Week 9 Conference Outlooks
Western Big 6
Qualified: None
Likely In: Alleman (4-4, 36 points)
On the Bubble: Galesburg (5-3, 35 points), Quincy (5-3, 35 points)
While Galesburg and Quincy are 5-3 and have earned a share of the Western Big 6 title, Alleman is the team in the best position heading into Week 9. The Pioneers simply need to beat a winless United Township team to earn the IHSA bid because they gave up the least points in the games between the three tri-champions. Galesburg and Quincy play tough games against Peoria and Peoria Richwoods respectively and will both end up with 40 playoff points if they suffer a loss. That puts the Streaks and the Blue Devils squarely on the bubble.
West Central
Qualified: Quincy Notre Dame
Likely In: None
On the Bubble: Illini West (5-3, 37 playoff points)
Illini West is the only West Central team entering Week 9 without a clear picture of where it stands. Even though the Chargers finish the season at home it will be no walk in the park against a Tolono Unity squad that enters the last week at 7-1. For Quincy Notre Dame this week is no ordinary road trip as the Raiders head to Clearwater, Florida to take on Calvary Christian. QND had struggled to fill the last week of the schedule throughout the summer before reaching an agreement with the Florida school back in the first week of September.
Three Rivers South
Qualified: Rockridge, Orion, Hall
Likely In: St. Bede Academy (5-3, 33 points)
On the Bubble: None
St. Bede’s win over Orion in Week 8 not only put the Bruins in a good position to make the postseason but also sealed an outright conference title for Rockridge. Orion’s chances of sharing a TRS title were low as Rockridge needs only to beat a winless Kewanee squad in Week 9, but now the Chargers enter the last week of the season with nothing but playoff seeding on the line. St. Bede still has not officially qualified but Bruin fans have to like the matchup with Sherrard in the season finale.
Prairieland Black
Qualified: Abingdon-Avon, Rushville-Industry
Likely In: None
On the Bubble: South Fulton (5-3, 30 points)
South Fulton fans were not happy with the way things finished in Knoxville last weekend but the Rebels need to forget about the tough loss and focus on this week or run the risk of falling short of the playoffs. As has been stated here previously, South Fulton will not have enough playoff points to get into the postseason with five wins so getting to the six-win benchmark is a must. The Rebels have their best opportunity for a win since a Week 6 triumph over North Fulton as they take on a Bushnell/West Prairie team reeling from four-straight losses. Abingdon-Avon is a heavy favorite against Knoxville while Rushville-Industry has an intriguing matchup with Farmington in the last week of the season.
Prairieland Blue
Qualified: Elmwood-Brimfield, Knoxville
Likely In: None
On the Bubble: Farmington (4-4, 33 points)
Knoxville is 6-2 but it hasn’t been without making Blue Bullet fans sweat. The win over South Fulton was the Knoxville’s third by two points this season and the team could easily be on the outside looking in entering Week 9. Instead the Blue Bullets are in a position to earn a home game in the first week of the playoffs although that could change with Abingdon-Avon coming to town this week. Farmington is still alive after crushing Peoria Heights in Week 8 but even if the Farmers scratch out a win over Rushville-Industry a lot of teams in front of them are going to have drop for the postseason to become a reality.
Lincoln Trail
Qualified: Stark County, Princeville, Mercer County
Likely In: United (5-3, 41 points)
On the Bubble: Annawan-Wethersfield (4-4, 41 points)
Stark County exerted its dominance with a 32-6 thrashing of United last week but the Red Storm are still in a solid position to make the playoffs. Mercer County is no easy task but with 41 points it is nearly impossible for United to miss the playoffs. That number will turn to at least 45 and since the IHSA moved to a 256 team playoff field the cutoff has never been below 40. Annawan-Wethersfield is in a similar situation although it has to win to get there. The Titans surrendered a season high 46 points to Ridgewood last week so a win over Mid-County is certainly no guarantee.