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Western Big 6
Sterling (6-2) at United Township (4-4)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last meeting: UT 47-44 (2021 spring)
About the Warriors: Sterling suffered its first-ever Western Big 6 loss in last year’s game, snapping a 12-game winning streak since joining the conference prior to the 2019 season. … The Golden Warriors suffered their second league loss last week, a 38-7 defeat at the hands of Moline. … The 258 points scored by the Warriors is second in the league only to Moline, while the 145 points allowed is also second to the Maroons. … Sterling can still clinch a share of the WB6 title with a win and a Moline loss to Geneseo. … The Warriors are ranked No. 7 in the latest AP Class 5A poll.
About the Panthers: Cayne Smith, who ran for 347 yards and four touchdowns in last year’s game as UT rallied from s 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter, graduated last spring. … The Panthers’ four wins in the spring were the most in a single season since they went 8-2 in 2003 – the last time they made the playoffs. … UT can become playoff eligible with a win. … RBs Loren Arrington and Johnny Manso key the ground game, while QB Mathew Kelly is a dual threat. WR Damahz Slater is the top target down the field.
FND pick: Sterling
Big Northern
Dixon (5-3) at Rock Falls (1-7)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last meeting: Rock Falls 35-13 (2019)
About the Dukes: Dixon suffered its second straight loss last Friday, a 52-35 defeat at the hands of Big Northern Conference champion Byron. It’s the most points the Dukes have allowed in a game this season by 18. … Dixon can still secure fourth place in the league with a win, and is outscoring its opponents 294-146. The 294 points scored is second only to Byron (343), and the 146 points allowed is fourth-fewest. … The Dukes have scored 26 or more points in all but two games this season. … In his first start of the season after suffering an injury in the preseason, Jacob Gaither threw for 202 yards and ran for 120 in the loss to Byron. … Rylan Ramsdell leads Dixon with 476 rushing yards and 5 TDs, while Zavion Johnson has 467 yards and four scores, and Tyler Shaner has 432 yards and 5 TDs. Mitchell White has run for four scores. … Shaner threw for 905 yards and 15 TDs on 72-for-114 passing in the first 7 games, with only 3 interceptions. … Mason Randick (35 catches, 448 yards, 9 TDs), Jacob Gusse (24 catches, 331 yards, 7 TDs) and Jath St. Pier (15 catches, 237 yards, 2 TDs) lead the Dukes’ receivers.
About the Rockets: The last time these two teams met, Rock Falls won in Week 2 in 2019 for its only win of the season; Dixon went on to make the playoffs. … After running for two touchdowns and throwing for two more last week against Oregon, Booker Cross has accounted for 11 of the Rockets’ 16 TDs this season. Of his nine scoring runs, seven have been longer than 20 yards. … Baraka Boards and Dillon Schueler caught TD passes in the fourth quarter of last week’s loss, after Cross was forced into QB duties due to an injury to Easton Canales. … The Rockets’ 120 points scored is third-fewest in the BNC, while the 271 points allowed is second-most.
FND pick: Dixon
Oregon (2-6) at North Boone (4-4)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last meeting: North Boone 25-12 (2021 spring)
About the Hawks: Oregon is coming off its second win of the season, a 29-25 victory over Rock Falls in which converted extra points were the difference. … It was only the second game all season where the Hawks scores more than seven points. … Oregon has been outscored 260-11 this fall, with the 100 points the second-fewest in the BNC (Rockford Christian, 83) and the 260 the third-most. … Oregon is searching for its first 3-win season since 2015.
About the Vikings: North Boone has won its last two games after losing four of five from Weeks 2-6. It has beaten Rock Falls (31-22) and Winnebago (47-10) the last two weeks. … The 47 points were the second-most the Vikings have scored in a game this season, behind only the 49 they scored in a Week 4 win over Rockford Christian. … In its four wins, North Boone holds a 162-38 scoring edge; in four losses, the Vikings have been outscored 148-41. They still holed a 203-186 scoring edge on the season. … Brothers Will and Chris Doetch are the favorite playmaking targets of first-year QB Chandler Alderman.
FND pick: North Boone
Three Rivers
Kewanee (8-0) at Newman (5-3)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last meeting: Newman 27-26 (2019)
About the Boilermakers: Kewanee has scored the second-most points in the Three Rivers East this season (325), and has allowed the third-fewest (126). … The Boilermakers are ranked No. 4 in the latest AP Class 4A poll. … Senior QB Will Bruno is one of nine three-year starters on offense, along with RB Keyontiss Patterson, FB Josh Nimrick, WRs Niko Powe, Cam Conley and Jordan Johnson, and OLs James Conner, Conner Hoof and Skylar Summy. … Bruno has thrown 22 TD passes this season, and his 42-yard TD run late in the game last week secured a 26-14 win over Rockridge. … The Boilers are looking for their first 9-0 season since 1934.
About the Comets: Newman has given up the fewest points in the TRAC East this season (121), but has scored the second-fewest (175). … The Comets come in on a two-game winning streak, having beaten Hall 43-0 and Mendota 24-7 in their last two games. … Ethan Van Landuit, Marcus Williams, Brennen Cook, Hunter Luyando and Mason Glaudel have all rushed for more than 100 yards this season. … Newman has given up more than 14 points just twice all season.
FND pick: Kewanee
Morrison (2-6) at Erie-Prophetstown (6-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last meeting: Morrison 26-0 (2019)
About the Mustangs: Morrison picked up its second win of the season last week, downing winless Riverdale 34-14. … The 34 points were the most scored in a single game this season by the Mustangs, and it was only the second time they had given up fewer than 27 points in a game. … Morrison has been outscored 226-114 this season, scoring the third-fewest points and allowing the third-most in the Three Rivers West. … Sophomores Carson Strating (104 rush yards, 2 TDs) and Chase Newman (6 catches, 95 yards) played key roles in last week’s win. Senior Alex Anderson added 117 yards and a TD on the ground.
About the Panthers: Erie-Prophetstown secured at least a share of the TRAC West title for the first time in program history with last week’s 25-16 win over Monmouth-Roseville. … QB Kolby Franks ran for 204 yards and 2 TDs last week. He leads the offense in rushing and passing, while Connor Sibley and Jase Grunder also contribute to the ground game. … The Panthers’ 283 points scored is the most in the TRAC West this season, and the 135 points allowed are the fewest. … E-P has won its last six games after losing the first two weeks of the season, and is receiving votes in the AP Class 2A poll. It has secured its first playoff berth since three straight postseason trips from 2012-14.
FND pick: Erie-Prophetstown
Hall (1-7) at Bureau Valley (2-6)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last meeting: Hall 26, Bureau Valley 7 (spring 2021)
About the Red Devils: Hall lost 15-12 to St. Bede last week after leading 12-0 in the second half. … The Red Devils have lost four games by single digits this fall, including two games by three points or less. … Hall has lost four games in a row since beating Morrison 44-20. … RB Mac Resetich has run for 666 yards and 11 touchdowns this season, while catching 17 passes for 282 yards and three TDs. … The Red Devils average 22.4 points while allowing 32.5 points per game. … Hall’s lone win of the spring season came against Bureau Valley.
About the Storm: Bureau Valley has lost six games in a row since starting 2-0, including a 49-20 loss to Princeton last week. … After scoring 97 points in the first two games, the Storm have averaged 16 points per game over the last six. … Bureau Valley averages 202.6 rushing yards, 55.1 passing yards and 24.1 points per game, while allowing 164.3 rushing yards, 138.3 passing yards and 29.1 points per contest. … Jaden Michlig leads the Storm ground game, as he’s rushed for 719 yards and four touchdowns on 104 carries, while Levi Hardy has run for 382 yards and seven TDs on 94 attempts. … QB Adam Johnson has thrown for 434 yards and four TDs while running for 191 yards and five scores.
FND pick: Hall
NUIC
Dakota (2-6) at Fulton (6-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last meeting: First meeting
About the Indians: Dakota comes in on a three-game losing streak, and has scored just 12 points in those three losses, including a pair of shutouts. … The Indians’ 70 points scored are the fewest in the NUIC, by 47 points. …. Dakota’s 242 points allowed is third-most in the league, and it has given up 42 points or more four times. … The Indians’ two wins are against teams with a combined 3-13 record, while the six losses are to teams with a combined 34-14 record.
About the Steamers: Keegan VanKampen ran for 159 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s 63-14 win over EPC, and now has 733 yards and 12 TDs on 112 rushes (6.5 yards per carry) this season. … Jacob Jones is also averaging more than 6 yards per carry, as he has 473 yards and 5 TDs on 77 rushes (6.1 yards per carry). … The Steamers are 67-for-97 passing for 929 yards and 11 TDs this season, with only 4 interceptions; three different players have completed passes (Jones, Patrick Lower, Brayden Dykstra). … Brock Mason has 21 catches for 361 yards and 6 TDs, while Jones has 20 catches for 240 yards and 2 scores. … The Steamers have scored 24 points or more in six games, and are 3-0 in games decided by 10 points or fewer. … Fulton’s 246 points scored are fourth-most in the NUIC, and the 167 points allowed are fourth-fewest. … The Steamers are ranked No. 5 in the AP Class 1A poll.
FND pick: Fulton
Eastland-Pearl City (0-8) at Walther Christian (3-5)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Last meeting: EPC 36-19 (2004 playoffs)
About the Wildcatz: EPC has given up 326 points, the most in the NUIC by 82 points. It has allowed 34 or more points in six different games. … Since a 41-40 loss in double overtime in Week 6, the Wildcatz have been outscored 113-29 the last two weeks. … EPC is looking to avoid its first winless season since the formation of the co-op in 1995. The Wildcatz have had fewer than 5 wins in a season just five times since the co-op formed, and only twice have they been 1-8 (1995, 2005).
About the Broncos: Walther Christian, which used to be named Walther Lutheran, is located in Melrose Park, and is one of 12 independent schools. … The Broncos have lost their last three games by a combined score of 159-27. … Last week, Walther Christian played in Perry, Michigan, and lost 48-13. … The Broncos have been outscored 247-115 so far this season, having scored more than 15 points just twice, and allowed 28 or more five times.
FND pick: Walther Christian
Forreston (6-2) at Lena-Winslow (7-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last meeting: Le-Win 46-14 (2019)
About the Cardinals: Forreston, ranked No. 6 in the AP 1A poll, secured a playoff berth with its sixth win last week, the 11th straight season it had qualified for the playoffs. … The Cardinals had eight different ball carriers combine for 347 yards rushing in last week’s 36-7 win over Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley, and the defense allowed just 143 total yards. A different Cardinal scored each of the five touchdowns. … The win was Forreston fifth in the last six weeks after a 28-0 loss to Durand-Pecatoncia in Week 2. … The Cardinals’ 282 poitns scored are third-most in the NUIC, while the 132 points allowed are the third-fewest.
About the Panthers: Le-Win, ranked No. 3 in the AP 1A poll, has won 10 of the last 12 meetings between the teams, with the only losses coming in Forreston’s 1A state championship years in 2014 and 2016. … The Panthers are still the reigning 1A state champs, having won their fourth title in 10 seasons in 2019. … Including this season, Le-Win has qualified for the playoffs in each of the last 22 years in which they were held. … The Panthers won at least eight games 12 straight seasons before a 4-1 record in the COVID season this past spring. … Le-Win’s 336 points scored is the most in the NUIC by 50 points; the 76 it has allowed is the fewest by 31 points.
FND pick: Lena-Winslow
8-man
Amboy-LaMoille (4-4) at Alden-Hebron (2-6)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last meeting: First meeting
About the Clippers: Amboy is receiving votes in the NUICFootball.com 8-man poll. … The Clippers have outscored their opponents 265-213 this season. They’ve scored 46 or more points four times, but have allowed 24 or more five times. … Amboy comes in off a 55-6 loss to Orangeville, the No. 3-ranked team in the NUICFootball.com 8-man poll. … QB Tucker Lindenmeyer leads the Clippers in passing and rushing.
About the Giants: Alden-Hebron has lost its last two games, 30-0 to South Beloit and 44-30 to River Ridge. … One of the Giants’ wins is a forfeit against AFC. … A-H has been outscored 301-107 this season; the 107 points are the worst in the 8-man North since AFC canceled the rest of its season.
FND pick: Amboy
Aquin (6-2) at Polo (8-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last meeting: Polo 28-20 (2018)
About the Bulldogs: Aquin is ranked No. 4 in the NUICFootball.com 8-man rankings. … The Bulldogs’ 326 points scored are third-most in the 8-Man North, and their 144 points allowed are third-fewest. … Aquin has scored at least 38 points in six games, and has scored 26 or more in every game. … The Bulldogs have allowed more than 22 points in a game just twice – in both losses. … Aquin has won three of its last four games, after opening the season with three straight wins.
About the Marcos: Polo is the top-ranked team in the NUICFootball.com 8-man rankings. … The Marcos have scored 315 points in just six games, after receiving a pair of forfeits, and is averaging 52.5 points per game. … Polo has allowed just 80 points, fewest in the 8-Man North, an average of 13.3 per game. … Brock Soltow and Avery Grenoble are a formidable 1-2 punch in the backfield for the Marcos, while QB Tyler Merdian is a dual threat. His favorite target downfield is Kahlil Sankey. … Polo’s lowest-scoring game was a 36-28 win over Amboy-LaMoille in Week 3. Other than that game and Week 1 against Milledgeville (38 points allowed), the Marcos have given up a total of 14 points in their other four games.
FND pick: Polo
South Beloit (5-3) at Milledgeville (7-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Last meeting: South Beloit 28-25 (2002 playoffs)
About the SoBos: South Beloit has outscored its opponents 288-213 this season. … The SoBos have won their last two games after losing two in a row, and both have been shutouts. … South Beloit’s three losses are to teams with a combined 19-5 record.
About the Missiles: Milledgeville is ranked No. 2 in the NUICFootball.com 8-man rankings. … Since a 40-38 loss to rival Polo in Week 1, the Missiles have outscored their opponents 301-90. … For the season, Milledgeville holds a 338-130 scoring edge on its opponents, a per-game average of 48.3-18.6. … Connor Nye threw for 4 TDs and ran for 3 more in the last game the Missiles played, a 48-28 win over Aquin in Week 7 before getting a forfeit from AFC last Friday.
FND pick: Milledgeville