You pick 'em Week 7 Illini Prairie football predictions

Brush off your crystal ball and test your prediction skills for five Illini Prairie Conference football games this week.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

With Sages' Adam Reedy covering him, Spartan Brock Franzen makes a catch in the end zone on a two-point conversion play in St. Joseph-Ogden's road game at Monticello. SJO went up 28-12 in third quarter on the way to a 34-20 victory. Franzen and the Spartans host Bloomington Central Catholic (5-1) on Friday in an Illini Prairie game that will likely determine who will win this year's conference crown.

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URBANA - Each week, we’ll highlight the Illini Prairie Conference matchups and invite readers to put their football score prediction skills to the test with the Friday Night Forecast.

Think you can spot the upsets before they happen? Ready to back your hometown team with more than just school spirit? Less reliable than the weatherman, but twice as fun, join us in predicting the Illini Prairie Conference wins and upsets.

Submit your picks for the opening week forecast and see how your calls stack up against fellow Illini Prairie Conference football fans all season long. Drop back by OurSentinel.com Friday mornings to see which teams are predicted to win as they work to qualify for this year's state football playoffs.

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TAGS: Illini Prairie Conference football predictions 2026, Friday Night Forecast high school football Illinois, Illini Prairie Conference football picks, 2026 Illinois high school football predictions, Illini Prairie Conference playoff predictions, Unity Rockets football predictions, this week's SJO football predictions

Friday Night Forecast | Week 6 Illini Prairie Conference football predictions

Will St. Joseph-Ogden move to 6-0 after Saturday's road game at Monticello? Illini Prairie experts predicts they will. This week's forecast for five Illini Prairie football games this week.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

TOLONO - Maddox Utley looks for running room in the Sages' road game at Unity. Monticello (4-1) faces the Illini Prairie's most-prolific scoring offense and stingy defense at home on Friday night when St. Joseph-Ogden (5-0) comes to town. The Spartans enter the game scoring a league-high 274 points, nearly 84 more than its nearest competitor. Below are predictions for all nine league teams.

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	DoubleJ	Bement Bulldogs	Coltrane
St. Teresa vs Bloomington Central Catholic	Bloomington Central Catholic 27-13	Bloomington Central Catholic 48-13	Bloomington Central Catholic 35-20
Paxton-Buckley-Loda vs Illinois Valley Central	Paxton-Buckley-Loda 21-18	Illinois Valley Central 14-13	Illinois Valley Central 20-16
Unity vs Prairie Central	Unity 28-22	Unity 27-21	Unity 34-12
St. Joseph-Ogden vs Monticello	St. Joseph-Ogden 35-7	St. Joseph-Ogden 44-28	St. Joseph-Ogden 42-28
Pontiac vs Rantoul	Pontiac 28-6	Pontiac 27-18	Pontiac 28-12
Game Notes:	SJO beats Monticello as long as the offense stays on track. It’s looked unstoppable lately.	Monticello has to get the passing game going, while trying to hold down SJO pass game. Could be a shootout or could be SJO big. Sages undersized on OL/DL could be a problem in pass protection.	For Monticello to beat SJO they will have to limit big plays, limit turnovers, and possibly create a turnover or two.

	Frank	Best Look Magazine	The Sentinel
St. Teresa vs Bloomington Central Catholic	Bloomington Central Catholic 48-20	Bloomington Central Catholic 27-20	Bloomington Central Catholic 28-21
Paxton-Buckley-Loda vs Illinois Valley Central	Paxton-Buckley-Loda 20-12	Paxton-Buckley-Loda 24-14	Illinois Valley Central 28-13
Unity vs Prairie Central	Unity 28-21	Unity 28-20	Unity 28-14
St. Joseph-Ogden vs Monticello	St. Joseph-Ogden 45-20	St. Joseph-Ogden 27-21	St. Joseph-Ogden 38-36
Pontiac vs Rantoul	Pontiac 36-14	Pontiac 34-18	Pontiac 35-21
Game Notes:	SJO will win if the passing game continues to be great.	1 - Monticello will need to control the tempo. 2 - SJO needs to stay energized till the final buzzer and not let the sages in at the end.	If SJO can get up by two scores and the defense doesn't let up, they are 6-0.

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Week 5 Results

1. Best Look Magazine ... 4-0
2. DoubleJ ... 3-1
2. Frank ... 3-1
2. Sentinel ... 3-1
2. Naomi ... 3-1

Friday Night Forecast Leaderboard

 1. DoubleJ ... 20-4
 1. Best Look Magazine ... 20-4
 1. Sentinel ... 20-4
 4. Coltrane ... 16-4
 5. Frank ... 15-4
 6. Sagesrunner ... 11-4
 7. SCOTTY P ... 8-2
 7. Bement Bulldogs ... 8-2
 9. Steve ... 5-0
10. Laura ... 3-1
10. Naomi ... 3-1
12. Buddy ... 3-2

Statistical Leaders

 1. Steve ... 100.00%
 2. DoubleJ ... 83.33%
 2. Best Look Magazine ... 83.33%
 2. Sentinel ... 83.33%
 4. SCOTTY P ... 80.00%
 4. Coltrane ... 80.00%
 4. Bement Bulldogs ... 80.00%
 7. Frank ... 78.95%
 8. Laura ... 75.00%
 8 Naomi ... 75.00%
10. Sagesrunner ... 73.33%
11. Buddy ... 60.00%

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Week 1 Predictions • Week 2 Predictions • Week 3 Predictions
Week 4 Predictions • Week 5 Predictions

You pick 'em | Week 6 Illini Prairie football predictions

Time to make your selections for the Sentinel's Week 6 Friday Night Forecast. Join this week's panel with your guesses by filling out the form below.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Willis Canamore celebrates after St. Joseph-Ogden's first touchdown against Unity. The Spartans defeated the Rockets 38-23. Friday, SJO (5-0) travels to Monticello (4-1), looking to stay at the top of the Illini Prairie.

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Submit your picks for the opening week forecast and see how your calls stack up against fellow Illini Prairie Conference football fans all season long. Drop back by The Sentinel Friday mornings to see which teams are predicted to post another win on the way to qualifying for the state football playoffs.

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See the Week 6 predictions here. Visit OurSentinel.com every Monday to cast your predictions for upcoming week's Illini Prairie Conference games.

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More Sentinel football stories

Friday Night Forecast | Week 5 Illini Prairie Conference football predictions

With a win over BCC (4-1) this week, undefeated Monticello (5-0) can remain at the top of the league standings. Five forecasters gives their take on what the Sages must do to win.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

TOLONO - Monticello's Hayden Curtsinger and Hayden Smith help wrap up a Unity ball carrier. The Sages rallied from behind to beat the Rockets 27-23 in their Week 3 game. Curtsingr and Smith, looking to make their team 5-0, will have their hands full with this week's road game against Central Catholic.

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	DoubleJ	Frank	Best Look Magazine
Monticello vs Bloomington Central Catholic	Monticello 28-20	Monticello 35-28	Bloomington Central Catholic 38-18
Prairie Central vs Illinois Valley Central	Prairie Central 28-7	Prairie Central 28-14	Prairie Central 20-7
Unity vs Pontiac	Unity 38-0	Unity 35-14	Unity 42-14
St. Joseph-Ogden vs Rantoul	St. Joseph-Ogden 56-6	St. Joseph-Ogden 56-14	St. Joseph-Ogden 48-14
Game Notes	Monticello will win if they play disciplined, mistake free, football . . . but they always play disciplined, mistake free football.	Monticello will win if they stop BCCs running game.	BCC will win if they control the line of scrimmage and restrict the Sages offense.

	Naomi	The Sentinel
Pontiac vs Illinois Valley Central	Monticello 28-14	Monticello 28-24
Prairie Central vs Illinois Valley Central	Prairie Central 21-7	Prairie Central 32-14
Unity vs Pontiac	Unity 28-14	Unity 42-14
St. Joseph-Ogden vs Rantoul	St. Joseph-Ogden 49-7	St. Joseph-Ogden 52-21
Game Notes	Monticello will in if they stay focused	Monticello will win if BCC can't disrupt their passing game.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

ST. JOSEPH - Spartan players celebrate after their home win over Prairie Central. This week's pigskin predictions are overwhelmingly in SJO's favor. St. Joseph-Ogden hosts Rantoul for homecoming tonight at Dick Duval Field.

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Week 4 Results

1. Sentinel     4-1
1. Sagesrunner     4-1
1. DoubleJ     4-1
4. Best Look Magazine     3-2
4. Buddy     3-2
4. Coltrane     3-2
7. Laura     3-1

Friday Night Forecast Leaderboard

1. Sentinel     17-3
1. DoubleJ     17-3
3. Best Look Magazine     16-4
3. Coltrane     16-4
4. Frank     12-3
5. Sagesrunner     11-4
6. Bement Bulldogs     8-2
6. SCOTTY P     8-2
8. Steve     5-0
9. Buddy     3-2
10. Laura     3-1

Statistical Leaders

1. Steve     100.00%
2. Sentinel     85.00%
2. DoubleJ     85.00%
4. Coltrane     80.00%
4. Frank     80.00%
4. SCOTTY P     80.00%
4. Best Look Magazine     80.00%
4. Bement Bulldogs     80.00%
9. Laura     75.00%
10. Sagesrunner     73.33%
11. Buddy     60.00%

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Week 1 Predictions • Week 2 Predictions • Week 3 Predictions
Week 4 Predictions

You pick 'em | Week 5 Illini Prairie football predictions

It is time to pick your teams for the Sentinel's Week 5 Friday Night Forecast. The conference still has two undefeated teams with SJO hosting Rantoul for homecoming while the Sages travel to Bloomington to take on Central Catholic. Join this week's panel with your guesses by filling out the form below.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Jameson Ennis celebrates a solo sack during St. Joseph-Ogden's road game at Unity. After going up 32-3 in the first half, the Spartans went on to defeat the Rockets, 38-23.

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Submit your picks for the opening week forecast and see how your calls stack up against fellow Illini Prairie Conference football fans all season long. Drop back by The Sentinel Friday mornings to see which teams are predicted to post another win on the way to qualifying for the state football playoffs.

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See the Week 5 predictions here. Visit OurSentinel.com every Monday to cast your predictions for upcoming week's Illini Prairie Conference games.

Friday Night Forecast Leaderboad

1.  DoubleJ     17-3
1.  Sentinel     17-3
3.  Coltrane     16-4
3.  Best Look Magazine     16-4
5.  Frank     12-3
6.  Sagesrunner     11-4
7.  SCOTTY P     8-2
7.  Bement Bulldogs     8-2
9.  Steve     5-0
10. Laura     3-1
11. Buddy     3-2

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More Sentinel football stories

Area football scores for September 11

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

TOLONO - St. Joseph-Ogden's Cameron Wagner goes up to block a Unity PAT after Jackson Cheely's touchdown catch in the second half. Despite giving up three scores in the second half, the Spartan defeated the Rockets at Hicks Field 38-23, improving to 4-0 on the season. Unity drops to 2-2 and moves on to face Pontiac on the road next week. SJO host the Rantoul in a bid to remain undefeated yet another week.

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Illini Prairie Conference Scores

Pontiac 22, Illinois Valley Central 6
Prairie Central 22, Paxton-Buckley-Loda 6
St. Joseph-Ogden 38, Unity 23
Monticello 39, St. Teresa 20
Bloomington Central Catholic 56, Rantoul 20

Other area scores

Bloom Township 35, Centennial 19
Champaign Central 43, Urbana 2 **
Dwight 22, Oakwood 14
Westville 19, Momence 12
Mahomet-Seymour 42, Taylorville 7
Salt Fork 42, Iroquois West 14
Tuscola 52, Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley 0
Danville 41, Richwoods 36
Bismarck-Henning 36, Kewanee 34
Arcola 36, Argenta-Oreana
Westville 19, Momence 12
Fisher 48, Villa Grove-Heritage 27

Scores from around the state

Macomb 41, Stark County 0
Quincy 20, Rock Island 3
Jacksonville 35, Quincy Notre Dame 20
Moline 13, Geneseo 12
Camp Point Central 37, Beardstown 14
Nashville 51, Anna-Jonesboro 29
Edwardsville 27, Belleville East 0
Carterville 58, Herrin 20
Byron 43, Oregon 7
Peotone 52, Lisle 6
Stillman Valley 61, Rockford Lutheran 20
Wilmington 49, Herscher 13
Manteno 27, Reed-Custer 12
Normal West 44, Bloomington 7
Heyworth 50, Deer Creek-Mackinaw 0
Sacred Heart-Griffin 48, Springfield 7

Look back at Week 1 football scores

Look back at Week 2 football scores

Look back at Week 3 football scores

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Friday Night Forecast | Week 4 Illini Prairie Conference football predictions

It is week four and there is a four-way tie at the top for the Friday Night Forecast's top soothsayer. Here are this week's predictions for tonight's five Illini Prairie Conference football games.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

TOLONO - Unity sophomore Beckham Brink is tackled by Monticello's Eli Houston during first-half action of the regular season game on August 28. The Rockets fell 27-23 to the Sages in a Friday night thriller at Hicks Field and expect to deliver another thriller with undefeated St. Joseph-Ogden visiting tonight, looking for a fourth win. Meanwhile, Monticello faces St. Teresa on the road in a battle of two unbeaten central Illinois teams. Below are this week's predictions and updated leaderboard for the Friday Night Forecast.

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	Best Look Magazine	Sagesrunner	Doublej
Pontiac vs Illinois Valley Central	Pontiac 28-10	Pontiac 21-8	Pontiac 21-12
Prairie Central vs Paxton-Buckley-Loda	Prairie Central 30-20	Prairie Central 35-14	Prairie Central 30-7
Central Catholic vs Rantoul	Bloomington Central Catholic 42-6	Bloomington Central Catholic 60-8	Bloomington Central Catholic 49-0
Unity vs St. Joseph-Ogden	Unity 28-24	Unity 20-21	Unity 27-21
Monticello vs St. Teresa	St. Teresa 35-17	Monticello 28-21	Monticello 35-28
Game Notes	Offensive efficiency and speed.	Monticello- is my team, hint in my username	SJO has not been tested yet this season. Unity will need to play mistake free football.

	The Sentinel	Laura	Coltrane
Pontiac vs Illinois Valley Central	Pontiac 42-21	Pontiac 14-7	Pontiac 34-27
Prairie Central vs Paxton-Buckley-Loda	Prairie Central 42-12	No pick	Prairie Central 34-14
Central Catholic vs Rantoul	Bloomington Central Catholic 56-12	Bloomington Central Catholic	Bloomington Central Catholic 55-8
Unity vs St. Joseph-Ogden	Unity 34-28	Unity	Unity 35-28
Monticello vs St. Teresa	Monticello 28-27	Monticello	St. Teresa 21-14
Game Notes	With home field advantage and two of its toughest league games under their belt, Unity has to deny SJO receiver Kaden Wedig any ball getting within two feet of his fingertips.	Unity Defense will win the game	I think the Unity defense exposes SJO. Through 3 games Unity has given up 54 points and they’ve played BCC and Monticello, SJO has given 46 points and the best team they’ve played is 1-2. So while I think SJO is good and they are going to be good playoff team, they haven’t been tested like Unity has.

	Buddy
Pontiac vs Illinois Valley Central	Pontiac 24-17
Prairie Central vs Paxton-Buckley-Loda	Prairie Central 14-6
Central Catholic vs Rantoul	Bloomington Central Catholic 44-7
Unity vs St. Joseph-Ogden	Unity 24-23
Monticello vs St. Teresa	St. Teresa 42-36
Game Notes	Defense

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Week 3 Results

1. Coltrane   5-0
1. Best Look Magazine   5-0
3. The Sentinel   4-1
3. avwoody   4-1
3. doublej   4-1
6. Frank   3-2
6. Bement Bulldogs   3-2
8. Sagesrunner   2-3

Friday Night Forecast Leaderboard

1. Sentinel   13-2
1. Coltrane   13-2
1. DoubleJ   13-2
1. Best Look Magazine   13-2
5. Frank   12-3
6. SCOTTY P   8-2
6. Bement Bulldogs   8-2
7. Sagesrunner   7-3
8. Steve   5-0

Statistical Leaders

1. Steve   100.00%
2. Sentinel   86.67%
2. Coltrane   86.67%
2. DoubleJ   86.67%
2. Best Look Magazine   86.67%
6. SCOTTY P   80.00%
6. Frank   80.00%
6. Bement Bulldogs   80.00%
7. Sagesrunner   70.00%

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Week 1 Predictions • Week 2 Predictions
Week 3 Predictions

You pick 'em | Week 4 Illini Prairie football predictions

It is time to pick your teams for the Sentinel's Week 4 Friday Night Forecast. Only two undefeated teams remain in the IPC. Join this week's panel with your guessses by filling out the form below.

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Submit your picks for the opening week forecast and see how your calls stack up against fellow Illini Prairie Conference football fans all season long. Drop back by OurSentinel.com Friday mornings to see which teams are predicted to post another win on the way to qualifying for the state football playoffs.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

ST. JOSEPH - Spartans' Ryder Van Meenen drags Illinois Valley Central defenders while carry the ball for during first half action last Friday. SJO travels to Tolono to face the Unity Rockets in Week 4 Illini Prairie Conference football action. More photos from this game are coming soon.

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See the Week 4 predictions here. Visit OurSentinel.com on Monday to cast your predictions for Week 5 games.

In case you are wondering, last week's predictions are here.

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More Sentinel football stories

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Friday Night Forecast | Week 3 Illini Prairie Conference football predictions

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden's Ike Shelato carries the ball past Prairie Central's Collin Kilgus and Spencer Ray during the season opener two weeks ago. Shelato and the undefeated Spartans host Illinois Valley Central on Friday at Dick Duval Field. Prairie Central hosts St. Teresa in a non-conference meeting, hoping to pick up their second win of the season. See this week's Friday Night Forecast below for teams favored to win their Week 3 contests.

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	Coltrane	Best Look Magazine	Frank
Unity vs Central Catholic	Unity 27-21	Unity 35-30	Bloomington Central Catholic 27-14
St. Joseph-Ogden vs Illinois Valley Central	St. Joseph-Ogden 58-14	St. Joseph-Ogden 42-14	St. Joseph-Ogden 52-6
St. Teresa vs Prairie Central	St. Teresa 28-12	St. Teresa 38-14	St. Teresa 42-8
Monticello vs Rantoul	Monticello 28-8	Monticello 35-12	Monticello 35-14
Pontiac vs Paxton-Buckley-Loda	Pontiac 20-14	Pontiac 24-14	Paxton-Buckley-Loda 28-21
Game Notes	Which of the four winless teams has the best chance of picking up a win this Friday? Pontiac. I think Pontiac lost a tough game to FPC so I just have a good feeling.	Which of the four winless teams has the best chance of picking up a win this Friday? Pontiac. Their matchup this week is more closely matched than the other three matchups.	BCC, SJO, Monticello: Who will get their third win this week? SJO. Their offense will be too much for IVC to stop.

	Bement Bulldogs	avwoody	doublej
Unity vs Central Catholic	Bloomington Central Catholic 35-21	Bloomington Central Catholic 35-16	Unity 28-21
St. Joseph-Ogden vs Illinois Valley Central	St. Joseph-Ogden 44-13	St. Joseph-Ogden 41-7	St. Joseph-Ogden 41-6
St. Teresa vs Prairie Central	Prairie Central 20-12	St. Teresa 21-20	St. Teresa 21-14
Monticello vs Rantoul	Monticello 48-6	Monticello 41-0	Monticello 42-0
Pontiac vs Paxton-Buckley-Loda	Pontiac 28-12	Pontiac 21-20	Paxton-Buckley-Loda 18-12
Game Notes	BCC, SJO, Monticello: Who will get their third win this week? All 3 will pick up their 3rd win. Monticello and SJO for sure, BCC tougher test but at home.	BCC, SJO, Monticello: Who will get their third win this week? Monticello because they have much better talent and coaching than Rantoul.	Which of the four winless teams has the best chance of picking up a win this Friday? PBL wins this week. They're too good to not get a W soon. SJO wins easily this week..... running clock.

	Sagesrunner	The Sentinel
Unity vs Central Catholic	Bloomington Central Catholic 40-20	Unity 28-21
St. Joseph-Ogden vs Illinois Valley Central	St. Joseph-Ogden 51-8	St. Joseph-Ogden 56-12
St. Teresa vs Prairie Central	Prairie Central 21-14	Prairie Central 28-23
Monticello vs Rantoul	Monticello 32-8	Monticello 42-14
Pontiac vs Paxton-Buckley-Loda	Paxton-Buckley-Loda 21-14	Pontiac 21-14
Game Notes	Which of the four winless teams has the best chance of picking up a win this Friday? PBL - 1st Win.	BCC, SJO, Monticello: Who will get their third win this week? Expect Monticello and SJO to win big. BCC has home field advantage, definitely a factor, but Unity still comes out on top.

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Friday Night Forecast Leaderboard

1. Sentinel   9-1
1. Frank   9-1
1. DoubleJ   9-1
4. Coltrane   8-2
4. Best Look Magazine   8-2
4. SCOTTY P   8-2
7. Sagesrunner   5-0
7. Bement Bulldogs   5-0
7. Steve   5-0

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Week 1 Predictions • Week 2 Predictions • Week 3 Predictions

You pick 'em | Week 3 Illini Prairie football predictions

It is time to pick your teams for the Sentinel's Week 3 Friday Night Forecast. Join this week's panel by filling out the form below.

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Submit your picks for the opening week forecast and see how your calls stack up against fellow Illini Prairie Conference football fans all season long. Drop back by OurSentinel.com Friday mornings to see which teams are predicted to post another win on the way to qualifying for the state football playoffs.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

TOLONO - Beckham Brink avoids tackles by Monticello's Ayden McCool and Will Osborne on his way to a Unity touchdown. In classic fashion and a exciting playoff atmosphere, the Sages recovered and went on to win 27-23 in an on-the-edge of your seat regular season conference game. The Rockets (1-1) play on the road this Friday at Bloomington Central Catholic and Monticello (2-0) hosts Rantoul for Week 3 in the Illini Prairie Conference. More photos from this game coming soon.

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Friday Night Forecast Leaderboard

1. Coltrane (5-0)
1. DoubleJ (5-0)
1. Best Look Magazine (5-0)
1. SCOTTY P (5-0)
1. Sagesrunner (5-0)
1. Frank (5-0)
1. Bement Bulldogs (5-0)
1. Steve (5-0)
1. The Sentinel (5-0)

** After Week 1.

In case you are wondering, last week's predictions are here.

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More Sentinel football stories

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TAGS: Illini Prairie Conference football predictions, 2026 Illinois high school football predictions, Week 3 football predictions, Unity Rockets football predictions, St. Joseph-Ogden vs PBL, Illini Prairie Conference football predictions 2026, Sentinel Friday Football Night Forecast

Friday Night Forecast | Week 2 Illini Prairie Conference football predictions

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden's Ryder Van Meenen blocks Prairie Central linebacker Kinser Benjamin on a first-quarter play for the Spartans. This week, SJO (1-0) faces Paxton-Buckley-Loda (0-1) on the road while the Hawks (0-1) host their first home game of the season against Pontiac (0-1).

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URBANA - We start this season’s Friday Night Forecast with a nine-way tie. Last week, the Sentinel and eight challengers finished with perfect 5-0 records. Coltrane, DoubleJ, Best Look Magazine, SCOTTY P, Sagesrunner, Frank, Bement Bulldogs and Steve know their stuff.

This week, five brave prognosticators return, putting their reputations and Illini Prairie Conference football knowledge on the line with their picks for Week 2 winners in the 2026 race for the conference football title. Below are their projected winners and probable scores.

	Best Look Magazine	Doublej	Frank
Central Catholic vs Illinois Valley Central	Bloomington Central Catholic 35-7	Bloomington Central Catholic 42-0	Bloomington Central Catholic 45-6
Prairie Central vs Pontiac	Pontiac 21-14	Prairie Central 24-12	Prairie Central 28-14
St. Joseph-Ogden vs Paxton-Buckley-Loda	St. Joseph-Ogden 35-21	St. Joseph-Ogden 54-6	St. Joseph-Ogden 50-20
Monticello vs Unity	Unity 28-21	Unity 22-19	Unity 28-21
Rantoul vs Mattoon	Mattoon 28-14	Mattoon 18-12	Mattoon 35-14

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

TOLONO - Monticello's Zeke Young hauls in a pass during his team's second-round playoff game against Unity. Young sprinted to the goal line to give the Sages a 13-0 first-quarter lead. Young, now a senior, returns to Hicks Field on Friday, hoping to avenge last year's 21-20 playoff loss to the Rockets. Both Monticello and Unity opened their 2026 campaign with win in Week 1 competition.

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	The Sentinel	Coltrane	Scotty P
Central Catholic vs Illinois Valley Central	Bloomington Central Catholic 35-12	Bloomington Central Catholic 55-0	Bloomington Central Catholic 42-6
Prairie Central vs Pontiac	Prairie Central 36-21	Prairie Central 32-14	Prairie Central 28-14
St. Joseph-Ogden vs Paxton-Buckley-Loda	St. Joseph-Ogden 42-12	St. Joseph-Ogden 41-14	St. Joseph-Ogden 63-14
Monticello vs Mattoon	Unity 28-21	Unity 27-14	Unity 14-7
Rantoul vs Mattoon	Mattoon 21-20	Rantoul 26-12	Rantoul 28-7

Week 1 Illini Prairie Conference Scores

Unity 30, Rantoul 8
Monticello 26, Illinois Valley Central 6
Central Catholic 41, Paxton-Buckley-Loda 0
Coal City 40, Pontiac 6
St. Joseph-Ogden 64, Prairie Central 20

Friday Night Forecast Standings

1. Coltrane (5-0)
1. DoubleJ (5-0)
1. Best Look Magazine (5-0)
1. SCOTTY P (5-0)
1. Sagesrunner (5-0)
1. Frank (5-0)
1. Bement Bulldogs (5-0)
1. Steve (5-0)
1. The Sentinel (5-0)

See the panel's Week 1 predictions

Look back at some of our previous Friday Night Forecasts

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You pick 'em | Make your Week 2 Illini Prairie football predictions

It is time to pick your teams for the Sentinel's Friday Night Forecast. Test your Illini Prairie Conference knowledge and pick this week's winning teams. See how your picks compare with other fans this week and throughout the season.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Prairie Central quarterback Collin Kilgus waits for a St. Joseph-Ogden tackle to commit before handing off the football to running back Wyatt Ault on Friday during their season opener on the road at St. Joseph-Ogden. The Hawks fell 64-20 to the host Spartans. Kilgus and Ault team up again on Friday for home game against Pontiac in Week 2 Illini Prairie football action.

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Submit your picks for the opening week forecast and see how your calls stack up against fellow Illini Prairie Conference football fans all season long. Drop back by OurSentinel.com Friday mornings to see which teams are predicted to win as they play each week to qualify for this year's state football playoffs.

This week's predictions are here. Follow the link to see which teams this week's panel of experts picked.

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TAGS: Week 2 football predictions, Unity Rockets football predictions, St. Joseph-Ogden vs PBL, Illini Prairie Conference football predictions 2026, Sentinel Friday Football Night Forecast, Illini Prairie Conference football predictions, 2026 Illinois high school football predictions,

Week 1 Illini Prairie Conference football predictions

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Monticello running back Maddox Utley takes a handoff from quarterback Nolan Buehnerkemper during their road game against St. Joseph-Ogden. The Sages open their 2026 season hosting Illinois Vallery Central on Friday at 7 p.m. Nine experts offer up their predictions for Week 1 footbal action in the Illini Prairie Conference.

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	Coltrane	DoubleJ	Best Look Magazine
Central Catholic vs PBL	Central Catholic 28-14	Central Catholic 28-13	Central Catholic 24-14
Monticello vs IVC	Monticello 35-20	Monticello 21-6	Monticello 31-14
Rantoul vs Unity	Unity 42-0	Unity 48-0	Unity 42-7
SJO vs Prairie Central	St. Joseph-Ogden 48-20	St. Joseph-Ogden 28-26	St. Joseph-Ogden 35-12
Pontiac vs Coal City	Coal City 42-26	Coal City NA	Coal City 42-10

	SCOTTY P	Sagesrunner	Frank
Central Catholic vs PBL	Central Catholic 42-14	Central Catholic 28-21	Central Catholic 45-12
Monticello vs IVC	Monticello 56-7	Monticello 28-14	Monticello 23-18
Rantoul vs Unity	Unity 63-7	Unity 42-0	Unity 50-14
SJO vs Prairie Central	St. Joseph-Ogden 48-21	St. Joseph-Ogden 28-21	St. Joseph-Ogden 45-28
Pontiac vs Coal City	Coal City NA	Coal City 35-21	Coal City 21-14

	Bement Bulldogs	Steve	The Sentinel
Central Catholic vs PBL	Central Catholic 42-13	Central Catholic 49-6	Central Catholic 28-14
Monticello vs IVC	Monticello 28-7	Monticello 28-12	Monticello 42-7
Rantoul vs Unity	Unity 38-0	Unity 42-14	Unity 48-12
SJO vs Prairie Central	St. Joseph-Ogden 42-14	St. Joseph-Ogden 42-21	St. Joseph-Ogden 28-21
Pontiac vs Coal City	Coal City 33-6	Coal City 27-7	Coal City 28-6

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