Sterling vs Metamora: Sterling starts its campaign with a familiar foe in Metamora. This will be Sterling’s fourth straight year opening against the Red Birds. So far, Metamora has won all 3 previous contests. This season, Sterling brings back a lot of experience on both sides of the ball. Metamora is a tough program but I think this is the year Sterling finally gets them. Sterling 28 – Metamora 27.
Moline vs Rochester: Two experienced teams who have lofty goals and both feel the conference runs through their school…and they meet week one? Sign me up! This should be a fun battle of power versus speed. I think speed wins out in the end though, Rochester 42 – Moline 31.
Geneseo @ Assumption: Geneseo won last years tilt at home in a hard fought battle, but now the Leafs have to cross the river to start the year. Geneseo brings back a good amount of experience from last years 9 win team, but they are breaking in a new quarterback to run their triple option offense. I don’t a lot about Assumption, but I think the Leafs win another close one. Geneseo 21 – Assumption 17.
Rock Island @ Kaneland: It’s been a few seasons of the wheels just coming off the rails for the Rocks. Rock Island has a new head coach now who has to find a way to right the ship and get the kids believing they can win and compete. The Rocks have some experience back this season. Sadly, they start the year going to Kaneland. Kaneland ran the Rocks out of the stadium last year, and probably will again. Kaneland 45 – Rock Island 7.
Quincy @ O’Fallon: Quincy doesn’t bring back a lot of starting experience, but it does have another Little starting his second season at QB. There are also a good amount of athletes at the skill positions. The main questions are going to be along both lines. I don’t know much about O’Fallon except that they play in the same conference as East St. Louis. I figured this game might just be a toss up then. I’ll go Blue Devils 31 – O’Fallon 28
United Township vs Wheaton Academy: UT is basically breaking in a new team this season as they graduated 16 starters, but they do bring back their starting QB, who is considered one of the better ones in the conference. So the question will be how quickly can the rest of the team gel together? Starting at home is a good first step, but I don’t think the wins come…yet. Wheaton Academy 24 – UT 14.
Galesburg @ Dunlap: Galesburg was a super young team last year with a lot of starters coming back this season. I think the Silver Streaks play better than they did last year, but starting the season against powerhouse Dunlap is brutal. Dunlap 42 – Galesburg 7.
Moline vs Rochester: Two experienced teams who have lofty goals and both feel the conference runs through their school…and they meet week one? Sign me up! This should be a fun battle of power versus speed. I think speed wins out in the end though, Rochester 42 – Moline 31.
Geneseo @ Assumption: Geneseo won last years tilt at home in a hard fought battle, but now the Leafs have to cross the river to start the year. Geneseo brings back a good amount of experience from last years 9 win team, but they are breaking in a new quarterback to run their triple option offense. I don’t a lot about Assumption, but I think the Leafs win another close one. Geneseo 21 – Assumption 17.
Rock Island @ Kaneland: It’s been a few seasons of the wheels just coming off the rails for the Rocks. Rock Island has a new head coach now who has to find a way to right the ship and get the kids believing they can win and compete. The Rocks have some experience back this season. Sadly, they start the year going to Kaneland. Kaneland ran the Rocks out of the stadium last year, and probably will again. Kaneland 45 – Rock Island 7.
Quincy @ O’Fallon: Quincy doesn’t bring back a lot of starting experience, but it does have another Little starting his second season at QB. There are also a good amount of athletes at the skill positions. The main questions are going to be along both lines. I don’t know much about O’Fallon except that they play in the same conference as East St. Louis. I figured this game might just be a toss up then. I’ll go Blue Devils 31 – O’Fallon 28
United Township vs Wheaton Academy: UT is basically breaking in a new team this season as they graduated 16 starters, but they do bring back their starting QB, who is considered one of the better ones in the conference. So the question will be how quickly can the rest of the team gel together? Starting at home is a good first step, but I don’t think the wins come…yet. Wheaton Academy 24 – UT 14.
Galesburg @ Dunlap: Galesburg was a super young team last year with a lot of starters coming back this season. I think the Silver Streaks play better than they did last year, but starting the season against powerhouse Dunlap is brutal. Dunlap 42 – Galesburg 7.
