The Moline Maroons are making sure their absence from the playoffs does not become an ongoing thing. After just missing out by going 4-5 last season, they became playoff-eligible by dominating the first half against rival United Township, leading 21-0 at halftime, and holding on for a 28-14 win at Browning Field on Friday night. Moline is now 5-2 (3-1 in Western Big 6 play) with two games left and has a realistic chance to host an opening-round playoff contest.
While the defeat for the Panthers (3-4, 2-3) made their road to their first playoff berth since 2001 more difficult, they can still get in if they win their final two contests. Their strength of schedule all but guarantees they would make the playoffs at 5-4, while providing at least a slight chance they could get in if they finish 4-5.
RB Adrian Cooper and the Maroons ran all over the Panthers in the first half. Cooper scored on runs of 36 and 17 yards, while QB Eli Taylor threw 46 yards to Alex Rubingh for a TD with 21 seconds remaining in the second quarter. Cooper finished with 145 yards rushing on 19 carries.
The Panthers fought back in the third quarter. QB Christian Peterson ran 66 yards for a touchdown, and threw a 35-yard scoring pass to WR Cohen Parsons to cut the margin to 21-14. But Moline ended hopes of a Panther comeback, as Taylor threw his second TD of the night, 28 yards to Zak Sierra with just over 8 minutes left in the game.
Overall, Moline ran for 266 yards and outgained UT in total yardage, 358 to 261.
Moline visits Galesburg (1-6, 0-4) before finishing the regular season at home vs Sterling (4-3, 3-1). United Township faces a huge game at 8-0 Eau Claire (WI) St. Regis, Friday at 5:00 p.m. on QCSportsNet.com. The Ramblers are coming off a bye week after winning by forfeit.