Week 5 - We're almost halfway there

Week 5 already. Soon, we will have a somewhat clearer look at how the playoffs (can't believe we're talking about them already) will be setting up for the area teams. I think it's safe to say that PGP, IW, Calhoun, Routt, BC, Triopia, QND, CSE, PHW and (who guessed it) QHS are all going to be in the postseason. However, there are a couple of teams that are on "the bubble" as they say, and this week could determine if they will or will not make it, or if they are a legit contender if they do. That being said, let's make some predictions:

PGP @ Beardstown - Not going to spend much time here. Beardstown has won 2 games, but not against Saukee-quality opponents. Prediction - PGP 54 Beardstown 6

Calhoun @ PHW - THE BATTLE FOR THE BUCKET IS BACK! One of my favorite area rivalries is in play this week at Pleasant Hill. Both of these teams will in the playoffs barring some unforeseen event. This should be an old fashioned slobber knocker of a game. That being said, I have really come to like the look out of the backfield from PHW with Baker & Black Inc. Prediction - PHW 28 Calhoun 18

Greenfield/Northwestern @ Carrollton - This may prove to be the deciding factor on whether or not the Hawks are in the postseason. Greenfield is hungry to continue the dominance they showed last week against Bunker Hill. Prediction - GNW 24 Carrollton 22

BC @ Routt - This should be a GREAT game. BC is unscored on this year. Routt has been the early story (not named QHS) in the area. Nate Graham has his kids playing hard and believing they can win every time they step onto the field. Routt will score, but not as much as the Hornets. Prediction - BC 35 Routt 21

Other Predictions:

Triopia 58
Virgina-A/C 6

West Central 35
ISD 12

West Prairie 22
CSE 60

IW 68
Rushville/Industry 0

QND 52
Peoria Woodruff 12

JHS 21
Taylorville 32

QHS 30
E. Moline 13

Keep us updated with those scores by commenting on this post...

Week 4 - Almost Half Way Done

Who can believe that we're already in week 4? This week provides some good match ups

Thoughts/Predictions

CSE @ PGP - This will be a high scoring affair, with both teams having explosive offenses. However, this one will come down to whose defense can actually make a stop. CSE has to try to scheme to stop Hoover, D. Johnson, M. Johnson, Cawthon, Butler, Hoover, and Risley. Sounds like a tough task. Prediction - PGP 55 CSE 31

Pleasant Hill/Western @ North Greene - The Wolves have put back-to-back wins together, and if they can stop Williford and Company, they'll be 3-1. Prediction - PHW 26 NG 13

Carrollton @ Calhoun - Talk about a difference in philosophies....Carrollton - THE SPREAD....Calhoun - RUN IT DOWN YOUR THROAT AND MAKE YOU LIKE IT...I'm a traditionalist myself - Calhoun 28 Carrollton 21

Other Predictions

Triopia 60
West Central 0

BC 68
ISD 0

Illini West 52
Mercer County (Aledo) 21

Routt 45
Virginia-A/C 0

South Fulton 35
R/I 6

Keep us updated with the scores from the game you're at.....

Week 3 Thoughts and Score Updates

Week 3 (hopefully) will provide some more excitment in the area. After two weeks of mainly blowouts, there are some intriguing matchups this week. Here's our thoughts...

PGP @ West Prairie - This should not be close. PGP had a lackluster week against SF last week, and still won by a convincing margin. West Prairie lost a heartbreaker to Beardstown last week, and won't pick up their first win in Week 3. Prediction - PGP 60 West Prairie 6

Pleasant Hill/Western @ Bunker Hill - PHW played a nice game against a much improved West Central squad last week. They shut out the Cougars, using a solid defensive strategy. However, I still don't believe that we have seen what the offense can really do. Look for us to get a taste of that this week. Prediction - PHW 45 BH 16

Carrollton @ North Greene - The Hawks found out that Brown County is indeed for real. They took one on the chin, but don't let that fool you. Carrollton's passing will give North Greene headaches this week. Prediction - Carrollton 35 NG 6

Greenfield/Northwestern @ Calhoun - I would highly doubt that either one of these teams had enjoyable practices this week. Greenfield lost at home 31-6 to Routt and Calhoun lost to Triopia 34-6. Both have been itching to get back on the field to prove that they are better than last week's performances. Prediciton - Greenfield/Northwestern 24 Calhoun 20

Illini West @ CSE - This game will see A BUNCH of points. However, I don't think the CSE defense is going to be able to catch the Charger's prolific offense. Prediction - IW 63 CSE 28

Other Predictions:

Triopia 56
ISD 0

Routt 56
West Central 12

BC 50
Virginia-A/C 0

BPCA 42
R/I 13

QND 45
Spring Valley Hall 7

Keep us updated with those scores, and tune in to 97.5 FM WBBA and wbbaradio.com this Sunday for Sports on a Sunday Evening with special guests Rob Logsdon and Brian Shoemaker

Week 2 reflections

Wow, another week has come and gone. Here's a few thougts on this week's games.

PGP 32 South Fulton 13 - Saukees give up 481 yards, 326 through the air. They need to fix this problem NOW, or CSE will tear them apart. Overall, offense looked good, especially Cawthon at QB.

PHW 21 West Central 0 - Wolve's shut out WC, and pick up that always important first win. The offense can, and will, produce more. Borrowman catches 2 TDS, only 12 to go for the IHSA record.

Routt 31 Greenfield/NW 6 - WHAT???????????? At Greenfield??? Nate Graham Coach of the Year, it could happen.

QND 49 Palmyra 0 - The spread is as explosive for QND as when they used to run it down your throught. That is very scary people.

Triopia 34 Calhoun 6 - More of a point spread than what I thought it may be. Trojans have reloaded again.

Other suprises - QHS wins, CSE puts up 60+ again, Pirates score 7 against Cardinals (baseball side note)

Thanks for the score updates via text or here on the blog...

Week 2 Thoughts and Score updates

Another Friday is upon us and the teams are rearing to go for Week 2. Remember to post all of those score updates here, and also test them to 217-473-6290 and 217-473-5151.

Thoughts about week 2:

PGP vs. South Fulton - I don't see this being an extremely close game at the end, but it may prove to be a good first half. South Fulton's size will give PGP some trouble with the run up the middle, but expect them to use scat back Michael Johnson a BUNCH on the outside. Cawthon should get some more passing attempts against a team that surrendered 61 points to CSE last week, mostly through the air. This will be a good test of how much improvement the Saukee Defense has been able to muster in the off season. Prediction - PGP 51 SF 18

Pleasant Hill/Western vs. West Central - Both teams enter 0-1. Both are hungry for that first win. However, PHW has a LOT more to prove than West Central. After getting shut out in week 1, the Wolves need to prove to the area that they are a team that can put up points in bunches. West Central played Carrollton decently for a young team that has not seen a lot of success. Prediction - PHW 55 WC 23

BC @ Carrollton - BC put up 48 points on PHW last week, and don't expect that offensive surge to slow down one bit. The Hornet defense would love to see just how many quarters it can go without surrendering a touchdown. Prediciton - BC 35 Carrollton 6

Calhoun @ Triopia - The Trojans have won 15 straight games, beginning with the first game last season. Calhoun won BIG in week one, albeit against a much weaker foe. This could be a good one. Prediciton - Triopia 21 Calhoun 13

Other Predictions

Routt 12
Greenfield 40

Rushville/Industry 0
CSE 55

BPCA 13
IW 44

QND 36
Palmyra,MO 6

QHS 13
Mount Pleasant, IA 35

Have a good week on the gridiron.....