State-rated Red Storm finally join local Top 10

Posted 10/5/2009, 4:41AM, by Tappa

By Steve Tappa, stappa@qconline.com
Moline Dispatch/Rock Island Argus sportswriter
Posted Online: Oct. 04, 2009, 7:30 p.m.
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For the second straight weekend, a state-ranked squad is debuting in the Top 10 of the Quad Cities Prep Football Power Poll.

And just like Sherrard last week, Alexis United joins the local picking party at No. 10 today after checking in at No. 11 the previous week.

A 6-0 start, the first-ever since Alexis and Monmouth Warren joined forces in 2004, certainly helped coach Tim Engebretson’s crew steadily climb in the weekly presentation by WQAD-TV 8, Mediacom Connections 22, WFXN-AM 1230 and The Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus newspapers.

A 3-0 loss to unheralded Davenport Central, by former No. 8 Pleasant Valley, also opened the Top 10 window of opportunity for United, ranked fifth last week in the Class 1A Associated Press statewide poll.

Otherwise, little change was seen in a 12-2 week for the teams receiving voting consideration last week by our panel of local sportswriters and broadcasters.

The only other loss came in a Top 10-clash between state-rated intra-city rivals Rock Island and Alleman. A 20-13 last-minute win strengthened the Rocks’ No. 2 standing, while the Pioneers dropped from a share of fourth last week to eighth this week.

Mississippi Athletic Conference-leader Clinton (6-0) remained the top-ranked team for a third straight week, earning 11 of the 15 first-place votes cast to stay ahead of Rocky, which received three first-place nods.

Olympic co-leader Orion also retained its No. 3 spot in the local poll, garnering the only other first-place nod not claimed by Clinton or Rocky.

Also holding their ground this week was Bettendorf (4th) and Mercer County (9th).

Moving up thanks to Alleman’s loss was Geneseo (6th to 5th), Morrison (7th to 6th) and Sherrard (10th to 7th).

In all, 15 teams received voting consideration, including Bureau Valley, Davenport Assumption, Stark County, Pleasant Valley and re-emerging Davenport Central.

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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 (6-0) 140 (11) 1

– Comment: The Mississippi Athletic Conference’s top team is averaging a league-leading 38.7 points per game. But the River Kings are much more than just major-college recruited running back David Johnson or third-year quarterback Jake Mangler. The MAC’s top defense surrendered just 18 yards in blowing out Muscatine 45-0 over the weekend, and now has gone four games without allowing a touchdown. Next: Friday hosts No. 15 Pleasant Valley (4-2).

2. Rock Island (5-1) 129 (3) 2

– Comment: The defending Western Big 6 Conference champs continue to win back voters after a terrible start to the season, a 32-0 home setback to Chicago Catholic League foe Oak Park Fenwick. Rallying twice in the final seven minutes, to outlast fellow state-rated intra-city rival Alleman, 20-13 over the weekend, has the Rocks’ challenging again for our top spot. But a league title-clincher against a surprising challenger looms this week. Next: Friday hosts state-rated Quincy (6-0).

3. Orion (6-0) 105 (1) 3

– Comment: Also facing a league title-decider this week with a showdown of Olympic Conference unbeatens on tap at Charger Field. Kennen Hutchison scored thrice over the weekend, and quarterback James Matson cracked the 20 passing touchdowns mark with two more aerial strikes, to help Orion outlast Monmouth-Roseville, 37-32. The Chargers are still outscoring everyone in the area at a whopping 44 points-per-game. Next: Friday hosts No. 7 Sherrard (6-0).

4. Bettendorf (5-1) 102 4t

– Comment: The Bulldogs pitched their 15th shutout in the last six seasons over the weekend, winning 27-0 at Davenport West. Bettendorf last lost to a Davenport Public School in 1997, and has won 18 straight by an average of 29 points over former foil Davenport Central. But remember, the Blue Devils are coming off a 3-0 upset of former No. 8 Pleasant Valley, and Bettendorf lost tailback Chris Sanders to a knee injury against West. Next: Friday at No. 13 (tie) Davenport Central (4-2).

5. Geneseo (5-1) 101 6

– Comment: The Leafs are tied with this week’s foe for the NCIC Reagan lead, thanks to rival Sterling bringing state-rated Morris back to the pack over the weekend, 21-0. Take away a 14-7 loss at Morris and the “Green Machine” has outscored foes a dominating 159-26 after a second shutout this season, 26-0 over the weekend at Dixon. Luke Lembke added two more scores for a team-leading 10 touchdowns, but still trails backfield mates Jason Johnson (383) and Collin Akers (375) in rushing with 343 yards. Next: Friday hosts LaSalle-Peru (5-1).

6. Morrison (6-0) 75 7

– Comment: The Mustangs dominated a showdown of state-ranked squads over the weekend, blocking a pair of punts and galloping out to a 28-0 lead before Amboy-LaMoille knew what hit it. Josh Vos added 108 rushing yards and a touchdown, and leads are rushers with 929 yards and 15 scores. But if Coach Cory Bielema’s crew wants to win the Big Rivers Conference title, one more major hurdle awaits this week at the defending league champs. Next: Friday at No. 11 (tie) Bureau Valley (5-1).

7. Sherrard (6-0) 48.5 10

– Comment: The Tigers survived a slugfest, clawing their way past defending Olympic Conference champ Macomb, 13-7 in a mud bowl over the weekend. But the win was costly, with Sherrard losing leading rusher Justin Miller to a broken leg. Now, heading into a winner-take-all showdown of league unbeatens, Coach Jason Kirby’s club will rely even more on a James Stratton-led defense that’s allowed just 41 points all season. Next: Friday at No. 3 Orion (6-0).

8. Alleman (4-2) 43 4t

– Comment: After three straight shutouts, the Pioneers were humbled some, surrendering as many touchdowns over the weekend as they had in regulation the previous five games. Worse yet, intra-city rival Rock Island rallied twice with touchdowns in the final seven minutes, first for the lead, and then finally for a tiebreaking win. But two last-second losses to 5-1 league leaders (LaSalle-Peru being the other) means the Pioneers are a playoff force to be reckoned with starting later this month. Next: Friday at United Township (0-6).

9. Mercer County (5-1) 40 9

– Comment: The Golden Eagles continued sharpening their claws for an end-of-season league title stretch that includes home dates with the state-ranked pair of Alexis United (6-0) and Stark County (5-1). Brett Anderson tossed two more touchdown passes, and Ethan Ball added two rushing scores, as the old Aledo powerhouse made Cuba North Fulton pay for scoring first over the weekend in a 40-15 West Prairie Trail Conference clobbering. Next: Friday hosts No. 10 Alexis United (6-0).

10. Alexis United (6-0) 22.5 11

– Comment: Still dogged by those pointing to a late fluke play that upset state-ranked Stark County, the Rebels get a chance to prove the naysayers wrong this week in a West Prairie Trail Conference Northwest Division title showdown in Aledo. Adam Olin drew nearer to the 900-yard mark over the weekend, rushing 32 times for 144 yards and a touchdown in a 14-12 win over AlWood & ROWVA. But for a third time this season, Aaron McDonald made the key defensive play. Next: Friday at No. 9 Mercer County (5-1).

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ALSO RECEIVING VOTES:

11 (tie). Bureau Valley (5-1) 7 13

– Next: Friday hosts No. 6 Morrison (6-0).

11(tie). Davenport Assumption (4-2) 7 12

– Next: Thursday hosts North Scott (3-3) at Brady Street Stadium.

13 (tie). Stark County (5-1) 2 14

– Next: Friday at state-rated Princeville (5-1).

13 (tie). Davenport Central (4-2) 2 –

– Next: Friday hosts No. 4 Bettendorf (5-1) at Brady Street Stadium.

15. Pleasant Valley (4-2) 1 8

– Next: Friday at No. 1 Clinton (6-0).

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INDIVIDUAL VOTES

Marc Nesseler, mnesseler@qconline.com

Dispatch/Argus sports editor/Geneseo beat writer

1. Rock Island (5-1)

2. Geneseo (5-1)

3. Clinton (6-0)

4. Bettendorf (5-1)

5. Morrison (6-0)

6. Orion (6-0)

7. Alleman (4-2)

8. Sherrard (6-0)

9. Alexis United (6-0)

10. Mercer County (5-1)

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Matt Randazzo, Matt.Randazzo@WQAD.com

WQAD-TV 8 sports anchor

1. Clinton (6-0)

2. Rock Island (5-1)

3. Bettendorf (5-1)

4. Orion (6-0)

5. Geneseo (5-1)

6. Morrison (6-0)

7. Alleman (4-2)

8. Davenport Assumption (4-2)

9. Sherrard (6-0)

10 (tie). Mercer County (6-0)

10 (tie). Alexis United (6-0)

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Steve Tappa, stappa@qconline.com

Dispatch/Argus Big 6/Moline beat writer

1. Clinton (6-0)

2. Rock Island (5-1)

3. Bettendorf (5-1)

4. Geneseo (5-1)

5. Alleman (4-2)

6. Mercer County (5-1)

7. Orion (6-0)

8. Morrison (6-0)

9. Alexis United (6-0)

10 (tie). Stark County (5-1)

10 (tie). Bureau Valley (5-1)

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Dan Burich, DRBurich@aol.com

MC22 broadcast analyst

1. Clinton (6-0)

2. Rock Island (5-1)

3. Bettendorf (5-1)

4. Geneseo (5-1)

5. Orion (6-0)

6. Morrison (6-0)

7. Sherrard (6-0)

8. Mercer County (5-1)

9. Alexis United (6-0)

10. Alleman (4-2)

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Pete Ivanic, pwivanic@mchsi.com

MC22 broadcast play-by-play

1. Clinton (6-0)

2. Rock Island (5-1)

3. Orion (6-0)

4. Bettendorf (5-1)

5. Geneseo (5-1)

6. Sherrard (6-0)

7. Morrison (6-0)

8. Alexis United (6-0)

9. Mercer County (5-1)

10. Bureau Valley (5-1)

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Bill Horrell, BillHorrell@clearchannel.com

WFXN-AM 1230 play-by-play

1. Clinton (6-0)

2. Rock Island (5-1)

3. Bettendorf (5-1)

4. Orion (6-0)

5. Geneseo (5-1)

6. Sherrard (6-0)

7. Morrison (6-0)

8. Mercer County (5-1)

9. Bureau Valley (5-1)

10. Alleman (4-2)

____________

Daniel Makarewicz, Danmak@qconline.com

Dispatch/Argus UT & Alleman beat writer

1. Rock Island (5-1)

2. Geneseo (5-1)

3. Morrison (6-0)

4. Orion (6-0)

5. Alleman (4-2)

6. Sherrard (6-0)

7. Clinton (6-0)

8. Mercer County (5-1)

9. Alexis United (6-0)

10. Bettendorf (5-1)

____________

Matt Veto, mveto@qconline.com

Dispatch/Argus Rock Island beat writer

1. Clinton (6-0)

2. Rock Island (5-1)

3. Bettendorf (5-1)

4. Orion (6-0)

5. Geneseo (5-1)

6. Mercer County (5-1)

7. Morrison (6-0)

8. Bureau Valley (5-1)

9. Sherrard (6-0)

10. Alleman (4-2)

____________

Dan Tomlin, TomlinDanielD@sau.edu

Dispatch/Argus special contributor

1. Orion (6-0)

2. Clinton (6-0)

3. Geneseo (5-1)

4. Rock Island (5-1)

5. Morrison (6-0)

6. Sherrard (6-0)

7. Bettendorf (5-1)

8. Alleman (4-2)

9. Davenport Central (4-2)

10. Alexis United (6-0)

____________

Tom Johnston, tjohnston@qconline.com

Dispatch/Argus college beat writer

1. Clinton (6-0)

2. Orion (6-0)

3. Geneseo (5-1)

4. Bettendorf (5-1)

5. Mercer County (5-1)

6. Rock Island (5-1)

7. Morrison (6-0)

8. Sherrard (6-0)

9. Alexis United (6-0)

10 (tie). Bureau Valley (5-1)

10 (tie). Stark County (5-1)

____________

Terry Duckett, tduckett@qconline.com

Dispatch/Argus area beat writer

1. Clinton (6-0)

2. Morrison (6-0)

3. Orion (6-0)

4. Rock Island (5-1)

5. Bettendorf (5-1)

6. Sherrard (6-0)

7. Alexis United (6-0)

8. Geneseo (5-1)

9. Mercer County (5-1)

10. Stark County (5-1)

____________

Jeff Wendland, jwendland@qconline.com

Dispatch/Argus lead sports layout

1. Rock Island (5-1)

2. Clinton (6-0)

3. Orion (6-0)

4. Geneseo (5-1)

5. Bettendorf (5-1)

6. Alleman (4-2)

7. Sherrard (6-0)

8. Morrison (6-0)

9. Mercer County (5-1)

10. Alexis United (6-0)

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Ryan Sergeant, rsergeant@qconline.com

Dispatch/Argus prep reporter

1. Clinton (6-0)

2. Rock Island (5-1)

3. Orion (6-0)

4. Bettendorf (5-1)

5. Geneseo (5-1)

6. Alleman (4-2)

7. Morrison (6-0)

8. Mercer County (5-1)

9. Sherrard (6-0)

10. Alexis United (6-0)

____________

Chris Steele, SteeleChristopherK@sau.edu

Dispatch/Argus prep reporter

1. Clinton (6-0)

2. Rock Island (5-1)

3. Bettendorf (5-1)

4. Morrison (6-0)

5. Geneseo (5-1)

6. Orion (6-0)

7. Mercer County (5-1)

8. Sherrard (6-0)

9. Alleman (4-2)

10. Pleasant Valley (4-2)

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Steve Campbell, CampbellStevenE@sau.edu

WQAD-TV 8 sports associate

1. Clinton (6-0)

2. Bettendorf (5-1)

3. Rock Island (5-1)

4. Geneseo (5-1)

5. Orion (6-0)

6. Alleman (4-2)

7. Davenport Assumption (4-2)

8. Morrison (6-0)

9. Alexis United (6-0)

10 (tie). Mercer County (5-1)

10 (tie). Sherrard (6-0)

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