By Al Zipsie

Lightning delayed some games Friday in the NUIC. Some were played early enough to finish.

A rainy homecoming for Aquin, did not dampen their spirits. The Bulldogs after three straight losses got back on track rolling over River Ridge 41-14. Aquin, (4-3) needs a win in two tough games left in the Upstate to make the playoffs hosting Stockton next Friday and then playing Milledgeville in the regular season finale. River Ridge (now 3-4) will have to upset unbeaten Milledgeville next week for any chance to make the playoffs. Aquin was led by running back Ethan Yount who had 243 yards rushing with three touchdowns.

In other completed games Friday Dakota was down 14-0 to Amboy after the first quarter. However, the Indians bounced back with 22 unanswered points to win 22-14. The Indians (6-1) locked up a 1A playoff berth with their sixth win. Trey Engelbrecht had 167 yards and a pair of touchdowns for Dakota.

Lena-Winslow went to 6-1 and clinch a playoff spot as they shutout Warren 46-0. Forreston (now 5-2) rolled over Galena 52-7. Milledgeville beat Ashton/Franklin Center 46-6 in a game called after three quarters.

Durand/Pecatonica after starting the season with five straight losses won their second straight game. After beating unbeaten Madison last week they won again this time over East Dubuque 26-14. Caden Manning had had 208 yards rushing with a touchdown for the Rivermen.

On Saturday Stockton and Polo continued from Friday's postponed game. The Blackhawks defense shined shutting out the Marcos 20-0. Colin Dvorak was the workhorse with 206 yards rushing on 39 carries with a touchdown.

Eastland/Pearl City finished their game from Friday on Monday at Freeport high school. The field at West Carroll was flooded. E/PC stayed unbeaten with a 40-12 victory.

Saturday Orangeville made the long bus trip more enjoyable as they beat a solid Toledo Cumberland 32-28. The Broncos are playoff eligible now at 5-2. It was an exciting game with the team's trading leads. Orangeville took the lead for good with 7:07 left in the game on Garret Rodebaugh's fourth touchdown of the game. Rodebaugh, rushed for 223 yards and on defense was in on 15 tackles.

Stateline Sports Hub. NUIC Rankings.

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

NUIC Media Picks. Weekly winners. 8-1. Cody Cutter, Mike Buda, Tim O'Hallaran and Joe Dredge.

Weekly and overall.

Al Zipsie. Stateline Sports Hub. 7-2. 53-10.

Terry Werntz. Former Dakota and Freeport coach. 7-2. 50-13.

Cody Cutter. Sauk Valley News. 8-1. 50-13.

Kyle Kampmier. NUIC Football Fanatics. 7-2. 49-14.

Scott Leber. WTVO. 6-3. 49-14.

Matt Trowbridge. Freeport Journal Standard/Rockford Register Star. 7-2. 49-14.

Joe Dredge. WROK/Stateline Sports Hub. 8-1. 49-14.

Shane Klever. NUIC Football Fanatics. 7-2. 48-15.

Mike Buda. WIFR. 8-1. 48-15.

Pete Leinweber. Deep Dish Football. 7-2. 46-17.

Tim O'Hallaran. Edgytim.com. 8-1. 46-17.

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