BCR Week 8 Friday Night Drive Capsules

BCR GAME OF THE WEEK

Bureau Valley (2-5, 0-4) at Princeton (6-1, 4-2)

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday, Bryant Field

Last meeting: PHS (1998).

About the Storm: The Storm look to snap a five-game losing skid since they started out 2-0. They took a step back last week, dropping their homecoming game to E-P 35-12, after playing St. Bede to a 13-7 game the week before and Newman 26-14 in Week 5. “Execution, running to the ball, tackling and playing mistake-free football is what it is about for us this week. Princeton is too good to make mistakes against,” BV coach Mat Pistole said. .... Pistole played quarterback for the Storm in the early 2000s and didn’t get a chance to play Princeton, but knows the excitement this game is going to bring with the first meeting in 23 years against the Tigers. “I’m not sure we will be able to replicate the atmosphere of the basketball games BV and Princeton played in the early 2000s, but it is certainly a great rivalry and it means a lot to the communities with all the connections. Princeton is fast, athletic and very well coached. Their program is exactly what we are trying to build at BV and I give Coach Pearson a ton of credit for what he has done,” he said.

About the Tigers: The Tigers, who beat Class 1A No. 7 ranked St. Bede 47-20 last week, moved up two spots in this week’s AP Class 3A rankings from No. 8 to No. 6. They previously were as high as No. 2 before losing to Kewanee in Week 5. Their mission is to win their final two games and improve their playoff seed. ... Princeton won the initial meeting with Bureau Valley in 1997, 53-16, and followed up with a 40-0 whitewash in 1998. Tiger coach Ryan Pearson is excited to welcome the Storm to Bryant Field after 23 years. “That’s huge. These kids are surrounded by one another, see each other at the Met together, and different things I think there’s going to be of emotions coming into that game. I think every business in Bureau County should be closed for that one. Being the proximity that we are and two proud programs, I’m glad to see that game back on the docket,” he said. ... PHS junior QB Teegan Davis is the area leader in both rushing (647 yards/10 TDS) and passing (1,156/11).

FND Pick: Princeton.

St. Bede (5-2, 2-2) at Hall (1-6, 0-4)

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday, Nesti Stadium

Last meeting: St. Bede 27-6 (Spring 2021)

About the Bruins: The Bruins have been competitive with the best/larger teams in the conference. They held a 13-7 lead over No. 8 (3A) Princeton in the first half Friday before falling 47-20. In Week 3, the played No. 5 (4A) Kewanee to a 23-14 game at the half, falling 51-27. “We’re excited where we’re at. We’re 5-2, we know we’re going to be in (playoffs). We’d love to get two more, be 7-2, get the highest seed as possible, maybe get a home game. We just got to keep getting better,” St. Bede coach Jim Eustice said. ... The Bruins must work top threat Tyreke Fortney (12 TDs, nearly 1,000 receiving/rushing yards) back into the mix after being held by Princeton to one reception and one rushing attempt last week.

About the Red Devils: The Red Devils took a few steps back last week, falling at Newman 43-0, following their Week 6 battle with Kewanee (22-20). It was the first time the Red Devils have scored less than 13 points this season, averaging 22.9. The rival Bruins will be just what the doctor ordered for the Red Devils to get their groove back. “It’s going to be another tough game for us. St. Bede is another really good team in the conference. I feel like we had a pretty big let down this week mentally after our game with Kewanee. We’re game planning to be able to maintain their athletes and get our offense back on track,” Hall coach Nick Guerrini said. Hall seeks its first win since its Week 4 44-20 win over Morrison. ... Junior Mac Resetich leads the Red Devils with 13 total touchdowns with 537 yards/eight TDs rushing and 286 yards/three TDs receiving. ... Hall leads the all-time series over St. Bede 49-22.

FND Pick: St. Bede.