The CS8 went 5-6 in non-conference play Week 1. Week 2 could be rougher, with only two teams being the clear favorite.
It appears that Mt Zion has not been able to find a replacement opponent for Eisenhower and will get the forfeit win.
Temperatures again look good, with a projected high of 81 in Springfield on Friday and 80 in Joliet on Saturday.
Friday
Chatham (0-1) at Alton (0-1)
The Titans competed well with 6A ranked Normal West while losing 35-26. Alton was blown out by Belleville West 56-0. Coach Dambacher should get his 1st win. Chatham 39 Alton 6. Massey: Chatham 41-7.
Granite City (0-1) at MacArthur (1-0)
The Generals have a healthy starting QB back after losing him for the season in Week 1 last year, and they hammered Mattoon 48-0. Granite City lost to Freeburg 41-6. Mac goes to 2-0. MacArthur 42 Granite City 0. Massey: MacArthur 44-7.
Lincoln (1-0) at Marion (0-1)
Lincoln got an important win towards qualifying for the playoffs by beating Peoria Manual 40-20. Marion lost a close back and forth game to Carterville 28-24. A 220-mile road trip for the Railers. Marion is definitely a step up in competition for Lincoln and the Wildcats should win. Marion 38 Lincoln 10. Massey: Marion 48-14.
Springfield (0-1) at Collinsville (0-1)
Springfield lost 40-0 against 4A ranked Cahokia. Collinsville fell to Belleville Althoff 53-20. Collinsville is 7A, while Springfield has gone down from 6A to 5A. This is a pretty even matchup and should be a close contest. Taking Collinsville at home. Collinsville 24 Springfield 22. Massey: Collinsville 34-28.
East Peoria (1-0) at Lanphier (0-1)
East Peoria beat Southeast 55-30, while Lanphier lost to LaSalle Peru in a game that carried over to Saturday 59-14. As Lanphier is pretty comparable to Southeast at this point, East Peoria should improve to 2-0. East Peoria 48 Lanphier 14. Massey: East Peoria 42-14.
Mascoutah (1-0) at Southeast (0-1)
Mascoutah had a forfeit win over Eisenhower, so this will be their 1st actual game. Southeast had some success scoring against East Peoria but ultimately lost 55-30. As long as Mascoutah doesn't have too many "Week 1" issues, they should improve to 2-0. Mascoutah 47 Southeast 20. Massey: Mascoutah 48-14.
U High (0-1) at Mahomet (1-0)
The Pioneers lost to 4A Rochelle 55-14 in a game pushed to Saturday due to weather, while 5A Mahomet beat a solid Morton team 33-15. Mahomet 46 U High 7. Massey: Mahomet 45 U High 14.
Carbondale (1-0) at QND (0-1)
The Terriers routed Murphysboro 47-13, while QND was surprised on the road by St Teresa 16-7. This is one of the most interesting games of the Week. Carbondale has big play capabilities at QB, RB, and WR. They are also making a 240-mile bus ride to Quincy and were a heavily penalized team last season. The Raiders may be able to take an early lead if Carbondale comes off the bus slowly. QND needs to clean up some issues with their Offense from Week 1 and limit big plays on Defense. I think playing at home gives them an edge. QND 23 Carbondale 21. Massey: QND 35-20.
Ft Zumwalt East (MO) (0-0) at Jacksonville (1-0)
Based on Missouri's start date, this is Ft Zumwalt's Week 1. They were 3-7 last season but played a difficult schedule. If they were in Illinois, the Lions would be a 5A school. Jacksonville had fumble issues against Jerseyville but rallied to win 34-27. Expect a close game, but I like the Crimsons at home with the Lions also facing some "1st game" issues. Jacksonville 28 Ft Zumwalt East 24. Massey: Jacksonville 35-22.
Batavia (1-0) at Rochester (1-0)
7A Batavia beat a good 8A Maine South team 49-35, while the Rockets held off 7A Moline, in a lightning delayed game, 21-17. Rochester's defense played very well against Moline. Unfortunately, Batavia's offense will be much different than the Maroons Wing T, with talent similar to Montini's from last year. Rochester needs a much faster start than Week 1 and to clean up a lot of sloppiness on the offensive side or they could be out of it early. I expect better execution but not enough to pull off the upset. Batavia 42 Rochester 31. Massey: Batavia 46-19.
Saturday
SHG (1-0) at Joliet Catholic (0-1)
SHG led 20-3 in the 4th Quarter against 7A Lincoln Way Central, fell behind in the final minute 23-20, then won on an incredible pass reception in the final seconds 27-23. Joliet Catholic lost to defending 6A champion Fenwick 28-13. I am expecting a close but pretty low scoring contest that will go down to final minute. After seeing SHG QB Cam Brinkman make big plays at critical moments multiple times in his career, I am taking the Cyclones. SHG 20 Joliet Catholic 19. Massey: Joliet Catholic 37-14.
It appears that Mt Zion has not been able to find a replacement opponent for Eisenhower and will get the forfeit win.
Temperatures again look good, with a projected high of 81 in Springfield on Friday and 80 in Joliet on Saturday.
Friday
Chatham (0-1) at Alton (0-1)
The Titans competed well with 6A ranked Normal West while losing 35-26. Alton was blown out by Belleville West 56-0. Coach Dambacher should get his 1st win. Chatham 39 Alton 6. Massey: Chatham 41-7.
Granite City (0-1) at MacArthur (1-0)
The Generals have a healthy starting QB back after losing him for the season in Week 1 last year, and they hammered Mattoon 48-0. Granite City lost to Freeburg 41-6. Mac goes to 2-0. MacArthur 42 Granite City 0. Massey: MacArthur 44-7.
Lincoln (1-0) at Marion (0-1)
Lincoln got an important win towards qualifying for the playoffs by beating Peoria Manual 40-20. Marion lost a close back and forth game to Carterville 28-24. A 220-mile road trip for the Railers. Marion is definitely a step up in competition for Lincoln and the Wildcats should win. Marion 38 Lincoln 10. Massey: Marion 48-14.
Springfield (0-1) at Collinsville (0-1)
Springfield lost 40-0 against 4A ranked Cahokia. Collinsville fell to Belleville Althoff 53-20. Collinsville is 7A, while Springfield has gone down from 6A to 5A. This is a pretty even matchup and should be a close contest. Taking Collinsville at home. Collinsville 24 Springfield 22. Massey: Collinsville 34-28.
East Peoria (1-0) at Lanphier (0-1)
East Peoria beat Southeast 55-30, while Lanphier lost to LaSalle Peru in a game that carried over to Saturday 59-14. As Lanphier is pretty comparable to Southeast at this point, East Peoria should improve to 2-0. East Peoria 48 Lanphier 14. Massey: East Peoria 42-14.
Mascoutah (1-0) at Southeast (0-1)
Mascoutah had a forfeit win over Eisenhower, so this will be their 1st actual game. Southeast had some success scoring against East Peoria but ultimately lost 55-30. As long as Mascoutah doesn't have too many "Week 1" issues, they should improve to 2-0. Mascoutah 47 Southeast 20. Massey: Mascoutah 48-14.
U High (0-1) at Mahomet (1-0)
The Pioneers lost to 4A Rochelle 55-14 in a game pushed to Saturday due to weather, while 5A Mahomet beat a solid Morton team 33-15. Mahomet 46 U High 7. Massey: Mahomet 45 U High 14.
Carbondale (1-0) at QND (0-1)
The Terriers routed Murphysboro 47-13, while QND was surprised on the road by St Teresa 16-7. This is one of the most interesting games of the Week. Carbondale has big play capabilities at QB, RB, and WR. They are also making a 240-mile bus ride to Quincy and were a heavily penalized team last season. The Raiders may be able to take an early lead if Carbondale comes off the bus slowly. QND needs to clean up some issues with their Offense from Week 1 and limit big plays on Defense. I think playing at home gives them an edge. QND 23 Carbondale 21. Massey: QND 35-20.
Ft Zumwalt East (MO) (0-0) at Jacksonville (1-0)
Based on Missouri's start date, this is Ft Zumwalt's Week 1. They were 3-7 last season but played a difficult schedule. If they were in Illinois, the Lions would be a 5A school. Jacksonville had fumble issues against Jerseyville but rallied to win 34-27. Expect a close game, but I like the Crimsons at home with the Lions also facing some "1st game" issues. Jacksonville 28 Ft Zumwalt East 24. Massey: Jacksonville 35-22.
Batavia (1-0) at Rochester (1-0)
7A Batavia beat a good 8A Maine South team 49-35, while the Rockets held off 7A Moline, in a lightning delayed game, 21-17. Rochester's defense played very well against Moline. Unfortunately, Batavia's offense will be much different than the Maroons Wing T, with talent similar to Montini's from last year. Rochester needs a much faster start than Week 1 and to clean up a lot of sloppiness on the offensive side or they could be out of it early. I expect better execution but not enough to pull off the upset. Batavia 42 Rochester 31. Massey: Batavia 46-19.
Saturday
SHG (1-0) at Joliet Catholic (0-1)
SHG led 20-3 in the 4th Quarter against 7A Lincoln Way Central, fell behind in the final minute 23-20, then won on an incredible pass reception in the final seconds 27-23. Joliet Catholic lost to defending 6A champion Fenwick 28-13. I am expecting a close but pretty low scoring contest that will go down to final minute. After seeing SHG QB Cam Brinkman make big plays at critical moments multiple times in his career, I am taking the Cyclones. SHG 20 Joliet Catholic 19. Massey: Joliet Catholic 37-14.
Ratsy
