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Shopper’s Guide
VOL. 78 • NO. 38
YOUR FREE HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER
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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2016
Wildcats roll over Polo in NUIC action By Chris Johnson
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
The Eastland-Pearl City Wildcats remain locked in at the top of the NUIC Northwest with the Forreston Cardinals in, arguably, the strongest small-school football conference in the State of Illinois. A Friday, Sept. 16, 39-6 win over the Polo Marcos highlighted how strong the team continues to get. EPC opened the scoring and grew their lead in the first quarter after consecutive drives led to scores, with Polo joining in during the period. After one quarter of play, EPC was in front 14-6. The Marcos would not move the ball effectively in the second quarter and were kept out of
the end zone. The Wildcats added eight more to their total and took the 22-6 lead into the half. In the third quarter, opportunity led to score as EPC tallied an additional nine points, pushing their lead to 31-6. A final score late in the game closed out the night and handed the “w” to the ‘Cats. It’s been a road of discovery for EPC this season and is one that is still unfolding. The Wildcats are winning the games they should. Victories over teams such as West Carroll and Pecatonica, show focus while taking revenge and extolling penalties against the teams who had
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Lena-Winslow turns focus towards Dakota SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
Four weeks into the high school football season and certain observations have sprung forth. The four teams leading the NUIC Northwest could possibly cross paths again in a little over a month when the State Football Championship Tournament begins. The Lena-Winslow Panthers, coming off a 50-10 win over the Galena Pirates, moved to 3-1 on the season and kept pace with the two teams in front of them. Conference leader Forreston crushed Amboy-LaMoille 55-7. Eastland-Pearl City found and dismantled Polo 39-6. This week the 3-1 Panthers take on the 3-1 Indians in Dakota. The Indians upset East Dubuque on Friday night, 28-6. This Friday night, Sept. 23, the Panthers and Indians square off in Dakota. The Indians are thinking about another upset. The winner will remain a game behind the leaders. If upsets occur at the top, the winner will be tied with the leaders, currently in front of
them. The loser will be looking at a “long shot at best”, in any thoughts of a conference title. Two losses will get you into the playoffs, but may not win you the NUIC Northwest Title. It’s only week five, but certain realities have been put into motion. Fate is in control. Following this Friday night’s meeting with the Dakota Indians, the Panthers return home for a week six showdown with the AmboyLaMoille Clippers. October starts with a game that could show up again, perhaps two or three weeks into the Class 1A Tournament. The EMILY DENEKAS PHOTO Shopper’s Guide Forreston Cardinals play host to Lena-Winslow. The following week, the Warriors of East Dubuque head to Stephenson County. The regular Harold and Marian Trumpy rode in the Lena Fall Festival Parade on Saturday in celebration of their 75th season comes to a close for Lena- wedding anniversary. Winslow at home with a match against the West Carroll Thunder. The Panthers are about to enter the most difficult part of the 2016 fall sports schedule. By week eight it will be known if Lena-Winslow has a chance to defend its 2015 crown. g Free Estimates
Lena Fall Festival Parade
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