NUIC Football Week 1 Recap

By Al Zipsie

Opening night for NUIC high school football is in the books.

Here are the Friday night lights recaps of NUIC teams.

In the NUIC Northwest, the opener for the Du/Pec Coop at Pecatonica High School was spoiled by defending state 1A champion Forreston. The Cardinals who are the top ranked team in the 1A state AP Poll rolled past the Rivermen 54-6. Lena-Winslow ranked third in the state in 1A beat West Carroll 34-20. Rahveon Valentine scored a trio of touchdowns and ran for 159 yards on 30 carries to lead the Panthers. Fifth ranked in 1A Eastland/Pearl City came out of the gates strong whipping East Dubuque 56-7. The Kempel brothers duo was too much for the Warriors. Jarrod had had 104 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Jayden racked up 153 yards and a pair of TD's. Dakota, who received votes but was not ranked in the State 1A top ten, shutout Galena 35-0. The Indians out rushed the Pirates a staggering 406 to 24 led by Trey Engelbrecht rushing for 132 yards and two touchdowns.

In the Upstate in a competitive close game, Polo turned back Orangeville 20-12. Austin Guy scored both of the Broncos touchdowns in the loss. Ashton/Franklin Center defeated River Ridge 19-6. Running back Adam Hart led A/FC rushing for 124 yards. Stockton turned in a solid 43-0 win over Warren in the debut of new head coach Jesse Snyder. The Blackhawks rushing attack was led by the duo of Collin Dvorak (179 yards) and Brian Booth (118) both scoring a pair of TD's.

In the crossover contest, Milledgeville snuck by Amboy/LaMoille 14-6. In a non-league game, Aquin broke open a seven all tie at halftime to beat Kirkland Hiawatha 27-7.

Stateline NUIC Rankings after opening week.

Forreston.
Lena-Winslow.
Eastland/Pearl City.
Aquin
Dakota
Stockton
West Carroll
Milledgeville
Polo

10, Orangeville

Amboy
East Dubuque
Ashton/Franklin Center
Du/Pec
Galena
River Ridge
Warren

A local panel of ten media members makes up our Stateline Sports Hub NUIC weekly picks. It's all in the name of fun. We will post this weeks picks and game previews later in the week. Here are the records after the first week.

Eight of are ten are tied for first with an 8-1 record. They include our Joe Dredge of WROK Radio and the Stateline Sports Hub. Also Kyle Kampmier and Shane Klever of the NUIC Football Fanatics. Terry Werntz former Dakota and Freeport football coach. Matt Trowbridge of the Rockford Register Star/Freeport Journal Standard. Mike Buda of WIFR TV Sports. Pete Leinweber of Deep Dish Football and Cody Cutte of the Sauk Valley News. Going 7-2 was Scott Leber of WTVO TV Sports.

In last place with a 6-3 record is the Stateline Sports Hub's Al Zipsie. With that effort maybe he should postpone his trip to Las Vegas.

The panel will do NUIC picks through the regular season.