Rock Island’s Chris Glover (26) has a convoy of blockers in Nikko Watson (38) and Emmanuel Hamilton (24) leading him to the end zone in a 41-14 victory over United Township. The Rocks remained on a roll this week, moving up four more places in the QC Prep Football Power Poll to a share of second with Orion.
By Steve Tappa, stappa@qconline.com
Moline Dispatch/Rock Island Argus prep football writer
Posted Online: Sept. 20, 2009, 9:53 pm
—————————————————————-
The Quad Cities Prep Football Power Poll transformed into a dog-eat-dog proposition over the weekend.
Just ask the Bettendorf Bulldogs, the top-ranked team in the local rankings for the last 23 straight votes.
Clinton took a bite out of the seven-time state champs, pulling a stunningly thorough 28-10 upset at the “Dog Pound” to replace Bettendorf atop the weekly presentation by WQAD-TV 8, Mediacom Connections 22, WFXN-AM 1230 and The Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus newspapers.
Clinton joins Bettendorf and Geneseo (inaugural No. 1 in 2007’s preseason) as the only No. 1s in the three-season history of the local poll.
The victory marked the River Kings’ first over Bettendorf since 1991, and first 4-0 start since going 9-0 in 1985.
The upset also highlighted a weekend of setbacks for last week’s top four in the local rankings.
Also losing: No. 2 Geneseo (14-7 at state-rated Morris), No. 3 Mercer County (49-14 to Class 3A top-rated Carthage Illini West) and No. 4 North Scott (17-14 to rival Pleasant Valley).
That precipitated a big shakeup in the voting by local sports writers and broadcasters.
Besides Clinton (7th to 1st), also moving up are Orion (5th to share of 2nd), Rock Island (6th to a share of 2nd), Alleman (8th to 6th) and Morrison (10th to 7th).
Along with Bettendorf (1st to 4th), also dropping down are Geneseo (2nd to 5th), Mercer County (3rd to 8th) and, despite a solid win, Davenport Assumption (9th to 10th).
North Scott fell completely out of the Top 10, into the others’ receiving votes categroy, swapping places with the team that beat the Lancers, now No. 9 Pleasant Valley.
Sherrard (4-0) also continued to knock hard on the Top 10 door, ending up just a voting point away from tying Assumption for the 10th spot.
In all, 15 teams received voting consideration for a second straight week, down from a season-high of 18.
——————————
QC Prep Football Power Poll
These rankings are determined on a descending points system, with a first-place vote receiving 10 points, a second-place vote receiving 9 points, and so on. For how the individual media members voted, see www.qconline.com or The Dispatch/Argus sports blog (www.qconline.com/bloggers/sports). Presented by WQAD-TV 8, MC22, WFXN-AM 1230 and The Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus.
Rank. Team (Record) Pts. (1st) Prev.
1. Clinton (4-0) 142 (11) 7
-– Comment: Underated no more. Of course, winning at Bettendorf will do that for a team. The River Kings scored on a pair of 99-yard plays in the second half — a touchdown run by David Johnson, and a kickoff return by Mo Walker — plus limited the Bulldogs to 76 rushing yards. Johnson played like the major-college recruit he is, too, with 194 rushing yards and three scores. Next: Friday vs. No. 10 Davenport Assumption (3-1) at Brady Street Stadium.
2 (tie). Orion (4-0) 116 (2) 5
-– Comment: The Illinois Class 2A-rated Chargers are on an unbeaten collision course with neighboring rival Sherrard for the last Olympic Conference football crown. But before that Oct. 9 showdown can happen, both will need to survive tough tests, including Sherrard’s Oct. 2 date with a Macomb team that pushed Orion to the brink again over the weekend. James Matson hit 10-of-18 passes for 169 yards and TDs to three different receivers to exact revenge for last year’s loss at Macomb. Next: Friday hosts Farmington (2-2).
2 (tie). Rock Island (3-1) 116 6
-– Comment: After coasting past a pair of winless foes, the defending Western Big 6 Conference champs hit the meat of their league schedule. First up is Galesburg, the team Rocks coach Vic Boblett picked as the darkhorse candidate for the Big 6 title. After that? The intra-city showdown with Alleman, a possible unbeaten foe in upstart Quincy and the always-tough Moline game. Next: Friday at Galesburg (2-2).
4. Bettendorf (3-1) 99 1
-– Comment: Not out of the ‘Dog House yet. After having a 21-game league winning streak snapped, the defending Mississippi Athletic Conference champs are staring at (gasp) the possibility of a two-game losing skein, and what’s more at home, with North Scott visiting with a chip on its shoulder, too. The Lancers, coming off their own upset loss, were the last team to defeat Bettendorf, in the regular-season finale in 2006, prior to Clinton’s shocker. Next: Friday hosts No. 12 North Scott (3-1).
5. Geneseo (3-1) 90 (1) 2
-– Comment: No shame in losing by a touchdown at state-ranked Morris, but now the Redskins are in the NCIC Reagan driver’s seat, and not the Maple Leafs. “The Green Machine” is sure to be green with envy Friday. Geneseo also has another reason to be motivated for a one-win Streator squad — a 28-17 home loss to those Bulldogs last year. Next: Friday hosts Streator (1-3).
6. Alleman (3-1) 84 (1) 8
-– Comment: Despite all of the success during the Dave DeJaegher coaching era this decade, the Pioneers are experiencing something new on defense so far this season. Back-to-back shutouts and 10 scoreless quarters was last achieved in 1997, when Alleman shut out its final three foes to finish 4-5. Next: Friday hosts Moline (0-4) at Augustana College’s Ericson Field.
7. Morrison (4-0) 37.5 10
– Comment: Josh Vos continues to be the boss as far as local rushers go. Vos rolled up 198 more rushing yards and 2 TDs in a 41-13 win over Riverdale. Vos now has 671 yards and 11 scores on 81 carries for a gaudy 8.3 yards per carry. Backfield mate Kyle Janssen has been the perfect compliment, too, adding 3 more scores to his 6 on the season. Next: Friday at Varna River Valley (0-4).
8. Mercer County (3-1) 37 3
-– Comment: Another big night for quarterback Brett Anderson, who hit on 28 of 47 passes for 219 yards and a score. But Illinois Class 3A’s top-rated team, Carthage Illini West, proved overwhelmingly good. The Chargers churned out a whopping 463 yards on the ground against the Golden Eagles. Moline product Jim Unruh now has coached his small-school power past the Aledo dynasty three straight times over the past two seasons. Next: Friday at Elmwood-Brimfield (1-3).
9. Pleasant Valley (3-1) 35 13
– Comment: “Uncle Roger” Craig, the former Super Bowl MVP from Davenport Central, can be proud of nephew Tim Martinez and his teammates. The Spartans, whose only loss thus far came in the opener to Bettendorf, earned their poll spot by knocking off a second Top 5 team in three weeks. Martinez had a big hand, too, in the 17-14 win over North Scott, with a game-best 96 yards rushing to co-lead the MAC with 425 on the season. Next: Friday at Burlington (1-3).
10. Davenport Assumption (3-1) 22 9
-– Comment: If Clinton wants to win its first league crown since 1991, the River Kings need to reign again this weekend against another traditional MAC power. However, the Knights have rebounded from their own stunning loss to PV, and have a chance at a full recovery this weekend. Assumption’s Ryan Byrne is tied with Martinez for the MAC rushing lead at 425 yards. Next: Friday hosts No. 1 Clinton (4-0) at Brady Street Stadium.
——————————
ALSO RECEIVING VOTES:
11. Sherrard (4-0) 21 12
– Next: Friday hosts Eureka-Roanoke-Benson (0-4).
12. North Scott (3-1) 16.5 4
– Next: Friday at No. 4 Bettendorf (3-1).
13. Alexis United (4-0) 7 11
– Next: Friday at Cuba North Fulton (2-2).
14 (tie). Bureau Valley (3-1) 1 14
– Next: Friday hosts Erie-Prophetstown (2-2).
14 (tie). Stark County (3-1) 1 15
– Next: Friday at AlWood & ROWVA (3-1).
——————————
INDIVIDUAL VOTES
Marc Nesseler, mnesseler@qconline.com
Dispatch/Argus sports editor/Geneseo beat writer
1. Orion (4-0)
2. Clinton (4-0)
3. Rock Island (3-1)
4. Geneseo (3-1)
5. Bettendorf (3-1)
6. Alleman (3-1)
7. Mercer County (3-1)
8. Sherrard (4-0)
9. Morrison (4-0)
10. Pleasant Valley (3-1)
———————————–
Matt Randazzo, Matt.Randazzo@WQAD.com
WQAD-TV 8 sports anchor
1. Clinton (4-0)
2. Bettendorf (3-1)
3. Orion (4-0)
4. Rock Island (3-1)
5. Geneseo (3-1)
6, Pleasant Valley (3-1)
7. Alleman (3-1)
8 (tie). North Scott (3-1)
8 (tie). Davenport Assumption (3-1)
10 (tie). Morrison (4-0)
10 (tie). Mercer County (3-1)
———————————–
Steve Tappa, stappa@qconline.com
Dispatch/Argus Big 6/Moline beat writer
1. Clinton (4-0)
2. Rock Island (3-1)
3. Bettendorf (3-1)
4. Geneseo (3-1)
5. Alleman (3-1)
6. Mercer County (3-1)
7. Orion (4-0)
8. Pleasant Valley (3-1)
9. Alexis United (4-0)
10. Stark County (3-1)
____________
Dan Burich, DRBurich@aol.com
MC22 broadcast analyst
1. Clinton (4-0)
2. Rock Island (3-1)
3. Alleman (3-1)
4. Bettendorf (3-1)
5. Geneseo (3-1)
6. Pleasant Valley (3-1)
7. Orion (4-0)
8. Morrison (4-0)
9. Sherrard (4-0)
10. Alexis United (4-0)
____________
Pete Ivanic, pwivanic@mchsi.com
MC22 broadcast play-by-play
1. Clinton (4-0)
2. Orion (4-0)
3. Rock Island (3-1)
4. Alleman (3-1)
5. Geneseo (3-1)
6. Sherrard (4-0)
7. Morrison (4-0)
8. Bettendorf (3-1)
9. Pleasant Valley (3-1)
10. Davenport Assumption (3-1)
____________
Bill Horrell, BillHorrell@clearchannel.com
WFXN-AM 1230 play-by-play
1. Clinton (4-0)
2. Orion (4-0)
3. Rock Island (3-1)
4. Bettendorf (3-1)
5. Pleasant Valley (3-1)
6. Alleman (3-1)
7. Geneseo (3-1)
8. Davenport Assumption (3-1)
9. North Scott (3-1)
10. Sherrard (4-0)
____________
Daniel Makarewicz, Danmak@qconline.com
Dispatch/Argus UT & Alleman beat writer
1. Geneseo (3-1)
2. Rock Island (3-1)
3. Alleman (3-1)
4. Orion (4-0)
5. Clinton (4-0)
6. Bettendorf (3-1)
7. Morrison (4-0)
8. Mercer County (3-1)
9. Davenport Assumption (3-1)
10. North Scott (3-1)
____________
Matt Veto, mveto@qconline.com
Dispatch/Argus Rock Island beat writer
1. Clinton (4-0)
2. Rock Island (4-1)
3. Bettendorf (3-1)
4. Orion (4-0)
5. Geneseo (3-1)
6. Alleman (3-1)
7. Davenport Assumption (3-1)
8. Mercer County (3-1)
9. North Scott (3-1)
10. Bureau Valley (3-1)
———————————–
Dan Tomlin, TomlinDanielD@sau.edu
Dispatch/Argus special contributor
1. Alleman (3-1)
2. Orion (4-0)
3. Clinton (4-0)
4. Rock Island (3-1)
5. Morrison (4-0)
6. Geneseo (3-1)
7. Mercer County (3-1)
8. North Scott (3-1)
9. Bettendorf (3-1)
10. Davenport Assumption (3-1)
———————————–
Tom Johnston, tjohnston@qconline.com
Dispatch/Argus college beat writer
1. Clinton (4-0)
2. Orion (4-0)
3. Geneseo (3-1)
4. Bettendorf (3-1)
5. Mercer County (3-1)
6. Rock Island (3-1)
7. Morrison (4-0)
8. Pleasant Valley (3-1)
9. Davenport Assumption (3-1)
10. Sherrard (4-0)
———————————–
Terry Duckett, tduckett@qconline.com
Dispatch/Argus area beat writer
1. Clinton (4-0)
2. Orion (4-0)
3. Morrison (4-0)
4. Rock Island (3-1)
5. Bettendorf (3-1)
6. Sherrard (4-0)
7. Alleman (3-1)
8. Alexis United (4-0)
9. Geneseo (3-1)
10. Mercer County (3-1)
———————————–
Jeff Wendland, jwendland@qconline.com
Dispatch/Argus lead sports layout
1. Orion (4-0)
2. Clinton (4-0)
3. Geneseo (3-1)
4. Rock Island (3-1)
5. Bettendorf (3-1)
6. Alleman (3-1)
7. Sherrard (4-0)
8. Mercer County (3-1)
9. Morrison (4-0)
10. Alexis United (4-0)
———————————–
Ryan Sergeant, rsergeant@qconline.com
Dispatch/Argus prep reporter
1. Clinton (4-0)
2. Orion (4-0)
3. Rock Island (3-1)
4. Bettendorf (3-1)
5. Mercer County (3-1)
6. Alleman (3-1)
7. Geneseo (3-1)
8. Davenport Assumption (3-1)
9. Morrison (4-0)
10. North Scott (3-1)
———————————–
Chris Steele, SteeleChristopherK@sau.edu
Dispatch/Argus prep reporter
1. Clinton (4-0)
2. Bettendorf (3-1)
3. Alleman (3-1)
4. Rock Island (3-1)
5. Geneseo (3-1)
6. Orion (4-0)
7. Pleasant Valley (3-1)
8. Davenport Assumption (3-1)
9. North Scott (3-1)
10. Mercer County (3-1)
____________
Steve Campbell, CampbellStevenE@sau.edu
WQAD-TV 8 sports associate
1. Clinton (4-0)
2. Bettendorf (3-1)
3. Rock Island (3-1)
4. Orion (4-0)
5. Pleasant Valley (3-1)
6. Geneseo (3-1)
7. Alleman (3-1)
8. North Scott (3-1)
9. Morrison (4-0)
10 (tie). Davenport Assumption (3-1)
10 (tie). Mercer County (3-1)
——————————
CONVINCE US
Instead of decrying who”s in the poll, tell us who should be in our rankings. Negative comments about teams and players won”t be tolerated, and will be deleted.
