Game Night Guide: Week 5 will start to separate playoff contenders from pretenders
QUINCY — Week 5 of the prep football season could be the end of the road for some team’s playoff aspirations or a renewed hope of extending their season. Here’s what to look forward to this Friday night, and remember to join us for Muddy Night Lights at 10 p.m.:
Friday’s games
United Township (2-2) at Quincy High School (4-0), 7 p.m.
Did you know?: Homecoming week coming after a big road victory could be a trap game for the Blue Devils, but they have won 16 consecutive regular-season games and have beaten the Panthers 20 consecutive times. Quincy climbed to No. 5 in this week’s Class 7A state poll.
Quincy Notre Dame (3-1) at Springfield (4-0), 7 p.m.
Did you know?: This will be the first road trip of the season for the Raiders, who have won three consecutive games since the season-opening loss to Quincy High School. QND has allowed just 17 points in those three games combined. The Senators, meanwhile, are averaging 41 points per game, but have yet to play a team with an above .500 record.
Mexico (2-2) at Hannibal (2-2), 7 p.m.
Did you know?: The Pirates finished a stretch of three consecutive road games by winning twice and will play three of their final five regular-season games at home. Senior running back Mike Ferreira has rushed for 555 yards and seven touchdowns.
Camp Point Central (3-1) at Brown County (2-2), 7 p.m.
• Central Illinois Sports on YouTube
• BC Hornets Sports on YouTube
Did you know?: A natural rivalry between schools the sit just 20 miles apart intensifies when you consider the Hornets have allowed just three touchdowns and 22 total points this season and the Panthers are averaging 39.5 points. This will be the third opponent with a winning record Brown County has faced, losing the first two by a combined score of 16-8.
South Shelby (4-0) at Highland (0-4), 7 p.m.
• No livestream
Did you know?: The Cardinals have yet to score less than 44 points in a game this season, while the Cougars have scored just 28 total points in the four losses combined.
Jacksonville Routt (3-1) at Unity-Payson (0-4), 7 p.m.
• Unity Mustangs Sports Network on YouTube
Did you know?: The Mustangs’ challenge will be slowing the Rockets, who have scored 136 points in the last three weeks. Meanwhile, Unity has scored only 40 points all season and has only one touchdown the past two weeks.
Breese Mater Dei (2-2) at Macomb (4-0), 7 p.m.
• TSSR Game Time Live on YouTube
Did you know?: The Bombers inched closer to cracking the Class 4A state poll this week, checking among the others receiving votes and could improve their stock by continuing to run the ball with authority. Macomb quarterback Braden Holthaus had four rushing touchdowns in last week’s victory over West Hancock.
Stark County (4-0) at West Hancock (0-4), 7 p.m.
• TSSR Game Time Live on YouTube
Did you know?: The Titans play a Lincoln Trail-Prairieland Conference crossover game this week against the Rebels, who have not allowed more than 16 points in a game this season and have handed Rushville-Industry its only loss.
Pittsfield (1-3) at New Berlin (4-0), 7 p.m.
• Central Illinois Sports on YouTube
Did you know?: The Saukees are the more battled-tested team, having faced four opponents with a combined record of 11-5. The Pretzels took a forfeit victory last week since they were unable to find a replacement for Riverton and their other three opponents are a combined 1-11.
Winchester West Central (3-1) at Pleasant Hill (1-2), 7 p.m.
• No livestream
Did you know?: The Wolves play three of their next four games at home, including two against winless opponents. However, the string starts with West Central, which is coming off a 46-6 loss to state-ranked Calhoun and has scored just 28 points in the last three weeks combined.
North Callaway (3-1) at Palmyra (3-1), 7 p.m.
Did you know?: The Panthers’ ability to establish the run has led to success with nearly 800 yards on the ground the past two weeks. The Thunderbirds haven’t scored more than 30 points in any of their three victories and are coming off a 50-8 loss to Bowling Green.
Monroe City (2-2) at Clark County (0-4), 7 p.m.
Did you know?: Rallying to beat Centralia 36-34 last week may have changed the complexion of the Panthers’ season, especially since the schedule becomes favorable. This week starts a stretch where four of the next five opponents are currently winless.
Mark Twain (1-3) at Wright City (2-2), 7 p.m.
Did you know?: The Tigers put a scare into undefeated Van-Far last week, losing 28-26 and priming themselves for a four-game stretch of winnable games. The Wildcats have scored 93 points combined in their two victories and just 20 points combined in their two losses.
Saturday’s game
Illini West (1-3) at Lewistown (0-4), 2 p.m.
• No livestream
Did you know?: The Chargers picked up their first victory of the season last week and now face an Indians squad allowing 44.5 points per game. Illini West has only one team with a winning record remaining on its schedule.
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