WESTERN BIG 6

Sterling at Lake Villa Lakes

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Last matchup: First meeting

About the Golden Warriors: Sterling will run a platoon system at both quarterback and running back again this season, but will have plenty of new faces in the backfield. Drew Kested is the only one back at QB (he threw for 200 yards last spring), while leading rushers Noel Aponte (655 yards, 10 TDs) and Jahshawn Howard (418 yards, 4 TDs) graduated. … Kested will share snaps with sophomore Garrett Polson, while AJ Kested, Tyree Kelly, Antonio Tablante and Colt Adams could all see time at running back. … Carter Ryan, who led the Warriors with 14 catches for 206 yards last spring, will return from a foot injury after missing the first few weeks of the season. … Tyree Kelly is in his third year as a starting linebacker. … Senior lineman Junior Farnham returns for his fourth year as a Sterling starter.

About the Eagles: Lakes, a member of the Northern Lake County Conference, was a young team last spring, and finished 0-5; four of the losses were by 20 points or more. … The Eagles bring back most of their team this fall, and the learning curve after a short turnaround likely won’t be a steep one. … The Eagles have qualified for the playoffs 11 straight seasons before last spring, and have amassed a 23-14 record under head coach Jordan Eder, who’s entering his fourth season.

FND pick: Sterling

BIG NORTHERN

Oregon at Dixon

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Last matchup: Dixon 46-14 (2019)

About the Dukes: Quarterback Jacob Gaither returns after throwing for 621 passing yards and leading the team in rushing during the spring. ... Dixon was 1-3 in the spring, but had two games decided on scores in the final minute (a win over Stillman Valley and a loss at North Boone) and had a pair of five-point losses, including a loss in a rainstorm at Rockford Lutheran in which Lutheran made a goal-line stand in the fourth quarter. ... Dre Jackson, a 6-foot, 300-pound senior, returns to the offensive line after surgery sidelined him all of last year. He was able to make it back in time for track season, where he was the Dukes’ top performer in discus and shot put.

About the Hawks: The Hawks have not beaten a team other than Mendota or Rock Falls since Week 1 of the 2018 season, a win over Rockford Lutheran. ... The Hawks have tweaked some things in the offensive scheme this year to focus more on the power runs. ... John Bothe, who Nick Schneiderman replaced as head coach in 2017, is back on the Oregon sideline as the defensive coordinator.

FND pick: Dixon

Rockford Christian at Rock Falls

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Last matchup: Rockford Christian 34-8 (2017)

About the Rockets: Rock Falls brings back its running-back-by-committee approach with Booker Cross and Dillon Schueler in their second season of sharing snaps in the backfield. ... The last time Rock Falls won a Week 1 game was in 2016, a 20-13 win over Rockford Christian. The Rockets started the season 3-1 that year. ... Jordan Jones returns at quarterback. In the three-game season in the spring, he completed 14 passes for 142 yards. Cross was the leading receiver with five catches.

About the Royal Lions: This is Rockford Christian’s first year back in the BNC for football after they played in the Northeast Athletic Conference for two seasons then played a slate of NUIC teams in the spring of 2021. ... Terry Gulley takes over as head coach. He is a longtime teacher at the school and previously coached Rock Valley College. ... The Royal Lions need to find a new starting quarterback after Caden Norquist graduated. He threw for more than 1,200 yards in the shortened spring season.

FND pick: Rock Falls

THREE RIVERS

Morrison at Newman

When: 7 p.m. Saturday

Last matchup: Newman 14-7 (spring ‘21)

About the Comets: Newman brings in a new three-pronged rushing attack with Marcus Williams, Brennen Cook and Ethan Van Landuit. A three-pronged rushing attack of Andrew Velasquez, Kye O’Brien and Connor McBride helped lead Newman to a state championship in 2019. ... Newman’s first two games will be home against Morrison and at Rockridge. Morrison had an undefeated regular season in 2019, and Rockridge had an undefeated season in the spring of 2021.

About the Mustangs: Morrison will play its first game under new head coach Steve Snider, who previously was the head coach at Orangeville. ... Danny Mouw steps in to lead the offense at quarterback following the graduation of Nathan Helms. ... The leadership on defense falls to Alex Anderson and Logan Baker. ... Defensively, Morrison opened the spring season with a shutout of Riverdale, and later held Newman to 14, but also allowed 34 points to Rockridge and 56 to Fulton.

FND pick: Newman

Erie-Prophetstown at Mendota

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Last matchup: First meeting

About the Panthers: The Panthers, who went 1-4 in the spring, return dual-threat quarterback Kolby Franks along with running backs Connor Sibley (367 total yards, 3 TDs in spring) and Jase Grunder. E-P plans to put Franks in shotgun more and spread teams out. Seniors Jacob Otten and Mason Misfeldt anchor the line. … Defensively, E-P returns all four starting linebackers, led by Sibley and Grunder. The Panthers must replace their entire defensive line.

About the Trojans: Mendota enters the Three Rivers Conference looking to win a season opener for the first time since 2014. … The Trojans have not won more than one game since 2014, but are looking for a turnaround with an experienced roster that featuers seven three-year starters. QB Ted Landgraf threw for 370 yards and three TDs and ran for 228 yards and three TDs in three spring games, while RB Damien Magallanes had 304 total yards and five scores. Both return on defense as well. Magallanes and Christian Tellez were the team’s top tacklers in the spring.

FND pick: Mendota

Riverdale at Bureau Valley

When: 5 p.m. Saturday

Last matchup: Riverdale 54-13 (2019)

About the Rams: The Rams went 0-4 this spring (4-5 in 2019) and face a numbers problem with only 26 players out in the whole program. ... Riverdale won the last meeting, 54-13, in 2019, but the Storm still hold a 17-6 series edge.

About the Storm: The Storm’s opener was pushed from Friday to a Saturday matinee due to a shortage of officials. No matter when they play, the Storm are ready, seeking their first win since Week 9 of the 2018 season (over Morrison), having gone 0-9 in 2019 and 0-4 this spring. “We are really excited to get things going. We have 11 seniors that have been through the ringer the past two years and we want nothing more than to right the ship in the 2021 season,” BV coach Mat Pistole said.

FND pick: Bureau Valley

NUIC

Lena-Winslow at Eastland-Pearl City

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Last matchup: Le-Win 50-6 (2019 Week 1)

About the Panthers: With no season in 2020, Le-Win is technically still the reigning Class 1A state champion, after its 58-20 win over Moweaqua Central A&M in the 2019 title game to finish that season 14-0. But the Panthers have only three starters back from that team. … One of those returning starters in QB Luke Benson, who threw for 169 yards in the 2021 spring season. … The Panthers finished 4-1 in the spring, outscoring their opponents 92-52 after a Week 1 loss to Princeton. … The Panthers’ 2019 title was the fourth straight year the NUIC had a state champion; the conference has had at least one champion in eight of the last 10 seasons where playoffs were held. ... Le-Win has not lost a regular season conference game since losing 20-14 to EPC in Week 5 of 2018.

About the Wildcatz: EPC’s offense starts with QB Kellen Henze, who will be playing football for just the second time in his high school career. The senior is also a golfer, and played football for the first time last spring since it did not conflict with golf. … Henze led the Wildcatz in rushing (307 yards, 3 TDs) and passing (724 yards, 5 TDs) in the spring. … EPC has some big boys in the trenches, with a pair of 300-pounders in Gavin Sigel and Christian Fischer on the defensive line. … The Wildcatz went 2-4 in the spring season.

FND pick: Lena-Winslow

Fulton at Galena

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Last matchup: Galena 34-22 (1992 playoffs, first round)

About the Steamers: Fulton’s first NUIC game is on the road, against a team it hasn’t played since the year after winning its second state championship in 1991. … Three-year starters Brock Mason (WR/DB), Joey Huizenga (OL), Jacob Jones (RB/LB) and Keegan VanKampen (LB) look to anchor a team that lost leading rushers Ethan Rash (532 yards, 8 TDs) and Kyler Pessman (225 yards, 5 TDs) and the area’s leading passer in Connor Barnett (904 yards, 10 TDs) to graduation. … Jones had 172 yards rushing, 223 yards receiving and 3 TDs in the spring, and VanKampen ran for 151 yards and 4 scores. … Kicker Endi Qunaj returns after making all 33 of his PATs last spring.

About the Pirates: Galena went 5-1 in the spring, but lost three all-conference first=team picks to graduation. The Pirates return all-conference selections Brady Schemehorn, Gabe Garcia and Jarrett Basten … Ed Freed enters his 18th season as head coach. He guided Galena to 10 playoffs appearances in 11 years from 2005-2015, including the 2007 1A state title, but the Pirates haven’t made the playoffs since.

FND pick: Fulton

Stockton at Forreston

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Last matchup: Forreston 14-6 (1998 Week 4)

About the Blackhawks: Stockton went 3-3 last spring and won three of its last four games, with the only loss to Galena by eight points. … The Blackhawks have three returning starters on the lines. … Caleb Mammosser returns as Stockton’s QB. … Drew Mensendike will move form left tackle to tight end this fall.

About the Cardinals: Forreston looks to replace all-conference running back Jordan Neuschwander, but has a trio of seniors in the backfield mix in Carter Daws, Jacob Fiorello and Devonte King-Black. … New coach Keynon Janicke is a 2012 graduate of Forreston, and previously served as the defensive coordinator before taking over as head coach this season; it’s his first head coaching job. … King-Black ran for 176 yards in the spring season, as Forreston finished 3-2. … The Cardinals have four returning two-way starters on the line.

FND pick: Forreston

8-MAN

Milledgeville at Polo

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Last matchup: Milledgeville 26-8 (2018 Week 2)

About the Missiles: Milledgeville makes the move to 8-man football this spring, and does so having to replace leading rushers Damon Miller (362 yards, 4 TDs) and Ryan Kendall (240 yards, 2 TDs), QB Nick Smith (238 yards, 7 TDs), and top receivers Kendall (122 yards, 1 TD) and Daniel Lohnes (140 yards, 5 TDs). … Izaac Toms-Smith takes over at QB as the Missiles will look to run everything from a bunch formation to a four-receiver spread. … All-conference lineman Colton Stahl anchors a group in the trenches that is deeper than it would have been in 11-man. … Milledgeville won close games against Stockton and Forreston last spring, securing the victories with key plays on defense.

About the Marcos: Because there were no playoffs last spring, Polo is still the reigning 8-man state champions after defeating 2018 champ Milford-Cissna Park in the title game in 2019. It’s only the third year 8-man will have a championship game. … The Marcos renew their longtime “Battle of the Blacktop” rivalry with Milledgeville, a school located just 12 miles away. … Avery Grenoble (308 rushing yards, 2 TDs) was one of three 300-yard rushers last spring, but the only one returning after Cole Faivre (453 yards, 5 TDs) and Parker Wolber (412 yards, 8 TDs) graduated. … Tyler Merdian returns at QB after running for 157 yards and 4 TDs and passing for 278 yards and 5 TDs last spring. … Polo also lost its top three receivers from last spring, Joey Bardell (8 catches, 31 yards, 1 TD), Bennett Soltow (6 catches, 102 yards, 2 TDs) and Wolber (5 catches, 111 yards, 2 TDs).

FND pick: Polo

AFC at South Beloit

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Last matchup: South Beloit 26-14 (2018 Week 5)

About the Raiders: AFC is ready for its first season of varsity football since its last year in 11-man football in 2019; the Raiders played a few JV games last spring after moving to 8-man just weeks before the season started due to low numbers and injuries. … Ben Mershon takes over as the second new head coach in as many seasons at AFC; it’s his first high school coaching job after serving as Junior Tackle coach in the past.

About the SoBos: South Beloit finished 1-4 last spring in its first season of 8-man football. … The SoBos have not had a winning season since taking the 1A state title in 2002, amassing a record of 35-123 in the last 18 seasons. … New head coach Jim Morrow takes over for Sam Cady, who led the SoBos the last three seasons. Morrow is the eighth coach since Drew Potthoff led South Beloit to the 1A title in 2002.

FND pick: South Beloit

Peoria Heights at Amboy-LaMoille

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Last matchup: First meeting

About the Patriots: Peoria Heights played its first 8-man season in the spring and won one game, which was the Patriots’ first victory in football since 2017. … Senior quarterback/linebacker Connor Barnes will lead the senior-heavy Patriots.

About the Clippers: A-L will be playing its first varsity 8-man season, but the school’s JV team played 8-man football in the spring. Quarterback Tucker Lindenmeyer is among the Clippers with 8-man experience. … The Clippers have 10 more players in the program now than they did for their final 11-man season in the spring. … Jordan Gulley is in the mix to replace all-conference running back Sean Fitzgerald, who ran for 478 yards and four touchdowns in four spring games.

FND pick: Amboy-LaMoille