The big match up this Friday has the two undefeated teams in the NUIC Northwest as Eastland/Pearl City is at Lena-Winslow. Both are 4-0 and it will be a battle for the league lead. The Panthers ranked first in the state in 1A. E/PC is 6th in the 2A rankings coming off an impressive 34-8 win over Forreston.

Isaiah Bruce a Lena-Winslow junior a force on the defensive line. But he also shined on offense with three touchdowns in the win over Galena. He had 209 rushing yards on just six carries.

In other Northwest games, East Dubuque is at Amboy, Durand/Pecatonica visits Dakota and West Carroll is at Galena.

In the Upstate Polo is at Warren and Stockton will try to break a two-game losing streak at River Ridge.

A good crossover game has Forreston (2-2) at Aquin (3-1). Both are coming off losses. In a non-league game, South Beloit is at Ashton/Franklin Center.

On Saturday a showdown in the Upstate has Orangeville (3-1) facing Milledgeville who is unbeaten in four outings.

Stateline Sports Hub NUIC Media picks.

Al Zipsie. Stateline Sports Hub. 32-4. Lena-Winslow. Amboy. Dakota. West Carroll. Polo. Stockton. Forreston. South Beloit. Milledgeville.

Scott Leber. WTVO. 30-6. Lena-Winslow. Amboy. Dakota. West Carroll. Polo. Stockton. Forreston. Ashton/Franklin Center. Milledgeville.

Cody Cutter. Sauk Valley News. 30-6. Lena-Winslow. Amboy. Dakota. West Carroll. Polo. Stockton. Forreston. Ashton/Franklin Center. Milledgeville.

Kyle Kampmier. NUIC Football Fanatics. 29-7. Lena-Winslow. Amboy. Dakota. West Carroll. Polo. Stockton. Forreston. Ashton/Franklin Center. Milledgeville.

\Shane Klever. NUIC Football Fanatics. 29-7. Lena-Winslow. Amboy. Dakota. West Carroll. Polo. Stockton. Forreston. Ashton/Franklin Center. Milledgeville.

Terry Werntz. Former Dakota and Freeport football coach. 29-7. Lena-Winslow. Amboy. Dakota. West Carroll. Polo. Stockton. Forreston. South Beloit. Milledgeville.

Matt Trowbridge. Freeport Journal Standard/Rockford Register Star. 28-8. E/PC. Amboy. Dakota. Galena. Polo. Stockton. Forreston. Ashton/Franklin. Milledgeville.

Mike Buda. WIFR. 28-8. Lena-Winslow. Amboy. Dakota. West Carroll. Polo. Stockton. Forreston. Ashton/Franklin Center. Milledgeville.

Joe Dredge. WROK/Stateline Sports Hub. 28-8. Lena-Winslow. Amboy. Dakota. Galena. Polo. Stockton. Forreston.  Ashton/Franklin Center. Milledgeville.

Tim O'Hallaran. Edgy Tim. 26-10. Lena-Winslow. Amboy. Dakota. West Carroll. Polo. Stockton. Forreston. Ashton/Franklin Center. Milledgeville.

Pete Leinweber. Deep Dish Football. 26-10. Lena-Winslow. Amboy. Dakota. West Carroll. Polo. Stockton. Forreston. South Beloit. Milledgeville.

The panel on six of the nine games were all unanimous in taking Amboy, Dakota, Polo, Stockton, Forreston and Milledgeville.

Only three picked South Beloit to beat A/FC, in Zipsie, Werntz and Leinweber. Trowbridge was the only one who took E/PC to beat Lena-Winslow and Galena over West Carroll.

More From WROK 1440 AM / 96.1 FM