As we get prepared for the 2020 football season, we wanted to touch base with former NUIC players that have gone on to play at the college level to hear what their experiences are, what playing in the NUIC did to help them out for the college level, and what insight they would bestow upon younger guys looking to play at the collegiate level. Player Profile: Name: Sam Barkalow High School: Forreston Graduated: 2018 College: Western Illinois University Position: Tight End Major

As we get prepared for the 2020 football season, we wanted to touch base with former NUIC players that have gone on to play at the college level to hear what their experiences are, what playing in the NUIC did to help them out for the college level, and what insight they would bestow upon younger guys looking to play at the collegiate level. Player Profile: Name: Mitchell Heinz High School: Forreston Graduated: 2019 College: Concordia University - St. Paul Position: Offensive

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