NUIC Week 8 Recap

By Al Zipsie

Week eight was the most unpredictable wild week of the year in the NUIC.

In the NUIC, Aquin stayed unbeaten at 8-0 as they took over first place in the South out scoring Forreston 36-30. Aquin can now take the NUIC South title outright with a win Friday hosting West Carroll (5-3). For Forreston (6-2) it was their first back to back loss in nine years. The Cardinals led 22-14 at halftime behind three rushing touchdowns from Ethan Mulder. Aquin quarterback Will Gustafson then threw a pair of TD passes and Aiden Gassman returned a pick six thirty yards as the Bulldogs clicked off 22 unanswered points. Forreston would cut the score to 36-30 with 3:51 left. Aquin then converted a key third and eight with under two minutes and then went into victory formation for the win.

Also in the South E/PC shutout A/FC 44-0. E/PC at 4-4 will have to knock off Forreston next week to even be playoff eligible. Logan Krell had 153 yards rushing for E/PC.

Amboy notched their first win of the season 25-8 over Milledgeville. Austin Norman racked up 238 yards rushing on 19 carries and four touchdowns in the win. It was the last game on the sidelines at home for Amboy coach Gary Jones who is stepping down after this season.

In the North Lena-Winslow the 1A number one team in the state at 8-0 rolled over Galena 46-7. Orangeville for the second straight week got a huge win knocking off Dakota 23-16, It was the restart of the old rivals when they played in the same Conference and last played in 2008. Chase Jordan had 223 yards rushing on only eight rushes including two long TD runs part of his three touchdowns for the Broncos.

Last week the Broncos beat Stockton. Orangeville is now 5-3 and can clinch a playoff berth with a win in week 9 at Milledgeville. Stockton smacked East Dubuque 50-6. Stockton is 5-3 and can lock in a playoff spot with a win Friday hosting Dakota. If Dakota wins then both would finish 5-4 and be on the bubble of a playoff berth.

In a crossover match up Du/Pec edged West Carroll 16-8. The Rivermen now 6-2 locked in a playoff spot (looking more likely 2A now then 3A). Even a loss to mighty Lena-Winslow Friday and they are still in thanks to this win. West Carroll is 5-3 and at unbeaten Aquin Friday.

In 8 man football in a matchup of two former NUIC 11 man teams, Polo has won all eight outings as they beat River Ridge 34-8. Warren/Blackhawk Coop won 27-7 and take a 9-0 record into the Wisconsin playoffs next week. BlackHawk won the state title last year and this year joined by Warren are the number one ranked team in Division 7.

In our NUIC media picks despite the crazy week the standings didn't change much going into the final week. Scott Leber of WTVO TV is still the leader at 50-6 despite his 4-3 record. Leber was the only one who took Du/Pec to beat West Carroll. Matt Trowbridge of the Rockford Register Star/Freeport Journal Standard was also 4-3 and remains one game out at 49-7. Kyle Kampmier of the NUIC Football Fanatics/Freeport Journal Standard was 3-4 and is two games out in third at 48-8.

Last year's pick champion Al Zipsie was the weeks winner at 6-1, including the only one to take Orangeville over Dakota. However, Zipsie is still near the bottom of the standings. We will list this week's final picks on Thursday in the Stateline Sports Hub.

Stateline Sports Hub. NUIC Rankings.