It's looking like thunderstorms are likely throughout Thursday and, after the week began at 90 degrees, the temps could fall into the 40s by the end of the Friday contests.
Thursday
U High (1-7) at Springfield (2-6)
In most years, a Week 9 game between teams with a combined record of 3-13 would not draw much interest. However, due to the playoff expansion, the winner of this game is almost assured of being in the 5a field. A win for the Senators gets them in, while a Pioneers win would make them a heavy favorite to be one of the 2-win teams to qualify as they currently have 46 playoff points (6 more than any other CS8 school). Lanphier will be facing Vandalia at Memorial Stadium Friday night, so if the weather is as bad as projected for Thursday, this game could be pushed to Saturday. Both teams have similar losses to Jacksonville and MacArthur. A slight advantage to the Senators playing at home. Springfield 29 U High 21. Massey: Springfield 35-21.
Friday
Vandalia (6-2) at Lanphier (0-8)
The 3a Vandals, who play in the South Central Conference, have the edge over the winless Lions who are dealing with injuries and low program numbers. Vandalia 43 Lanphier 12. Massey: Vandalia 48-14.
Lincoln (2-6) at Southeast (2-6)
The winner makes the playoffs, while the loser most likely lacks the playoff points to be a 2-win qualifier. After scoring only 13 points from Weeks 2-7, the Railers put up 41 on Lanphier in Week 8, with the game being ended by the referees with 9 minutes remaining in the 4th Quarter due to on field issues. After trying 3 others at QB during the season, Lincoln started a Freshman last week and moved a previous QB to RB-WR. It worked. Southeast edged Lanphier for their only win on the field in Week 4 and then got a forfeit over Eisenhower last week. Spartan QB Tony Boyd has big play capability that should result in multiple scores, but the defense is also giving up more than 50 points per game. Should the Railers win, it would be one of the most improbable late season playoff runs in my memory. Lincoln 28 Southeast 26. Massey: Southeast 35-30.
Chatham (5-3) at SHG (7-1)
The Titans 2-game winning streak against the Cyclones will not extend to 3. While Chatham has a balanced offense with weapons capable of scoring a few times against SHG, their defense is going to be hard pressed to get stops against the Cyclone offense. SHG 48 Chatham 14. Massey: SHG 41-20.
Rochester (7-1) at QND (4-4)
The first meeting for these teams since the 2014 playoffs. Rochester will be looking to rebound after last week's tough last second loss to SHG. QND is also coming of a loss at Chatham. Rochester 40 QND 14. Massey: Rochester 47-14.
MacArthur (7-1) at Jacksonville (7-1)
The Game of the Week. Mac has only lost to Rochester, while Jacksonville has only lost to SHG. Both teams have plenty of speed, while the Generals have more size upfront. Mac has won 4-straight since losing to Rochester Week 4. In Week 7, they dominated Chatham for three quarters leading 35-7 before the Titans rallied to make it close. On either end of that game, they beat both U High and Springfield though not by huge margins. Jacksonville has won 3-straight since losing to SHG Week 5, beating Lanphier, Southeast, and U High. There's potential for this to be a high scoring game with plenty of big plays. I'm going in the other direction with a lower final score and the Crimsons winning at home. Jacksonville 22 MacArthur 18. Massey: Jacksonville 35-28.
Thursday
U High (1-7) at Springfield (2-6)
In most years, a Week 9 game between teams with a combined record of 3-13 would not draw much interest. However, due to the playoff expansion, the winner of this game is almost assured of being in the 5a field. A win for the Senators gets them in, while a Pioneers win would make them a heavy favorite to be one of the 2-win teams to qualify as they currently have 46 playoff points (6 more than any other CS8 school). Lanphier will be facing Vandalia at Memorial Stadium Friday night, so if the weather is as bad as projected for Thursday, this game could be pushed to Saturday. Both teams have similar losses to Jacksonville and MacArthur. A slight advantage to the Senators playing at home. Springfield 29 U High 21. Massey: Springfield 35-21.
Friday
Vandalia (6-2) at Lanphier (0-8)
The 3a Vandals, who play in the South Central Conference, have the edge over the winless Lions who are dealing with injuries and low program numbers. Vandalia 43 Lanphier 12. Massey: Vandalia 48-14.
Lincoln (2-6) at Southeast (2-6)
The winner makes the playoffs, while the loser most likely lacks the playoff points to be a 2-win qualifier. After scoring only 13 points from Weeks 2-7, the Railers put up 41 on Lanphier in Week 8, with the game being ended by the referees with 9 minutes remaining in the 4th Quarter due to on field issues. After trying 3 others at QB during the season, Lincoln started a Freshman last week and moved a previous QB to RB-WR. It worked. Southeast edged Lanphier for their only win on the field in Week 4 and then got a forfeit over Eisenhower last week. Spartan QB Tony Boyd has big play capability that should result in multiple scores, but the defense is also giving up more than 50 points per game. Should the Railers win, it would be one of the most improbable late season playoff runs in my memory. Lincoln 28 Southeast 26. Massey: Southeast 35-30.
Chatham (5-3) at SHG (7-1)
The Titans 2-game winning streak against the Cyclones will not extend to 3. While Chatham has a balanced offense with weapons capable of scoring a few times against SHG, their defense is going to be hard pressed to get stops against the Cyclone offense. SHG 48 Chatham 14. Massey: SHG 41-20.
Rochester (7-1) at QND (4-4)
The first meeting for these teams since the 2014 playoffs. Rochester will be looking to rebound after last week's tough last second loss to SHG. QND is also coming of a loss at Chatham. Rochester 40 QND 14. Massey: Rochester 47-14.
MacArthur (7-1) at Jacksonville (7-1)
The Game of the Week. Mac has only lost to Rochester, while Jacksonville has only lost to SHG. Both teams have plenty of speed, while the Generals have more size upfront. Mac has won 4-straight since losing to Rochester Week 4. In Week 7, they dominated Chatham for three quarters leading 35-7 before the Titans rallied to make it close. On either end of that game, they beat both U High and Springfield though not by huge margins. Jacksonville has won 3-straight since losing to SHG Week 5, beating Lanphier, Southeast, and U High. There's potential for this to be a high scoring game with plenty of big plays. I'm going in the other direction with a lower final score and the Crimsons winning at home. Jacksonville 22 MacArthur 18. Massey: Jacksonville 35-28.
