Stateline Preps: Football Power Rankings (Week 2)
Labor Day is over which mean summer is officially in the rearview mirror.
That statement also could best describe the fate of some of the Stateline football teams following Week 2.
Obviously, teams like Brodhead/Juda, Hononegah, Big Foot, North Boone, Beloit Memorial, South Beloit and Parkview helped themselves.
But there was the other side of the coin where Beloit Turner took a giant step back and Clinton suffered a 63-13 loss to Iowa-Grant.
But, as I’m sure most coaches have said to their teams this week, “It’s still early with plenty of games left.”
While that may be somewhat factual, time may be running out for some teams to make a serious playoff push, while other are gearing up for conference titles.
And some others just can’t wait till basketball season starts.
Here’s a look at the Power Rankings from Week 2:
(Disclaimer: This is my opinion only, so if you don’t agree with it, feel free to send me a comment on the bottom of the page. Otherwise, it’s not a life-and-death situation.”
1. HONONEGAH (2-0): The Indians’ power rushing attack continues to give NIC-10 teams fits. In a battle of Option offenses, Hononegah proved to have the better attack, rolling over Belvidere 34-14 as the Indians racked up 307 rushing yards. Chase Robinson (111 yards rushing, 73 yards passing) had another stellar night and Forrest Wiltfang (perhaps, the best name in high school football) rushed for 129 yards on 18 carries. The Indians should blow past Auburn this week before taking on a surprising Jefferson squad in Week 4. NEXT: Friday vs. Auburn. Last week’s ranking: No. 1.
2. BIG FOOT (2-0): Mike Walker and Steve Dowden continue to get the accolades for the Chiefs, but it’s been Big Foot’s offensive line that has paved the way to an undefeated start. After losing Wisconsin signee Travis Frederick, the Chiefs look as dominant as ever. Mike Walker rushed for 203 yards and Steve Dowden threw for another 167 in the Chiefs’ 48-19 win over Delavan-Darien. Also, John Petkoff had two touchdowns (rushing and interception). NEXT: Friday at Parkview. Last week’s ranking: No. 2.
3. BELOIT MEMORIAL (1-1): Yes, I know that Brodhead/Juda didn’t lose last week, but what the Purple Knights did to Janesville Craig’s offense was as impressive and shocking as anything Week 2 had to offer. The Knights looked confused and undisciplined in their Week 1 loss to Janesville Parker. During that same week, Craig missed an upset of Sun Prairie by five points. Week 2 seemed like another Beloit letdown, right? Wrong. The Knights’ defense held the Cougars to 16 yards passing after they passed for 270 against Sun Prairie. K.J. Evans’ two INTs were instrumental and a Chaz Champion pick sealed the upset. It also ended Beloit’s 11-game losing streak against Craig. They deserve this spot. NEXT: Friday at Madison East. Last week’s ranking: No. 5.
4. BRODHEAD/JUDA (2-0): The Cardinals found another pair of weapons to compliment Ethan Douglas. Gavin Garrett rushed for 188 yards and five TDs, while Brayden Fritsch pounded out 176 yards and a TD. In two games this season, Brodhead/Juda has rushed for 893 yards on 93 attempts (9.6 avg.). NEXT: Friday vs. Beloit Turner. Last week’s ranking: No. 3.
5. SOUTH BELOIT (1-1): There was a negative vibe following the SoBos around after last week’s pasting at the hands of Eastland/Pearl City. But, South Beloit still has a good shot at the playoffs with an impressive 30-10 bounce-back win over Warren/River Ridge on Friday. Speedster Steve Gray rushed for 112 yards on only 10 carries, scoring two TDs, while athletic Nick Condon showed his skills at QB with 75 yards rushing and 53 yards passing. The defense also had a better outing which should give the SoBos some confidence. NEXT: Friday at Pecatonica. Last week’s ranking: Unranked.
STAR SYSTEM
(I award stars to the top five players in the past week, checking out who had star performances in Week 2).
1. ALEX ALBRECHT (NORTH BOONE) — The junior quarterback may get a star every week if he continues to play like he did in Friday’s 58-6 romp over Chicago St. Francis de Sales. A week after compiling 520 all-purpose yards against Clinton, Albrecht was 7-of-10 passing for 262 yards with four TDs, while also rushing for 97 yards and three more touchdowns on seven carries.
2. FORREST WILTFANG (HONONEGAH) — Wiltfang was a relative unknown coming into this season for the Indians. With all the attention on players like Chase Robinson, Tyler Lucek and Bryan Rothmaler, Wiltfang garnered attention with 129 yards rushing on 18 carries in the Indians’ win over Belvidere. He didn’t score a TD, but he definitely gives the Indians another running threat in a parity-filled NIC-10.
3. K.J. EVANS (BELOIT MEMORIAL) — It won’t be such a stretch to see K.J. earn a star during the basketball season, but his performance in the Knights win over Craig was eye-opening. Evans was a big part of Beloit slowing down Craig’s high-octane passing game, picking off two passes. His two booming fourth quarter punts also helped the Knights win the field-position battle.
4. CALEB FAKES (PARKVIEW) — Fakes rushed for 149 yards on 11 carries with 2 TDs in the Vikings’ 49-15 shellacking of Belleville. If Fakes can compliment all-everything star Nick Melton, the Vikings may finally be heading in the right direction. Friday’s win marked the second straight 2-0 star for Parkview. They’ll get tested Friday in Orfordville when they host Big Foot.
5. NICK CONDON (SOUTH BELOIT) — Condon came into the season untested at the game’s most important position. But, he was able to display his athleticism in the SoBos’ 30-10 win over Warren/River Ridge. He totaled 128 yards of offense, while hooking up with Arsenio White for 53 yards on two receptions. Big steps for the quarterback and the SoBos.
