Matchups, Predictions & Standings
The Ultimate Central IL Friday Night Lights Preview
Ryne’s Pick ‘Em Record: 68-11
Jacksonville (4-1) @ Springfield (4-1)
Jacksonville’s 40-0 win against Southeast marks the third 40+ point victory of the season for the Crimsons. This was the breakout game from Braden Hutchison we’ve been looking for. In complete control of the offense, Hutchison ran for two impressive touchdowns and threw for another. LaMarion Williams’ 102 rushing yards led the Crimson backfield, with help from Jeremiah Jackson, Terrion Jackson and Darren Henry. For the second consecutive week the Crimson defense was lights out. Ryan McCombs, Elie Massamba and Brody Clayton were frequently in the backfield as Jacksonville blitzed all night against an inexperienced Southeast offensive line.
A Week 5 game winning touchdown from QND in the final 90 seconds handed Springfield their first loss of the year. The Senators offense has been incredible, scoring 40+ points three times already. Springfield’s junior class is the real deal, led by quarterback Brody Scheffler, averaging 202 passing yards per game. Running back Armanze Lewis has already topped 100 yards in a game twice and wide receiver Kale Thurman is amongst the CS8 leaders with 400+ receiving yards.
Jacksonville needs to clean up their penalty issues and keep the high powered Senator offense in check to pick up the win. At the moment, this game has to be considered a 50/50 toss up.
My Pick: Jacksonville
Calhoun (5-0) @ Carrollton (4-1)
This looks like Calhoun’s year. The Warriors dropped a knockout punch early last week against GNW with three first half touchdowns to secure a 20-0 win. Conner Longnecker continues to be the MVP of the WIVC, adding two more touchdowns and rushing for a career high 231 yard for Calhoun. The defense was incredible, shutting out the Tiger offense which had averaged 32-points a game coming into the contest. The Warriors will be massive favorites for the final four games of the regular season and should be getting a #1 seed come postseason.
Carrollton runs away with a huge 42-0 win over North Greene. Quarterback Carson Flowers accounted for 248 yards of offense and a pair of scores, while Lucas Howard led the backfield with 134 yards. Now the challenge begins for the Hawks, as they still need one more win to become playoff eligible. That win will have to come against one of the following teams: Calhoun, GNW, Camp Point or Routt. FYI…those teams have a combined record of 17-3.
Calhoun has now handed four teams their first loss of the season. Jump on the bandwagon folks.
My Pick: Calhoun
Camp Point (4-1) @ Routt (4-1)
Camp Point continues to roll, securing a 30-14 win over Brown County. Kadin Niekamp got his shot in the backfield and thrived, rushing for two touchdowns and a team high 157 yards. Through five games, Camp Point has rushed for more than 1,700 yards, coming in at 341 yards per game. The move from running back to quarterback for Elijah Genenbacher has been a smooth transition. The senior leads the Panthers with 87 rushing yards per game and seven touchdowns.
Since their season opening 37-19 loss to Calhoun, Routt has looked like a rejuvenated team. The Rocket defense is allowing an average of 3.5 points per game over the last four weeks, thanks in part to Trey Gause. The senior defensive lineman owned Mendon Unity in the Rockets 44-0 win, tying the state record with eight sacks in a game. Kellen Creviston was sensational in the win, accounting for five touchdowns and 300 yards of offense. With the defense playing this well and an offense averaging 40-points a game, Routt could be a sleeper team come postseason.
This one will be a true clash of styles, the ground game of Camp Point vs the air attack of Routt. I’m expecting a much more competitive matchup than the 53-6 win for Camp Point last season.
My Pick: Camp Point
Brown County (2-3) @ Beardstown (1-4)
Despite a loss to Camp Point, Brown County has once again proven they can hang with any team in the WIVC. Jack Sefton started the night off with an 85-yard kick return score. The offense would tack on another score, as Vince Little found Hayden Hurley for a 71-yard touchdown. The Hornets defense, which had allowed just 22-points coming into the matchup, simply couldn’t contain the ground attack of Camp Point. Brown County needs three wins in the final four weeks to make the playoffs. This is a must win for the Hornets.
Beardstown is on the board! The Tigers took a 22-6 lead into halftime and cruised to a dominant 30-12 win over Triopia. Keep in mind, Beardstown had scored just 14 points in the first four weeks of the season. The playoffs may be out of reach, but there’s some winnable games ahead for the Tigers, who hope to cap off their year on some high notes.
My Pick: Brown County
GNW (4-1) @ West Central (4-1)
A windy Week 5 night at Fleur De Lis Field did no favors for GNW. The Tigers suffered a 20-0 loss to Calhoun and mustered just 37 passing yards and 22 rushing yards. GNW did get into the end zone twice, but both plays were called back due to penalties. The last time the Tigers were shutout was back in 2017 vs Carrollton.
West Central survives an overtime thriller, defeating Pleasant Hill on the road 22-20. Quarterback Ryker Ford has been the playmaker the Cougars needed, racking up a pair of touchdowns and an interception last week. West Central is a win away from punching their ticket to the postseason.
My Pick: GNW
North Greene (0-5) @ Pleasant Hill (1-4)
With an offense averaging five points a game and a defense that is yet to hold an opponent under 40 points, North Greene has officially been eliminated from the postseason in Week 5. Looking at the final four weeks, North Greene will get a shot at some wins against P Hill, Beardstown and Mendon Unity.
Don’t let the 1-4 record fool you, P Hill is miles improved from last season. Remember they lost a heartbreaker Week 1 to Triopia, were down just one at halftime to Carrollton and took West Central to overtime. If a few plays go their way, the Wolves could be 500 if not better. That’s not the case though, as P Hill has to win out to reach the postseason. Rydor Rodhouse and Waylon White will be getting all-conference honors, they’ve been gamechangers on both sides of the ball.
My Pick: Pleasant Hill
Mendon Unity (0-5) @ Triopia (1-4)
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I did not see this start from Mendon Unity coming. The offense has been shutout twice and is averaging just eight points a game. Meanwhile the defense has allowed more than 30 points every week. Look for the Mustangs to turn things around and pick up some wins in the final four weeks.
The 12-points scored in last week’s loss against Beardstown marks a season high for the Trojans. With Camp Point, West Central and GNW remaining on the schedule, this is the best shot for Triopia to put another win on the board.
My Pick: Mendon Unity
Other Area Game Predictions
Williamsville over Athens
Petersburg PORTA over Auburn
Maroa Forsyth over Pittsfield
New Berlin over Olympia
Glenwood over U High
Rochester over Eisenhower
MacArthur over Lincoln
QND over Lanphier
SHG over Southeast
Quincy over Galesburg
Pics
Amy McCombs (jacksonville)
Wendi Albrecht (greenfield)
Amanda Marshall (Auburn)
Michael Scott (NORTH
