Kewanee - Coming into the semifinals, the north bracket featured the #1 state ranked Lena-Winslow Panthers on the road at the #3 state ranked Annawan-Wethersfield Titans. Both teams would enter the game 12-0, but only one would leave with a trip to Huskie Stadium at NIU for the state title game on November 29th. Two different styles existed between the two teams, but two things were common - both scored 38 points plus per game while holding their opponents to under 10 points

Lena - The game had the story line. Young coach versus seasoned veteran. Undefeated conference champions squaring off with each other for the right to play in the semifinals. Two storied programs playing against each other for the 3rd time in 7 seasons in the playoffs. And just like that, the game was underway. Aquin received the ball to start the game, and quickly went 3 and out and were forced to punt with just 46 seconds off the clock. The Panthers would take over from the

When the quarterfinals kickoff Saturday afternoon at the Le-Win Athletic Bowl, it will feature the conference champions from each division of the NUIC, Aquin and Lena-Winslow. In essence, it will put to rest for the 2019 season who the real conference champion is, but more than that, the winner will move onto the semifinals as the remaining representative for a shot at state in DeKalb on November 29th. It is the first time that both conference champions have entered the quar

Stockton - For all the success that these two conference rivals have had throughout the years, they were only meeting up for the 4th time in the playoffs. Ironically, all those match-ups have come in the 2nd round, and Aquin has won them all. After meeting in week 2, where Aquin won 40-22 convincingly, there was something about this game that had the feeling it was going to be a good one. The Blackhawks would strike first with 6:02 to play in the 1st quarter as Jason Hermann

Forreston - When you are the defending state champions, it doesn't matter how good or how bad your season has been, you are going to get everyone's best shot because they want to take down the best. In a 9 seed vs 1 seed playoff game, this wasn't your typical game, as the 9 seed was the Forreston Cardinals, the defending champs, playing host to the 1 seed and undefeated Annawan-Wethersfield Titans. The game opened up with fireworks, as Forreston kicked off with an onside kick