Sherrard’s Justin Miller (33) dives into the end zone out of the reach of Rockridge defender Mike Norris (23) earlier this season. Miller and Tigers continue to barrell through foes, reaching this week’s Top 10 in the Quad Cities Prep Football Power Poll.
By Steve Tappa, stappa@qconline.com
Moline Dispatch/Rock Island Argus prep football writer
Posted online at 11:15 P.M.
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Sherrard finally has made enough believers out of the voters in the Quad Cities Prep Football Power Poll.
Off to a 5-0 start for the first time since a perfect regular-season in 2005, the Tigers have steadily clawed their way up the local rankings to make a 2009 Top 10 debut this week.
Coach Jason Kirby”s club moved up from 11th last week to 10th today in the presentation by WQAD-TV 8, Mediacom Connections 22, WFXN-AM 1230 and The Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus newspapers.
Sherrard replaced Davenport Assumption, which dropped to 3-2 and into the 12th spot with an overtime loss to Clinton, our top-ranked team for a second straight week.
Sherrard is the only new team in the Top 10, as determined in voting by a panel of local sportswriters and broadcasters.
Yet, despite victories by the entire Top 10 over the weekend, there was plenty of shuffling.
Moving up were Alleman (6th to a share of 4th) and Pleasant Valley (9th to 8th).
Dropping down were Orion (tie for 2nd to 3rd), Geneseo (5th to 6th) and Mercer County (8th to 9th).
Along with Clinton, also remaining the same in the Top 10 were Rock Island (2nd), former No. 1 Bettendorf (4th) and Morrison (7th).
In all a season-low 14 teams received voting consideration, with Alexis United, Bureau Valley and Stark County joining Assumption in the “others receiving votes”" category.
The only team falling off the radar of local pollsters was North Scott, which fell to 3-2 with a loss at Bettendorf.
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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 (5-0) 141 (13) 1
-– Comment: Survived an overtime scare at Brady Street Stadium, rallying from a 21-7 halftime deficit to beat Davenport Assumption, 28-21. Two more touchdowns — one rushing, one returning a punt for a key second-half score — gives major-college recruit David Johnson 18 total midway through the season. Next: Friday hosts Muscatine (1-4).
2. Rock Island (4-1) 122 (1) 2t
-– Comment: Despite missing their best running back (Nikko Watson), their best offensive lineman (Jake Davis) and their top defensive lineman (Charles Pugh) — among others — the defending Western Big 6 Conference champs proved how gritty and physical they can be by rallying from an early deficit to win 26-7 at Galesburg. Next: Friday hosts No. 4t Alleman (4-1).
3. Orion (5-0) 105 2t
-– Comment: Rated No. 2 in Illinois Class 2A, the Chargers sidestepped a scare from Farmington in their home-opener, trailing 32-27 in the third quarter before pulling away. James Matson was picked off three times, but the southpaw QB threw for over 200 yards and 5 touchdowns, including a pair to Tyler DeDecker. Next: Friday at Monmouth-Roseville (2-3).
4 (tie). Bettendorf (4-1) 97 4
-– Comment: The Bulldogs, knocked out of our top spot after 23 straight weeks the previous weekend, took out their frustration for having a 21-game league winning streak snapped by No. 1 Clinton. North Scott was the unfortunate whipping boy, with Bettendorf piling up nearly 450 yards in a 35-14 decision at the “Dog pound. The win allowed Bettendorf to hit the century-mark in victories for the decade. Next: Friday at Davenport West (1-4).
4 (tie). Alleman (4-1) 97 (1) 6
-– Comment: The Pioneers defense is for real after pitching three straight shutouts, posting 14 consecutive scoreless quarters and allowing just 26 points all season — including 7 in overtime. But now, the question is, who will generate enough offense to win next weekend”s showdown between state-ranked intra-city rivals? Next: Friday at No. 2 Rock Island (4-1).
6. Geneseo (4-1) 89 5
-– Comment: Back on the bicycle in a big way after a heartbreaking setback the previous weekend at state-ranked Morris. “The Green Machine”" made Streator pay for its first-ever victory over Geneseo last season, rolling up 410 rushing yards in a 43-7 wipeout. Next: Friday at Dixon (2-3).
7. Morrison (5-0) 56 7
– Comment: Bruce Springsteen has officially lost his nickname in Northwest Illinois. Josh “The Boss”" Vos rolled up another 150 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 64-0 blowout at Varna River Valley. Heading into a showdown of state-rated Illinois Class 2A clubs, Vos leads area rushers with 821 yards and 14 scores. Next: Friday at state-rated Amboy-LaMoille (5-0).
8. Pleasant Valley (4-1) 36 9
– Comment: Alex Garbin to the rescue again! For the second straight week, the Spartans kicker nailed a clutch fourth-quarter field goal to help Pleasant Valley survive a Mississippi Athletic Conference battle. The 1-2 rushing punch of Tim Martinez and D.J. Steffen also combined for 245 yards in ground gains in the 24-19 win at Burlington. Next: Friday hosts Davenport Central (3-2).
9. Mercer County (4-1) 32 8
-– Comment: Another week, another yawner for the Golden Eagles, who rebounded from a loss to top-ranked Carthage Illini West with a 47-0 exclamation point at Elmwood-Brimfield. Take away the previous weekend”s outcome, and Mercer County has outscored foes a staggering 177-27. Next: Friday at Cuba-North Fulton (2-3).
10. Sherrard (5-0) 31 11
– Comment: Speaking of defense, the Tigers have allowed just one touchdown in two Olympic Conference contests, and have sreamrolled foes overall 202-34. Sherrard earned a spot in the Top 10 with a 55-15 non-conference cruise job over Eureka. Next: Friday hosts Macomb (2-3).
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ALSO RECEIVING VOTES:
11. Alexis United (5-0) 11 13
– Next: Friday at AlWood & ROWVA (3-2).
12. Davenport Assumption (3-2) 5 10
-– Next: Thursday vs. Davenport North (0-5) at Brady Street Stadium.
13. Bureau Valley (4-1) 2 14t
– Next: Friday at Fulton (2-3).
14. Stark County (4-1) 1 14t
– Next: Friday hosts Biggsville West Central (0-5).
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INDIVIDUAL VOTES
Marc Nesseler, mnesseler@qconline.com
Dispatch/Argus sports editor/Geneseo beat writer
1. Clinton (5-0)
2. Rock Island (4-1)
3. Alleman (4-1)
4. Geneseo (4-1)
5. Orion (5-0)
6. Bettendorf (4-1)
7. Sherrard (5-0)
8. Morrison (5-0)
9. Mercer County (4-1)
10. Pleasant Valley (4-1)
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Matt Randazzo, Matt.Randazzo@WQAD.com
WQAD-TV 8 sports anchor
1. Clinton (5-0)
2. Rock Island (4-1)
3. Bettendorf (4-1)
4. Orion (5-0)
5. Alleman (4-1)
6. Geneseo (4-1)
7. Pleasant Valley (4-1)
8. Morrsion (5-0)
9. Davenport Assumption (3-2)
10 (tie). Mercer County (4-1)
10 (tie). Sherrard (5-0)
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Steve Tappa, stappa@qconline.com
Dispatch/Argus Big 6/Moline beat writer
1. Clinton (5-0)
2. Rock Island (4-1)
3. Bettendorf (4-1)
4. Geneseo (4-1)
5. Alleman (4-1)
6. Mercer County (4-1)
7. Orion (5-0)
8. Pleasant Valley (4-1)
9. Alexis United (5-0)
10. Stark County (4-1)
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Dan Burich, DRBurich@aol.com
MC22 broadcast analyst
1. Clinton (5-0)
2. Alleman (4-1)
3. Rock Island (4-1)
4. Bettendorf (4-1)
5. Geneseo (4-1)
6. Pleasant Valley (4-1)
7. Orion (5-0)
8. Morrison (5-0)
9. Sherrard (5-0)
10. Alexis United (5-0)
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Pete Ivanic, pwivanic@mchsi.com
MC22 broadcast play-by-play
1. Clinton (5-0)
2. Orion (5-0)
3. Rock Island (4-1)
4. Alleman (4-1)
5. Geneseo (4-1)
6. Sherrard (5-0)
7. Morrison (5-0)
8. Bettendorf (4-1)
9. Pleasant Valley (4-1)
10. Alexis United (5-0)
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Bill Horrell, BillHorrell@clearchannel.com
WFXN-AM 1230 play-by-play
1. Clinton (5-0)
2. Rock Island (4-1)
3. Orion (5-0)
4. Bettendorf (4-1)
5. Alleman (4-1)
6. Pleasant Valley (4-1)
7. Geneseo (4-1)
8. Sherrard (5-0)
9. Morrison (5-0)
10. Mercer County (4-1)
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Daniel Makarewicz, Danmak@qconline.com
Dispatch/Argus UT & Alleman beat writer
1. Rock Island (4-1)
2. Alleman (4-1)
3. Geneseo (4-1)
4. Orion (5-0)
5. Morrison (5-0)
6. Clinton (5-0)
7. Bettendorf (4-1)
8. Mercer County (4-1)
9. Sherrard (5-0)
10. Alexis United (5-0)
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Matt Veto, mveto@qconline.com
Dispatch/Argus Rock Island beat writer
1. Clinton (5-0)
2. Rock Island (4-1)
3. Bettendorf (4-1)
4. Orion (5-0)
5. Geneseo (4-1)
6. Alleman (4-1)
7. Mercer County (4-1)
8. Morrison (5-0)
9. Bureau Valley (4-1)
10. Pleasant Valley (4-1)
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Dan Tomlin, TomlinDanielD@sau.edu
Dispatch/Argus special contributor
1. Alleman (4-1)
2. Orion (5-0)
3. Geneseo (4-1)
4. Morrison (5-0)
5. Clinton (5-0)
6. Rock Island (4-1)
7. Bettendorf (4-1)
8. Sherrard (5-0)
9. Mercer County (4-1)
10. Pleasant Valley (4-1)
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Tom Johnston, tjohnston@qconline.com
Dispatch/Argus college beat writer
1. Clinton (5-0)
2. Orion (5-0)
3. Geneseo (4-1)
4. Bettendorf (4-1)
5. Mercer County (4-1)
6. Rock Island (4-1)
7. Morrison (5-0)
8. Pleasant Valley (4-1)
9. Alleman (5-0)
10. Sherrard (5-0)
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Terry Duckett, tduckett@qconline.com
Dispatch/Argus area beat writer
1. Clinton (5-0)
2. Orion (5-0)
3. Morrison (5-0)
4. Rock Island (4-1)
5. Bettendorf (4-1)
6. Sherrard (5-0)
7. Alleman (4-1)
8. Alexis United (5-0)
9. Geneseo (4-1)
10. Mercer County (4-1)
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Jeff Wendland, jwendland@qconline.com
Dispatch/Argus lead sports layout
1. Clinton (5-0)
2. Rock Island (4-1)
3. Alleman (4-1)
4. Orion (5-0)
5. Bettendorf (4-1)
6. Geneseo (4-1)
7. Sherrard (5-0)
8. Pleasant Valley (4-1)
9. Morrison (5-0)
10. Mercer County (4-1)
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Ryan Sergeant, rsergeant@qconline.com
Dispatch/Argus prep reporter
1. Clinton (5-0)
2. Orion (5-0)
3. Rock Island (4-1)
4. Bettendorf (4-1)
5. Geneseo (4-1)
6. Alleman (4-1)
7. Morrison (5-0)
8. Alexis United (5-0)
9. Mercer County (4-1)
10. Pleasant Valley (4-1)
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Chris Steele, SteeleChristopherK@sau.edu
Dispatch/Argus prep reporter
1. Clinton (5-0)
2. Rock Island (4-1)
3. Bettendorf (4-1)
4. Geneseo (4-1)
5. Alleman (4-1)
6. Morrison (5-0)
7. Mercer County (4-1)
8. Orion (5-0)
9. Pleasant Valley (4-1)
10. Sherrard (5-0)
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Steve Campbell, CampbellStevenE@sau.edu
WQAD-TV 8 sports associate
1. Clinton (5-0)
2. Bettendorf (4-1)
3. Rock Island (4-1)
4. Orion (5-0)
5. Alleman (4-1)
6. Pleasant Valley (4-1)
7. Geneseo (4-1)
8. Davenport Assumption (3-2)
9. Morrison (5-0)
10 (tie). Mercer County (4-1)
10 (tie). Sherrard (5-0)
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CONVINCE US
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