Rock Island's Chris Glover (26) runs up the sideline Friday, chased by Moline's Austin Odle during first quarter action at Browning Field. Glover scored three times, and won the Western Big 6 Conference scoring title in the process, as the Rocks completed back-to-back outright league championships for the first time since 2000-01.
By Steve Tappa, stappa@qconline.com
Moline Dispatch/Rock Island Argus sportswriter
Posted Online: Oct. 18, 2009, 11:29 p.m.
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First came a playoff-qualifying victory two weekends ago. Next followed a conference championship-clincher over the weekend.
Now, the Annawan-Wethersfield Titans are realizing another highlight today — earning their initial Top 10 ranking this season in the Quad Cities Prep Football Power Poll.
Not bad for a team that received votes in the preseason, but was dismissed until last week by local voters following a 33-0, second-week loss to current No. 6-Mercer County.
First-year coach Brandon Johnston’s 7-1 club climbed a notch, and into the No. 10 spot this week, despite a 13-1 weekend out of the team’s in last week’s presentation by WQAD-TV 8, Mediacom Connections 22, WFXN-AM 1230 and The Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus newspapers.
However, that lone loss was suffered by state-rated Alleman (5-3), which fell 29-14 at Quincy (7-1). Despite a third setback this season to a state-rated squad, the Pioneers tumbled out of the Top 10 and into the “others receiving votes” category.
Otherwise, little changed in the eyes of a panel of local sportswriters and broadcasters.
Newly-crowned Mississippi Athletic Conference champ Clinton (8-0) remained the top-ranked team for a fifth straight week just ahead of Rock Island (7-1). Clinton earned 13 of the 16 votes cast and totalled 151 voting points. Rocky received 2 first-place nods and 141 points.
Bettendorf (3rd at 7-1), Morrison (4th at 8-0), Sherrard (5th at 8-0) and Mercer County (6th at 7-1) all held their ground.
Geneseo (8th to 7th), Orion (9th to 8th) and Alexis United (9th to 8th) also benefitted from Alleman’s slip.
In all, 16 teams received voting consideration this week, with Pleasant Valley rejoining the poll and Iowa-rated Maquoketa receiving votes for the first time.
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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 (8-0) 151 (13) 1
– Comment: Crown them, as Denny Green might say, because the River Kings are who they thought they could be this season, Mississippi Athletic Conference champs for the first time since 1991. David Johnson continued to shine in games at Brady Street Stadium by scoring six touchdowns in a 56-7 Thursday night trashing of Davenport Central. The major-college recruit rushed for 259 yards on 7 carries plus caught a 19-yard scoring strike. Johnson, Iowa Class 4A’s scoring leader with 174 points, now has 1,015 rushing yards this season. Next: Friday at No. 12t North Scott (5-3).
2. Rock Island (7-1) 141 (2) 2
– Comment: Nikko Watson won last week’s Metro Pacesetter award from The Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus. But Chris Glover continues to shine for the Rocks, too, having scored a touchdown in every one of their victories. Glover extended the streak with three more TDs over the weekend to highlight a 35-14 comeback win at Moline. With 48 points in league play, Glover wrapped up the Western Big 6 Conference scoring title. Glover’s team also claimed an outright Big 6 crown, the first time since 2000-01 Rocky has done so in consecutive seasons. Next: Friday at Rich Central (4-4).
3. Bettendorf (7-1) 115 3
– Comment: A ho-hum 27-14 victory over Burlington kept alive slim Bulldog hopes of forging a MAC title share with Clinton heading into next weekend’s traditional slugfest with Davenport Assumption. Quarterback Dylan Jones continues playing efficient football in his first season as a full-time starter. Jones has thrown at least one touchdown pass now in seven of eight games, is hitting on a 58.5-percent clip, and totals 960 yards through the air. Next: Friday hosts Davenport Assumption (5-3).
4. Morrison (8-0) 110 (1) 4
– Comment: Josh Vos and the Mustangs continue to run roughshod over foes. Illinois Class 2A’s top-ranked team “turned 40” for the fifth time in eight games over the weekend, clinching no worse than a share of the Big Rivers Conference crown with a 47-13 win over Erie-Prophetstown. Vos did his part, too, adding 194 yards rushing and three more touchdowns to his season totals of 1,263 yards and 21 scores. Vos also had 68 yards in receptions during the blowout. Next: Friday at Fulton (2-6).
5. Sherrard (8-0) 106 5
– Comment: Like Morrison, the Tigers are shooting to secure a high playoff seed this week after nailing down their conference crown. QB Logan Frye enjoyed a big night in a 40-6 win at Monmouth-Roseville, hitting on 5-of-8 throws for 119 yards and two touchdowns. Frye also raced 73 yards for a score. The outright Olympic Conference champs are surrendering a touchdown a game (7.6 points) while averaging five themselves offensively (36.3) heading into the regular-season finale in Chicagoland. Next: Saturday at Melrose Park Walther Lutheran (3-5).
6. Mercer County (7-1) 79 6
– Comment: The Golden Eagles are ready to get their claws on an outright conference crown this weekend, too, after beating down another Northwest Division foe in West Prairie Trail Conference play. Brett Anderson was nearly perfect again, hitting 6-of-8 passes for 159 yards and four touchdowns before halftime in a 66-6 victory over winless Biggsville West Central. Despite a 49-14 loss to Illinois 3A’s top-rated team, Carthage Illini West, Mercer County has scored the most points in the area (339), three more than No. 1 Clinton. Next: Friday hosts state-rated Stark County (6-2).
7. Geneseo (6-2) 64 8
– Comment: The Maple Leafs got a free-pass into the playoffs, with homecoming forfeited over the weekend because of a teacher’s strike at Ottawa. Wins by LaSalle-Peru and Sterling also ended Geneseo’s hopes of sharing the NCIC Reagan title, with those two teams playing for that honor this Friday (and Morris still with a chance to tie, hosting Dixon this week). But there’s still plenty for the Green Machine to play for this weekend, including the chance of securing a home-playoff opener. Next: Saturday hosts Mount Vernon (2-6).
8. Orion (7-1) 42 9
– Comment: The Chargers not only rebounded from a 22-point loss to No. 5 Sherrard, but remained in line for a home playoff opener over the weekend. Orion took advantage of five Rockridge turnovers in a 34-6 decision. Evan Viager recovered two fumbles, and Ted Leuck had both an interception and fumble recovery for a defense that held the rival Rockets scoreless until the final 30 seconds. Next: Friday at Princeton (4-4).
9. Alexis United (7-1) 20 10
– Comment: The Red Storm also bounced back from their lone loss of the season, 42-27 at No. 6 Mercer County. In a 48-18 win over Peoria Heights, Adam Olin enjoyed another monster day, with five touchdowns and 263 rushing yards on 19 carries. Coach Tim Engebretson’s team totalled a whopping 548 yards total offense in the demolition, and should be in line for a high seed in Illinois’ Class 1A’s playoff field. Next: Friday hosts Elmwood-Brimfield (1-7).
10. Annawan-Wethersfield (7-1) 12 11
– Comment: The Titans finally made believers of our pollsters with a 33-0 shutout win at state-rated Lewistown, clinching no worse than a share of the Northeast Division of the West Prairie Trail Conference. A&W scored twice on kick returns in the second half to blow the game open. First, Nathan Long returned the opening kickoff 78 yards for a score, and Westin Heinz added a 50-yard takeback on a punt to seal the deal. Next: Friday hosts Abingdon (3-5).
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ALSO RECEIVING VOTES:
11. Maquoketa (7-1) 11 –
– Next: Friday at LaPorte City Union (6-2).
12 (tie). Alleman (5-3) 8 7
– Next: Friday hosts Dunlap (5-3) at Augustana College’s Ericson Field.
12 (tie). North Scott (5-3) 8 13t
– Next: Friday hosts No. 1 Clinton (8-0).
12 (tie). Sterling (6-2) 8 12
– Next: Friday hosts LaSalle-Peru (7-1).
15. Bureau Valley (6-2) 3 13t
– Next: Friday at Ottawa Marquette (1-7).
16. Pleasant Valley (5-3) 2 –
– Next: Friday hosts Muscatine (1-7).
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INDIVIDUAL VOTES
Marc Nesseler, mnesseler@qconline.com
Dispatch/Argus sports editor/Geneseo beat writer
1. Rock Island (7-1)
2. Clinton (8-0)
3. Bettendorf (7-1)
4. Morrison (8-0)
5. Sherrard (8-0)
6. Mercer County (7-1)
7. Orion (7-1)
8. Geneseo (6-2)
9. Alexis-United (7-1)
10. Annawan-Wethersfield (7-1)
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Matt Randazzo, Matt.Randazzo@WQAD.com
WQAD-TV 8 sports anchor
1. Clinton (8-0)
2. Rock Island (7-1)
3. Bettendorf (7-1)
4. Morrison (8-0)
5. Sherrard (8-0)
6. Maquoketa (7-1)
7. Geneseo (6-2)
8. Mercer County (7-1)
9. North Scott (5-3)
10. Orion (7-1)
____________
Steve Tappa, stappa@qconline.com
Dispatch/Argus Big 6/Moline beat writer
1. Clinton (8-0)
2. Rock Island (7-1)
3. Bettendorf (7-1)
4. Mercer County (7-1)
5. Morrison (8-0)
6. Sherrard (8-0)
7. Geneseo (6-2)
8. Orion (7-1)
9. Alexis United (7-1)
10. Alleman (5-3)
____________
Amy Calderone, Amy.Calderone@WQAD.com
WQAD-TV 8 sports anchor
1. Clinton (8-0)
2. Rock Island (7-1)
3. Bettendorf (7-1)
4. Sherrard (8-0)
5. Morrison (8-0)
6. Mercer County (7-1)
7. Geneseo (6-2)
8. North Scott (5-3)
9. Maquoketa (7-1)
10. Orion (7-1)
____________
Dan Burich, DRBurich@aol.com
MC22 broadcast analyst
1. Clinton (8-0)
2. Rock Island (7-1)
3. Bettendorf (7-1)
4. Sherrard (8-0)
5. Morrison (8-0)
6. Geneseo (6-2)
7. Sterling (6-2)
8. Mercer County (7-1)
9. Pleasant Valley (5-3)
10. Alleman (5-3)
____________
Pete Ivanic, pwivanic@mchsi.com
MC22 broadcast play-by-play
1. Clinton (8-0)
2. Rock Island (7-1)
3. Bettendorf (7-1)
4. Sherrard (8-0)
5. Morrison (8-0)
6. Mercer County (7-1)
7. Geneseo (6-2)
8. Annawan-Wethersfield (7-1)
9. Orion (7-1)
10. Sterling (6-2)
____________
Bill Horrell, BillHorrell@clearchannel.com
WFXN-AM 1230 play-by-play
1. Clinton (8-0)
2. Rock Island (7-1)
3. Bettendorf (7-1)
4. Sherrard (8-0)
5. Morrison (8-0)
6. Geneseo (6-2)
7. Mercer County (7-1)
8. Sterling (6-2)
9. Orion (7-1)
10. Alleman (5-3)
____________
Daniel Makarewicz, Danmak@qconline.com
Dispatch/Argus UT & Alleman beat writer
1. Morrison (8-0)
2. Rock Island (7-1)
3. Sherrard (8-0)
4. Mercer County (7-1)
5. Geneseo (6-2)
6. Orion (7-1)
7. Alexis United (7-1)
8. Clinton (8-0)
9. Bettendorf (7-1)
10. Alleman (5-3)
____________
Matt Veto, mveto@qconline.com
Dispatch/Argus Rock Island beat writer
1. Clinton (8-0)
2. Rock Island (7-1)
3. Bettendorf (7-1)
4. Sherrard (8-0)
5. Morrison (8-0)
6. Mercer County (7-1)
7. Geneseo (6-2)
8. Bureau Valley (6-2)
9. Annawan-Wethersfield (7-1)
10. Alleman (5-3)
____________
Dan Tomlin, TomlinDanielD@sau.edu
Dispatch/Argus special contributor
1. Clinton (8-0)
2. Sherrard (8-0)
3. Morrison (8-0)
4. Rock Island (7-1)
5. Bettendorf (7-1)
6. Mercer County (7-1)
7. Orion (7-1)
8. Alexis United (7-1)
9. Alleman (5-3)
10. Geneseo (6-2)
____________
Tom Johnston, tjohnston@qconline.com
Dispatch/Argus college beat writer
1. Clinton (8-0)
2. Mercer County (7-1)
3. Rock Island (7-1)
4. Geneseo (6-2)
5. Morrison (8-0)
6. Sherrard (8-0)
7. Bettendorf (7-1)
8. Orion (7-1)
9. Alexis United (7-1)
10. Annawan-Wethersfield (7-1)
____________
Terry Duckett, tduckett@qconline.com
Dispatch/Argus area beat writer
1. Clinton (8-0)
2. Morrison (8-0)
3. Rock Island (7-1)
4. Sherrard (8-0)
5. Bettendorf (7-1)
6. Mercer County (7-1)
7. Orion (7-1)
8. Geneseo (6-2)
9. Annawan-Wethersfield (7-1)
10. Alexis United (7-1)
____________
Jeff Wendland, jwendland@qconline.com
Dispatch/Argus lead sports layout
1. Rock Island (7-1)
2. Clinton (8-0)
3. Bettendorf (7-1)
4. Sherrard (8-0)
5. Morrison (8-0)
6. Mercer County (7-1)
7. Geneseo (6-2)
8. Orion (7-1)
9. Annawan-Wethersfield (7-1)
10. Alexis United (7-1)
____________
Ryan Sergeant, rsergeant@qconline.com
Dispatch/Argus prep reporter
1. Clinton (8-0)
2. Rock Island (7-1)
3. Bettendorf (7-1)
4. Morrison (8-0)
5. Sherrard (8-0)
6. Mercer County (7-1)
7. Orion (7-1)
8. Geneseo (6-2)
9. Alexis United (7-1)
10. Alleman (5-3)
____________
Chris Steele, SteeleChristopherK@sau.edu
Dispatch/Argus prep reporter
1. Clinton (8-0)
2. Rock Island (7-1)
3. Bettendorf (7-1)
4. Mercer County (7-1)
5. Sherrard (8-0)
6. Morrison (8-0)
7. Orion (7-1)
8. Alexis United (7-1)
9. Geneseo (6-2)
10. Annawan-Wethersfield (7-1)
____________
Steve Campbell, CampbellStevenE@sau.edu
WQAD-TV 8 sports associate
1. Clinton (8-0)
2. Bettendorf (7-1)
3. Rock Island (7-1)
4. Morrison (8-0)
5. Sherrard (8-0)
6. Geneseo (6-2)
7. Maquoketa (7-1)
8. North Scott (5-3)
9. Orion (7-1)
10. Mercer County (7-1)
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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.
