Friday Night Forecast
Week 7 Illini Prairie football predictions

Here are Week 7 predictions from Illini Prairie football pundits for this edition of The Sentinel’s Friday Night Forecast.

URBANA - Each week, we invite Illini Prairie Conference fans to predict the winners from conference matchups. New experts are welcome every week. Below is what this week's team of experts think they have figured out.

Week 7 predictions

Illini Prairie Game of the Week
Illinois Valley Central @ Rock Falls

Denise: Illinois Valley Central .::. 38-7
Sara: Rock Falls .::. 36-12
J: Illinois Valley Central .::. 35-0
Denise J: Illinois Valley Central .::. 47-6
Alan: Illinois Valley Central .::. 34-13

Brooks Look: It was a busy week around the office. Unfortunately, I don't have any quick, guiding thoughts for this week's predictions.

Rock Falls 28, IVC 20

Monticello vs Pontiac

Denise: Monticello .::. 42-14
Sara: Monticello .::. 30-14
J: Monticello .::. 34-7
Denise J: Monticello .::. 48-14
Alan: Monticello .::. 49-0

Brooks Look: I've got nothing.

Monticello 35, Pontiac 13

Rantoul vs Prairie Central

Denise: Prairie Central .::. 21-0
Sara: Prairie Central .::. 28-6
J: Prairie Central .::. 24-6
Denise J: Prairie Central .::. 36-17
Alan: Prairie Central .::. 49-0

Brooks Look: A lot more nothing, but could Rantoul pull off an upset?

Prairie Central 28, Rantoul 24

Central Catholic vs St. Joseph-Ogden

Denise: Central Catholic .::. 32-21
Sara: Central Catholic .::. 48-27
J: Central Catholic .::. 41-34
Denise J: Central Catholic .::. 48-36
Alan: Central Catholic .::. 49-21

Brooks Look: Central Catholic wraps up the outright conference title tonight? SJO is due for an upset in their favor after suffering two of them.

Central Catholic 35, St. Joseph-Ogden 21

Paxton-Buckley-Loda @ Unity

Denise: Unity .::. 42-14
Sara: Unity .::. 37-28
J: Unity .::. 46-7
Denise J: Unity .::. 47-21
Alan: Unity .::. 49-6

Brooks Look:

Unity 40, Paxton-Buckley-Loda 14

Week 6 Results

Rank	Name	Record	Notes
1	Mike Roy	5-0	Week 6 winner
2	Alan	4-1	3-way tie
2	Sara	4-1	3-way tie
2	Brooks Look	4-1	3-way tie
5	Frank	3-2	2-way tie
5	Denise	3-2	2-way tie

Cumulative Standings (After Week 6)

Rank	Name	Total Record	Wins	Notes
1	Brooks Look	25-5	2	Week 2 & 5 winner
2	Denise	21-9	0
2	Alan	21-9	0
4	Sara	18-7	1	Week 3 winner
5	J	16-4	2	Week 1 & 4 winner
6	Lyman	10-5	0
7	Frank	7-3	0
8	Mike Roy	3-2	0	Week 6 Winner!
9	Keith	3-2	0

Cumulative Standings Win % (After Week 6)

Rank	Name	Precentage
1	Mike Roy	100%
2	Brooks Look	83.33%
3	J	80%
4	Sara	72%
5	Alan	70%
5	Denise	70%
5	Frank	70%
8	Lyman	66.67%
9	Keith	60%

TAGS: Weekly Illini Prairie Conference football predictions, Week 7 St. Joseph-Ogden predictions, Unity football predictions, high school football predictions

Save the flavors of fall, learn to can at upcoming Illinois Extension Workshop

Canning is making a comeback as people look for sustainable ways to enjoy local produce year-round. Participants will gain hands-on experience and valuable tips for food preservation.

Fruit jam made from canning at home

Photo: Elena Leya/Unsplash

CHAMPAIGN - As leaves begin to turn and the crisp air of autumn settles over Central Illinois, it’s the perfect time to hold onto the flavors of the season a little longer. For those who want to savor the taste of homemade apple pie filling or a tangy cranberry-orange chutney long after fall fades, the Illinois Extension has just the workshop.

On Tuesday, October 14, from 9 a.m. to noon, Illinois Extension Nutrition and Wellness Educator Rachel Mannen will lead a special fall-themed canning class at 201 W. Kenyon Rd., Suite 3, in Champaign. The session will guide participants through safe food preservation techniques and hands-on practice with two seasonal recipes designed to showcase fall’s finest fruits.

Canning, first developed in the early 19th century in response to a challenge from Napoleon Bonaparte, remains one of the most reliable ways to preserve food. The process involves sealing food in airtight glass jars or metal cans and heating them to destroy bacteria and enzymes that cause spoilage. By creating a vacuum seal, canning keeps foods shelf-stable for months—or even years—without refrigeration.

Fill your pantry with delicious homemade fruits and vegetables this fall.

Participants in Mannen’s workshop will learn about both water-bath canning, ideal for high-acid foods like fruits and pickles, and pressure canning, used for low-acid foods such as meats and vegetables. Beyond mastering technique, the class offers an opportunity to reduce food waste, stretch the harvest, and stock the pantry with homemade goods to enjoy year-round.

The $15 registration fee covers all canning materials. Space is limited, and early registration is encouraged at go.illinois.edu/FallCanning

TAGS: Illinois Extension canning workshop, fall food preservation, Rachel Mannen canning class, Champaign IL events, how to can apple pie filling, water-bath vs pressure canning, University of Illinois Extension workshops, sustainable food storage, cranberry-orange chutney recipe, fall cooking classes Illinois