Game Night Guide: Week 8 of prep football
Friday’s Schedule
Rock Island Alleman (0-7) at Quincy High School (3-4), 7:30 p.m.
Granite City (0-7) at Quincy Notre Dame (4-3), 7 p.m.
Marshall (2-5) at Hannibal (7-0), 7 p.m.
Brown County (5-2) at Greenfield-Northwestern (5-2), 7 p.m.
Pleasant Hill (1-6) at Triopia (2-5)
• Central Illinois Sports on YouTube
Clark County (1-6) at Monroe City (6-1), 7 p.m.
South Shelby (2-5) at Palmyra (3-4), 7 p.m.
Highland (5-2) at Brookfield (4-3), 7 p.m.
North Callaway (4-2) at Mark Twain (6-1), 7 p.m.
Saturday’s Games
Pittsfield (3-4) at Petersburg PORTA (0-7), 11 a.m.
• Central Illinois Sports on YouTube
Moweaqua Central A&M (5-2) at Central (6-1), 1 p.m.
• Central Illinois Sports on YouTube
Unity-Payson (5-2) at Carrollton (6-1), 1 p.m.
First and 10
Here are 10 tidbits about this week’s slate of games:
• Quincy High School should be able to climb back to the .500 mark this week and set up a win-and-you’re-in scenario in Week 9 at Rock Island. Alleman has allowed 54 points per game and no fewer than 48 in any game this season, while scoring just two touchdowns. Both of those scores came with second- or third-string defenses on the field.
• The Blue Devils’ ability to be competitive is further highlighted by what Moline has done since beating Quincy 48-35 in Week 3. The Maroons have won four straight since then without allowing a point and share the Western Big 6 Conference lead with Sterling at 5-0. The Maroons visit the Golden Warriors’ Roscoe Eades Stadium on Friday night.
• Quincy Notre Dame coach Jack Cornell hasn’t worried about the magical fifth victory the Raiders are chasing. His focus and that of the Raiders all week has been about changing the course of their season. After opening with four straight victories, the Raiders have suffered three consecutive defeats to teams with a combined 19-2 record.
• The QND defense needs to return to its opportunistic ways. In the first four weeks of the season — all victories — the Raiders scored on a turnover or a blocked punt. The defense hasn’t scored since.
• Hannibal will wrap up an undefeated run to the North Central Missouri Conference championship should it beat Marshall at Porter Stadium. The Pirates, who lost the crown to Moberly last season, are looking for their seventh conference title in the last 10 years. Hannibal is 50-4 in NCMC play since 2012.
• Hannibal senior quarterback Courtland Watson has thrown for exactly 1,000 yards through seven games, giving him three consecutive 1,000-yard passing seasons. Watson has completed 69 percent of his passes with 17 touchdowns and just three interceptions.
• Due to a lack of available officials Friday night, Pittsfield has been forced to move its Sangamo Conference game against Petersburg PORTA to Saturday with an 11 a.m. kickoff. The Saukees are looking to improve to 4-4 and give themselves a chance at qualifying for the playoffs in Week 9.
• Central picked up Moweaqua Central A&M when North Greene made the decision not to field a varsity team made up of a majority of freshmen and sophomores because of injuries and discipline. That’s a bold move by the Panthers. North Greene was winless, while Moweaqua Central A&M is 5-2 and ranked eighth in Class 1A. The Raiders played in the state championship game in 2019 and are traditionally stout. Central could have opted to find a lesser quality opponent had one been available and keep its plans on track to finish 8-1 and earn a first-round home playoff game. That could still happen. But by adding Moweaqua Central A&M, the Panthers find out how ready they are for the postseason. That’s more valuable than pummeling an overmatched opponent.
• South Shelby coach Adam Gunterman is returning to where it all began. Prior to being hired to run the Cardinals’ program in 2020, Gunterman spent eight seasons as an assistant coach at Palmyra. Accompanying him this week is one of the top young quarterbacks in the area in Trey Countryman, who completed 29 of 39 passes for 476 yards and four touchdowns last week in a one-possession loss to Centralia.
• Momentum is on Highland’s side. After beating Palmyra last week for what many suggest is the first time in three decades (haven’t been able to confirm the last time it happened), the Cougars head to Brookfield to try to topple another Clarence Cannon Conference heavyweight. Staying focused is crucial. A matchup with Monroe City looms in Week 9, but for it to be the game of the week in the area, the Cougars can’t get caught looking ahead.
Game Night Grub
• So you’ve made the trip from Rock Island or Granite City and you’re craving a juicy, greasy cheeseburger or a tenderloin or some good old-fashioned bar food, where do you go? There’s nowhere better in the Gem City than one of the neighborhood corner establishments. Luckily, there are plenty serving up tasty meals. The Scoreboard is the go-to for the best burger, especially when you pair it with lattice fries. Hit up Mr. Bills Bar & Grill for the best horseshoe in town. Try the BBQ porkshoe with white queso. Delightful. State Street Bar & Grill is the place to stop for a tenderloin. And especially on Friday, slide into O’Sheas for a top-notch catfish dinner.
• Sometimes you need a good steak to fulfill a hearty appetite. If that’s the case on your way to Porter Stadium to check out the state-ranked Pirates, make a pit stop at the Rustic Oak Grill & Pub. Why? Two words — prime rib. Or three words — drunk hook & hoof. The prime rib has earned rave reviews, but personally, I’d go with the drunk hook and hoof. It’s a 10 ounce KC strip steak with five succulent bourbon-glazed shrimp. It’s a guarantee you walk out full.
• Maybe you need a strong cup of coffee before going to a Saturday game or a donut to satisfy your sweet tooth. Maybe you want an Italian soda, a smoothie or a hot apple cider after the game. If you’ve enjoyed a battle between Unity-Payson and Carrollton, two playoff-bound teams, stop by Copper Stills & Mash. Your tastebuds will find something tantalizing on the menu.
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