Friday temperatures a high of 58, while Saturday will top out at 53. Two Friday games and 5 Saturday contests.
The CS8 had 8 playoff qualifiers. On balance, most of the qualifiers got a tough draw with Chatham's being the worst by far considering their 9-0 record.
One CS8 vs CS8 contest, a rematch between SHG and QND.
4A South- #3 Rochester, #7 QND, #10 SHG, and #16 Jacksonville
5A South- #12 Springfield, #14 MacArthur, and #16 U High
6A South- #1 Glenwood
Friday
U High (5-4) at Washington (8-1)
U High beat Lanphier Week 9 to get their 5th win. They benefited from a favorable schedule, as their 5 victories came against teams with a combined record of 6-39. The Pioneers are not at that the level of last year's 4A semifinal team and that showed in running clock losses against Rochester and Chatham. After a 1-point loss in Week 1, Washington has won 8 straight. They typically have a strong running attack and made the 6A semifinals in 2023. Washington 41 U High 7. Massey: Washington 42-13.
Taylorville (5-4) at Rochester (8-1)
The last time these teams faced each other in the Battle of Route 29 was in the 2018 quarterfinals, won by Rochester 64-26. Taylorville beat Bethalto last week for their 5th win. Their 5 victories came against teams with a combined record of 9-36. They were competitive with Mt Zion, a common opponent, in Week 8, trailing at home only 14-12 at half before losing 25-12. Rochester had to come from behind to beat Mt Zion 28-24 in Week 2. Taylorville is led by Junior QB Isaac Repscher who has thrown for 1,400 yards and 15 TDs. Rochester has split time at QB between Senior Tanner Beal and Junior JP Leonard. They have combined for over 2,000 yards passing and 21 TDs. Rochester 45 Taylorville 14. Massey: Rochester 48-14.
Saturday
Springfield (5-4) at Providence Catholic (6-3) 1 PM
Springfield faced playoff qualifiers the last 5 weeks of the season, beating QND and Jacksonville but losing to SHG, Rochester, and Chatham. Last week, they led unbeaten Chatham 21-17 at half before losing 38-28. The Solons are led by Senior QB Brody Scheffler who has thrown for over 2,100 yards and 26 TDs. Springfield is averaging 38 points per game and can strike quickly but are also giving up 32 points a game. They have had special teams issues the last three weeks with punt mishaps in each game. Providence has played a very difficult schedule, losing by 3 points to Joliet Catholic last week after having won 3 straight that included wins over Loyola and Marist. Providence Catholic 48 Springfield 26. Massey; Providence Catholic 47-14.
SHG (6-3) at QND (7-2) 1 PM
A rematch with SHG winning the 1st game Week 4 at home 42-26. This contest will be at QND. The Raiders have given up only 103 points this season but 77 were in their two losses to SHG and Springfield. Junior QB John Venvertloh has had an impressive season throwing for over 1,400 yards and 24 TDs through Week 8. SHG is coming off of 34-31 and 31-28 down to the last second losses to Chatham and Rochester. QB Cam Brinkman had thrown for nearly 1,600 yards and 17 TDs through Week 8 and had three more passing TDs against Rochester last week. He is also very elusive and can throw on the run and under pressure. Winning twice over the same team in high school football, when talent levels are close, is difficult. QND has a chance at home but am still going with SHG in a close contest. SHG 35 QND 27. Massey: SHG 40-26.
Joliet Catholic (4-5) at Chatham (9-0) 2 PM
Chatham's reward for going 9-0, which included coming from multiple scores behind in the 4th Quarter to both Rochester in Week 4 and SHG in Week 8, was to draw perennial powerhouse Joliet Catholic. Should they manage to beat the Hilltoppers, the Titans will then face East St Louis in Round 2. While not at the level of last year's 5A runner-up, Joliet Catholic should provide Chatham with their most severe test of the season. Having seen them play SHG several times over the years, the Hilltoppers will be the biggest and most physical team Chatham will have faced. There simply isn't a comparative team in the CS8 to the Hilltoppers and the Titans 7A Week 1 opponent Edwardsville was down a bit this year. If Chatham is to have a chance, they will rely on 3-year starting QB Colten Knoedler who had thrown for over 1,800 yards and 27 TDs through Week 8 to have a career day. The Titans have shown they absolutely can't be counted out until the clock hits 0.0 but need to avoid falling as far behind as they did in Weeks 4 and 8 to have a shot. Joliet Catholic 38 Chatham 31. Massey: Joliet Catholic 35-20.
Jacksonville (5-4) at Olney Richland County (9-0) 5 PM
The Crimsons beat Lincoln Week 9 to get their 5th win. Their 5 wins came against opponents with a combined record of 11-34. Jacksonville plays an old school run first, second, and third style offense. They have passed for less than 200 yards on the season but have four players with between 515-775 yards rushing. The Crimsons got their best win of the season in Week 8 by coming from behind on the road at Decatur MacArthur and winning 36-33. Jacksonville at 840 students will be the largest enrollment school that Olney Richland (660) has faced this season. Olney beat Taylorville (726 enrollment) 60-36 in Week 1 but has also faced 6 teams with an enrollment of less than 500. The biggest red flag I see in their perfect record was a 28-27 Week 8 win over 1A Casey Westfield (235 enrollment). Olney Richland relies on a big play QB, Gavyn Cothern, to make their offense go. Cothern has thrown and rushed for a combined 2,700 yards and 39 total TDs on the season. As Chatham got a lousy draw, the Crimsons got a dream draw for a #16 seed. If their running game clicks, this is a very winnable game for Jacksonville. Jacksonville 41 Olney Richland 30. Massey: Olney Richland 38-36.
MacArthur (5-4) at Peoria (7-2) 7 PM
Peoria won 62-14 in the 1st round of the 2022 playoffs. MacArthur started out 5-1 before losing their last 3 games, including a Week 9 49-7 drubbing by QND. Their 5 wins came against opponents with a combined record of 13-32. Peoria has won 4 straight and is averaging 52 points per game. The General's defense is giving up 32 points per game. MacArthur has a strong running attack but unless they can grind out drives this could become lopsided quickly. Peoria 54 MacArthur 14. Massey: Peoria 50-20.
The CS8 had 8 playoff qualifiers. On balance, most of the qualifiers got a tough draw with Chatham's being the worst by far considering their 9-0 record.
One CS8 vs CS8 contest, a rematch between SHG and QND.
4A South- #3 Rochester, #7 QND, #10 SHG, and #16 Jacksonville
5A South- #12 Springfield, #14 MacArthur, and #16 U High
6A South- #1 Glenwood
Friday
U High (5-4) at Washington (8-1)
U High beat Lanphier Week 9 to get their 5th win. They benefited from a favorable schedule, as their 5 victories came against teams with a combined record of 6-39. The Pioneers are not at that the level of last year's 4A semifinal team and that showed in running clock losses against Rochester and Chatham. After a 1-point loss in Week 1, Washington has won 8 straight. They typically have a strong running attack and made the 6A semifinals in 2023. Washington 41 U High 7. Massey: Washington 42-13.
Taylorville (5-4) at Rochester (8-1)
The last time these teams faced each other in the Battle of Route 29 was in the 2018 quarterfinals, won by Rochester 64-26. Taylorville beat Bethalto last week for their 5th win. Their 5 victories came against teams with a combined record of 9-36. They were competitive with Mt Zion, a common opponent, in Week 8, trailing at home only 14-12 at half before losing 25-12. Rochester had to come from behind to beat Mt Zion 28-24 in Week 2. Taylorville is led by Junior QB Isaac Repscher who has thrown for 1,400 yards and 15 TDs. Rochester has split time at QB between Senior Tanner Beal and Junior JP Leonard. They have combined for over 2,000 yards passing and 21 TDs. Rochester 45 Taylorville 14. Massey: Rochester 48-14.
Saturday
Springfield (5-4) at Providence Catholic (6-3) 1 PM
Springfield faced playoff qualifiers the last 5 weeks of the season, beating QND and Jacksonville but losing to SHG, Rochester, and Chatham. Last week, they led unbeaten Chatham 21-17 at half before losing 38-28. The Solons are led by Senior QB Brody Scheffler who has thrown for over 2,100 yards and 26 TDs. Springfield is averaging 38 points per game and can strike quickly but are also giving up 32 points a game. They have had special teams issues the last three weeks with punt mishaps in each game. Providence has played a very difficult schedule, losing by 3 points to Joliet Catholic last week after having won 3 straight that included wins over Loyola and Marist. Providence Catholic 48 Springfield 26. Massey; Providence Catholic 47-14.
SHG (6-3) at QND (7-2) 1 PM
A rematch with SHG winning the 1st game Week 4 at home 42-26. This contest will be at QND. The Raiders have given up only 103 points this season but 77 were in their two losses to SHG and Springfield. Junior QB John Venvertloh has had an impressive season throwing for over 1,400 yards and 24 TDs through Week 8. SHG is coming off of 34-31 and 31-28 down to the last second losses to Chatham and Rochester. QB Cam Brinkman had thrown for nearly 1,600 yards and 17 TDs through Week 8 and had three more passing TDs against Rochester last week. He is also very elusive and can throw on the run and under pressure. Winning twice over the same team in high school football, when talent levels are close, is difficult. QND has a chance at home but am still going with SHG in a close contest. SHG 35 QND 27. Massey: SHG 40-26.
Joliet Catholic (4-5) at Chatham (9-0) 2 PM
Chatham's reward for going 9-0, which included coming from multiple scores behind in the 4th Quarter to both Rochester in Week 4 and SHG in Week 8, was to draw perennial powerhouse Joliet Catholic. Should they manage to beat the Hilltoppers, the Titans will then face East St Louis in Round 2. While not at the level of last year's 5A runner-up, Joliet Catholic should provide Chatham with their most severe test of the season. Having seen them play SHG several times over the years, the Hilltoppers will be the biggest and most physical team Chatham will have faced. There simply isn't a comparative team in the CS8 to the Hilltoppers and the Titans 7A Week 1 opponent Edwardsville was down a bit this year. If Chatham is to have a chance, they will rely on 3-year starting QB Colten Knoedler who had thrown for over 1,800 yards and 27 TDs through Week 8 to have a career day. The Titans have shown they absolutely can't be counted out until the clock hits 0.0 but need to avoid falling as far behind as they did in Weeks 4 and 8 to have a shot. Joliet Catholic 38 Chatham 31. Massey: Joliet Catholic 35-20.
Jacksonville (5-4) at Olney Richland County (9-0) 5 PM
The Crimsons beat Lincoln Week 9 to get their 5th win. Their 5 wins came against opponents with a combined record of 11-34. Jacksonville plays an old school run first, second, and third style offense. They have passed for less than 200 yards on the season but have four players with between 515-775 yards rushing. The Crimsons got their best win of the season in Week 8 by coming from behind on the road at Decatur MacArthur and winning 36-33. Jacksonville at 840 students will be the largest enrollment school that Olney Richland (660) has faced this season. Olney beat Taylorville (726 enrollment) 60-36 in Week 1 but has also faced 6 teams with an enrollment of less than 500. The biggest red flag I see in their perfect record was a 28-27 Week 8 win over 1A Casey Westfield (235 enrollment). Olney Richland relies on a big play QB, Gavyn Cothern, to make their offense go. Cothern has thrown and rushed for a combined 2,700 yards and 39 total TDs on the season. As Chatham got a lousy draw, the Crimsons got a dream draw for a #16 seed. If their running game clicks, this is a very winnable game for Jacksonville. Jacksonville 41 Olney Richland 30. Massey: Olney Richland 38-36.
MacArthur (5-4) at Peoria (7-2) 7 PM
Peoria won 62-14 in the 1st round of the 2022 playoffs. MacArthur started out 5-1 before losing their last 3 games, including a Week 9 49-7 drubbing by QND. Their 5 wins came against opponents with a combined record of 13-32. Peoria has won 4 straight and is averaging 52 points per game. The General's defense is giving up 32 points per game. MacArthur has a strong running attack but unless they can grind out drives this could become lopsided quickly. Peoria 54 MacArthur 14. Massey: Peoria 50-20.
We love you for the stories, bama, don't ever stop telling them!
We better just collect our playoff L and go on home...