The Big Northern's Big Bullies

Both divisions of the Big Northern is shaping to be very competitive across both divisions. This season might be a coming out party for the Big Northern in the playoffs. Let's take a look at the cream of the crop.

Burlington Central
Week 1: Hampshire Win 36-22
Week 2: Sycamore Loss 17-20 OT

After pulling off a less than impressive win over Fox Valley foe Hampshire, BC put up a really good effort against NIB-12 beast Sycamore. This game, although a loss, gives Central favorite status in the Big Northern East. With a more experienced team and a new coach, BC seems to be a much better team than the squad that was embarrassed by Richmond-Burton and Stillman Valley a season ago.

Harvard
Week 1: Rock Falls Win 52-6
Week 2: Woodstock Win 7-6

First of all, shame on Woodstock for losing to Harvard. Second of all, Harvard plays Rockford Lutheran and Genoa-Kingston, which means they should at least match the 4-5 record they posted last season. Harvard has a really good shot at a playoff spot after this hot start they have gotten out to. They do have big tests agaisnt Richmond-Burton andBurlington Central. I personally wouldn't even consider North Boone or Marengo gimmes this year either.

Marengo
Week 1: Chicago Christian Win 49-7
Week 2: Aurora Central Catholic Loss 25-26

Coming within one point of matching their win total from last season, Marengo comes out of the first two weeks of the season looking like a legitimate contender for the Big Northern East crown. This Indian squad doesn't have a cake walk though. It seems like every week presents a new challenge. This is a squad that could vie for a conference crown, or just as easily return to another poor season. We will know a lot more about the mental fortitude of this squad after Week 4.

North Boone
Week 1: Clinton (WI) Win 47-0
Week 2: Rock Falls: Win 27-0

At 2-0, North Boone looks like a legitimate threat for a playoff spot. I have a feeling that no matter how the rest of these teams do, North Boone will wind up between 4-5 and 6-3. However, shutting out your first two opponents builds a lot of momentum going into conference season.

Richmond-Burton
Week 1: Oregon Loss 0-7
Week 2: Westinghouse Win 35-0

Losing to Oregon was a big surprise, however Oregon's encore act was a 26-7 thrashing of 2A beast Clifton Central. Good to know we're still better than Clifton Central. However, you gotta beat the best to be the best and Until I see a them losing more often, they are still a bully in this conference.

Byron
Week 1: Walther Lutheran Win 63-32
Week 2: Wheaton Academy Win 42-0

After thrashing two Suburban Christian teams, I am convinced that Byron is not only a bully, but a threat to take Stillman Valley. It's about damn time that Stillman got a good rival in this conference! Even better, Mendota will be in the West next season. Circle your calendars for September 30th at 7 PM.

Oregon
Week 1: Richmond-Burton Win 7-0
Week 2: Clifton Central Win 26-7

Two really good wins over quality programs in the first two weeks of the season. However, this super-team that shut out Richmond-Burton is the third best team in the west, in my opinion.

Stillman Valley
Week 1: Aurora Christian Loss 20-38
Week 2: Wauconda Win 38-21

Even with the loss to 3A titan Aurora Christian, Stillman is still the best team in the west. Perhaps, they're still the best team in this conference in my opinion with Burlington Central a very close second. This team has experienced some drop off and may have trouble with Burlington Central, Byron, Oregon, and possibly Marengo but I highly doubt that last one. The Cards should still make the playoffs easily with a relatively high seed.


Predictions
Big Northern West
Stillman Valley 8-1 (5-0)
Byron 7-2 (4-1)
Oregon 6-3 (3-2)
Winnebago 4-5 (2-3)
Rock Falls 1-8 (1-4)
Rockford Lutheran 1-8 (0-5)

Big Northern East
Burlington Central 7-2 (5-0)
Harvard 8-1 (4-1)
Richmond-Burton 6-3 (3-2)
Marengo 4-5 (2-3)
North Boone 4-5 (1-4)
Genoa-Kingston 1-8 (0-5)