Geneseo's Collin Akers eyes extra yardage while bursting through a hole in last Saturday's 26-7 win over Mount Vernon. After securing a Top 5 finish in the QC Prep Football Power Poll, Akers and the Leafs are looking for even more now, with the playoffs starting this weekend.
By Steve Tappa, stappa@qconline.com
Moline Dispatch/Rock Island Argus sportswriter
Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2009, 11:55 p.m.
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Final-week losses barely cost Sherrard and Mercer County in the final Quad Cities Prep Football Power Poll of the season.
Both playoff-bound teams remained in the 10th and final Top 10 of the season for the weekly presentation by WQAD-TV 8, Mediacom Connections 22, WFXN-AM 1230 and The Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus newspapers.
Sherrard was stopped 40-12 Saturday on the road by Chicagoland toughie Walther Lutheran. Mercer County fell to 2008 Illinois Class 1A state champ Stark County, 26-19 Friday to force a three-way tie atop the Northwest Division of the West Prairie Trail Conference.
Sherrard slipped from 5th to 6th because of the weekend setback. Mercer County tumbled from 6th to 10th, trailing both No. 8 Annawan-Wethersfield and No. 9 Alexis United by mere voting points, with a panel of local sportswriters and broadcasters perhaps forgetting the Eagles beat both teams this season.
Otherwise, little changed with Mississippi Athletic Conference champ Clinton (9-0) finishing the regular-season as the top-ranked team for the sixth straight week just ahead of No. 2 Rock Island (8-1).
Clinton received 13 of the 16 first-place votes cast, and 157 of a possible 160 voting points. Western Big 6 Conference champ Rocky earned the other three first-place nods and 143 voting points.
Bettendorf (3rd), Morrison (4th) and Alexis United (9th) also held their ground in the final poll.
Geneseo (7th to 5th), Orion (8th to 7th) and Annawan-Wethersfield (10th to 8th) moved up because of the Sherrard and Mercer County losses.
In all, 14 teams received voting consideration this week, with Stark County rejoining the final poll at No. 12. Three 5-4 teams — Alleman, North Scott and Pleasant Valley — fell off the radar with losses in their regular-season finales.
Looking back to the preseason, 10 of the 14 teams that earned votes in the finale received preseason mention.
This season’s big surprises? Sherrard, Alexis United, No. 11 Sterling and No. 14 Maquoketa did not receive a preseason vote. Morrison and Annawan-Wethersfield did receive votes, but were not ranked in the initial Top 10.
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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 (9-0) 157 (13) 1
– Comment: The River Kings wrapped up just their second solo Mississippi Athletic Conference crown over the weekend by ripping formerly-rated North Scott, 61-14. David Johnson rushed 22 times for 144 yards and 2 touchdowns to finish as the league’s regular-season scoring and rushing leader. Clinton also was unbeaten, and wore a solo MAC crown in 1985, in addition to league title shares in 1978 and 1991. Now the top-seed on the Eastern side of the state wants to punctuate a memorable season with a trip to the UNI-Dome. Next: Wednesday hosts Cedar Rapids Prairie (3-6) in the first round of Iowa’s Class 4A playoffs.
2. Rock Island (8-1) 143 (3) 2
– Comment: Chris Glover enjoyed a monster day despite a muddy track at Rich Central over the weekend. The Western Big 6 Conference scoring champ rushed 19 times for 205 yards and 3 touchdowns, including the game-winner in another fourth-quarter comeback for the Rocks, 26-20. The reward for rallying for victories in the last four games? The back-to-back outright Big 6 champs are the only 8-1 team in Illinois hosting a fellow one-loss team in a playoff opener. Next: Friday hosts Oak Lawn Richards (8-1) in the first round of Illinois’ Class 6A playoffs.
3. Bettendorf (8-1) 122 3
– Comment: The tradition continues with the 7-time Iowa state champs reaching the playoffs for the 25th time since a runner-up finish in 1980. Bettendorf survived a double overtime battle over the weekend with bitter rival Davenport Assumption, 25-19. Now, the Bulldogs are spoiling for a possible semifinal rematch with Clinton at the UNI-Dome on Nov. 13. Next: Wednesday hosts Cedar Rapids Kennedy (4-5) in the first round of Iowa’s Class 4A playoffs.
4. Morrison (9-0) 115 4
– Comment: This Mustang team is a shoe-in to go far in the playoffs after capturing the Wooden Shoe Trophy, 41-0 at neighboring rival Fulton over the weekend. Illinois’ top-ranked Class 2A team clinched the Big Rivers Conference title, too. In just 10 carries, Josh Vos added 116 yards and a TD to his season totals of 1,379 in ground gains and 22 scores. Kyle Janssen added three TDs, and Morrison’s defense dominated, too, allowing only 40 yards of total offense. Next: Saturday hosts Deer Creek-Mackinaw (5-4) in the first round of Illinois’ Class 2A playoffs.
5. Geneseo (7-2) 91 7
– Comment: A week off, thanks to an Ottawa forfeit because of a teacher’s strike there, hurt the Green Machine’s offensive execution in a 26-7 win over Mount Vernon over the weekend. But the mini-vacation re-charged the defense, which allowed just 73 rushing yards to go with a meaningless fourth-quarter touchdown, as well as scoring themselves. Now the Leafs hope they shook off enough rust heading into a brutal Class 4A playoff bracket. Next: Friday hosts Plano (6-3) in the first round of Illinois’ Class 4A playoffs.
6. Sherrard (8-1) 67 5
– Comment: The Tigers’ bid for a perfect regular-season was foiled on the road by a veteran playoff foe. So don’t go jumping off the bandwagon of the Olympic Conference champions. On the bright side, Sherrard was seeded in the lower-half of the Class 3A bracket opposite of top-ranked Carthage Illini West. The Tigers also drew a first-round foe that became very familiar to head coach Jason Kirby in his previous stop, while building a state title-contender at Bureau Valley. Next: Friday or Saturday (TBA today) hosts Sterling Newman (6-3) in the first round of Illinois’ Class 3A playoffs.
7. Orion (8-1) 61 8
– Comment: The Chargers revved up for a fourth straight postseason appearance by preventing Princeton from qualifying for the playoffs. Brad Walker rushed for two scores, and was on the receiving end of one of two James Matson TD passes, in a 35-0 workmanlike effort over the weekend. Now, two of the highest-scoring teams in the state hook up to light up the Charger Field scoreboard like a pinball machine. Next: Saturday hosts No. 12 Stark County (7-2) in the first round of Illinois’ Class 2A playoffs.
8. Annawan-Wethersfield (8-1) 32.5 10
– Comment: Since losing to No. 10 Mercer County 33-0 in the season’s second week, the Titans have outscored their foes a daunting 280-35. (Yes, that’s an average 40-5 margin of victory). In a 48-0 shellacking of Abingdon over the weekend, fullback Shayne Neubert led all rushers with 109 yards and 2 scores in just eight carries. Ty Peterson also picked up two blocked punts and recovered a fumbled kickoff. Next: Friday or Saturday (TBA today) hosts Clifton Central (7-2) in the first round of Illinois’ Class 2A playoffs.
9. Alexis United (8-1) 29.5 9
– Comment: The Red Storm owe Stark County a thank you letter after beating No. 10 Mercer County to force a three-way tie for the Northwest Division title of the West Prairie Trail Conference. United earned its share by handling Elmwood-Brimfield, 31-16 over the weekend. The 1-2 punch of Geoffrey Hahn (14 carries, 144 yards, 3 TDs) and Adam Olin (20 totes, 107 yards, 1 TD) were tough to stop, and make Coach Tim Engebretson’s team a real postseason threat. Next: Saturday hosts Flanagan-Cornell (6-3) in the first round of Illinois’ Class 1A playoffs.
10. Mercer County (7-2) 26.5 6
– Comment: The Golden Eagles slipped in the mud and rain, literally and figuratively, in a 26-19 loss to Stark County. Coach Nat Zunkel’s club turned the ball over three times, and had quarterback Brett Anderson lose his footing on what would have been the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter. Now, Mercer County gets to take out its frustration in a locally-loaded Class 2A playoff field. Next: Friday or Saturday (TBA today) hosts No. 13 Bureau Valley (7-2) in the first round of Illinois’ Class 2A playoffs.
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ALSO RECEIVING VOTES:
11. Sterling (7-2) 18 12t
– Next: Friday or Saturday (TBA today) hosts LaSalle-Peru (7-2) in the first round of Illinois’ Class 5A playoffs.
12. Stark County (7-2) 8.5 –
– Next: Saturday at No. 7 Orion (8-1) in the first round of Illinois’ Class 2A playoffs.
13. Bureau Valley (7-2) 7 15
– Next: Friday or Saturday (TBA today) at No. 10 Mercer County (7-2) in the first round of Illinois’ Class 2A playoffs.
14. Maquoketa (7-2) 2 11
– Next: Wednesday at Decorah (7-2) in the first round of Iowa’s Class 3A playoffs.
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INDIVIDUAL VOTES
Marc Nesseler, mnesseler@qconline.com
Dispatch/Argus sports editor/Geneseo beat writer
1. Rock Island (8-1)
2. Clinton (9-0)
3. Morrison (9-0)
4. Bettendorf (8-1)
5. Geneseo (7-2)
6. Annawan-Wethersfield (8-1)
7. Sherrard (8-1)
8. Orion (8-1)
9. Stark County (7-2)
10. Mercer County (7-2)
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Matt Randazzo, Matt.Randazzo@WQAD.com
WQAD-TV 8 sports anchor
1. Clinton (9-0)
2. Bettendorf (8-1)
3. Rock Island (8-1)
4. Morrison (9-0)
5. Geneseo (7-2)
6. Sherrard (8-1)
7. Orion (8-1)
8. Mercer County (7-2)
9. Sterling (7-2)
10 (tie). Annawan-Wethersfield (8-1)
10 (tie). Alexis United (8-1)
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Steve Tappa, stappa@qconline.com
Dispatch/Argus Big 6/Moline beat writer
1. Clinton (9-0)
2. Rock Island (8-1)
3. Bettendorf (8-1)
4. Morrison (9-0)
5. Geneseo (7-2)
6. Sherrard (8-1)
7. Orion (8-1)
8. Bureau Valley (7-2)
9 (tie). Mercer County (7-2)
9 (tie). Alexis United (7-2)
9 (tie). Stark County (7-2)
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Amy Calderone, Amy.Calderone@WQAD.com
WQAD-TV 8 sports anchor
1. Clinton (9-0)
2. Rock Island (8-1)
3. Bettendorf (8-1)
4. Geneseo (7-2)
5. Morrison (9-0)
6. Orion (8-1)
7. Alexis United (8-1)
8. Annawan-Wethersfield (8-1)
9. Sherrard (8-1)
10. Mercer County (7-2)
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Dan Burich, DRBurich@aol.com
MC22 broadcast analyst
1, Clinton (9-0)
2. Rock Island (8-1)
3. Bettendorf (8-1)
4. Geneseo (7-2)
5. Sterling (7-2)
6. Morrison (9-0)
7. Sherrard (8-1)
8. Orion (8-1)
9. Maquoketa (7-2)
10. Mercer County (7-2)
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Pete Ivanic, pwivanic@mchsi.com
MC22 broadcast play-by-play
1. Clinton (9-0)
2. Rock Island (8-1)
3. Bettendorf (8-1)
4. Morrison (9-0)
5. Geneseo (7-2)
6. Annawan-Wethersfield (8-1)
7. Orion (8-1)
8. Sterling (7-2)
9. Alexis United (8-1)
10. Mercer County (7-2)
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Bill Horrell, BillHorrell@clearchannel.com
WFXN-AM 1230 play-by-play
1. Clinton (9-0)
2. Rock Island (8-1)
3. Bettendorf (8-1)
4. Morrison (9-0)
5. Geneseo (7-2)
6. Sterling (7-2)
7. Sherrard (8-1)
8. Orion (8-1)
9. Stark County (7-2)
10. Mercer County (7-2)
____________
Daniel Makarewicz, Danmak@qconline.com
Dispatch/Argus UT & Alleman beat writer
1. Rock Island (8-1)
2. Clinton (9-0)
3. Morrison (9-0)
4. Sherrard (8-1)
5. Bettendorf (8-1)
6. Geneseo (7-2)
7. Orion (8-1)
8. Stark County (7-2)
9. Mercer County (7-2)
10. Alexis United (8-1)
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Matt Veto, mveto@qconline.com
Dispatch/Argus Rock Island beat writer
1. Clinton (9-0)
2. Rock Island (8-1)
3. Bettendorf (8-1)
4. Morrison (9-0)
5. Geneseo (7-2)
6. Sherrard (8-1)
7. Bureau Valley (7-2)
8. Orion (8-1)
9. Mercer County (7-2)
10. Annawan-Wethersfield (7-2)
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Dan Tomlin, TomlinDanielD@sau.edu
Dispatch/Argus special contributor
1. Clinton (9-0)
2. Morrison (9-0)
3. Rock Island (8-1)
4. Geneseo (7-2)
5. Bettendorf (8-1)
6. Sherrard (8-1)
7. Orion (8-1)
8. Alexis United (8-1)
9. Annawan-Wethersfield (8-1)
10. Mercer County (7-2)
____________
Tom Johnston, tjohnston@qconline.com
Dispatch/Argus college beat writer
1. Clinton (9-0)
2. Rock Island (8-1)
3. Geneseo (7-2)
4. Morrison (9-0)
5. Bettendorf (8-1)
6. Orion (8-1)
7. Alexis United (8-1)
8. Annawan & Wethersfield (8-1)
9. Sherrard (8-1)
10 (tie). Mercer County (7-2)
10 (tie). Stark County (7-2)
____________
Terry Duckett, tduckett@qconline.com
Dispatch/Argus area beat writer
1. Clinton (9-0)
2. Morrison (9-0)
3. Rock Island (8-1)
4. Bettendorf (8-1)
5. Sherrard (8-1)
6. Annawan-Wethersfield (8-1)
7. Orion (8-1)
8. Geneseo (7-2)
9. Alexis United (8-1)
10. Mercer County (7-2)
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Jeff Wendland, jwendland@qconline.com
Dispatch/Argus lead sports layout
1. Rock Island (8-1)
2. Clinton (9-0)
3. Bettendorf (8-1)
4. Morrison (9-0)
5. Orion (8-1)
6. Geneseo (7-2)
7. Annawan-Wethersfield (8-1)
8. Sherrard (8-1)
9. Alexis United (8-1)
10. Mercer County (7-2)
____________
Ryan Sergeant, rsergeant@qconline.com
Dispatch/Argus prep reporter
1. Clinton (9-0)
2. Rock Island (8-1)
3. Bettendorf (8-1)
4. Morrison (9-0)
5. Geneseo (7-2)
6. Mercer County (7-2)
7. Sherrard (8-1)
8. Orion (8-1)
9. Alexis United (8-1)
10. Annawan-Wethersfield (8-1)
____________
Chris Steele, SteeleChristopherK@sau.edu
Dispatch/Argus prep reporter
1. Clinton (9-0)
2. Rock Island (8-1)
3. Bettendorf (8-1)
4. Morrison (9-0)
5. Sherrard (8-1)
6. Mercer County (7-2)
7. Alexis United (8-1)
8. Orion (8-1)
9. Annawan-Wethersfield (8-1)
10. Geneseo (7-2)
____________
Steve Campbell, CampbellStevenE@sau.edu
WQAD-TV 8 sports associate
1. Clinton (9-0)
2. Bettendorf (8-1)
3. Rock Island (8-1)
4. Morrison (9-0)
5. Geneseo (7-2)
6. Sherrard (8-1)
7. Alexis United (8-1)
8. Orion (8-1)
9. Sterling (7-2)
10. Annawan-Wethersfield (8-1)
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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.
