Week 5 Rockford football predictions: Can Rochelle beat state-ranked team?

Matt Trowbridge (10-2 so far predicting NIC-10 and Rochelle results) and Jay Taft (14-2 picking Big Northern and NUIC games) make their Week 5 predictions for Rockford-area high school football games.

LARGE SCHOOLS

Belvidere (0-4) at Belvidere North (3-1)

The battle of Belvidere hasn’t been much of a battle since Belvidere won 34-24 in 2016 when both teams finished 4-5. North has won the last six meetings by a combined 277-34 score. That averages out to 46-6, so … Prediction: North 46, Belvidere 6.

Harlem (3-1) at Freeport (1-3)

A rash of turnovers, including one that gave Guilford a chance to tie in the final minutes of a 20-12 defeat, plagued Harlem last week. This may be the week the Huskies finally truly click on offense. Prediction: Harlem 35, Freeport 14.

More: Week 4 NIC-10 football stats, standings, schedule: 3 runners on pace for 1,000 yards

Auburn (3-1) at Boylan (4-0)

Boylan has beaten Auburn 41-0 and 40-0 the last two years. This is a far better Auburn team, but the Titans are still better. Prediction: Boylan 28, Auburn 14.

Hononegah (4-0) at East (1-3)

East is trying creative ways to unleash Javius Catlin, a top-five NIC-10 rusher for four years, even using him a lot as a Wildcat quarterback. None of it worked well last week against Auburn. It is even more unlikely to work against Hononegah, which has the best defense in the NIC-10. Prediction: Hononegah 49, East 6.

Guilford (1-3) at Jefferson (0-4)

This is the first of Jefferson’s three Saturday games. Day or night should make little difference for a team that has been outscored 159-24. Prediction: Guilford 33, Jefferson 13.

Rochelle (3-1) at Sycamore (4-0)

The Spartans have beaten Rochelle four times in a row by a total score of 136-20. While Sycamore has outscored its four foes 160-13, the Hubs may be the only winning team they face before Week 8. This time should be closer, but Sycamore, 12-1 last year when it lost by 3 points in the semifinals to eventual state champ LaGrange Nazareth, is still too good. Prediction: Sycamore 28, Rochelle 20.

More: BNC, NUIC stat leaders and standings after Week 4 of high school football

SMALL SCHOOLS

Byron (4-0) at Oregon (2-2)

Oregon is clearly improved over the past five years, when they've averaged under two wins per season. But are they improved enough to give Byron a run for its money? Probably not. But they may keep it closer than any other team has so far. Prediction: Byron 48, Oregon 22

Dixon (4-0) at Lutheran (2-2)

Lutheran is another improved team this year, with quarterback Jaden Williams leading the Big Northern Conference in passing yards (869) and passing touchdowns (six). And while Dixon is undefeated, the Dukes are not as deep and talented as the other undefeated team in the BNC, Byron, which crushed Lutheran 64-0 in Week 2. This will be closer, but Dixon has too many weapons. Prediction: Dixon 33, Lutheran 26

Stillman Valley (3-1) at North Boone (2-2)

This is the matchup of the week in the BNC, and maybe in the area — that is if North Boone plays the way it did in Weeks 2 and 3, and not last week. The Vikings outscored G-K and Winnebago 90-12 in back-to-back blowout wins but then fell 69-0 to Byron last Friday. Stillman Valley's defense is good this year as well, but I don't think its Byron-good. Still, the Cardinals prevail. Prediction: Stillman Valley 34, North Boone 30

Rockford Christian (0-4) at Rock Falls (0-4)

Rarely is there a matchup of winless teams that is as intriguing as this one. Both teams could see this as one of their only real chances to get a win this season, so it's going to be like a Super Bowl for both — or a state final. Rockford Christian's passing attack will come out on top. Prediction: Rockford Christian 42, Rock Falls 20

Genoa-Kingston (2-2) at Winnebago (1-3)

Winnebago has not been able to find its footing yet this season, even in its win over Rockford Christian, where it gave up 34 points. Winnebago has weapons, however, and they could show up in a big way on any given weekend. This is one of them, but it won't be quite enough. Prediction: G-K 30, Winnebago 28

Lena-Winslow (4-0) at Decatur (St. Teresa) (0-4)

While most know very little about St. Teresa, they know enough about Le-Win to see another blowout coming. Me too. Prediction: Le-Win 65, St. Teresa 6

Durand/Pecatonica (4-0) at Galena (2-2)

Du/Pec is on a roll, and Galena won't have an answer for this passing attack. Cooper Hoffman has 13 TDs and zero interceptions this season, and this offense is clicking. Prediction: Du/Pec 44, Galena 12

West Carroll (0-4) at Forreston (4-0)

This is a chance for Forreston to see how deep it is. This will get out of hand quickly. Prediction: Forreston 52, West Carroll 8

Stockton (1-3) at E/PC (0-4)

Stockton will have a chance to right the ship after dropping three of its first four. They will. Prediction: Stockton 32, E/PC 12

Fulton (2-2) at Dakota (1-3)

Dakota gets a bit of a break after playing the NUIC's three top dogs in back-to-back-to-back weeks. This should be a battle. Prediction: Fulton 30, Dakota 29

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Picking Week 5 Rockford-area football winners