June 30, 2025
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Sauk Valley Media football capsules, second round of playoffs

By Ty Reynolds - Shaw Local News Network correspondent
Newman's Ethan Van Landuit dives forward for a few extra yards during Saturday's Class 2A first-round playoff game against Mercer County in Aledo.

Newman's Ethan Van Landuit dives forward for a few extra yards during Saturday's Class 2A first-round playoff game against Mercer County in Aledo. (Myles Newberry)

Class 2A

Wilmington (10-0) at Newman (7-3)

When: 3 p.m. Saturday

First round: Wilmington 55, Chicago Julian 0; Newman 33, Mercer County 24

Last meeting: Newman 28-26 (2012 3A quarterfinals)

About the Wildcats: Wilmington is making its 25th straight playoff appearance. ... The Wildcats won the 3A state title in 2014, and finished second in 3A in 2003. ... Wilmington won the Illinois Central Eight title, and has outscored its opponents 312-88 on the season. ... The Wildcats gave up more than 14 points in a game just once, and never gave up more than 20. ... Wilmington scored 31 points or more in five of its last six games; the 55 points it scored in the first round is the most in a game this season.

About the Comets: Newman has won four games in a row, and five of its last six. ... The Comets have outscored their opponents 228-162 this season, and have allowed more than 17 points in a game just three times all year. ... Marcus Williams leads the Blue Machine ground attack with 676 yards and 8 TDs on 55 rushes, and has run for more than 100 yards in each of the last three games. ... Ethan Van Landuit has 439 yards & 7 TDs on 92 carries, and Nolan Britt has 46 rushes for 326 yards. ... QB Cody Donna is 27-for-62 passing for 391 yards and 2 TDs this season. ... Owen McBride (138 yards, TD) and Van Landuit (74 yards, TD) lead the way with 8 catches each.

FND pick: Wilmington


Erie-Prophetstown (8-2) at Kankakee McNamara (6-4)

When: 2 p.m. Saturday

First round: E-P 56, Clifton Central 20; McNamara 42, Knoxville 14

Last meeting: First meeting

About the Panthers: Erie-Prophetstown notched its third game of the season with more than 50 points in the first-round win. ... The Panthers have outscored opponents 358-161 this season. They’ve scored 35 points or more six times, and allowed 20 points or fewer eight times. ... QB Kolby Franks has run for more than 1,300 yards and 20 TDs this year, while throwing 8 TD passes. ... RBs Connor Sibley and Jase Grunder also help carry the load on the ground, and Sibley and Mason Misfeldt are Franks’ favorite targets in the passing game. ... Grunder had a 99-yard interception return TD in the first-round win. ... Franks ran for 4 TDs and threw for 2 more last weekend, while Sibley had a TD run and a TD catch.

About the Fightin’ Irish: McNamara finished third in the tough Metro Suburban Blue, and has outscored its opponents 304-138 on the season. ... The Irish have allowed 15 points or fewer in seven contested games this season; they received a forfeit from Aurora Central Catholic in Week 6. ... McNamara has won five of its last six games. ... Tony Phillips (18 rushes, 108 yards) and Jaydon Wright (6 rushes, 47 yards) both ran for 2 TDs in the first-round win, while Brady Bertrand (5-for-9, 151 yards) threw 2 TD passes to Colton Provost. ... Rich Zinanni has coached McNamara for the last 47 years, amassing 370 wins, 37 playoff appearances, 5 state titles (all in 3A) & 4 runner-up finishes (2 in 3A, 2 in 4A).

FND pick: McNamara


Class 1A

Fulton (8-2) at Ottawa Marquette (9-1)

When: 1 p.m. Saturday

First round: Fulton 42, Chicago Raby 0; Marquette 32, Princeville 7

Last meeting: Fulton 34, Marquette 16 (2017 1A playoffs)

About the Steamers: Fulton won a playoff game for the first time since 2017 last weekend, after back-to-back first-round losses in 2018 and 2019. The Steamers are making their sixth playoff appearance in seven seasons. ... Fulton is outscoring its opponents 329-167 this season, and posted its second straight shutout – and third of the season – in the first round. ... The Steamers have allowed 14 points or fewer in seven of their 10 games, and have scored 30 or more points six times. ... Keegan VanKampen has run for nearly 1,000 yards and 17 TDs, while Jacob Jones has run for nearly 600 yards and 5 TDs. ... Patrick Lower has thrown for 753 yards and 9 TDs this season. ... Brock Mason, Jones and Baylen Damhoff have been Lower’s favorite targets. ... Fulton ran for 172 yards and threw for 206 last week, and only gave up 97 total yards to Raby.

About the Crusaders: Marquette was one of six independent schools to qualify for the playoffs this season. ... The Crusaders have outscored opponents 433-181 this season, and have scored at least 32 points nine times; they’ve put up 42 or more six times. ... Marquette has allowed 14 points or fewer six times. ... RB Tom Durdan has rushed for 1,156 yards and 27 TDs, while RB Jurnee Reed has 844 rush yards and 13 TDs. ... QB Alex Graham has run for 1,216 yards and has 23 total TDs in the Crusaders’ Wing-T attack. ... Marquette’s defense has given up an average of 104.3 total yards per game over the last four games.

FND pick: Marquette


Lena-Winslow (8-2) at Forreston (8-2)

When: 6 p.m. Saturday

First round: Le-Win 54, Aurora Christian 7; Forreston 22, Galena 14

Last meeting: Forreston 22-20 (Week 9)

About the Panthers: Le-Win has qualified for the playoffs in 22 consecutive seasons, and this is the 13th straight year it has won at least one playoff game. It is looking for its 10th trip to the quarterfinals in that span. ... The Panthers have outscored opponents 410-105 this season, and have given up 7 points or fewer in a game seven times, while scoring 38 or more seven times. ... Ethan Fye, Brady Eilders and Marey Roby lead a diverse rushing attack, while Luke Benson can throw the ball if needed.

About the Cardinals: Forreston’s Week 9 win over Le-Win came on the final play of the game, when Matthew Beltran ran in for a 1-yard TD as time expired. ... The Cardinals have outscored opponents 326-166, and have allowed 14 points or fewer five times. ... Forreston outgained Le-Win 233-119 on the ground in their Week 9 meeting. ... Six different running backs rushed for at least 45 yards in the first-round win, led by Jacob Fiorello’s 105 yards. Matthew Beltran (74 yard), Noah Johnson (70 yards), Kaleb Sanders (60 yards), Devonte King-Black (49 yards) and Micah Nelson (45 yards) helped carry the load, as the Cardinals ran 61 times for 407 yards and attempted just two passes (both incomplete) against Galena.

FND pick: Forreston


8-man

Milford-Cissna Park (7-3) at Polo (10-0)

When: 2 p.m. Saturday

First round: MCP 38, Pawnee 20; Polo 66, West Prairie 16

Last meeting: Polo 50-26 (2019 8-man state championship)

About the Bearcats: MCP has outscored its opponents 385-250 this season, having scored 32 or more points seven times – including an 82-6 win ver South Fork in Week 8 – and allowing 28 points or fewer five times. ... The Bearcats led 14-0 after one quarter last weekend, only to see Pawnee tie it up 14-14 by halftime before MCP broke away with three of the game’s final four touchdowns. ... Angel Salinas ran for 156 yards and 2 TDs in the first-round win, and Mason Blanck ran for 93 yards and a TD.

About the Marcos: Polo has scored 36 points or more in all eight contested games this season, while allowing 20 points or fewer six times. ... The Marcos hold a 419-116 scoring edge this season. ... Last weekend marked the fifth time Polo has scored at least 50 points in a game. ... Brock Soltow ran for 171 yards and 3 TDs last week, while Avery Grenoble ran for 89 yards & 2 TDs, while Tyler Merdian threw TD passes to Kahlil Sankey and Wyatt Queckboerner. ... The Marcos outgained West Prairie 371-89 on the ground, and 449-112 in total yards.

FND pick: Polo


Milledgeville (9-1) at Amboy-LaMoille (6-4)

When: 1 p.m. Saturday

First round: Milledgeville 64, Bushnell-Prairie City 8; Amboy 52, Aquin 28

Last meeting: Milledgeville 24-12 (Week 2)

About the Missiles: Milledgeville has outscored its opponents 461-154 this season, and has scored 38 points or more in eight of nine contested games while allowing 16 points or fewer six times. ... The first-round win was the fifth time the Missiles have scored 56 points or more in a game. ... Connor Nye threw for 163 yards and 2 TDs, and also ran for a score last weekend. ... Ashton Nobis had 2 TD runs and 2 TD catches against BPC, while Peyton Sarber and Izaac Toms-Smith also ran for TDs. ... The Missiles outgained BPC 309-164, in 21 fewer offensive plays.

About the Clippers: Amboy has outscored opponents 363-243 this season, and the first-round win over Aquin was the sixth time it has scored at least 46 points in a game. ... The Clippers have now allowed 28 points or fewer in five games this season. ... Amboy has won four of its last five, including a Week 7 forfeit over AFC. ... Tucker Lindenmeyer ran for 190 yards and 3 TDs, and threw for 132 yards and 2 scores in the first-round win. ... Brennan Blaine caught 5 passes for 113 yards and 2 TDs against Aquin. ... The Clippers grabbed the momentum vs. Aquin with a Hail Mary TD pass on the final play of the first half, then scored on their first three possessions of the second half, and turned three second-half turnovers into 16 points. ... Jordan Gulley had a 92-yard interception return for a TD in the fourth quarter.

FND pick: Milledgeville