It's just Week 2, but these two wins are huge for Byron and Stockton

Two teams from the Rockford area may have just set things up for a big season on Friday night, and its only Week 2.

Byron pounded on Dixon, considered its strongest (and maybe its only close) competitor in the Big Northern Conference, 28-7, in its newly renovated stadium during the Sept. 5 Week 2 showdown of the top two teams in the league.

And up in the north, Stockton upended NUIC powerhouse Lena-Winslow, 38-14, on its opponent's new field to reset that conference's power rankings.

"Week 2 or not," Stockton head coach Sean Downey said, "our guys are celebrating this one. They're enjoying this one." More prep football: IHSA football: Rockford-area Week 2 high school scores, live updates Looking for a free mini puzzle? Play the USA TODAY Quick Cross now.

Byron's guys? Not so much.