The first week of conference games. Multiple running clocks likely, with the U High/MacArthur contest being the most interesting of the six games.
After last week's brush with fall temperatures, it looks to be warm both Friday and Saturday. On Friday, highs may reach 90 but it should cool off some after kickoff. The Saturday matchup between QND and Southeast will take place in the heat of the day.
Springfield's playoff hopes took a big hit last week when they lost at home to Decatur MacArthur. The Solons were favored to start out 4-0 and will now likely need to beat both QND and Jacksonville to get to 5 wins. Should MacArthur beat U High and improve to 3-0, they will be in a strong position to qualify for the playoffs.
Friday
Eisenhower (0-2) at Chatham (2-0)
Chatham running clocked a Missouri team that they struggled with last year 48-0. Expect a similar outcome against the Panthers. Chatham 55 Eisenhower 6. (Massey: Chatham 48-7).
Lincoln (0-2) at Rochester (2-0)
The Railers are struggling and have lost to both Lanphier (18-14) and Southeast (14-6). The Rockets passing game was subpar against Mt Zion. This is an opportunity to work on that aspect of the offense before the Week 4 game against Chatham. Rochester 48 Lincoln 7. (Massey: Rochester 48-6).
SHG (1-1) at Jacksonville (1-1)
Both teams rebounded in Week 2 to even their records. SHG scored 65 against Mascoutah, while Jacksonville got 47 against Eisenhower. To stay competitive, the Crimsons cannot rely only on the run and will need a much better defensive effort than in their Week 1 game against Highland. SHG should win comfortably behind QB Cam Brinkman. SHG 52 Jacksonville 14. (Massey: SHG 42-20).
Lanphier (1-1) at Springfield (1-1)
Both teams share Memorial Stadium, so the Lions are the visitors in name only. After knocking off Lincoln for their 1st win since 2022, Lanphier lost 49-0 at East Peoria. Springfield has scored 93 points after two weeks but has also given up 84. This should be another big week for the Solons offense. Springfield 54 Lanphier 12. (Massey: Springfield 49-14).
U High (1-1) vs MacArthur (2-0)
The game of the week. The Generals beat Springfield 43-42 last week, with an injury replacement QB stepping up and running for 5 TD's. Not sure if the QB injured in Week 1 will be available. The Pioneers had their chances but fell to 6A Bloomington 19-14. I am torn here. A 3-0 start by Mac almost guarantees them at least 5 wins, as they still have Eisenhower and Lincoln to play. The Generals were able to match Springfield score for score on the road last week and made fewer mistakes late to pull of the upset. Mac's defense did give up almost 400 yards passing to QB Brody Scheffler after shutting out Mattoon in Week 1. U High's new QB Owen Kirby had a huge game against Peoria Manual but was less successful against Bloomington. Kirby still had 220 yards passing last week and is probably the key to the game. If he can get the ball deep enough times to WR Cade Cunningham, the Pioneers have an excellent chance. If Mac wins, it will be because of their running attack and getting enough pressure to bother Kirby. The Pioneers still have a good path to 5 wins regardless of the outcome. U High 24 MacArthur 20. (Massey: U High 41-21).
Saturday
QND (2-0) at Southeast (1-1) 1 PM
QND has only given up only 1 TD after 2 weeks. After a disappointing loss in their first game at the renovated Spartan Stadium, Southeast won a road game against Lincoln last week 14-6. QND has too much firepower for the Spartans. The Raiders won by running clock last year and a similar result Saturday should be expected. QND 44 Southeast 7. (Massey: QND 42-6).
After last week's brush with fall temperatures, it looks to be warm both Friday and Saturday. On Friday, highs may reach 90 but it should cool off some after kickoff. The Saturday matchup between QND and Southeast will take place in the heat of the day.
Springfield's playoff hopes took a big hit last week when they lost at home to Decatur MacArthur. The Solons were favored to start out 4-0 and will now likely need to beat both QND and Jacksonville to get to 5 wins. Should MacArthur beat U High and improve to 3-0, they will be in a strong position to qualify for the playoffs.
Friday
Eisenhower (0-2) at Chatham (2-0)
Chatham running clocked a Missouri team that they struggled with last year 48-0. Expect a similar outcome against the Panthers. Chatham 55 Eisenhower 6. (Massey: Chatham 48-7).
Lincoln (0-2) at Rochester (2-0)
The Railers are struggling and have lost to both Lanphier (18-14) and Southeast (14-6). The Rockets passing game was subpar against Mt Zion. This is an opportunity to work on that aspect of the offense before the Week 4 game against Chatham. Rochester 48 Lincoln 7. (Massey: Rochester 48-6).
SHG (1-1) at Jacksonville (1-1)
Both teams rebounded in Week 2 to even their records. SHG scored 65 against Mascoutah, while Jacksonville got 47 against Eisenhower. To stay competitive, the Crimsons cannot rely only on the run and will need a much better defensive effort than in their Week 1 game against Highland. SHG should win comfortably behind QB Cam Brinkman. SHG 52 Jacksonville 14. (Massey: SHG 42-20).
Lanphier (1-1) at Springfield (1-1)
Both teams share Memorial Stadium, so the Lions are the visitors in name only. After knocking off Lincoln for their 1st win since 2022, Lanphier lost 49-0 at East Peoria. Springfield has scored 93 points after two weeks but has also given up 84. This should be another big week for the Solons offense. Springfield 54 Lanphier 12. (Massey: Springfield 49-14).
U High (1-1) vs MacArthur (2-0)
The game of the week. The Generals beat Springfield 43-42 last week, with an injury replacement QB stepping up and running for 5 TD's. Not sure if the QB injured in Week 1 will be available. The Pioneers had their chances but fell to 6A Bloomington 19-14. I am torn here. A 3-0 start by Mac almost guarantees them at least 5 wins, as they still have Eisenhower and Lincoln to play. The Generals were able to match Springfield score for score on the road last week and made fewer mistakes late to pull of the upset. Mac's defense did give up almost 400 yards passing to QB Brody Scheffler after shutting out Mattoon in Week 1. U High's new QB Owen Kirby had a huge game against Peoria Manual but was less successful against Bloomington. Kirby still had 220 yards passing last week and is probably the key to the game. If he can get the ball deep enough times to WR Cade Cunningham, the Pioneers have an excellent chance. If Mac wins, it will be because of their running attack and getting enough pressure to bother Kirby. The Pioneers still have a good path to 5 wins regardless of the outcome. U High 24 MacArthur 20. (Massey: U High 41-21).
Saturday
QND (2-0) at Southeast (1-1) 1 PM
QND has only given up only 1 TD after 2 weeks. After a disappointing loss in their first game at the renovated Spartan Stadium, Southeast won a road game against Lincoln last week 14-6. QND has too much firepower for the Spartans. The Raiders won by running clock last year and a similar result Saturday should be expected. QND 44 Southeast 7. (Massey: QND 42-6).
