NUIC Football Week 2 Recap

By Al Zipsie

Lena-Winslow and Forreston met for the first time since their clash in the 1A semifinal last year. The Panthers won that game and went on to win the state championship. Lena-Winslow once again came out on top over Forreston Friday in the NUIC Northwest in week two 36-16.

Sean Ormiston had 185 yards rushing for Le-win and Isaiah Bruce 110 as he sealed the win with a 62 yard TD run in the fourth quarter for the state's top ranked Panthers.

Dakota led Ashton/Franklin Center 42-0 at halftime and coasted to a 49-6 win in a crossover game. Dakota has now outscored their foes 84-6 in their two wins. Aden Cassidy ran the game-opening kickoff back 75 yards for a touchdown and the Indians never looked back. Josh Clark clicked on five of seven passes for 118 yards and three touchdowns. He connected on a pair to Carter Drake, who caught three passes for 98 yards and one to Trey Engelbrecht who had three TD's, he added two more rushing.

In other Northwest games between pretty evenly matched teams it was West Carroll blanking Durand/Pecatonica 6-0 and East Dubuque beating Galena 14-7. The lone touchdown came in the second quarter for West Carroll on a 12-yard pass from Derek Tracy to Michael Popkin.

The Pirates have now lost 13 straight games including being winless last season for the first time in school history. The last win was over Warren on October 7th, 2016. Galena has a shot to end the streak with a crossover game at River Ridge next Friday.

Eastland/Pearl City got by Amboy 26-16. Jayden Kempel had 109 yards rushing while Braden Heeren added 97 yards rushing and a pair of touchdowns for the Wildcats.

In the Upstate Aquin whipped Warren 43-6. Ethan Young led the Bulldogs with three touchdowns, he rushed for 225 yards on only ten carries.

Orangeville after a close loss to Polo in week one came back and turned in an impressive 38-6 rout over River Ridge. Garret Rodebaugh racked up 243 yards rushing with three touchdowns for the Broncos. For River Ridge, Jacob Speer had 199 yards in the air accounting for their only touchdown.

Milledgeville beat Polo 26-8. It's the final game with rival Polo who next season goes to eight-man football. Bennett Soltow threw for 111 yards and a touchdown and Carson Boyer scored twice and 118 yards rushing.

In a non-league game, Stockton crushed South Beloit 59-0. It sets up an Upstate showdown next Friday with unbeaten teams Milledgeville at Stockton.

Stateline Sports Hub. NUIC Rankings.

1. Lena-Winslow 2-0
2. Dakota 2-0
3. Milledgeville 2-0
4. Stockton 2-0
5. Eastland/Pearl City 2-0
6. Forreston 1-1
7. Aquin 2-0
8. Orangeville 1-1
9. Polo 1-1
10. River Ridge 1-1.

Stateline Sports Hub NUIC media picks records. This week six were a perfect 9-0 in Kyle Kampmier, Terry Werntz, Scott Leber, Mike Buda, Al Zipsie and Cody Cutter, Shane Klever and Matt Trowbridge were both 8-1.

Overall records.

17-1. Kyle Kampmier. NUIC Football Fanatics. Terry Werntz. Former Dakota and Freeport coach. AL Zipsie. Stateline Sports Hub. Scott Leber. WTVO TV.

16-2. Shane Klever. NUIC Football Fanatics. Cody Cutter Sauk Valley News. Mike Buda. WIFR TV. Matt Trowbridge Freeport Journal Standard/Rockford Register Star.

14-4. Joe Dredge. WROK Radio/Stateline Sports Hub. Pete Leinweber. Deep Dish Football.

12-6. Tim O'Hallaran. Edgytim.com