Matchups, Predictions & Standings
The Ultimate Central IL Friday Night Lights Preview
Turke’s Pick ‘Em Record: 13-1
Eisenhower (0-1) @ Jacksonville (1-0)
To say Jacksonville has dominated this matchup would be an understatement. The Crimsons have outscored the Panthers 149-6 over the last three years, with running clocks early in each game.
Jacksonville was tested in Week 1 by an inspired Pittsfield team that took a 14-13 lead into halftime. Jacksonville turned things around in the second half with a spark from a pair of freshmen running backs. Darren Henry and Jeremiah Jackson combined for 130 yards of offense and a touchdown. Fullback LaMarion Williams added a pair of touchdowns and Jacksonville’s defense shut out the Saukees in the final two quarters, winning 26-14. From my view in the pressbox, Jacksonville looked like a faster and more confident team in the second half. Let’s see more of that in Week 2.
My Pick: Jacksonville
Camp Point (1-0) @ Calhoun (1-0)
Get your popcorn ready. The top dogs of the WIVC North and South square off in a Game of the Year contender.
Calhoun’s defense looked lethal against Routt, securing three interceptions, consistently putting pressure on the quarterback and eliminating the Rocket run game. The Warriors used a healthy dose of fullback dives to Conner Longnecker, while mixing in the perfect blend of option reads, jet sweeps and counters with Will Lorton, Jack Webster and Cal Wallendorf. By the way, this is without all conference X factor Pat Friedel. Once he’s back….watch out.
Camp Point didn’t skip a beat in Week 1, proving they still run the WIVC with a 69-0 home opener victory against North Greene. The Panthers totaled 412 yards on the ground, led by Elijah Genenbacher’s 104 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Expect this to be the first of many Camp Point shutouts.
Camp Point got the better of Calhoun twice last year and until the champs take a loss, I can’t go against them. Don’t miss this one folks.
My Pick: Camp Point
Routt Catholic (0-1) @ North Greene (0-1)
Calhoun had Routt’s number in Week 1, it’s as simple as that. Quarterback Kellen Creviston battled pressure all afternoon, but still found ways to create big plays down field to receivers Eli Olson and Jace Lautemann, who combined for three touchdowns and over 200 yards in the air. Declan Lahey is quickly becoming Creviston’s go to target when the Rockets need to move the chains. He’s the most exciting slot receiver in the conference. On the defensive front, Aiden Meyer, Brandt Burton and Henry Rawe showed grit against a very physical Calhoun offense. Don’t let the scoreboard fool you, Routt’s defense appears to be trending in the right direction. Routt needs a big win to get their playoff hopeful season back on track.
A loss for North Greene in Week 1 makes it 23 in a row. Low numbers and a few injuries aren’t making things easy on the Spartans. They’ll go from the ground and pound offense of Camp Point to the air attack of Routt. The Spartans will have their hands full on Friday.
My Pick: Routt Catholic
Greenfield NW (1-0) @ Mendon Unity (0-1)
GNW survives a Week 1 scare against Brown County with a 6-0 win. The lone touchdown came on a scramble from quarterback Talon Albrecht. A low scoring opener from the Tigers was to be expected as several players were adjusting to new positions. Caleb Albracht looked strong in the backfield and the GNW defense played lights out. Now that everyone has a game under their belts, the Tigers are ready to pounce.
Mendon Unity took one on the chin, kicking off the year with a 50-22 loss to West Central. Despite a pair of rushing touchdowns, quarterback Sawyer Allen and the Mustangs offense were held in check. Receiver Johnny Keefe, 84 yards and a TD, looks to be on the verge of a breakout season. With Brown County, Camp Point and Routt ahead on the schedule, Mendon needs this one if they want a shot at the playoffs.
My Pick: GNW
West Central (1-0) @ Brown County (0-1)
I had plenty of questions about West Central heading into Week 1 and they were all answered with a dominant 50-22 win over Mendon Unity.
Quarterback Ryker Ford got the offense started with a 50 yard touchdown run, running backs Anthony Hance & Tucker Arnold both found the end zone twice and linebacker Carson Brown set a West Central school record with 25 tackles.
It wasn’t that West Central won, it was that they kept their foot on the gas. This was vintage Cougars football. With an exciting offense and a defensive MVP at their disposal, the Cougars stock is trending up.
It’s pretty rare these days to give up just six points and lose, but that was the break in Week 1 for the Hornets. Brown County’s offense showed flashes of life, but the Hornets had several promising drives stall thanks to turnovers and miscues. I believe in Brown County and this has potential to be close, but with offensive issues and Cougars coming to town, it’s going to be an uphill battle.
My Pick: West Central
Carrollton (1-0) @ Triopia (1-0)
Quarterback Carson Flowers looked great, rushing for a couple touchdowns and consistently connecting with receivers Carson Grafford and Charlie Stumpf. This backfield looks tough with Lucas Howard, who also rushed for two scores. The Hawks love to get the ball to Grant Cox in the open field, whether that’s as a receiver or in the backfield. He’s a big piece of this offense. Just like 2023, Carrollton is coming out the gates red hot.
Brock York’s game tying touchdown, and the following two point conversion, sent Triopia fans into a frenzy. A Week 1 victory is the perfect way to start the Cody Winkelman coaching era in Triopia. That being said, Carrollton looked incredible in the opener. The Trojans allowed 213 rushing yards to P Hill, but in Week 2, their pass defense will be tested. That’s the key to this matchup.
My Pick: Carrollton
Pleasant Hill (0-1) @ Beardstown (0-1)
While both these teams scored six points in the opening week, they couldn’t have been more different games.
P Hill led Triopia deep into the fourth quarter, until the Trojans rallied for a touchdown to steal a win. As for the Tigers, they were overpowered by Carrollton to the tune of 46-6. Beardstown has owned the Wolves in their last three matchups, look for them to pick up a home victory.
My Pick: Beardstown
New Berlin (1-0) @ Auburn (0-1)
Clark Nelson and Gabe Lyons combined to score six touchdowns in New Berlin’s 47-20 statement win over Pleasant Plains. Auburn had difficulties stopping the run against Williamsville last week, allowing 418 yards. Auburn has to limit the ground game of New Berlin to keep this one close.
My Pick: New Berlin
Other Area Game Predictions
Athens (1-0) over Pittsfield (0-1)
Maroa Forsyth (1-0) over Pleasant Plains (0-1)
Rochester (1-0) over (1-0) Cardinal Ritter
Glenwood (0-1) over North County (1-0)
Williamsville (1-0) over PORTA (0-1)
Quincy High (1-0) over Alton (0-1)
CENTRAL STATE EIGHT EAST
ROCHESTER 1-0
MACARTHUR 1-0
LINCOLN 1-0
NORMAL UNIVERSITY 1-0
EISENHOWER 0-1
GLENWOOD 0-1
CENTRAL STATE EIGHT WEST
JACKSONVILLE 1-0
SPRINGFIELD HIGH 1-0
LANPHIER 0-1
QUINCY NOTRE DAME 0-1
SACRED HEART GRIFFIN 0-1
SOUTHEAST 0-1
SANGAMO
ATHENS 1-0
MAROA FORSYTH 1-0
NEW BERLIN 1-0
OLYMPIA 1-0
WILLIAMSVILLE 1-0
AUBURN 0-1
PETERSBURG PORTA 0-1
PITTSFIELD 0-1
PLEASANT PLAINS 0-1
WESTERN ILLINOIS VALLEY SOUTH
CALHOUN 1-0
CAROLLTON 1-0
GNW 1-0
WEST CENTRAL 1-0
NORTH GREENE 0-1
PLEASANT HILL 0-1
WESTERN ILLINOIS VALLEY NORTH
CAMP POINT 1-0
TRIOPIA 1-0
BEARDSTOWN 0-1
BROWN COUNTY 0-1
MENDON UNITY 0-1
ROUTT CATHOLIC 0-1
