Game Night Guide: Week 4 of prep football

Friday’s Schedule

Quincy High School (1-2) at United Township (3-0), 7 p.m.

• WTAD 930 AM

Quincy Notre Dame (3-0) at Duchesne (2-1), 7 p.m.

• WGEM 1440 AM, 98.9 FM

Fulton (0-2) at Hannibal (3-0), 7 p.m.

• KICK 97.9 FM

Brown County (3-0) at Central (3-0), 7 p.m.

• Central Illinois Sports on YouTube

• BC Hornets Sports on YouTube

Unity-Payson (2-1) at Jacksonville Routt (1-2), 7 p.m.

Maroa-Forsyth (3-0) at Pittsfield (2-1), 7 p.m.

• Central Illinois Sports on YouTube

Pleasant Hill (0-3) at Winchester West Central (3-0), 7 p.m.

Monroe City (3-0) at Centralia (1-2), 7 p.m.

• KWBZ 107.5 FM

Brookfield (1-2) at Palmyra (1-2), 7 p.m.

• KRRY 100.9 FM

Macon (1-2) at Highland (3-0), 7 p.m.

Missouri Military Academy at Mark Twain (3-0), 7 p.m.

First and 10

• United Township hadn’t enjoyed a winning season in two decades, not since going 8-2 in 2001 under the direction of Hall of Fame coach Mike Tracey. Yet, the Panthers went 4-2 in the truncated spring season and are off to a 3-0 start this fall and sit atop the Western Big 6 Conference standings. Third-year head coach Nick Welch has been instrumental in the complete overhaul of the program, and now the Soule Bowl is viewed as a tough place to play.

• Quincy High School sophomore wide receiver Jack Mettemeyer just catches touchdowns. Literally. Mettemeyer has four receptions this season, averaging 15.5 yards per catch, and all four have gone for scores. He is one of five different Blue Devils with a touchdown reception this season.

• When asked if he planned to be on the sideline Friday night when his team makes its first road trip of the season, Quincy Notre Dame football coach Jack Cornell answered emphatically with a yes. Cornell’s wife, Lauren, is due to give birth to the couple’s first child at any moment, but with the blessing of the doctors and his wife, Cornell will be there to lead his team.

• Hannibal is looking to regain the North Central Missouri Conference championship. The Pirates won the league championship in 2018 and 2019, only to suffer a regular-season loss to Moberly last fall to cost itself the championship. Hannibal has won six of the last nine NCMC championships.

• Hannibal and Mexico, the Pirates’ opponent next week on the road, are both 3-0. The other four NCMC teams have combined for one victory.

• The Western Illinois Valley Conference North Division championship could be decided Friday night in Camp Point when No. 2 Brown County and No. 6 Central square off. Only twice in the previous nine years has neither team won the WIVC North title — Beardstown won the championship in 2019 and Unity-Payson in 2016.

• Isaac Genenbacher has stepped into the thumper role in the middle of Central’s defense and found his niche. Sure, he’s still a rock-toting running back with the capability of running away from defenders, but Genenbacher is piling up tackles left and right. Twice in the first three games, he’s piled up 12 tackles and continues to make plays behind the line of scrimmage.

• Central has beaten Brown County five consecutive times, averaging 30 points in each of those victories.

• First-year coach Zach Ferguson has Pittsfield off to its best start since joining the Sangamo Conference in 2014. Toppling Maroa-Forsyth would be a huge accomplishment. Maroa has been to the playoffs 16 straight seasons and played for a state championship eight times in that span, winning two titles.

• The challenge for both Monroe City and Palmyra is to not get caught looking ahead. The Mayor’s Cup is next week, but both programs face tough Clarence Cannon Conference battles against the league’s other upper echelon teams before squaring off in Monroe City next Friday.

Game Night Grub

• When one of your pitmasters has made an appearance on the Food Network’s BBQ Brawl, you know how to serve up some tantalizing BBQ. Sugarfire Smoke House in St. Charles, Mo., where Duchesne High School is located, certainly does that. The traditional BBQ options such as brisket and ribs are delectable, but Sugarfire also offers some unique takes on pulled pork sandwiches and other menu items that will have you asking, “When can I make it back here again?”

• Looking for a quality, homemade, dough-tossed-in-the-air kind of pizza before the game? Check out Leo’s Pizza in Jacksonville. The challenge is always finding a place that uses fresh ingredients, and Leo’s does. The sauce is homemade with a rich, robust flavor and the atmosphere makes you feel like you’re in mama’s warm Italian kitchen.

• Are tasty french fries, shakes and quick service on your mind as you’re headed to a game? Stop in the Peppermill Grill and Chill in Winchester on your way to Friday night lights. Ample seating and a variety of menu items will fill you up and send you to the stands happy. Don’t forget the “chill” part of the name. You’ll want to walk out with a milkshake or another ice cream treat.