting.
Now the challenge begins for Jacksonville with a first round matchup at Joliet Catholic, a program that’s won an IHSA best 15 state football championships since 1974. There’s a lot of elements going against the Crimsons in this one, with a three hour travel and a 7:30pm start time on Saturday night. If Jacksonville can limit the big plays of Joliet’s star RB Larry Stringham and run that ball like we’ve seen all season, the Crimsons have a shot. Good luck boys, I’ll see you there!
My Pick: Jacksonville
Routt Catholic (5-4) @ Casey Westfield (8-1)
Routt heads into the playoffs after a regular season with mixed success. The Rockets went 1-3 in the final four games of the season, losing to Brown County, Carrollton and Camp Point and defeated GNW. That’s four straight games against playoff teams and you hope that’s gotten the Rockets ready for their Week 10 game. What an encore season from QB Kellen Creviston, who totaled around 3,000 yards and 34 TDs. His ability to push the ball down the field will always give Routt a chance to come away with a win. WR Eli Olson, who averages 100 receiving yards a game, will be the go-to target, while WR Jace Lautemann has been a fantastic #2 with 10 touchdowns.
It’s a three man show for Casey Westfield’s offense. RB Luke Karras is the workhorse of the backfield, running for over 1,000 yards and 13 TDs. QB Nolan Clement has thrown for 1,300 yards and 21 total TDs, with most of those passes going to WR Ryan Richards, who’s breakout year includes 763 yards and 11 TDs.
Casey Westfield owns three shutout wins and has outscored their opponents by 200 points, but they haven’t seen an offense like Routt Catholic .If the Rockets can jump out with an early lead and get big time plays on the defensive side from Trey Gause, Adam Huffman and Gavin Sheehan and Henry Rawe, I like them for the upset.
My Pick: Routt
Carrollton (6-3) @ West Central (6-3)
How about a good old fashion WIVC first round rivalry! Carrollton and West Central went to war in Week 3 with the Cougars coming out on top 12-7. Don’t be surprised to see this one come down to the wire again.
Carrollton QB Carson Flowers has an abundance of weapons in his arsenal. WRs Carson Grafford and Charlie Stumpf are matchup nightmares, while RB Lucas Howard provides an excellent mix of speed and power in the backfield. Carrollton has some impressive wins under their belt (Calhoun and Routt). They’ve got momentum and are playing inspired football.
QB Ryker Ford is the key to success for West Central. The junior has accounted for more than 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns. Look for RB Anthony Hance (400 yards 5 TD) to come up with a key play for the Cougars down the stretch and LB Carson Brown to lead this matchup in tackles.
If West Central can make this a defensive battle then it’s anyone’s game, but I like the Carrollton offense staying hot and pulling away with the victory.
My pick: Carrollton
Nokomis (5-4) @ Camp Point (8-1)
Outside a 14-13 loss to Calhoun, it’s been a perfect season for Camp Point. In true Panther form, the defense has allowed under 100 total points, led by Elijah Genenbacher (94 tackles) and Kadin Niekamp (15 tackles for loss). Genenbacher and Niekamp are also the focal point of the ground game, rushing for a total of 1,232 yards and 20 TDs. We’re also getting a breakout year from RB Nate Peters (11 TDs), who leads the team in receiving. The defending state champions are ready to defend their title.
Nokomis boasts an impressive backfield that’s rushed for 2,386 yards. RBs Nolan Herpstreith and Daryl Evans, both juniors, have combined for 1,600 rushing yards and 28 TDs. Nokomis is in free fall mode, losing their previous four games. We’ve seen the Panthers shut down countless offenses over the years and I’m taking Camp Point to pick up a convincing victory.
My Pick: Camp Point
Brown County (5-4) @ Greenfield Northwestern (7-2)
Brown County and Greenfield Northwestern meet again in 2024 after their previous Week 1 matchup went to the Tigers 6-0. The up and coming Hornets have improved by leaps and bounds, while the veteran Tigers have stayed consistently good all season.
Outside of a loss to Routt, the back half of GNW’s season has been positive with wins over Carrollton, West Central and Triopia. To no surprise, TE Garrett Costello has been one of the top players in the WIVC, averaging 116 receiving yards per game. The Tigers backfield, led by Ashton Preusen and Caleb Albracht, is racking up about 140 yards a game, opening up big plays for QB Talon Albrecht.
After some early season struggles, the Hornets have their offense figured out, dropping 30+ points in five games. Some thought the Hornets may be a year away for a postseason berth, but they’re proving their time is now. Brown County has won three of their last four games and is ready to make some noise, but GNW has so much playoff experience and gets to play at home. I’ll call them a slight favorite in a matchup that has potential for game of the week.
My Pick: GNW
Central A & M (5-4) @ Calhoun (8-1)
Calhoun wraps up the regular season with a dominant 56-8 win over Beardstown. The Warriors piled up 2,458 total rushing yards on the year, good for 273 yards per game. Look for Calhoun to lean on senior RB Conner Longnecker, who’s eclipsed 100 rushing yards in eight games and scored 16 touchdowns. Central A & M is heading into the postseason coming off their worst defeat of the year, 42-7 to Gibson City. Expect Calhoun to control the tempo of this matchup with a heavy dose of ground and pound football.
My Pick:Calhoun
Other Area Game Predictions
Glenwood over Crete Monee
East St Louis over Springfield
U High over Manteno
Rochester over Peoria Notre Dame
Mahomet Seymour over SHG
QND over Flora
Maroa Forsyth over Decatur St Teresa
New Berlin over Benton
Williamsville over Carlinville
Nashville over Olympia
Quincy over Summit Argo
