Sterling (5-0) at Rock Island (3-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Almquist Field, 1400 25th Ave.
Last matchup: 1936
About Rock Island: The Rocks have won two in a row after a 1-2 start, and have outscored their opponents 164-126. They seem to be finding their stride, having defeated United Township and Galesburg 66-41 the past 2 weeks.
About Sterling: In their first season in the Western Big 6, the Golden Warriors are picking up right where they left off in the NIB-12. Sterling is the lone unbeaten team in its new league, after winning the last 4 titles in their old conference; the Warriors have outscored their opponents 190-61.
FND pick: Sterling
Rockford Lutheran (3-2) at Dixon (3-2)
When: 7:15 p.m. Friday
Where: A.C. Bowers Field, 300 Lincoln Statue Dr.
Last matchup: 2018 Week 6 – Dixon 38, Lutheran 28
About Dixon: The Dukes have figured things out after an 0-2 start, having won three in a row by a total of 123-32; they come off their first shutout of the season, against Mendota. Dixon is 2-0 at home, and holds a 97-14 scoring edge at A.C. Bowers Field.
About Lutheran: The Crusaders won two in a row before falling to Genoa-Kingston 21-0 last week; it was only the second time this season that Lutheran has allowed 20 or more points. Coincidentally, all 3 wins have come on the road for the Crusaders, who are outscoring their opponents 125-96.
FND pick: Dixon
Oregon (0-5) at Rock Falls (1-4)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Hinders Field, 500 15th Ave.
Last matchup: 2018 Week 6 – Oregon 43, Rock Falls 12
About Rock Falls: The Rockets have scored just 13 points in their 3 games since a Week 2 win over Dixon, and have given up at least 41 points in each of those games. Granted, Rock Falls' 4 losses are to teams with a combined record of 16-4, and 3 of them are to the top 3 teams in the Big Northern.
About Oregon: The Hawks have scored the second-fewest points in the BNC (43), and allowed the most (214), but neither of those marks are too far behind Rock Falls (which has been outscored 205-48). Oregon has managed just 1 TD in each of its last 2 games, and has given up at least 35 points every week.
FND pick: Rock Falls
Newman (4-1) at Rockridge (2-3)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: 14110 134th Ave. W., Edgington
Last matchup: 2018 Week 5 – Newman 42, Rockridge 0
About Rockridge: After a couple of tight wins in the first 2 games, the Rockets have lost their last 3 by a combined 101-61. A missed extra point late cost them in a one-point loss to Riverdale in Week 4, but that was sandwiched by a shutout loss to Orion and a 20-point defeat to Fulton.
About Newman: The Comets are coming off just their fourth regular-season loss in the last 7 years (since the Three Rivers split into divisions again), and it snaps a 10-game regular-season winning streak. Newman has outscored its opponents 128-78, and hasn't yet allowed more than 26 points in a game.
FND pick: Newman
Bureau Valley (0-5) at Morrison (5-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: E.M. "Bud" Cole Field, 643 Genesee Ave.
Last matchup: 2018 Week 9 – BV 14, Morrison 7
About Morrison: The Mustangs proved they're for real with a win over Newman on Saturday, with the defense holding the Comets to a pair of field goals. Morrison is now the only undefeated team left on either side of the Three Rivers, and has outscored its opponents 153-22 – with those 22 points allowed by far the fewest in either division.
About BV: The Storm have struggled through injuries and just has not found its footing on offense; they've scored no more than 14 points in a game so far, and have been outscored 205-46. But the 21 points allowed in a loss to Monmouth-Roseville last week is the fewest BV has given up all season.
FND pick: Morrison
Orion (4-1) at Fulton (3-2)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: 1207 12th St.
Last matchup: 2018 Week 6 – Orion 44, Fulton 7
About Fulton: The Steamers have ridden some choppy waves so far this season, with a pair of blowout wins and a pair of lopsided losses in the first 5 weeks for a 137-123 scoring edge. But when Fulton gets its run game going, its been tough to stop it, and the big plays have been frequent in its 3 wins.
About Orion: The Chargers are the only other TRAC Rock team besides Morrison to have a 0 in the loss column in conference play, and they bounced back from a 44-0 loss to Princeton in Week 4 with a 33-3 win over Riverdale last week. Orion has outscored its opponents 107-92, and won its first two games of the season by a total of 10 points.
FND pick: Fulton
Monmouth-Roseville (1-4) at Erie-Prophetstown (2-3)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: 310 Riverside Dr., Prophetstown
Last matchup: 2018 Week 3 – Mon-Rose 37, E-P 0
About E-P: The Panthers have struggled to find consistency all season, and they've struggled offensively the last 2 weeks in losses, scoring just 9 total points. But E-P has proven it can control games – it's outscored Bureau Valley and Sherrard 66-21 in its 2 wins.
About M-R: The Titans picked up their first win of the season last week, a 21-7 win over Bureau Valley after being outscored 115-75 the first 4 weeks – although they did lose their first two games by a total of only 3 points. Mon-Rose hits the road after a pair of home games; it's 0-2 away from home this season.
FND pick: Erie-Prophetstown
Amboy-LaMoille (0-5) at Galena (0-5)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: 1206 N. Franklin St.
Last matchup: 2018 Week 8 – Amboy 35, Galena 14
About Galena: The Pirates have scored the fewest points in the NUIC North (49), and given up the most (136) through 5 weeks. Galena was shut out in Weeks 4 & 5, before falling 27-20 to Du-Pec last week; it's looking to snap a 9-game losing streak.
About Amboy: The Clippers' last win came against Galena, and they're looking to stop a 6-game skid. After scoring just 21 points through the first 4 weeks, Amboy scored 24 in a loss to Aquin last weekend. The Clippers have given up at least 36 points in all 5 games, and have allowed more than 50 3 times; their 248 points allowed is the most in the NUIC South.
FND pick: Galena
AFC (0-5) at Milledgeville (0-5)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Floyd Daub Field, 100 E. 8th St.
Last matchup: 2018 Week 7 – Milledgeville 46, AFC 6
About Milledgeville: The Missiles are coming off a tough stretch of games, having played all three teams without an NUIC South loss yet this season. Their 156 points allowed and 48 points scored both rank third in the seven-team division.
About AFC: The Raiders have scored fewer points (36) than any other team in the NUIC South, while allowing the second-most (191). AFC has yet to score more than 2 TDs in a game, and has done that only once. The Raiders' last two losses have come to teams with a combined record of 9-1.
FND pick: Milledgeville
Aquin (5-0) at Eastland-Pearl City (2-3)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: 100 S. Summit St., Pearl City
Last matchup: 2005 Week 6 – Aquin 28, EPC 6
About EPC: The Wildcatz have yet to lose an NUIC South game, having topped West Carroll and Milledgeville in Weeks 4 & 5 to account for their two victories. EPC has been outscored 105-68 this season, and it has scored 8 points or fewer in 3 of its 5 games. The Catz's highest scoring output came in a 36-34 loss to Du-PEc in Week 2, they've only scored 20 points one other time (a 20-12 win over Milledgeville).
About Aquin: The Bulldogs are rolling right along, having become playoff eligible for the 18th time in the last 22 seasons – and they've done it in dominating fashion, having outscored their opponents 201-83. Aquin has scored at least 28 points in all 5 games, and has scored 39 ore more in 4 of them.
FND pick: Aquin
West Carroll (4-1) at Forreston (5-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: 601 E. Main St.
Last matchup: 2018 Week 8 – Forreston 48, West Carroll 6
About Forreston: The Cardinals have been a dominant force again this season, scoring the most points (224) and allowing the fewest (44) in the NUIC South for an average margin of victory of 36 points. Forreston has won only one game by fewer than 20 points – a 30-12 win over Dakota in Week 1 – and have won 3 games by at least 40 points. The Cards have given up more than 10 points just once. and have scored 40 or more 4 times.
About WC: The Thunder showed their ability to win close games the first 2 weeks, then bounced back after a tough 8-0 loss to rival EPC with a pair of four-score wins (36-7 over Amboy & 36-8 over AFC). West Carroll has outscored its opponents 118-55, and is looking to snap a 9-game losing streak against Forreston.
FND pick: Forreston
Polo (5-0) at Alden-Hebron (1-3)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: 9604 Illinois St., Hebron
Last matchup: 2006 1A playoffs, 1st round – Alden-Hebron 21, Polo 7
About Alden-Hebron: After a 32-0 win in Week 1 over the Wisconsin School for the Deaf, the Giants have been outscored 135-6 the last 3 weeks, and have been shut out twice. One of those was a 27-0 loss to Westminster Christian in Week 3 – a team Polo defeated 56-0 a week later.
About Polo: The Marcos are one of only 2 8-man teams still undefeated through 5 weeks, and their +171 point differential is second only to 5-0 Milford's 178. Polo has scored 207 points and only allowed 36 – the fewest among the 16 8-man teams.
FND pick: Polo