Stateline Preps: Football Power Rankings (Week 3)
The first thing I’d like to do is apologize for the Twitter mishap during Friday night’s Hononegah-Auburn game.
I lost Internet connection and was never able to post updates. I hope to have the problem fixed this week and I’ll update ya when everything’s a go.
Now, to the actual games on Friday night. I guess they were games, although the closest game we had in the Stateline was decided by 24 points (Madison East 38-14 win over Beloit Memorial).
It was a pretty ho-hum night as the favorites looked good again, while some teams dropped off further than expected (Clinton can’t be as bad as that 56-0 loss to Palmyra-Eagle, but maybe not.)
We had a tough time coming up with headlines when there’s only so many ways you can describe butt-kicking.
Not much will change this week in the rankings, so here ya go.
(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 (3-0): This was my first time seeing the Indians in person and while I was impressed, I wasn’t in awe, especially with their pass defense. Hononegah made it look easy, beating a hapless Auburn team 56-7, as Forrest Wiltfang (best name in prep sports) carried 13 times for 131 yards and three scores — all in the second quarter. But the defense gave up a 54-yard TD pass when they knew the Knights were trying to go deep. It might not seem like much, but Hononegah eventually will face better teams who can possibly exploit those weaknesses. Missing David Riley (defensive back) for possibly the rest of the season can’t help. NEXT: Friday at Rockford Jefferson (Wyeth Stadium), 7:15 p.m. Last week’s ranking: No. 1.
2. BIG FOOT (3-0): Big Foot faced the same problem as last year. The Chiefs were facing a rejuvenated Parkview program coming off two wins to start the season and upset intentions in the minds. But, it ended the same as last year with the Chiefs winning. This time, it was 36-0, in Orfordville. Friday was all about Big Foot’s defense as it limited the Vikings to 84 total yards and only 51 yards rushing on 21 carries. They made Parkview QB Nick Melton look human as he struggled, completing only 3-of-17 passes for 14 yards. While Mike Walker was OK (51 yards on 13 carries), QB Steve Dowden was sensational, going 11-of-15 for 132 yards and three TDs. NEXT: Friday vs. Jefferson, 7 p.m. Last week’s ranking: No. 2.
3. BRODHEAD/JUDA (3-0): Last week, I moved the Cardinals down a spot for Beloit Memorial’s upset of Janesville Craig. But, on Friday, Brodhead proved it belongs in the No. 3 hole. The Cardinals ripped apart a banged up Turner squad, who hasn’t made the playoffs since 1992, and doesn’t look it will get back there this year. With Ethan Douglas out, the Cardinals turned to their passing game as David Earleywine was 9-of-11 for 177 yards and two TDs. If the Cardinals can balance the run with the pass like they did on Friday, they might be the team to beat in the RVC South. NEXT: Friday at East Troy, 7 p.m. Last week’s ranking: No. 4.
4. NORTH BOONE (3-0): Welcome to the Stateline Preps Rankings! Following two romps over Clinton and Chicago St. Francis de Sales, I wasn’t really impressed with the Vikings. Then came Friday’s 60-24 whooping of Rockford Lutheran and that changed everything for me. Not because Lutheran is great — they’re not — but because the way North Boone is dominating. Alex Albrecht continues to show he’s the player of the year, amassing 475 yards of offense including three TD hookups with twin brother Jon. NEXT: Friday, at Genoa-Kingston, 7:15 p.m. Last week’s ranking: unranked.
5. BELOIT MEMORIAL (1-2): A week after knocking off Craig, Beloit struggled mightily against Madison East. The Purgolders built a quick 21-0 lead in the first quarter and it was pretty much over from there. Caleb Goff was a bright spot, rushing for 78 yards on 12 carries. They have a chance to get back on track for a rare Thursday game vs. La Follette. NEXT: Thursday vs. Madison La Follette, 7:30 p.m. Last week’s ranking: No. 3.
STAR SYSTEM
(I award stars to the top five players in the past week, checking out who had star performances in Week 3).
1. FORREST WILTFANG (HONONEGAH) — After suffering two shoulders injuries his sophomore and junior seasons, Wiltfang looks as strong as ever. Following a 129-yard performance against Belvidere, Wiltfang ran for 131 yards on just 13 carries against Auburn, topping it off with 3 TDs. Wiltfang is the definition of power-running game.
2. DAVID EARLEYWINE (BRODHEAD/JUDA — The one question mark coming into the season for the Cardinals was the play at quarterback. Earleywine answered those questions for one night when he threw for 177 yards on 9-of-11 passes along with 3 TDs.
3. ALEX ALBRECHT (NORTH BOONE) — Another ho-hum night for Albrecht, 313 yards passing (6 TDs) and 162 yards rushing against Rockford Lutheran. Really, is there any better player than the North Boone junior? Didn’t think so.
4. JON ALBRECHT (NORTH BOONE) — Twin brother Jon was finally beneficiary of Alex’s throws. Jon was held without a touchdown in the first two games, but put together a big night on Friday, catching 9 balls for 221 yards with four touchdowns.
5. A.J. BERNSTEIN (BELOIT TURNER) — The diamond in a rough Turner season. Bernstein recorded his second straight 100-yard performance, rushing for 106 on 25 carries in Friday’s loss to Brodhead/Juda. If the Trojans get Nolan Byrom back from injury, they could have a pretty potent 1-2 punch.
Hononegah's Forrest Wiltfang
