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Playoff predictions for Rockford-area opening-round playoff games

jay taft and matt trowbridge, rockford register star
·5 min read

The regular-season prelims are over. The chase for IHSA football state titles begins Friday and Saturday. Here are the Register Star's predictions for local results in the opening round of the playoffs. Matt Trowbridge (38-4 on the season) predicts games from the NIC-10, plus Rochelle, while Jay Taft (49-12) picks games involving Big Northern and NUIC teams.

FRIDAY'S GAMES

Harlem (6-3) at No. 9 Glenbard East (8-1)

Harlem has averaged 6.5 points in its four games against playoff teams. Glenbard East has scored at least 28 points in every game except a 17-14 loss to South Elgin in Week 2. Prediction: Glenbard East 38, Harlem 7.

More NIC-10 football: Boylan, Rochelle face traditional football powers; North faces team with 0 playoff wins

Chicago Amundsen (6-3) at Belvidere North (7-2)

Amundsen is 0-4 lifetime in the playoffs, losing by a combined 183-67 the last four years. North has lost by one, five and seven points in the first round the last three years and is overdue for a playoff run. Prediction: Belvidere North 28, Amundsen 14.

Rochelle (7-2) at Wheaton St. Francis (7-2)

Wheaton St. Francis is a contender for the Class 5A state title, losing only to a pair of 7A schools by an average of three points. Rochelle has had a great year, winning its first conference title in 19 seasons, but it could be in trouble against a team with an offensive line that averages 275 pounds and a Ball State recruit at QB. Prediction: Wheaton St. Francis 35, Rochelle 20.

Ottawa Marquette (7-2) at Forreston (7-2)

This is an eighth seed against a ninth seed, and it could be a battle on the field, just like on paper. Ottawa Marquette has qualified for the playoffs in 10 straight years and has lost only one game five times in that stretch. Forreston has advanced to 12 straight postseasons. The difference: The Cardinals have three state titles in their stretch. Prediction: Forreston 28, Ottawa Marquette 24

Stillman Valley (5-4) at Chicago Noble/Johnson (8-1)

Stillman Valley football coach Mike Lalor, shown talking on his radio headgear during a game against Oregon on Sept. 23, 2011, has won five state titles with the Cardinals.
Stillman Valley football coach Mike Lalor, shown talking on his radio headgear during a game against Oregon on Sept. 23, 2011, has won five state titles with the Cardinals.

The Cardinals have a long road trip on a Friday night, but they will be ready, and well-coached, as always. These Chicago teams are often a mystery, and a lot of times, they can't stop the pounding of schools from the Rockford area. This is one of those times. Upset Alert. Prediction: Stillman Valley 26, Chicago Noble/Johnson 18

Monmouth-Roseville (5-4) at North Boone (6-3)

Monmouth-Roseville gave up 28.2 points per game on defense, and North Boone's spread offense could go to town in this one. The big question is how well will the Vikings' defense play. North Boone gave up only one touchdown in three games and only a field goal in another. But it also surrendered 69 to Byron and 62 to Dixon. Prediction: North Boone 45, Monmouth-Roseville 21

SATURDAY'S GAMES

Chicago Phillips (5-4) at Boylan (8-1)

In four years in 5A, it took the state champ (twice) or state runner-up (twice) to knock Boylan out of the playoffs. And now Boylan is one class lower. Chicago Phillips doesn’t look like a state finalist. Not this year. Chicago Phillips has gone 27-9 in the playoffs since 2013 — despite, at times, being bumped up to 5A, 6A and even 7A by the IHSA’s success factor. But this year, Phillips’ five wins came against teams that are a combined 10-35. Prediction: Boylan 28, Chicago Phillips 14.

Auburn (5-4) at Hononegah (9-0)

Only Boylan gave Hononegah a better game this year than Auburn, which trailed only 13-12 until the last nine seconds of the first half. On the other hand, Hononegah scored the last seven times it touched the ball in a 40-12 win. Prediction: Hononegah 49, Auburn 13.

Chicago Noble/Hansberry (5-4) at Byron (9-0)

Tough draw for Noble/Hansberry, but somebody's got to play the Tigers. Byron is on a mission. This won't be the year they stumble early. Prediction: Byron 52 Noble/Hansberry 16

Lutheran (5-4) at Lena-Winslow (9-0)

Lutheran's Gavin Sanders celebrates a touchdown against Winnebago on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, at Lutheran High School in Rockford.
Lutheran's Gavin Sanders celebrates a touchdown against Winnebago on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, at Lutheran High School in Rockford.

Another team that appears to be on a mission for a state title is Le-Win -- unfortunately for Lutheran. The Crusaders have Gavin Sanders, who rushed for over 300 yards and five TDs in Week 1 but slowed down from there. He still has 950 yards and 18 touchdowns heading into the playoffs. Buuuuut... Le-Win's Gage Dunker has 1,697 yards on the ground with 24 TDs, and he has come out early more weeks than not. Why? Because the Panthers are very good. Prediction: Le-Win 50, Lutheran 32

Oregon (5-4) at Durand/Pecatonica (7-2)

Oregon has a potent rushing attack, led by Logan Weems, who led the BNC with 1,108 yards rushing and 16 TD runs, and a little balance with QB Jack Washburn throwing for 1,111 yards and seven TDs. At Durand/Pecatonica, Cooper Hoffman provides much of the balance himself. He has completed 130 of his 224 passes for 1,603 yards and 20 touchdowns, and he has rushed for 570 yards and 11 TDs. This one will be won in the trenches, and down the stretch. Prediction: Du/Pec 32, Oregon 22

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Picking the first round of the playoffs for Rockford football teams