NUIC football fans look forward to another Lena-Winslow-Stockton clash

STOCKTON, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — There are a lot of things that tie Stockton and Lena-Winslow together. Right there near the top of the list is an appreciation for great high school football. Everyone will expect to witness that Friday night when the Panthers and Blackhawks come together for their latest battle on the football field in Stockton. It’s our ‘Overtime’ Game of the Week.

Friday nights in the late summer and fall are always a big deal in these two communities. It’s an even bigger deal when they face each other.

“Everyone knows what it is going into it,” said Lena-Winslow running back/defensive back Ian Geiseman. “It’s going to be the most physical game we play all year. Both teams know what we’re going to do.”

Last year, Stockton won the regular season game in Lena and went on to win the NUIC. The Panthers won the rematch in Stockton in the 1A state semifinals. The Panthers went on to win the state championship.

Both football programs graduated a lot of elite talent, yet here they both are going into week seven sitting at 4-0 in conference play.

Stockton head coach Sean Downey has fully experienced this NUIC rivalry multiple times.

“Everybody talks about Friday night, but the week leading up to it, the Monday through Thursday, the preparation, you’re going through things in your head. What could happen? What they (Lena-Winslow) could do. What they’ve done to us in past years.”

Stockton’s only loss this season was in the season opener against an El Paso Gridley team that could be the favorite to win the 2A state championship. The Blackhawks have speed with the likes of running backs Carter Blair, Wyatt Record and Morgan Haas. They have an efficient quarterback in Walker Olson, and they have size and strength on the lines.

“I think they’re actually more physical this year (than last year),” said Le-Win head coach Ric Arand. “They’ve got a really, really nice team. I like everything about them.”

Downey says Stockton wans physical play to be its identity. “That’s kind of the culture that we’re trying to create, it’s just being physical across the board.”

The Panthers aren’t quite as explosive on offense as they were last year, but running back Ian Geiseman is having an outstanding season. He learned last season from watching two of the best running backs in school history Aiden Wild and Alec Schlichting.

“Their confidence and mentality just really rubbed off on me. It was really cool to see. They just gave me a….they led the path for me to come in this year.”

 The Panthers are very experienced and strong on the lines with Preston Shultz, Gannon Dunker and Mason Kempel leading the way.

“They’re probably one of the strongest lines we’ve faced all year, so that’s going to be tough,” said Stockton quarterback Walker Olson.

The Panthers have won their last four games after dropping their opening two games to two very strong non-conference opponents Benet Academy of Lisle and Darlington, Wisconsin. The Panthers are still searching for a little more consistency on offense.

“We’re just kind of on again off again,” said Arand. “We’ve talked about it in film (sessions), and I think part of it is an effort, and I think part of it is an attitude. We have to play with that relentless effort and attitude.”

There will be no shortage of effort from either one of these teams Friday night.

“It’s really just about who wants it more in the game. That’s what it’s going to end up being every time,” said Geiseman.

“The two communities are competitive and proud of their football programs. It just makes for a fun night,” said Downey.

NOTE: Be sure to tune in to ‘Overtime’ for coverage of the game Friday night. ‘Overtime’ will be on around 10:30 p.m. on FOX 39 in Rockford immediately following the Penn St.-Northwestern football game on FOX.

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