`Decision Week’ renders poll contenders into pretenders

Posted 10/12/2009, 3:30AM, by Tappa

By Steve Tappa, stappa@qconline.com
Moline Dispatch/Rock Island Argus sportswriter
Posted Online: Oct. 11, 2009, 9:47 p.m.
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The 15 teams receiving voting consideration in last week’s Quad Cities Prep Football Power Poll combined for a 7-8 record over the weekend.

What’s more, three of those losers — Orion, Alexis United and Bureau Valley — were head-to-head victims of a fellow Top 11 team.

Yet, with all five squads in last week’s “others receiving votes” category suffering setbacks during “Decision Week ‘09,” the Top 10 teams in this week’s local rankings are the same from a week ago.

Oh, to be sure, there was some movement in the weekly presentation by WQAD-TV 8, Mediacom Connections 22, WFXN-AM 1230 and The Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus newspapers.

With Sherrard slaughtering Orion 36-14 in an Olympic Conference title battle of unbeatens, Orion dropped from 3rd to 9th in the local poll while Sherrard continued rising, moving from 7th to 5th.

Morrison also moved up, thanks to a 42-14 domination at defending Big Rivers Conference champ Bureau Valley. Morrison jumped from 6th to 4th while Bureau Valley, 11th last week, received just two voting points to cling to a poll spot.

Alexis United, 10th last week, also barely remained in the Top 10 with a 42-27 loss at Aledo. That in turn moved Mercer County closer to another West Prairie Trail Conference Northwest Division crown, as well to our top spot, jumping from 9th to 6th.

The rest of the Top 10 also featured movement with Bettendorf (4th to 3rd) and Alleman (8th to 7th) taking the elevator up a floor, and Geneseo descending three spots (5th to 8th) despite a last-second loss in showdown for the NCIC Reagan lead.

About the only thing that didn’t change during a tumultous weekend were our top two spots.

Mississippi Athletic Conference-leader Clinton (7-0) remained the top-ranked team for a fourth straight week just ahead of Rocky (6-1), which received 3 of the 15 first-place votes cast by a panel of local sportswriters and broadcasters.

Clinton earned the other 12 top nods, and 142 of a possible 150 voting points, to remain 7 voting points ahead of the Rocks.

In all, a season-low-tying 14 teams received voting consideration, with Bureau Valley the only one of last week’s also-rans hanging on to poll spots.

Reappearing in the others receiving voting consideration are North Scott and Annawan & Wethersfield. Sterling also made it’s 2009 debut in the local poll after its fourth straight victory following losses to the state-rated pair of Lemont and Geneseo.

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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 (7-0) 142 (12) 1

– Comment: With members of the Iowa coaching staff in the crowd watching, major-college running-back recruit David Johnson rushed for four touchdowns and 130 yards, and the River Kings crowned another foe over the weekend. A 48-10 throttling of formerly QC-rated Pleasant Valley marked the fifth Clinton win by five or more touchdowns this season. This week, Iowa Class 4A’s third-ranked squad shoots to clinch its first Mississippi Athletic Conference title since 1991. Next: Thursday vs. Davenport Central (4-3) at Brady Street Stadium.

2. Rock Island (6-1) 135 (3) 2

– Comment: The two-time defending Western Big 6 Conference champs guaranteed themselves no worse than a title share over the weekend by keeping previously unbeaten Quincy winless since 1973 at Rock Island Public Schools Stadium. Nikko Watson rushed 25 times for 134 yards and 2 touchdowns, and the defense pitched a second-half shutout to allow Rocky to rally for a 20-16 win. Now, Illinois Class 6A’s fourth-rated crew seeks another outright title in the state’s oldest all-sports rivalry. Next: Friday at Moline (2-5).

3. Bettendorf (6-1) 105 4

– Comment: Iowa 4A’s 7th-ranked team dominated defensively over the weekend, building a 21-0 lead through three quarters before holding off a late rally by Davenport Central. In a 35-21 decision, the Bulldogs barely missed a beat in their first game since a knee injury knocked out leading rusher Chris Sanders. Fresh off a season-starting suspension, Jake Stoltenberg stepped in and rushed 17 times for 159 yards and a TD to hand the Blue Devils a 19th consecutive setback to Bettendorf. Next: Friday hosts Burlington (3-4).

4. Morrison (7-0) 98 6

– Comment: The Mustangs galloped out to a 21-0 lead and ran away with a showdown of Top 5 state-rated squads, 42-14 at Bureau Valley. Josh Vos rushed for 140 yards and the game’s first three touchdowns, and now totals 1,069 in ground gains and 18 scores this season. Ranked No. 1 in Illinois Class 2A, Morrison is a win away from clinching the Big Rivers Conference title, owned last year by a Storm squad that rated fifth in last week’s 2A poll. Next: Friday hosts Erie-Prophetstown (2-4).

5. Sherrard (7-0) 95 7

– Comment: No Justin Miller? No problem for Illinois 3A’s eighth-rated team at Orion. Even without workhorse Justin Miller, who suffered a broken leg the previous weekend, the Tigers dominated an Olympic Conference title showdown between unbeaten state-ranked teams, 36-14. Another Miller, Zach, rushed 13 times for 219 yards and four touchdowns and a stingy Sherrard defense forced five turnovers from Illinois 2A’s third-ranked club. Next: Friday at Monmouth-Roseville (2-5).

6. Mercer County (6-1) 72 9

– Comment: Brett Anderson hit 15 of 18 passes, for 281 yards and 2 touchdowns as the old Aledo powerhouse dominated a West Prairie Trail Conference battle beween state-ranked squads. Illinois 2A’s fourth-rated Golden Eagles soared to a 35-8 halftime lead against Alexis United, and piled up 428 yards total offense in a 42-27 decision that was not as close as it sounded. Mercer County can clinch a fourth straight league title in Northwest Division action this week. Next: Friday at Biggsville West Central (0-7).

7. Alleman (5-2) 64 8

– Comment: Justin Quintana rushed 13 times for 107 yards and a touchdown against United Township, and Alleman’s defense got back to its shutout ways over the weekend, with a fourth blanking in seven games. Illinois 4A’s 7th-rated team used the 21-0 win as bounce back from a second heartbreaker this season, a 20-13 last-minute loss at 6A-rated Rock Island. The Pioneers also fell in overtime, 14-13, at NCIC Reagan leader LaSalle-Peru in the season opener. Next: Friday at state-rated Quincy (6-1).

8. Geneseo (5-2) 57 5

– Comment: A game featuring 897 yards of offense was decided by a 28-yard field goal with 3.1 seconds remaining. The kick answered the Leafs’ go-ahead score, the fourth touchdown of the night for Luke Lembke, with just 1:49 showing. The 38-36 setback all but eliminated Geneseo’s hopes of an NCIC Reagan title, and was the second heartbreaker suffered this season for Illinois 4A’s fifth-ranked crew, which was a 14-7 loser at then state-rated Morris. Next: Friday hosts Ottawa (3-4) if a teacher’s strike there is settled by Tuesday.

9. Orion (6-1) 33 3

– Comment: Not only was a 12-game regular-season winning streak snapped over the weekend, Sherrard became the first Olympic Conference foe not named Macomb to beat the state-ranked Chargers since 2005. Orion is an amazing 34-6 the past four seasons combined, but a stingy Sherrard defense showed Illinois 2A’s third-rated squad must become more physical, especially on a muddy track, so 20-touchdown quarterback James Matson isn’t running for his life in the playoffs. Next: Friday hosts Rockridge (2-5).

10. Alexis United (6-1) 9 10

– Comment: No shame in losing to a playoff-veteran Mercer County club, whose only loss was to Illinois 3A’s top-rated team, Carthage Illini West. Star rusher Adam Olin was limited to 75 yards and 2 touchdowns on 12 carries over the weekend, but United still piled up 411 yards total offense. Geoffrey Hahn also proved an under-used bright spot for Illinois 1A’s fifth-ranked team, with 183 all-purpose yards. Coach Tim Engebretson’s team will still be feared come playoff time. Next: Friday hosts Peoria Heights (1-6).

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ALSO RECEIVING VOTES:

11. Annawan & Wethersfield (6-1) 6 –

– Next: Friday at state-rated Lewistown (6-1).

12. Sterling (5-2) 5 –

– Next: Friday at Dixon (2-5).

13 (tie). Bureau Valley (5-2) 2 11t

– Next: Friday hosts state-rated Sterling Newman (5-2).

13 (tie). North Scott (4-3) 2 –

– Next: Friday hosts Muscatine (1-6).

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INDIVIDUAL VOTES

Marc Nesseler, mnesseler@qconline.com

Dispatch/Argus sports editor/Geneseo beat writer

1. Rock Island (6-1)

2. Clinton (7-0)

3. Morrison (7-0)

4. Sherrard (7-0)

5. Bettendorf (6-1)

6. Alleman (5-2)

7. Mercer County (6-1)

8. Orion (6-1)

9. Geneseo (5-2)

10. Alexis United (6-1)

____________

Matt Randazzo, Matt.Randazzo@WQAD.com

WQAD-TV 8 sports anchor

1. Clinton (7-0)

2. Rock Island (6-1)

3. Bettendorf (6-1)

4. Morrison (7-0)

5. Alleman (5-2)

6. Sherrard (7-0)

7. Geneseo (5-2)

8. Mercer County (6-1)

9. Orion (6-1)

10. North Scott (4-3)

____________

Steve Tappa, stappa@qconline.com

Dispatch/Argus Big 6/Moline beat writer

1. Clinton (7-0)

2. Rock Island (6-1)

3. Bettendorf (6-1)

4. Mercer County (6-1)

5. Morrison (7-0)

6. Sherrard (7-0)

7. Alleman (5-2)

8. Geneseo (5-2)

9. Orion (6-1)

10. Alexis United (6-1)

____________

Dan Burich, DRBurich@aol.com

MC22 broadcast analyst

1. Clinton (7-0)

2. Rock Island (6-1)

3. Bettendorf (6-1)

4. Sherrard (7-0)

5. Morrison (7-0)

6. Geneseo (5-2)

7. Alleman (5-2)

8. Sterling (5-2)

9. Mercer County (6-1)

10. Alexis United (6-1)

____________

Pete Ivanic, pwivanic@mchsi.com

MC22 broadcast play-by-play

1. Clinton (7-0)

2. Rock Island (6-1)

3. Bettendorf (6-1)

4. Sherrard (7-0)

5. Morrison (7-0)

6. Mercer County (6-1)

7. Alleman (5-2)

8. Geneseo (5-2)

9. Annawan-Wethersfield (6-1)

10. Orion (6-1)

____________

Bill Horrell, BillHorrell@clearchannel.com

WFXN-AM 1230 play-by-play

1. Clinton (7-0)

2. Rock Island (6-1)

3. Bettendorf (6-1)

4. Sherrard (7-0)

5. Morrison (7-0)

6. Alleman (5-2)

7. Geneseo (5-2)

8. Mercer County (6-1)

9. Sterling (5-2)

10. Orion (6-1)

____________

Daniel Makarewicz, Danmak@qconline.com

Dispatch/Argus UT & Alleman beat writer

1. Rock Island (6-1)

2. Alleman (5-2)

3. Morrison (7-0)

4. Sherrard (7-0)

5. Mercer County (6-1)

6. Geneseo (5-2)

7. Clinton (7-0)

8. Bettendorf (6-1)

9. Orion (6-1)

10. Alexis United (6-1)

____________

Matt Veto, mveto@qconline.com

Dispatch/Argus Rock Island beat writer

1. Clinton (7-0)

2. Rock Island (6-1)

3. Bettendorf (6-1)

4. Sherrard (7-0)

5. Morrison (7-0)

6. Mercer County (6-1)

7. Alleman (5-2)

8. Geneseo (5-2)

9. Bureau Valley (5-2)

10. Annawan-Wethersfield (6-1)

____________

Dan Tomlin, TomlinDanielD@sau.edu

Dispatch/Argus special contributor

1. Clinton (7-0)

2. Rock Island (6-1)

3. Morrison (7-0)

4. Sherrard (7-0)

5. Mercer County (6-1)

6. Bettendorf (6-1)

7. Alleman (5-2)

8. Orion (6-1)

9. Geneseo (5-2)

10. Alexis United (6-1)

____________

Tom Johnston, tjohnston@qconline.com

Dispatch/Argus college beat writer

1. Clinton (7-0)

2. Mercer County (6-1)

3. Rock Island (6-1)

4. Geneseo (5-2)

5. Morrison (7-0)

6. Sherrard (7-0)

7. Bettendorf (6-1)

8. Alleman (5-2)

9. Orion (6-1)

10. Alexis United (6-1)

____________

Terry Duckett, tduckett@qconline.com

Dispatch/Argus area beat writer

1. Clinton (7-0)

2. Morrison (7-0)

3. Rock Island (6-1)

4. Sherrard (7-0)

5. Bettendorf (6-1)

6. Mercer County (6-1)

7. Orion (6-1)

8. Geneseo (5-2)

9. Alexis United (6-1)

10. Annawan-Wethersfield (6-1)

____________

Jeff Wendland, jwendland@qconline.com

Dispatch/Argus lead sports layout

1. Rock Island (6-1)

2. Clinton (7-0)

3. Bettendorf (6-1)

4. Alleman (5-2)

5. Sherrard (7-0)

6. Mercer County (6-1)

7. Geneseo (5-2)

8. Morrison (7-0)

9. Orion (6-1)

10. Annawan-Wethersfield (6-1)

____________

Ryan Sergeant, rsergeant@qconline.com

Dispatch/Argus prep reporter

1. Clinton (7-0)

2. Rock Island (6-1)

3. Bettendorf (6-1)

4. Sherrard (7-0)

5. Morrison (7-0)

6. Orion (6-1)

7. Geneseo (5-2)

8. Mercer County (6-1)

9. Alleman (5-2)

10. Alexis United (6-1)

____________

Chris Steele, SteeleChristopherK@sau.edu

Dispatch/Argus prep reporter

1. Clinton (7-0)

2. Rock Island (6-1)

3. Bettendorf (6-1)

4. Mercer County (6-1)

5. Morrison (7-0)

6. Sherrard (7-0)

7. Geneseo (5-2)

8. Orion (6-1)

9. Alleman (5-2)

10. Annawan-Wethersfield (6-1)

____________

Steve Campbell, CampbellStevenE@sau.edu

WQAD-TV 8 sports associate

1. Clinton (7-0)

2. Bettendorf (6-1)

3. Rock Island (6-1)

4. Morrison (7-0)

5. Sherrard (7-0)

6. Alleman (5-2)

7. Geneseo (5-2)

8. Orion (6-1)

9. Mercer County (6-1)

10. North Scott (4-3)

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