United Township scored early and often, and damaged Moline’s playoff hopes with a 42-28 victory over the Maroons, Friday night at the Soule Bowl in East Moline.  After jumping out to a 14-0 lead at the end of the 1st quarter, the Panthers and Maroons traded TDs the rest of the way, but always with UT up by one or two scores.  Panthers QB Matthew Kelley ran for two TDs and threw for two.  But after UT stopped Moline deep in Panthers territory late in the 4th quarter to preserve a 35-28 lead, it was Korey Randle’s dramatic 52-yard TD run with 2:10 remaining that sealed the upset win for UT (3-5, 1-4 in WB6).

Kelley was a monster for UT, running for 195 and passing for 101 more.  Moline RB Pablo Perez ran for all four of the Maroons TDs.

The loss by the Maroons (3-4, 1-3 in WB6) sets up a scenario where, if Moline beats Galesburg and Sterling defeats Rock Island next week, Moline at 4-4 would visit Sterling, also at 4-4, with the winner likely making the playoffs, while the loser would be eliminated from post season consideration.  UT is off next week before finishing vs. Galesburg on Oct. 20.

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.