September 18, 2001 12:25 AM
Rocks stay No. 7 in 6A ranking
Associated Press Players and fans held hands, sang songs about America and chanted
``U-S-A, U-S-A.'' The sports spotlight was on high school football in Illinois over the
weekend. It was practically the only game in town.
While pro and most college teams sat idle because of the tragic events on the East
Coast, hundreds of prep games were played around the state. Only one was postponed until
Saturday.
In Moline, a crowd of more than 7,000 showed up Friday night, some waving American
flags or donning red-white-and-blue clothing rather than their school colors. The varsity
game, however, was postponed one day due to a power failure.
``We're lucky. We get to come back and play a game Saturday. The people that died in
New York and Washington this week don't get to do fun things like that anymore,'' Moline
halfback Larry Turner said. Rock Island won 42-7 on Saturday.
On Monday, the Rocks maintained their No. 7 ranking in Class 6A.
Also Monday, the Associated Press rankings showed all but one No. 1 the same. Byron
moved to the top of Class 4A, the third team to hold the spot since the preseason list.
Oregon fell out of first with a 34-20 loss to Huntley. All three are Big Northern schools.
Oregon now is fourth and Huntley joined the list at No. 7.
The other first-place teams are: Naperville Central in 8A, Hinsdale South in 7A,
Chicago Mount Carmel in 6A, Riverside-Brookfield in 5A, Spring Valley Hall in 3A, Moweaqua
Central A&M in 2A and Oakland in 1A.
Prep notes: Hubbard scored 52 points in the first half of the Greyhounds' 66-6
trashing of Gage Park. ... Maine South is unscored upon this season. ... Bloomington is
4-0 against 2000 playoff teams. ... Massac County junior Daniel Shannon rushed for 313
yards and six touchdowns in the Patriots' 54-40 win over West Frankfort. ... Nashville has
allowed a total of 13 yards rushing in its last three games and only 125 yards for the
whole season. ... A scuffle with game officials on Sept. 7 has led to a one-game
suspension for Morton football coach Hal Chiodo and the firing of two assistants, the
Peoria Journal Star reports. ... Chicago Carver receiver Jason Avant made all his team's
13 catches for 266 yards and three touchdowns in Friday's 44-20 loss to Curie. He has 44
catches for 652 yards and 20 TDs in four games.
Copyright 2001, Moline Dispatch
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