Stateline Preps: Football Power Rankings (Week 8)
The countdown to the final week in the regular season is finally here.
Most of the Stateline teams will wrap up their seasons this week with a select few advancing to the playoffs.
We already know Big Foot, Brodhead-Juda and Hononegah have punched their tickets for tournament play. But, how far will they go?
Big Foot’s basically guaranteed a home game and Hononegah will get one if the Indians can knock off Boylan — no easy task. Brodhead-Juda looks to be ticketed for the road, especially after its second straight loss.
Parkview and North Boone still have hopes of making the postseason, but it appears to be just that — hopes. Parkview probably has the best chance to play on as the Vikings will host a beleaguered Cardinals’ squad that looks lost. North Boone is all but done when it wraps up the season at Richmond-Burton.
Of course, Beloit Memorial, Beloit Turner, Clinton and South Beloit will play their last games this week. It’s been disappointing seasons for these schools. Turner is the only winless school left, surprising some observers who had the Trojans as a playoff dark horse back in the summer.
Oh, how I miss the summer.
Anyways, back to the rankings, where you won’t see much change due to last week’s losses.
(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. BIG FOOT (8-0): What can you say about the Chiefs that hasn’t been said already. They are good — very good. They definitely look like a threat for another state championship game appearance. Big Foot’s defense has been stifling, shutting out four different opponents this season. They did it again in last week’s 35-0 win over Edgerton. Quarterback Steve Dowden wasn’t great (6-fort-19, 93 yards), but Mike Walker was (24 carries, 137 yards) and that’s all that matters. NEXT: Thursday at Palmyra-Eagle, 7 p.m. Last week’s ranking: No. 1.
2. HONONEGAH (7-1): Hononegah put together a poor first half in its 49-13 romp over Rockford East that left observers scratching their heads. Are the Indians really this lax and unfocused or was it a blip? I guess, we’ll find out Friday when they host the undefeated Titans. Hononegah was much better in the second half and will need to play like that if they are to beat Boylan. If Hononegah wins, it’ll finish in a three-way tie for first in the NIC-10. NEXT: Friday vs. Rockford Boylan, 7:15 p.m. Last week’s ranking: No. 2.
3. BRODHEAD-JUDA (6-2): The Cardinals would normally fall in the rankings because of a loss, but since everyone else lost behind them, they won’t drop. The big question for the Cardinals has to do with their offense after their 24-8 loss to McFarland. The loss to McFarland doesn’t hurt as much, seeing that the Spartans are 7-1. Brodhead-Juda can’t afford a swoon like last season. NEXT: Thursday at Parkview, 7 p.m. Last week’s ranking: No. 3.
4. PARKVIEW (5-3): The full story of Parkview’s turnaround could come Thursday night at Brodhead or it could be a tale of the Vikings falling short of making the WIAA playoffs. Parkview is hoping for the latter in a critical must-win game. The Vikings only trailed 9-6 at halftime in their 28-12 loss to Whitewater, but gave up some big plays in the second half. If Parkview is to top the Cardinals, the Vikings’ run defense will have to be much better. Parkview allowed Whitewater halfback Nick Romani to rush for 180 yards on 20 attempts last week. Ethan Douglas could be foaming at the mouth if the Vikings aren’t better. NEXT: Thursday at Brodhead-Juda, 7 p.m. Last week’s ranking: No. 4.
5. NORTH BOONE (4-4): North Boone can pretty much start planning for basketball season following a 49-26 loss to Harvard. The Vikings had a promising start, but have faded recently. Their season will likely end when the Vikings travel to Richmond-Burton. NEXT: Friday at Richmond-Burton, 7:15 p.m.
STAR SYSTEM
(I award stars to the top five players in the past week, checking out who had star performances in Week 8).
1. BRYAN ROTHMALER (HONONEGAH) — There hasn’t been a lot of talk about Rothmaler this season, but that should change this week. Rothmaler was superb in the Indians’ 49-13 hammering of East. He finished with 182 totals yards, including 90 through the air and two touchdowns.
2. AARON ROTH (CLINTON) — Roth was spectacular in leading the Cougars to a 23-22 triumph over East Troy — their first win of 2009. The Clinton quarterback completed 10-of-20 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns. The Clinton sophomore connected with Mitchell Cernek for the game-winning score.
3. ALEC MCGREEVY (BIG FOOT) — McGreevy is usually in this spot because of his offense. While he was still good on offense (4 catches, 65 yards), it was his defense that was stellar. He picked off an Edgerton pass, returning it 36 yards for a TD.
4. CHASE ROBINSON (HONONEGAH) — Robinson completed 6-of-10 throws for 161 yards and two touchdowns. The Indians will need this kind of Robinson to help beat the Titans. He has proven he can run the ball as well, but it’s his arm that will be needed the most on Friday night.
5. NICK CONDON (SOUTH BELOIT) — Perhaps the most improved player in the Stateline since the beginning of the season has been the SoBos quarterback. He put together a good showing on Friday, passing for two TDs and 109 yards in South Beloit’s 30-18 loss to Melrose Park Walter Luthera
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