Matchups & Predictions
The Ultimate Central IL Friday Night Lights Preview
Ryne’s Pick ‘Em Record: 134-31
Belleville Althoff Catholic (10-0) @ Carrollton (7-3)
Carrollton makes a statement to open postseason play with a 44-8 victory over West Central. The Hawks look like a different team these days and the offense couldn’t be playing better. QB Carson Flowers had a career performance with 251 passing yards, 52 rushing yards and three touchdowns. RB Lucas Howard was unstoppable on the ground, accounting for over 100 yards and three more scores. You’ve got to mention the defense, holding the Cougars to under 150 yards of offense. Waiting for Carrollton in the second round is the odds on favorite to win the state title…
Belleville Althoff Catholic obliterated Dupo over the weekend 60-0. RB Dierre Hill, committed to Oregon, is one of the top athletes in the state. Hill has racked up over 1,900 yards and 29 touchdowns out of the backfield. If that isn’t enough of a problem, Carrollton has to deal with WR Charleston Coldon’s 671 yards and 9 TDs, plus QB Jayden Ellington’s 1,591 yards and 25 TDs.
Carrollton will be a massive underdog in a David vs Goliath matchup. Keep in mind, Carrolllton gave Calhoun their only loss of the season. Anything can happen in the postseason.
My Pick: Althoff Catholic
Casey Westfield (9-1) @ Brown County (6-4)
Casey Westfield looked like the real deal in their 39-21 win at home over Routt Catholic. The Warriors didn’t waste any time, taking a 19-0 first quarter lead thanks to QB Nolan Clement. The junior kept his foot on the gas all afternoon throwing for four touchdowns and adding 58 yards on the ground. RB Luke Karras and WR Ryan Richards both added a pair of touchdowns, showcasing the depth of the Warriors offense. This team is much improved from 2023, a squad that lost a heartbreaker to Greenfield Northwestern in the second round of the postseason.
You just gotta love Brown County. The Hornets avenged their Week 1 loss to GNW by knocking them out of the postseason with a 18-16 victory on the road. The Hornet defense shined, shutting down the high-powered Tiger offense and holding them to just a pair of touchdowns. QB Vince Little’s 14-yard touchdown pass to Tyce Fullerton late in the fourth quarter sealed the win for the Hornets. Tanner Sitze paced the Hornet backfield with 102 rushing yards, while Tyce and Trey Fullerton combined for 122 yards. There’s a lot to celebrate here for Brown County and it’s a victory that can be a building block for several successful years to come.
If Brown County can control the clock and rely on their stellar defense, they’ve got a great shot at picking up their second postseason win. I’ll call Casey-Westfield a slight favorite, but don’t count out those Hornets.
My Pick: Casey Westfield
Toledo Cumberland (8-2) @ Camp Point (9-1)
Stop me if you’ve heard this before: Camp Point picks up a dominant 34-6 postseason win. The Panthers got an MVP performance from Elijah Genenbacher, who racked up 214 yards, six touchdowns and 17 tackles against Nokomis. Kadin Niekamp added 14 tackles and Nate Peters caught three passes for 118 yards. Camp Point is getting better every single week with eight straight wins.
Cumberland dismantled a talented Tuscola squad in the opening round of the postseason 28-6. How good is Cumberland? Well their only two losses, Sullivan and Arthur, have a combined record of 19-1. Cumberland’s defense is the backbone of their success, holding opponents to single digit scoring seven times this season. Cumberland defeated Nokomis 42-0 in Week 8, they’re legit.
Camp Point gets another big advantage playing at home in front of one of the best crowds in the WIVC. Expect a much more physical matchup, but all signs are pointing towards a Camp Point win and a collision course with Calhoun in the Elite 8.
My Pick: Camp Point
Sesser-Valier (8-2) @ Calhoun (8-1)
Calhoun picked up 317 total yards on the ground and cruised to a 38-7 win over Central A & M. RB Conner Longnecker led the way as usual with 143 yards and two touchdowns for the Warriors. Drew Wallendorf, Patrick Friedel and Jacob Snyders would all find the end zone as well. Calhoun’s defense, led Saturday by Jacob Brannan’s 10 tackles, is allowing just 8.5 points per game. This is what Calhoun has done all season folks. If the Warriors play their style of football, they’re almost unbeatable.
It’s been another banner season for Sesser-Valier, finishing second in the Black Diamond Conference and reaching 8+ wins for the fourth consecutive season. The Red Devils jumped out to a 7-0 start, but hit a wall in the final two weeks of the regular season with losses to Johnston City and Flora.
Sesser-Valier has their hands full in this one. I’ll take Calhoun with another lights out defensive effort.
My Pick: Calhoun
Other Area Game Predictions
Farmington over Rockridge
Vandalia over Pana
Maroa Forsyth over Chester
QND over Arthur
Greenville over Nashville
Sullivan over Benton
Williamsville over Monticello
Breese Central over Murphysboro
U High over Richland County
Joliet Catholic over SHG
Glenwood over Oak Forest
Quincy over Moline
Illinois College over Cornell College
Pictures
Jacksonville Area Sports Memories – Carrollton
Amy McCombs – Jacksonville
Bonnie Synder – Calhoun
Wendi Albrecht – Greenfield
Amanda Marshall – New Berlin
