NUIC Football Week 8 Recap

By Al Zipsie

Eastland/Pearl City won the rugged NUIC Northwest for the first time since 2014. The Wildcatz did it with 21-10 victory over Dakota Friday.

The Indians (6-2) led 10-0 at halftime. However, the second half was E/PC's as they scored the last three touchdowns and held Dakota for the win. Jayden Kempel led E/PC with 175 yards rushing and two 54 yard touchdown fourth-quarter touchdowns. The first one gave the Wildcatz the lead for good early in the fourth quarter at 14-10. And then the encore with about 5:00 left in the game to seal the win for E/PC.

Lena-Winslow defeated Durand/Pecatonica 41-22. The Panthers scored all their points in the first half and gave up the 22 all in the second half. Coach Ric Arand is now second all-time in NUIC football coaching wins with 186. Arand is tied with Jerry Lano of Dakota with the most state championships at three. Lena-Winslow hopes to get him a fourth this season. John O'Boyle of Stockton is the all-time NUIC wins leader with 279 for his career.

Forreston had several runners combine for 250 yards rushing on 35 carries, with four touchdowns and 14 first downs in a 48-6 rout of West Carroll. It clinched a playoff spot for the 6-2 Cardinals.

In a crossover game, East Dubuque (3-5) surprised Orangeville 39-27. The Broncos are 5-3 and are playoff eligible, but need a win to clinch a spot. They play Stockton in the final game of the regular season.

Stockton, went to 6-2 as they turned back Aquin 20-6. Colin Dvorak had a pair of touchdowns in the second half to nail down the win for Stockton. Dvorak had 156 yards rushing and Chase Rowe added 106 yards and a touchdown. Aquin is now 4-4 and to be even playoff eligible will have to knock off unbeaten Milledgeville in the week nine regular-season finale.

Polo went to 5-3 with a 42-18 win over Ashton/Franklin Center. Tucker Mumford led the Marcos with 116 yards and three touchdowns.

Milledgeville stayed unbeaten (8-0) rolling past River Ridge 54-14.

In a non-league game, Warren led most of the way before losing 7-6 to Westmont (5-3). Westmont tied the game with a late touchdown and then won on the PAT kick. Warren plays Ashton/Franklin Center is the final game as both look to avoid the winless season.

On Saturday Amboy defeated Galena 35-14.

Stateline Sports Hub. NUIC Rankings.

Eastland-Pearl City. 8-0.
Lena-Winslow. 7-1.
Milledgeville. 8-0.
Forreston. 6-2.
Dakota. 6-2.
Stockton. 6-2.
Polo. 5-3.
Orangeville. 5-3.
Amboy. 3-5.
East Dubuque. 3-5.

NUIC Media Picks. Winning the week all at 8-1 were Terry Werntz, Joe Dredge, Mike Buda, and Tim O'Hallaran. It was the second straight week Dredge, Buda and Hallaran tied for the best record. Werntz was three games behind Al Zipsie. However, Zipsie went 6-3 and we now have a contest going into the final week. Werntz 58-14, is one game behind Zipsie (59-13). Cody Cutter and Joe Dredge are two games back at 57-15. And three games back now are Kyle Kampmier, Mike Buda, Scott Leber, and Matt Trowbridge, all 56-16.

Weekly and overall records.

Al Zipsie. Stateline Sports Hub. 6-3 and 59-13.

Terry Werntz. Former Dakota and Freeport head football coach. 8-1 and 58-14.

Joe Dredge. WROK/Stateline Sports Hub. 8-1 and 57-15.

Cody Cutter. Sauk Valley News. 7-2. 57-15.

Kyle Kampmier. NUIC Football Fanatics. 7-2. 56-16.

Mike Buda. WIFR TV. 8-1 and 56-16.

Matt Trowbridge. Freeport Journal Standard/Rockford Register Star. 7-2 and 56-16.

Scott Leber. 7-2. WTVO TV. 7-2. 56-16.

Shane Klever. NUIC Football Fanatics. 7-2 and 55-17.

Tim O'Hallaran. Edgytim.com 8-1. 54-18.

Pete Leinweber. Deep Dish Football. 5-4. 51-21.