ROCKS “PUNT” AWAY GAME AT GALESBURG

The Rock Island Rocks had two defensive takeaways, four times stopped Galesburg 3-and-out (or 4-and-out), and piled up 174 passing yards — and lost 24-7 at Galesburg Friday night, largely because of five catastrophic punt formation failures.  Twice the Silver Streaks blocked punts.  On two other occasions, punter Amare Overton was surrounded by defenders and unable to kick.  And, the Rocks missed connections on a fake punt on 4th and 8 from their 19 yard line.  The defense responded after the failed punts, however, allowing only a TD when Galesburg started at Rocky’s 5-yard line in the game’s opening minutes, and a field goal when the Streaks started at the Rocks’ 12, which capped off the scoring.

Open receivers were in short supply.  The offensive line generally provided QB Jav’eion Clark-Pugh with plenty of time in the pocket.  But he was able to complete just 10-of-26 passes with two interceptions and three sacks, often because no one was open.  He was able to make several big completions in tight coverage, including a 33-yarder to Joe Allen that set up his 32-yard TD pass to Elijah Venegas, who held on to the ball despite a goal line collision with a bigger defender.  That score tied the game at 7-7 in the second quarter.  But Galesburg’s only sustained drives of the game against the worn out Rocks defense resulted in a 14-7 lead to open the 3rd, and a 21-7 advantage to open the 4th, and the Rocks could not mount a comeback.  

Venegas caught 3 passes for 65 yards including the TD, and returned a punt into Galesburg territory.  He was named the Hungry Hobo Rock Island Rocks Player of the Game.  RB Garr Tarr was held to 51 yards on 14 carries for the Rocks (1-5, 1-3 in the Western Big 6).  For Galesburg (2-5, 1-3), Amarie Richardson ran for 207 yards and three scores.

The Rocks will host Sterling (3-4, 3-1), with a chance to knock the Golden Warriors out of the playoff picture, Friday night on Almquist Field.  Live coverage of Rocks Football, presented by Wheelan-Pressly, gets underway with the Crawford Company Pre-Game Show at about 7:15 p.m.

In Week 7 this Friday night, Moline tries to get one step closer to a playoff berth, on the road at UT, while Rocky heads to Galesburg, looking to win its second straight game. We’ll have separate broadcasts for Moline and UT, so you can cheer for your favorite team along with the announcer, and of course we’ll make the road trip to Galesburg for you Rocky Fans!!
Follow the hyperlinks for your favorite team’s live stream:

6:45 p.m. Moline at United Township Presented by Sexton Ford & Van Hoe Funeral Home
7:15 p.m. Rock Island at Galesburg Presented by Wheelan-Pressly

In Week 6, with Moline having a bye week (a forfeit win vs Alleman), all of the focus is on Almquist Field in Rock Island, where the Rocks and the UT Panthers are each aiming for their first conference win of the season. We’ll have separate broadcasts for each side, so you can cheer for your favorite team along with the announcer!!
Follow the hyperlinks for your favorite team’s live stream:

6:45 p.m. United Township at Rock Island presented by Wheelan-Pressly and Van Hoe Funeral Home

Though United Township had an impressive offensive output Friday night at the Soule Bowl, the Panthers could not keep pace with the powerhouse Quincy attack, falling to the unbeaten Blue Devils 63-27.  Quincy QB Bradyn Little threw six TD passes and finished 19-of-23 for 353 yards.  Three receivers caught two scoring passes each:  Adon Byquist (4 catches for 141 yards), Tykell Hammers (5 for 107) and Jack Mettemeyer (4 for 61).  RB Jeraius Rice added 112 yards rushing and two scores.  Leading 12-7 at the quarter break, the Blue Devils exploded for four 2nd quarter TDs and a 42-20 halftime lead, and added three more scores in the 3rd.

The Panthers tried to keep pace, with QB Matthew Kelley having a hugely productive game and earning Godfather’s Pizza Panthers Player of the Game honors.  Kelley completed 12 of his first 13 passes and finished with 163 yards threw the air, including a 60-yard TD to Korey Randle, and an astonishing 200 yards on the ground on 15 carries, including TDs of 5 and 74 yards.

At 1-4 overall and 0-3 in Western Big 6 play, the Panthers will pick up a forfeit win over Alleman in Week 8, but to make the playoffs must win out with games at Rock Island next Friday, vs Moline (Oct. 6), and at Galesburg (Oct. 20).  All Panthers games on QCSportsNet.com are presented by Van Hoe Funeral Home.

 

In a game that was competitive until the final minutes, Moline pulled away late and earned its first conference win of the season, 28-10 over Rock Island, Friday night at Browning Field.  

The Maroons were without RB Adrian Cooper, but didn’t miss a beat, with Pablo Perez (20 carries, 172 yards) opening the scoring with a 4-yard TD run with 3:23 left in the 1st quarter.  Rocky’s Garr Tarr (19 carries, 125 yards, named the Hungry Hobo Rock Island Rocks Player of the Game) tied the contest with a 52-yard dash to the end zone with 9:47 left in the 2nd.  But Moline answered with a Perez 41-yard TD run just 2:33 later to give the Maroons a 14-7 halftime lead.  

In the 3rd quarter, Jonas Cortez nailed a 23-yard field goal to pull the Rocks within 14-10, but Moline again responded with a big play, a 50-yard TD pass from Elijah Taylor to Zander Ealy for a 21-10 advantage.  After recovering a Rocky fumble, the Maroons drove 63 yards in 8 plays early in the 4th, capped off by a 4-yard TD run by Corbin Schnell, who nearly doubled his previous season rushing total, with 155 yards on 17 carries.  Schnell was named the Godfather’s Pizza Moline Maroons Player of the Game.  The Maroons then recovered another Rock Island fumble inside their 5 yard line with 3:09 to go to seal the victory.

Moline is 2-3, 1-2 in Western Big 6 play.  The Maroons will be 3-3, 2-2 when credited with a forfeit win in what would have been their game vs Alleman next Friday.  On the field, they will visit United Township (1-4, 0-3) on October 6th, presented by Sexton Ford.  Rock Island (0-5, 0-2) plays host to UT next Friday, presented by Wheelan-Pressly.