Matchups, Predictions & Standings
The Ultimate Central IL Friday Night Lights Preview
Ryne’s Pick ‘Em Record: 80-16
Quincy Notre Dame (5-1) @ Jacksonville (4-2)
Springfield vs Jacksonville lived up to the hype. After a defensive battle in the first half, both offenses were unstoppable for the final two quarters. Trailing by seven with two minutes remaining, Jacksonville stormed down the field for a touchdown and converted a two-point conversion to take the lead. Springfield would answer with an incredible drive in the final minute. QB Brody Scheffler, who threw for over 400 yards, connected with Kale Thurman for a 40-yard game winning touchdown to send the homecoming Springfield crowd into a frenzy. While a tough loss, the Crimson backfield looked as good as ever. Jeremiah Jackson rushed for 125 yards, LaMarion Williams carried for 90 yards and Braden Hutchison scrambled for 80 yards.
Jacksonville’s road to the postseason doesn’t get any easier in Week 7. Quincy Notre Dame boasts one of the top defenses in the area, allowing just six-points per game during their five-game winning streak. If the Crimson backfield continues to stay hot and the defense makes key stops, Jacksonville should be punching their ticket to the playoffs on Friday.
My Pick: Jacksonville
Routt Catholic (4-2) @ Brown County (3-3)
From celebration to heartbreak…
A 27-yard game winning Rocket field goal would be taken off the board due to a Camp Point penalty. The second attempt went wide left, giving the Panthers a wild 22-21 victory.
It was another big afternoon for QB Kellen Creviston, who threw for 359 yards and scored three touchdowns. Creviston connected on 27 passes and spread the ball out to six Rocket receivers. Jace Lautemann and Eli Olson led the way, both just under 100 yards on the day. Routt’s defense continues to impress, holding the defending state champions to a single score in the first half.
Brown County has my attention. The Hornets picked up a win over Beardstown, their second 50+ point performance in the last three weeks. Trey Fullerton took a couple runs to the house and Tanner Sitze added a scoop and score on the defensive side.
With Routt looking to rebound and Brown County in win mode to make it to the postseason, this one has all the ingredients for a classic.
My Pick: Routt Catholic
Carrollton (5-1) @ Greenfield NW (5-1)
Carrollton sent shock waves around the WIVC, becoming the first team to defeat Calhoun. All the offense came in the second quarter, thanks to a 27-yard field goal from Luke Howard and an 8-yard touchdown pass from Carson Flowers to Charlie Stumph with three seconds left. The 10-0 win is the Hawks fifth victory of the season, making them postseason bound. It’s also the fourth time Carrollton has held their opponent under seven points, proving their defense is no joke.
How do you respond after a 20-0 shutout loss to Calhoun? How about dropping 45 points against West Central and notching a playoff qualifying fifth win of the season. The Tigers jumped out to a 24-0 lead in the first half and got key performances from Ashton Presuen, 122 rushing yards, and multiple touchdown efforts from Garrett Costello and Caleb Albracht. Wyatt Stuart led the Tiger defense with 16 tackles, a fumble recovery and interception.
Expect a packed house for this one. Carrollton vs Greenfield NW never disappoints.
My Pick: GNW
Pleasant Hill (2-4) @ Calhoun (5-1)
State ranked Calhoun suffered their first loss of the season on the road in Carrollton. Early uncharacteristic turnovers and penalties came back to bite the Warriors. The Calhoun offense, which had averaged 31 points per game, was held under 200 total yards. Conner Longnecker totaled 104 yards on the ground, followed by Jack Webster with 49 yards. The Warriors hope that loss is just a bump in the road of what appears to be a state championship contending season.
Pleasant Hill passes their win total from last year with a victory over North Greene. They’ll be the underdogs this week, but don’t count their defense out.
My Pick: Calhoun
North Greene (0-6) @ West Central (4-2)
West Central aims to bounce back after a 45-22 loss to Greenfield NW. QB Ryker Ford racked up 139 yards of offense and freshman Beau Donovan ran for 92 yards and a score. Carson Brown’s 10 tackle performance keeps him in the discussion as one of the top defenders in the WIVC.
For the first time this season North Greene held an opponent under 40 points (22-6 loss to Pleasant Hill). It’s a positive note in a season that hasn’t gone the Spartans way. North Greene will look for the major upset in Week 7.
Beardstown (1-5) @ Mendon Unity (1-5)
After picking up their first victory of the season, 30-12 vs Triopia, Beardstown took a big step backwards falling to Brown County 57-0. The Tigers allowed 42 points in the first half and have been eliminated from the postseason.
Mendon Unity ends a five game losing streak with a 38-22 victory against Triopia. Coming into the Week 6 matchup the Mustangs had scored a total of just 40 points. Maybe this ignites Mendon Unity to run the table in the final three games.
My Pick: Mendon Unity
Camp Point (5-1) @ Triopia (1-5)
It took a little drama and 15 unanswered second half points for Camp Point to pick up their 12th straight win over Routt Catholic. The running game came up clutch again for the Panthers, as the talented backfield combined for 264 yards. Zack Wear got the scoring started with an 80-yard touchdown run, while Kadin Niekamp and Nate Peters would add second half touchdowns.
Triopia gets a huge game in the backfield from Gameli White, but falls to Mendon Unity for their fifth consecutive loss. The Trojan offense, averaging close to 200 yards a game, puts up double digit points in a game for the second straight week. It’s a tough final three weeks of the year for Triopia (Camp Point, West Central and Greenfield NW).
My Pick: Camp Point
Other Area Game Predictions
Athens over PORTA
Westmont over Auburn
Maroa Forsyth over Olympia
Williamsville over New Berlin
Pittsfield over Pleasant Plains
Glenwood over Lincoln
U High over Eisenhower
Rochester over MaArthur
Springfield over SHG
Lanphier over Southeast
Pics
Amy McCombs (jacksonville)
Wendi Albrecht (greenfield)
Talon Thompson (Routt)
Amanda Marshall (Auburn)
