Preps Football Preview 2009

Still the ones

SIDELINES Compiled from H&R staff and news service reports

Tebow, Gators top AP poll/C6

Hope, but no payout for fans All those World Series wagers put down by snowbirding Cubs fans every year in Vegas? They do make nifty keepsakes.

As David Pemberton, director of specialty games at The Rio, told the Chicago Sun-Times: “Everybody wants to come in and get a Cub ticket and go home, ‘Look, I bet on the Cubs.’

The money just keeps coming in.

“The Midwest, they just come in here and got to get a souvenir. One of the jokes is when people buy a Cubs ticket, we tell people, ‘No one’s ever cashed one.’ ”

Texas-sized design flaw?

Perhaps the most notable occurrence Friday from Dallas’ preseason game in its new $1.2 billion stadium was that Tennessee’s rookie punter A.J. Trapasso kicked the ball into the bottom of the massive video boards, forcing a do-over. He almost hit it on that kick, too.

The screen — which is 60 yards wide and 25 yards high — was an inviting target for Trapasso and starter Craig Hentrich during pregame warmups. Both hit it multiple times.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

C

Sports Herald& Review

Busch pushes for Chase spot with victory/C7

www.herald-review.com

Questions or comments regarding this section? Contact Sports Editor Mike Albright at 421-7909

Knuckler buckles Cubs LOS ANGELES (AP) — Charlie Haeger baffled the Cubs with his knuckleball, helped by rare Los Angeles humidity that made the pitch even more unpredictable than usual.

Haeger’s ability to mix his knuckler with other pitches, along with homers

by Matt Kemp and Casey Blake, helped the Los Angeles Dodgers defeat Chicago 2-0 Saturday to win their third in a row.

“Any time it’s humid out there, I think it’s going to help. It’s definitely easier to grip the ball,” said Haeger, who won for the first time since Sept. 23, 2006, with the Chicago White Sox. “I like pitching day games because it’s warm out, and I got a good sweat going. I feel like I’m out there working.”

The NL West-leading Dodgers haven’t been on this kind of roll since taking five straight from July 18-22. All three wins have come against the struggling Cubs, who lost for the 10th time in 13 games.

“Everybody that’s come out of that bullpen or has started has had to be pretty much bulletproof because we’ve been struggling scoring runs. But what we’ve scored has been holding up,” Los Angeles manager Joe Torre said.

Chicago managed four hits a day after getting one-hit on the road for the first time in more than 23 years.

“It’s not looking good, but we’re not out of it,” losing pitcher Ted Lilly said.

Associated Press

Dodgers pitcher Charlie Haeger shut out the Cubs in seven-plus innings KNUCKLE/C3 to win for the first time since 2006.

hrpreps FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Knight makes IU Hall of Fame Former Indiana University basketball coach Bob Knight will be inducted into the university’s athletics Hall of Fame nearly a decade after he was fired for violating a zero-tolerance policy imposed by then-IU President Myles Brand.

The announcement Knight

by Indiana on Saturday is the first move to bring the two sides together since Knight was fired in 2000 for what school officials called a “pattern of unacceptable behavior.”

Whether Knight will attend the Nov. 6 induction ceremony in Indiana is unknown. He has not returned to IU since his firing, which caused a rift in Indiana basketball fans, led to the resignation of his successor, former assistant Mike Davis, and saw the storied program tarnished by recruiting violations under Kelvin Sampson.

Herald & Review/Stephen Haas

Monticello coach Cullen Welter has a penchant for making the playoffs, earning 14 trips in 15 seasons. At Aledo, he chalked up three state titles and two runner-up finishes in 11 seasons.

Back on track in the Black?

Monticello, Clinton hope new coaches result in rise to prominence Doing the Shaqstroke Don’t go calling him the Big Rip-off.

Shaquille O’Neal says ex-teammate Steve Nash’s idea for a reality TV show was “slightly different” from the premise of “Shaq VS.” At an appearance Saturday to promote the series-ending episode — in which he’ll race against Olympic swimming star Michael Phelps — the Cleveland Cavaliers center said Nash’s premise was based on training with other athletes, not competing against them.

“Everyone in America has similar ideas,” O’Neal said. “He had a similar idea. His idea was slightly different.”

Noting that Nash is an executive producer of his ABC program, O’Neal said: “He’s the Canadian Aaron Spelling, and I’m the black Spielberg.”

The Arizona Republic reported last week that Nash mentioned a “reality show he was pursuing” to O’Neal in early 2008, while both were members of the Phoenix Suns. The newspaper said Nash would not confirm the story and quoted the point guard as saying, “We collaborated on parts of the show.”

By JUSTIN CONN H&R Staff Writer

The Okaw Valley Conference Black Division’s two sleeping giants took steps to wake up this offseason.

Monticello, which went winless last year, made the biggest splash by hiring former Aledo coach Cullen Welter. But Clinton, which hasn’t made the playoffs since 2004, also made a shrewd hire by bringing in longtime South Piatt coach John Hayden.

Monticello, the Okaw’s third-largest school, had its moments under former coach John Beccue. The high mark was 2002, when the Sages won their final three regular season

n Young pups Bulldogs will rely on youngsters to keep playoff run going.

Monday games to qualify for the playoffs and upset St. Teresa on their way to the Class 3A semifinals.

But Monticello has had one playoff berth since, losing in the first round in 2006, and bottomed out last year. Beccue retired from coaching, and because of Monticello’s size, location and top-notch facilities,

Vote online at: www.herald-review.com/sports

MORE PREPS PREVIEW INSIDE Storm’s new trail LOVC switch puts Sangamon Valley out, Martinsville in.

Into the crystal ball Coaches’ predictions, plus who’s due for success.

Sleepers walking Which teams have a shot at turning heads.

Tuscola’s Jordan Knerr

Two pages of coverage, C4-5

BLACK/C5

Cutler, Bears sharp in win over Giants

Speak up Will the addition of Brett Favre be enough to help the Vikings make the NFC title game?

the job drew big-name applicants, including Welter.

In 15 seasons as a coach, including 11 at Aledo, Welter’s teams have made the playoffs 14 times. At Aledo, Welter won a state title in his first season (1998) and added two more titles and two runner-up finishes.

But Welter stepped into a winner at Aledo. He said Monticello compares more to his first job, at Colfax Ridgeview. When he began there, Ridgeview hadn’t been to the playoffs in four years. After going 2-7 in his first year, Ridgeview

Associated Press

Bears receiver Brandon Rideau drags Giants safety Michael Johnson down the field after catching a 20-yard pass during the second quarter of Chicago’s 17-3 win.

CHICAGO (AP) — Jay Cutler wasted little time showing the fans at Soldier Field what they’ve been waiting to see ever since he joined the Chicago Bears.

Cutler came out and led the Bears to points on their first three possessions — his only three series of Cutler the game— as Chicago moved out to a quick 17-point lead and beat the New York Giants 17-3 Saturday night.

Playing a game with the Bears for the first time on his

new home field, Cutler completed 8 of 13 passes for 121 yards, led TD drives of 80 and 92 yards and threw for a score.

His sub-par performance a week ago in the preseason opener against Buffalo was quickly forgotten.

“It’s preseason. Everyone got a little excited last week when we didn’t produce, but we looked OK tonight,” Cutler said. “There’s still room for improvement, so we’re going to go back to work. We’re coming together as an offense.

We’re not quite there yet.”

Cutler outplayed Eli Manning, who left after four series. Manning completed 7

of 10 passes for 62 yards. He was sacked twice, fumbled once — the Giants recovered — and was also called for intentional grounding.

The Giants made a quick turnaround and had a short practice week after beating Carolina on Monday night.

“That’s no excuse. We were prepared and we looked at everything. We just didn’t execute. Too many negative plays,” Manning said.

Cutler has already being hailed as the Bears’ best quarterback since Sid Luckman, and his arrival after a testy

BEARS/C6

C4 PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2009

DECATUR, ILLINOIS

2009 Coaches’ Predictions

Storm’s new map for success Champaign Menard ● PORTA

● Pleasant Plains

Piatt

Macon

● ● Athens Williamsville

South Piatt ● ● Cerro Gordo

● Sangamon Valley

● Riverton

Sangamon

East Central ● Villa Grove ●

Douglas ● Arthur-Lovington ● Arcola

● New Berlin

● Tri-County

● Auburn

Coles Clark

Here’s a mileage comparison of what Sangamon Valley traveled last season going to Little Okaw Valley schools compared to what the Storm will be doing this year in the Sangamo Conference:

● Martinsville

Sangamo

Little Okaw Valley Arcola Arthur-Lovington Cerro Gordo East Central Martinsville South Piatt Tri-County Villa Grove Average

55 48 28 78 102 39 71 61 60.25

Athens Auburn New Berlin Petersburg PORTA Pleasant Plains Riverton Williamsville Average

37 48 47 54 49 23 28 40.86

By MARK TUPPER

IANTIC — Michael Lee knows his way around the roads and backroads of the Little Okaw Valley Conference as though he’d been playing and coaching there all of his life.

N

And that figures, since he played for Illiopolis High School and for the past six years has been head football coach at Sangamon Valley High School, the co-op based in Niantic that includes students from Harristown, Illiopolis and Tri-City.

He knows how many minutes it takes to drive the team bus from Sangamon Valley to a road game at Arcola.

He knows which direction the football field runs at Arthur.

He knows the preferred parking location in Tuscola, how many steps it takes to march from his post on the sidelines to the visiting locker room at Villa Grove and the way the sun looks when it sets in Oakland.

“I can even tell you about the stop light patterns in Decatur on our drive to Cerro Gordo,” Lee said this week.

And because the parents and supporters from Sangamon Valley drive to the games, they long ago memorized the maps that lead to all points Little Okaw.

Well, that changes this fall now that Sangamon Valley has accepted an invitation to join the Sangamo Conference.

Lee and Sangamon Valley fans will need to grab new maps or re-program their GPS systems. And, yes, travel had something to do with the decision to switch leagues.

“I think that was a lot of it, and it’s understandable,” Lee said. “We’ll have a lot of trips on I-72 now. And some

through the country will be shorter trips.

“A lot of it was not footballdriven. There’s boys and girls basketball and volleyball, and on Tuesday night away games in the winter they were driving an hour-and-a-half to a game and not getting home until 11:30 at night.

“That not only wears on the kids, it wears on the coaches.

Sometimes those teams are on icy roads with blowing snow.

Basketball is a long season in iffy weather, especially when you get out on some of those less-traveled roads.

“We never had a problem or an accident, and I realize you can have an accident on the interstate. But overall, I think this is probably better in terms of travel.”

Lee said that even though they would rarely deal with ice or snow during football, the travel will be easier.

“In the past, when we were in the Little Okaw, the only trip we had under an hour was to Cerro Gordo, and that still meant going through Decatur,” he said. “Now (in the Sangamo Conference), we have no trip over an hour.”

Still, for a Little Okaw veteran like Lee, he’ll miss the familiar sights and respected traditions.

“I really liked playing at Arcola,” he said. “It was the challenge of playing there, something about the Arcola tradition. We were not successful there. I never won as a player or as a coach on the varsity level, but I thought playing there was a big deal.

“And I enjoyed going to Tuscola when they were in the league. And going to Arthur, because they had some good teams.”

The reality nowadays is that conferences change.

There are co-ops between smaller communities that make larger enrollments more practical. Leagues scramble to shuffle their decks. In the Little Okaw, for example, the landscape changed when Tuscola moved to the Okaw Valley. Martinsville left the Little Illini

Conferfence to fill a gap in the Little Okaw.

And now Sangamon Valley has moved to find a situation more suitable for its needs.

“In terms of tradition, the Sangamo doesn’t have as long a tradition as the Little Okaw,” Lee said. “When I was in school, we felt football was better to the east than it was toward the Springfield area.

But I think that has kind of flipped now. A lot of it has to do with the little schools in the Little Okaw that are dropping in enrollment.

“The competition level in the Sangamo is going to be better, and we’re going to have to raise our play a little bit. It’s a good challenge for our kids.”

Lee said he has never played or coached a game on one of the Sangamo Conference fields, although he has watched games at New Berlin, Williamsville, Auburn and Riverton.

Sangamon Valley’s Oct. 16 game at Riverton will be especially interesting, since Riverton is coached by Lee’s brother, Josh.

“And he coached with me at Sangamon Valley for two years, so I guess he knows some of my tendencies,” Michael Lee said.

For Sangamon Valley, it’s a two-pronged challenge.

One, fit into a new league, learn about new competition and begin establishing new traditions.

Two, improve on a 2008 season that produced a 1-8 record.

“We do have a little more experience, although we only have five seniors on the team,” Lee said. “Parents ask me how we’ll be. I tell them we’ll be a better team.

Whether that translates into more wins, I can’t say.”

He just hopes those same parents find their way to new road games.

“I assume most of them have taken a look at the schedule and figured out where we’re going,” he said.

“At least I hope they have.” mtupper@herald-review.com|421-7983

Ultra-small school Martinsville ready for LOVC While Sangamon Valley heads off to the Sangamo Conference, their replacement steps into the Little Okaw fray fulltime this season.

So let’s take time to meet the Martinsville Bluestreaks: COACH: Paul Penrod (third season) ENROLLMENT: 129. That would classify the Bluestreaks as 1A in football, easily making them the smallest school in the Little Okaw.

OLD CONFERENCE: The Bluestreaks had been a part of the Little Illini Conference until playing as an independent last year.

PLAYOFF HISTORY: Last appearance was in 2003. But Martinsville had been a powerhouse, making nine playoff appearances in the ’80s and ’90s.

LAST YEAR: 3-6. They did play Arthur-Lovington last year, losing 43-35.

THIS YEAR: Thirteen players are back, including senior receiver Joshua Cribelar, who led the team in receptions with 15 for 182 yards.

Quarterback Jared Higginbotham also is back from a season which saw him throw for 655 yards.

“We are hoping the strength of the team is in our passing game,” Penrod said. “Our receivers and backs have spent a lot of time both this summer and during two-a-days just catching passes.”

While he’s looking to push the passing game, the workouts have been carefully watched as Higginbotham was injured during basketball season.

“He came back pretty well,” Penrod said. “He gets frustrated with how cautious we are with him at times, but we want to make sure he can play both football and basketball. Kyle Perisho (sophomore) is

Apollo

Okaw Valley Black

1. Mount Zion Still the favorite to win despite the graduation of QB Jake Jones and RB Eric Walters. That says a lot of the Braves’ tradition.

2. Charleston The Trojans went from the playoff quarterfinals in 2007 to sitting out a year ago.

3. Effingham An experienced line should open plenty of holes for returning running back Jaron Allred.

4. Newton Third-year coach Jason Fulton likes what he sees from the youngsters, especially a nice junior class.

5. Robinson Seventeen seniors — six who have at least two letters — should have the Maroons climbing the ranks this season.

6. Salem The Wildcats were immediate contenders in the Apollo when they moved in — until the past two years. They could be back on the move up.

7. Olney Olney has not seen .500 in its first six seasons in the Apollo. But if the Tigers can stiffen on defense, they could get more respect.

8. Paris Paris had just three conference wins in the previous four seasons before going 4-3 a year ago.

Expectations are they drop back to the basement.

1. St. Teresa An entirely new offensive backfield doesn’t figure to slow the always-consistent Bulldogs much in 2009.

2. Tolono Unity The Rockets have made 15 straight playoff appearances. It’s looking like Sweet 16.

3. Monticello There’s a lot of faith that new coach Cullen Welter will turn the team around in a hurry.

4. Clinton Lineman Nick Wheat, linebacker Josh Shride and safety David Alwood give the Maroons star power at every level of their defense.

5. Shelbyville The numbers are good at Shelbyville (12 seniors, 20 juniors), and with a couple of all-conference performers back, the Rams won’t be out of too many games.

6. Sullivan New coach Charlie Brown has a strong defensive background and worked under an up-and-coming offensive mind in Derek Leonard.

Little Okaw Valley

Storm taking different road H&R Executive Sports Editor

www.hrpreps.com

also getting a lot of reps to step in at quarterback any time we need it.”

Just as much attention has been given to the other side of the ball, which gave up 25 points per game a year ago.

“We have a completely new defense,” Penrod said. “We have spent some extra time in the classroom just learning the pure logistics of it. The defense has probably seen more time compared to the offense, but they have had more to pick up this summer. So, the offense and defense are probably about even right now in terms of which one is stronger.”

1. Cerro Gordo The Broncos hope all the success in summer 7-on-7 camps pays off with a conference crown this season.

2. Villa Grove Villa Grove has plenty of supporters in the thought it can repeat despite the graduation of all-conference players Jake Palmer and Rob Renfrow.

3. Arcola The Riders have plenty back from a 7-4 squad that was eliminated by eventual Class 1A state champ Concord Triopia.

4. Arthur-Lovington Coach Dale Schuring is 50-16 at the helm of the Knights. He knows how to get the team ready for the LOVC. 5. Martinsville The Bluestreaks hope to make some noise with a potent passing attack in their first season in the league.

6. Tri-County If the team can come close to emulating the play of first-year coach Adam Clapp, they’ll be just fine.

Quarterback Brandon Wilson (1,411 yards) is a very good start.

7. South Piatt New coach David Elder hopes improved line play has the team moving up in the standings.

8. East Central East Central opened and closed last year with a win. In between, it wasn’t pretty. Many think it will be more of the same in Broadlands this year.

COME SEE US

Maske’s Organic Gardening

2510 W. Mound Rd Decatur, IL 62526

217-877-0740

Jordan Knerr had 119 tackles last season for Tuscola as the Warriors reached the Class 1A quarterfinals. He’s back this year for his senior campaign, which should include another good race in the Okaw Valley’s Blue division.

The teams most likely to reach 10 wins Casey-Westfield — If there was a year the Warriors were going to fall off, it could be this one, as the they replace 16 seniors. But Casey has won at least 10 in five straight years and has been unbeaten in the Little Illini Conference in four of the past five years.

Even in a down year, there simply aren’t enough teams in the Little Illini that can beat Casey to keep the Warriors out of the playoffs. Plus, this may not be a down year.

MacArthur — Last year was not a fluke. The Generals lost a large senior class, including several standouts on defense.

But the nucleus of talent is there and coach Derek Spates, right, has established the program’s work ethic and winning mindset. The Big 12 is a tough league, but barring injuries or other setbacks, the Generals will make their first repeat appearance in the postseason since 1994.

Maroa-Forsyth — After 14 straight seasons without posting double-digit wins, the Trojans have won at least 10 in each of the past four seasons. That run shouldn’t end this season. A sixth straight playoff appearance would equal the Trojans’ postseason output of the 15 years before the run started. With Josh Jostes having the weapons to keep his offense rolling, look for another big year.

Mount Zion — Like last year, the Braves face bigtime question marks heading into the season. But with a full year in coach Dave Smith’s system, there’s no reason the Braves shouldn’t dominate the Apollo again. The smashmouth style used successfully during last year’s unbeaten run will have Jacob Smith running through opponents.

St. Teresa — It’s the same old story. The Bulldogs come into the season with several question marks.

But by the second game of the season, they’ve all been answered. There was a year in this decade in which the Bulldogs didn’t make the playoffs (2001), and you could find reasons why this year’s team will be the second with only five starters back. But what’s that they say about simply reloading?

Teams most likely to make playoff returns Central A&M — The Raiders will miss the production of Bryce Ade and Adam Zindel, who seemed to have been around forever. But they like the prospects of Matt Davis and Evan Hayes, especially since they have a talented, experienced line to open holes for them.

Charleston — Coach Brian Halsey likes his team’s depth and likes what he sees from the big guys in the trenches. If he can get players healthy and a couple of those skill players to establish themselves early in the season, the Trojans could be a handful for almost anybody.

Cerro Gordo — With Nathan Lawler, right, in his third year running the spread offense and an established weapon at running back in Nick Farison, the Broncos are a shoo-in for their third straight playoff appearance and are seen by some as the favorite in the Little Okaw Valley Conference.

Flora — With Trent Tackitt in his second year at quarterback behind an offensive line that returns four members, the Wolves appear poised for their third straight playoff appearance. Finding a replacement for running back Chris Beckham will be key.

Mattoon — Mattoon missed the playoffs last year after being in five of the previous six seasons. “What I always say to that is I’m doing the seniors an injustice if I say I’m a year away or anything like that,” new coach Troy Johnson said. “The seniors don’t have next year.

I don’t think it’s fair to the seniors to say that. Those kids don’t deserve that. So no, I’m not playing for next year.”

Newton — The Eagles had 25 seniors on the roster a year ago, and that group will be sorely missed. But they aren’t without defensive stalwarts such as Alex Frohning and Jake Pilman, who return.

The team knows about getting to the playoffs, making it eight of the previous 10 seasons before last year’s miss.

Taylorville — If the juniors play like seniors, the Tornadoes will make it back-to-back trips after that 2007 abnormality. Former Taylorville standout quarterback Jeb Odam is in charge for his first season as a head coach.

— H&R staff reports

What Type of Tire Do You Have?

Think Eco-Friendly for your Yard & Garden this Summer Time to think mulch & natural fertilizer.

Okaw Valley Blue 1. Maroa-Forsyth The Trojans have scored at least 40 points in 18 games during the past three seasons. That trend could continue.

2. Tuscola The conference’s best defense will keep the Warriors’ afloat until their offense comes along.

3. Central A&M The Raiders are not happy about the way the season wrapped up a year ago. The preseason schedule again gives them a chance to start well.

4. Meridian Meridian gets Maroa-Forsyth and Tuscola at home this year — if that helps.

5. Argenta-Oreana Coach Tom Saunches knows the Bombers must stay injury-free if they are to make any kind of move.

6. Warrensburg-Latham The Okaw Blue again seems to be the tougher division, even if Warrensburg wasn’t struggling to find new starters.

We’re Banking On You! 3795 N. Woodford, Decatur, IL

877-6809 450 E. Main, Warrensburg, IL

672-3596 Member FDIC

Let Mid America Tire Help, Come See Us For Better Brands, Better Prices!

217-877-8371

2952 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. (Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. & Pershing) Monday - Friday 8am-5pm Saturday 8am-12pm

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2009

www.hrpreps.com

DECATUR, ILLINOIS

PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW

C5

Teams just one piece away

Herald & Review photos/Stephen Haas

Monticello quarterback Ben Palla will have his top receiving target, wideout Cale Huisinga, below, back this season. Huisinga caught 28 passes for 540 yards and six touchdowns last year. Palla threw for 1,174 yards and 12 touchdowns in eight games for the Sages.

n Football preview coverage slate

BLACK Continued from C1 made the playoffs in his second season.

In his fourth and final season there, Ridgeview went 9-3 and advanced to the quarterfinals.

Welter said the Sages return more talent that the typical 0-9 team, but admitted there’s work to do.

“We don’t have great size or depth on the line,” Welter said. “But to say we’re devoid of talent would be inaccurate.”

Clinton has some solid players back as well, particularly on defense. But Clinton hasn’t had a winning season since 2000. Stepping in is Hayden, who won 50 games in 11 seasons at South Piatt and has 16 years experience coaching football.

Hayden is Clinton’s fifth coach since the Maroons’ eight-win season in 1993.

He doesn’t sugarcoat the fact that getting back to that level won’t be easy in the Okaw.

“We definitely have the reputations as a sleeping giant, and that’s something we’ve talked to the kids about changing,” Hayden said. “We need to earn some respect.”

Despite their size, both schools will fight a numbers crunch. At Monticello, last year’s poor season, combined with thriving soccer, golf and cross country programs, have left the Sages with 23 upperclassmen. Clinton, easily the largest school in the conference with an enrollment of 626, is only slightly ahead of Monticello numbers-wise, with 26 upperclassmen. Comparatively, Robinson (511 enrollment) has 34 upperclassmen; Warrensburg-Latham (323 enrollment) has 27 upperclassmen; and Villa Grove (197 enrollment) has 29 upperclassmen.

“If you can stay away from injuries and play ironman football, you can win with lower numbers,” Welter said. “But

TODAY: How do area football teams look going into another high school season?

MONDAY: The St. Teresa Bulldogs will rely on a large group of youngsters to keep the playoff run going.

TUESDAY: A loaded MacArthur team believes it can make its mark on the Big 12 and into the playoffs.

At Eisenhower, can second-year coach Rick Austin get the team moving in the right direction?

WEDNESDAY: We’ll take a closer look at who might be some of the area’s better players this season.

THURSDAY: All the area team rosters and schedules in one place for you to save.

FRIDAY: Get your look at the week-by-week schedule for area teams and a preview of Week 1 action.

SATURDAY: The footballs finally start flying around and we’ll be there to tell you about it. when you’re going against Okaw Valley teams week in and week out, it’s tough.”

Neither Clinton’s or Monticello’s numbers are alarmingly low — Okaw Black favorite St. Teresa also has 23 upperclassmen. But as a rule, it’s the more, the merrier. Aledo’s undefeated Class 2A state championship team in 2002 had 40 upperclassmen at a school with an enrollment of 313.

“To get some excitement around the program and get numbers up, it’s probably going to take some success,” Welter said.

While the low numbers are a concern, they don’t bother Welter as bad as the tape he saw from last season.

“The players had a tendency to take plays off,” Welter said. “When things would go wrong, they’d get their heads down. We have to establish stronger mental tough-

www.hrpreps.com

Monticello — One year may be too soon to expect former Aledo coach Cullen Welter to turn the Sages around. You wouldn’t want to be on their schedule late in the season.

Nokomis — The Redskins lost their best player from what turned into a forgettable season last year, but a large group of juniors who took their lumps last year could be ready to break through against what is a favorable schedule in the realigned Prairie State Conference.

Olney — The Tigers aren’t expected to make much noise in the Apollo Conference, but why not? Coach Dave Denton has put in a serious passing game that saw Brandon Bailey throw for 1,650 yards last year. With a couple of his favorite targets back for another try, they could find enough holes in defensive secondaries to find some wins.

Robinson — Coach Tim Nolen’s Mount Zion teams had made the playoffs seven of the last eight years before he moved to Robinson. After last year’s 1-8 debut, he’s got some beef on the line to beat up on somebody. “We have no reason not to be a solid football team,” Nolen said.

Effingham — A seventh straight playoff berth appears to be in the cards for the Hearts, who return size on the line and skill — though somewhat inexperienced — in both their offensive and defensive backfield.

Meridian — Remember when Tennessee won the national title the year after Peyton Manning graduated? Meridian may not be that good without Dakota Getz, but its returning players — with Cory Burns, above, playing the role of Tee Martin — know how to win.

Tuscola — No one doubts that once the Warriors are in the playoffs, they’ll be tough to beat. But winning five games against their schedule won’t be easy. Especially since Jud Wienke (broken collarbone) could miss the season after taking the starting quarterback job. Games against Central A&M and Meridian may be the difference.

A General consensus MacArthur stars Robert Smith, LaDarion Shelby, Jalen Spates and Kieston Greene were polled on who would be the county’s top five teams. Here’s their consensus:

1. MacArthur “I have to put us first,” Shelby said.

2. Maroa-Forsyth “I know they’ve been good the past couple years, and I keep hearing good things about them,” Spates said.

3. St. Teresa “They lost a lot, but they’ll still win,” Greene said.

4. Mount Zion 5. Meridian “Even without Getz, they should be pretty good,” Smith said.

ness, because you’re going to have to deal with some adversity at times.”

Hayden is preaching a similar message at Clinton. And he didn’t sugarcoat it.

“We’re not where we need to be, and I’ve told the kids that,” Hayden said.

“But we are making progress. I think at this point, the kids know what it takes.

Now it’s just a question of delivering it.”

Welter foresees a similar uphill climb at Monticello.

“I’ve been blessed with having a lot of success, but I also enjoy the challenge of trying to build that type of success here,” Welter said. “When you’re coming off an 0-9 season, you can’t have expectations too high the following season. Maybe the success won’t come right away, but down the road with work ethic and commitment from the kids, it can be done.” jconn@herald-review.com|421-7971

This year’s biggest sleeper teams Argenta-Oreana — If the Bombers can find some blocking for QB Derek Hodges and RB Dylan Whicker, they could find the end zone enough to knock off some teams.

Clinton — One of these years, the fact Clinton is twice as big as several schools on its schedule will pay dividends. The Maroons are due: No Clinton team has won more than six games since 1993. New coach John Hayden comes in from South Piatt to improve on last year’s 4-5 squad.

Eisenhower — Some may laugh, but the Panthers have athletes. If Eisenhower can develop a team-wide chip on its shoulder — instead of bailing when times get tough — an upset or two this season is possible.

Lincoln — The Railers’ program has been sleeping a long time (no playoffs since 1984).

But Lincoln was 4-5 last year and a touchdown away from being 6-3. The return of seven starters makes them a threat — even in the tough Central State Eight.

Arcola — The Purple Riders return quarterback Tony Van Gundy, a solid offensive line led by Michael Olvera and a tradition unmatched in the area. It’s just not the playoffs without Arcola. “I told the kids you expect to be in the playoffs now. Our goal is to be in the playoffs and make a push. The senior class has not known anything other than the playoffs,” coach Jarod Kiger said.

Arthur-Lovington — Few LOVC teams will be faster than the Knights. Bobby Aikman and Justin Schuring give the Knights one of the area’s best skill position duos behind a line with some experience. If Arthur had some depth behind its top 12 or 13 players, it would probably be the favorite to win the conference.

“This year it is seniors and freshmen. There is not a lot between the other two classes. It is going to be rough if we get older kids hurt or cramp up or whatever it may be,” coach Dale Schuring said.

Cumberland — The Pirates snuck in last year with five wins, but should move up the Little Illini standings this season behind a pair of seniors — running back/linebacker Silas Gabel and quarterback Cole Miller. With their experience, depth and talent, they can make a run at the top of the Little Illini.

Sangamon Valley — Big games aren’t uncommon at Sangamon Valley, which had made the playoffs in each of the first four years of the school’s existence before last season’s disaster. So the coaching staff and players know what to do when they come around.

Talented running back Dan Rentschler will always be a threat to break off a long run.

Vandalia — Few teams lost more than the Vandals, and the newly combined South Central Conference could bury an inexperienced team. But outside of Greenville, there are no juggernauts.

Warrensburg-Latham — The Cardinals were one of the feel-good teams last season, when they crashed the playoff party after five years away.

Few people will expect that too happen two years in a row, especially with the losses Warrensburg had to graduation. It will be easy to look ahead in the tough Okaw Valley and that will make it easier for Warrensburg to cash in.

Log on.

Get schooled.

Sound off.

Follow @hrpreps for scores Every week we've got: during the games - Game coverage Play the weekly preps pickem contest for a chance to win a hrpreps.com T-Shirt!

- Photo galleries www.hrpreps.com/pickem - Pick 'em contest - Video of game footage and recaps - and blogs and video by the prep experts

2008 Conference Standings Apollo

Okaw Valley Black Conf. All W-L W-L 7-0 10-1 5-2 5-5 4-3 5-5 4-3 4-5 3-4 4-5 2-5 3-6 2-5 2-7 1-6 1-8

Mount Zion Effingham Paris Charleston Newton Salem Olney Robinson

Big 12 Bloomington Normal MacArthur Danville Champaign Central Champaign Centennial Normal West Mattoon Urbana Eisenhower

W-L W-L 8-1 10-2 8-1 9-2 7-2 9-3 7-2 7-3 5-4 5-5 4-5 4-5 3-6 3-6 2-7 2-7 1-8 1-8 0-9 0-9

Little Illini Casey-Westfield Flora Marshall Bridgeport Red Hill Cumberland Albion Edwards County Lawrenceville Oblong Palestine-Hutsonville

W-L W-L 8-0 13-1 6-2 7-3 6-2 7-4 5-3 6-4 4-4 5-5 3-5 3-6 3-5 3-6 1-7 2-7 0-8 0-9

Little Okaw Valley Villa Grove Arcola Cerro Gordo Arthur-Lovington South Piatt East Central Tri-County Sangamon Valley

W-L W-L 7-0 10-1 6-1 7-4 5-2 6-4 4-3 6-4 3-4 3-6 1-6 2-7 1-6 1-8 1-6 1-8

St. Teresa Tolono Unity Clinton Shelbyville Sullivan Monticello

W-L W-L 5-0 11-1 4-1 6-4 3-2 4-5 2-3 2-7 1-4 1-8 0-5 0-9

Okaw Valley Blue Maroa-Forsyth Meridian Tuscola Warrensburg-Latham Central A&M Argenta-Oreana

W-L W-L 5-0 10-2 4-1 9-3 3-2 8-4 2-3 5-5 1-4 4-5 0-5 2-7

Prairie State Auburn Mount Olive Pawnee Virden New Berlin Riverton Girard Williamsville Nokomis Kincaid South Fork

W-L W-L 9-0 12-1 8-1 9-2 6-3 8-4 6-3 6-4 5-4 5-5 4-5 4-5 3-6 3-6 3-6 3-6 1-8 1-8 0-9 0-9

South Central East Greenville Vandalia Staunton Pana Litchfield Hillsboro

W-L W-L 5-0 11-1 4-1 9-2 2-3 6-4 2-3 5-5 2-3 3-6 0-5 3-6

South Central West Carlinville Alton Marquette Piasa Southwestern East Alton-Wood River Gillespie Roxana

W-L W-L 4-1 4-6 4-1 6-4 4-1 5-5 2-3 2-7 1-4 3-6 0-5 0-9

SIDELINES

Hollywood heights

Compiled from H&R staff and news service reports

Fox’s bat allows Cubs to avoid sweep in L.A./B3

A walkoff for the ages Second baseman Eric Bruntlett turned an unassisted triple play to end the Philadelphia Phillies’ wild 9-7 victory over the New York Mets on Sunday.

It was the 15th unassisted triple play in major league histo- Bruntlett ry — the second that ended a game. Detroit Tigers first baseman Johnny Neun also accomplished the feat on May 31, 1927, completing a 1-0 victory over Cleveland, according to STATS LLC. Bruntlett’s triple play preserved a win for Pedro Martinez in his return to New York and quashed a Mets rally against closer Brad Lidge.

With runners on first and second in the ninth inning, Jeff Francoeur hit a line drive up the middle that appeared headed toward center field for a single. But both runners were stealing on the pitch, so Bruntlett was in perfect position as he moved over to cover second base.

He caught the liner easily, stepped on second to double up Luis Castillo and then turned to tag Daniel Murphy for the third out. Murphy tried to backpedal away from Bruntlett, but had nowhere to go.

Monday, August 24, 2009

B

Sports Herald& Review

Wie helps carry U.S. to Solheim Cup victory/B6

www.herald-review.com

Questions or comments regarding this section? Contact Sports Editor Mike Albright at 421-7909

Smoltz shows old smoke in debut Veteran strikes out seven straight; Cards hold off San Diego SAN DIEGO (AP) — John Smoltz cleared his mind of all the bad things that happened to him in Boston, fixed his delivery and had a brilliant debut with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Smoltz struck out a season-high nine — including seven straight, which he’d never done before — and held the San Diego Padres to three hits over five scoreless innings in a 5-2 victory Sunday.

St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols hit his 40th homer, the fifth time he’s reached that plateau.

Smoltz also had a bunt single

and scored the first run for the NL Central-leading Cardinals, who retained their eight-game lead over the Chicago Cubs. He didn’t walk a batter.

Although manager Tony La Russa said Smoltz was tipping pitches, the veteran managed to regain his confidence.

“I don’t know to the extent how long it was going on, or if it was, but I just know it’s refreshing to come and do something and feel like the old John,” Smoltz said.

The 42-year-old Smoltz (1-0) signed with the Cardinals on Wednesday after he cleared waivers following his release from Boston. He had a dreadful performance with the Red Sox, going 2-5 with an 8.32 ERA after attempting a comeback from shoulder surgery. In six of his

eight starts, he allowed five earned runs or more.

It helped that his Cardinals debut was against the Padres, who at .240 have the second-worst batting average in the majors.

“I felt really good,” Smoltz said.

“I made a conscious decision coming into this start to forget everything else, totally wipe out everything else, and try to go have a little bit of fun and not be caught up in story line and impressing everybody, and it worked.”

The first two Padres batters reached against Smoltz, including Everth Cabrera with a leadoff infield single, but didn’t score.

After getting Adrian Gonzalez to hit into a double play, Smoltz

Associated Press

SMOLTZ/B3

John Smoltz’s Cardinals debut was a winning one, as he struck out nine on Sunday.

hrpreps FOOTBALL PREVIEW — ST. TERESA

Ozzie optimistic Peavy will pitch White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen remains optimistic that Jake Peavy will pitch again this season, even if he’s not relying on the righthander’s return.

“I don’t count on him,” said Guillen.

Peavy will make his third rehab start today for Triple-A Charlotte, trying to work his way Peavy back from a strained tendon in his right ankle. Guillen said he doesn’t want Peavy to risk another injury by returning too soon, and respects how GM Ken Williams is handling the rehab.

The 28-year-old Peavy was traded to the White Sox on July 31, after going 6-6 with a 3.97 ERA in 13 starts with the Padres. He’s been on the DL since June 13.

A (medium) rare injury Rookie outfielder Carlos Gonzalez has been held out of the Colorado Rockies’ lineup after suffering a puncture wound to his left hand.

The Rockies say Gonzalez hurt himself when he caught a steak knife as it fell off a plate while he was putting a dish in the kitchen sink at home after Saturday’s win over the San Francisco Giants. He needed one stitch to close the wound and is day to day.

Disco fever runs too high Six track and field athletes from the world championships were arrested after a scuffle at a Berlin disco early Sunday.

The six were being investigated on possible charges of disturbing the peace and causing bodily harm after the incident at the Havanna Disco, police said.

The athletes were not identified by name under German privacy laws.

Police said in a statement they were a 26-year-old American man, three men from the Bahamas aged 24, 25 and 28, and two from Cuba aged 21 and 24.

Police spokesman Frank Millert said the men all spent the night in jail, but were being released Sunday.

Words were exchanged with doormen after the group was told to stay in a waiting area, police said. The confrontation escalated when the doormen then tried to force the group to leave.

Bottles were thrown at the club employees, injuring a 30-year-old and a 36-year-old in the head, and a 27-year-old in the face, police said.

All three refused medical treatment.

Herald & Reivew photos/Stephen Haas

St. Teresa coach Scott Davis has just eight seniors returning from last season’s team that went 10-2 and 5-0 in the Okaw Valley Black. One newcomer is sophomore quarterback Daniel Queen, below.

To the youth goes the legacy Bulldogs relying on underclassmen this season

By JUSTIN CONN H&R Staff Writer

DECATUR — Everyone — fans, coaches and players — loves winning.

But do it every year, and it creates pressure to do it again.

That’s just fine with St. Teresa coach Scott Davis. He’s quick to credit the players’ work ethic for a run over the last seven years that has produced six quarterfinal teams.

But, Davis said, there is something fueling all that work.

“It comes down to pride,” Davis said. “Which senior class wants to be

the class that doesn’t make the playoffs? Which senior class wants to be the one to lose four or five conference games? No one wants to be that class because that will be their legacy when they leave the school.”

Keeping up that winning tradition will be a bigger challenge than usual for a St. Teresa senior class that includes just eight players.

“The seniors we have are great leaders, there just aren’t many of them,” Davis said. “We’re going to have a lot of inexperienced people making the starting lineup for the first time.

LEGACY/B4

Cutler’s second time around provides lift QB much sharper against Giants

Speak up Will the addition of Brett Favre be enough to help the Vikings make the NFC title game?

Vote online at: www.herald-review.com/sports

That means the sophomores and juniors are going to have to pick up the slack.”

St. Teresa has established its identity with a physical running game.

But the Bulldogs are much more than three yards and a cloud of dust, averaging 39.8 points per game over the past four seasons. The key has been offensive line play, but that may be the their biggest question mark heading into the season.

St. Teresa graduated four of its five starting

Associated Press

Jay Cutler looked much more comfortable for the Bears on Saturday, completing 8 of 13 passes for 121 yards.

CHICAGO (AP) — Jay Cutler gave a glimpse of why he was a Pro Bowl quarterback last season, and how he can transform the Chicago Bears’ offense by his mere presence.

He directed, he rolled out, he threw passes of varying distances and speeds with his strong arm, and one time — on a play that must have made his coaches nervous — took off on a 12-yard scramble.

All part of his first game

with his new team at Soldier Field. He played only three series and the Bears scored on all three in a 17-3 exhibition win over the New York Giants on Saturday night.

“He made some great throws to our receivers. He was able to keep a drives going. He’s an athlete. We’re banking on him being able to make plays like that. It was good to see him take another step,” Chicago coach Lovie Smith said.

Cutler’s 8-for-13 passing performance for 121 yards included a TD pass to Desmond Clark and a couple of nice hookups with his former Vanderbilt teammate

Earl Bennett.

“He’ll throw it across the field, anywhere, with his arm strength and mobility.

You never know where the ball is coming from,” said Devin Aromashodu, who made a 38-yard reception to set up the TD pass to Desmond Clark.

Cutler’s night was made easier by the return of running back Matt Forte and tight end Greg Olsen, both of whom missed the opening loss to Buffalo, when Cutler was only 5 for 10. Forte, a rookie star last season, broke off a 32-yard touchdown run.

CUTLER/B4

B4 TELEVISION/SPORTS

MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2009

DECATUR, ILLINOIS

www.herald-review.com

NFL

Franchise tag motivates Rams’ Atogwe

Continued from B1 linemen from last year. The lone returning starter is senior guard Cameron Hall. He’ll be joined by senior tackle Joe Frazier, junior center Brian Ekiss, sophomore Kyle Leckrone and senior Ryan Street.

“We only have one guy with much experience,” Davis said.

“They’re COMING UP going to be thrown Football preview into a pressure coverage slate situation TUESDAY: A right loaded MacArthur away. The team believes it challenge can make its will be mark on the how fast Big 12 and into these guys the playoffs. grow up At Eisenhower, and hancan second-year dle it.” coach Rick Austin That get the team group will moving in the have plenright direction? ty of help from senior tight end Matt Moran, who is a strong blocker and receiver. They’ll open holes for a trio of running backs who all gained varsity experience last year: juniors Kyle Burns, Jeremy Ruderman and Ryan Smith. Burns, the smallest player in that group, has the most experience (793 yards, 7 TDs last year).

“We’re looking for big things out of our backfield,” Davis said.

Defensively, the Bulldogs’ strength will be their linebacking corps that includes Ruderman and Moran. But with Frazier and Hall on the defensive line and junior Eric Althoff and senior Derek Smith in the secondary, the Bulldogs have skill at every level of the defense.

“We have some experience coming back on defense — more than we do on offense,” Davis said.

But whether St. Teresa’s players are experienced or not, when they put on the orange helmet with the blue and white stripe over the top and take the field on Friday nights, certain things are expected.

“At this point, people expect St. Teresa to win every game,” Davis said. “If they don’t win, people are going to be disappointed. That’s ingrained in them. These guys know the legacy is going to be on them.” jconn@herald-review.com|421-7971

roster Name

Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr.

Rec. Cole, Edison OL Frazier, Joe Hall, Cameron OL Moran, Matt TE RB Peterson, Luke OL Ploessl, Nick Rec. Smith, Derek Street, Ryan OL Althoff, Eric Rec. Brinkoetter, Nick QB RB Burns, Kyle OL Ekiss, Brian Gooding, Sam OL Henne, Nathan OL Rec. Hooker, Ashton OL Mata, Cesar Miller, Matt Rec. Murray, Marcel Rec. Richards, Justin TE Ruderman, Jeremy RB

5-10 6-1 5-10 5-10 5-8 5-9 5-9 5-11 5-8 5-7 5-6 5-8 5-10 5-9 5-6 5-8 5-7 5-7 5-8 5-9

150 190 170 175 160 170 150 175 150 145 155 150 160 155 135 150 140 140 160 170

Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr.

RB Smith, Ryan Wilkerson, Wyatt OL Rec. Wujek, Kevin Brunner, Clay OL Leckrone, Kyle OL Lindsey, Anthony OL Matuscak, Scott OL Moody, Ryan RB Pinkston, John RB Queen, Daniel QB Schaab, Ben TE Sunderland, Adam OL Watters, Tavieon RB

5-9 5-10 5-9 5-9 5-10 5-8 5-10 5-8 5-7 5-7 5-9 5-9 5-6

155 180 145 175 200 160 170 150 155 150 155 160 150

responsibility is a lot of work.”

Certainly work is important to Atogwe. After a practice that lasted just over two hours, Atogwe went with his teammates to sign autographs and take photographs with the fans. Sunday was the

Jr. Jr. Jr. So. So. So. So. So. So. So. So. So. So.

schedule Friday at Warrensburg-Latham, 7 p.m.

Sept. 4 vs. Tuscola, 7 p.m.

Sept. 11 at Meridian, 7 p.m.

Sept. 18 vs. Maroa-Forsyth, 7 p.m.

Sept. 25 vs. Shelbyville, 7 p.m.

Oct. 2 at Tolono Unity, 7 p.m.

Oct. 9 vs. Clinton, 7 p.m.

Oct. 16 vs. Sullivan, 7 p.m.

Oct. 23 at Monticello, 7 p.m.

6:00

Comcast Channels 3 # WCIA 12 , WILL 10 1 WAND 2 4 WICS 6 7 WBUI 19 Q WCFN 7 W WRSP 8 ( WSEC

A&E

32

AMC

46

ANPL

29

BET

39

CNBC

26

CNN

45

COM

43

DISN

31

DSC

27

ESPN

59

FAM

50

FNC

48

FOOD

56

FSMW

54

FX

57

HGTV

51

HALL

20

ION

42

LIFE

40

MSNBC

25

NICK

33

SPIKE

67

SYFY

38

TBS

52

TLC

34

TNT

63

TRUTV

30

USA

24

VH1

9

WGN

NEW MANAGEMENT • Oriental Massage

6:00

6:30

WILLIAM

★ W. PRAIRIE

RV’S WANTED!!

• 5th Wheels • Travel Trailers • Motorhomes We have buyers!

Contact: Dan Millman 217-875-5588

Jerry Pressley RV Center

“The Safety of the People

is the Highest Law”

• Table Shower • Dry Sauna

W. MAIN Located Downtown • 348 W. Prairie, #2 362-6222 • 9 am-midnight 7 days a week

BTheILL FABER Decatur Lawyer

BAGS - BELTS - FILTERS

Watch THE FABER FILES A Talk Show about Decatur Issues & People

VACUUM REPAIR

Tune into Comcast Channel 5 Thursdays at 10:30 p.m.

“ALL MAKES”

FREE ESTIMATES “OVER 40 MODELS IN STOCK”

BOATING ALERT!

Special Guests: Cherie Meyer and National Night Out 2009

STEAM ‘N VAC

425-9002

“VACUUM SALES WITH SERVICE”

www.wmfaberlaw.com

2915 N. WATER ST. • 877-2208

Carpet Cleaning That’s Drier, Cleaner & Healthier!

Celebrating our 15th anniversary!

Marine Upholstery • Marine Audio/Video Bimini Tops • Canvas Work Installed on-site installations available Located in Taylorville & Decatur Decatur Hours: M-F 10-6, Sat & Sun by Appt Only

Stairs not included as a room. Fuel charges apply.

3160 N. Woodford (next to Cliff’s Transmission)

875-5125 Over 14 Years Experience

www.alphaomegaautosound.biz

7:00

7:30

3 News at Six Inside Edition How I Met How I Met Your Mother Your Mother 811 (N) 163 The NewsHour With Jim Antiques Roadshow “Los AnLehrer 71786 (N) ’ geles, CA” 11705 Stormcenter Wheel of For- Great American Road Trip “End of the Road” 91569 ’ 17 at 6 27219 tune 23569 News Entertainment Dating in the Dark 84279 ’ Tonight Family Feud Be a Million- One Tree Hill “Show Me How 47163 aire to Live” 20095 Family Guy Punk’d 43347 The Twilight The Twilight Zone 22366 Zone 32231 52095 ’ Two and a Two and a House “Simple Explanation” Half Men ’ Half Men ’ 33569 ’ (PA) Nightly Busi- Illinois Stories Antiques Roadshow “Los Anness Report 8415 ’ geles, CA” 44057

CHANNELS 37

6:30

Q-Spa EDWARDS

“And, I sensed that the first time when I first got here, I visited with him in my office, and you could see that right away.”

For Atogwe, there’s no other way to conduct himself.

“I believe to whom much is given, much is expected,” Atogwe said. “Each one of us comes out here to be great at our jobs. In our positions, we all want to reach the pinnacle or the highest that there is.

That comes with a lot of responsibility and behind that

Still a relationship in progress is the one between Cutler and the guy who is supposed to be Chicago’s go-to receiver, Devin Hester. They connected on two passes but missed on two others, one of which would have been a 91yard TD pass after the speedy Hester slipped 15 yards behind the Giants’ secondary.

But Cutler’s pass was just out of the wide open Hester’s reach. The Bears ended up driving for the TD anyhow, taking 10 plays to traverse the 92 yards.

“Me and Devin are still getting on the same page,” Cutler said.

Cutler had to clear the air last week for a comment he made following the loss to Buffalo, when he appeared to suggest an interception he threw might not have been one had Hester gone up for the ball a little better.

With feelings patched up, the two nearly connected on the long TD Saturday night.

“We had a shot there, but I overthrew it a bit,” Cutler

U.S. 51

LEGACY

Associated Press

Rams safety Oshiomogho Atogwe tries to wrap up Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez on Friday in St. Louis’s second preseason game.

last open practice for fans.

Then Atogwe caught balls off the JUGS machine before doing some conditioning exercises.

“I don’t mind the hard work,” Atogwe said. “I’ve been blessed to play this game and it’s by God’s grace that I’m able to work and I’ll do that for Him.” His body of work with the Rams, who drafted him in the third round in 2005, is impressive. He has emerged as one of the league’s top defensive talents.

Last season, Atogwe made a career-high total of 109 tackles. He led the team in interceptions with five and forced fumbles with eight.

Atogwe was voted by his teammates as Rams MVP. That followed a 2007 season in which Atogwe showed he was a ballhawk. He led the NFC with eight interceptions, including one off Arizona’s Kurt Warner he returned 52 yards for his lone touchdown.

Continued from B1

CHURCH

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Being saddled with the franchise tag did not rub St. Louis Rams free safety Oshiomogho Atogwe the wrong way.

“That meant a lot to me,” Atogwe said Sunday after practice at Rams Park. “It was an honor, to say the least, to be that highly thought of by the organization and to be put among the top in your position in this league.

“It doesn’t come easily.

Not many players can have that said about them whether or not they think it about themselves. To have it said about me is definitely a blessing and it’s not anything I want to tarnish or even belittle a little bit.”

Atogwe signed the $6.3 million franchise tender July 15 and reported on time to camp. He did not miss any minicamps even though he was not under contract.

That impressed rookie coach Steve Spagnuolo, who thought Atogwe handled the franchise tag situation well.

“I’ve told him a number of times how classy I think he has handled everything,” Spagnuolo said. “That’s a quality person right there. Forget about the football talent.

CUTLER

said. “It’s going to happen and we’re going to miss plays out there. We’re going to have miscommunications at times.

We have to forget it and move on to the next play.”

Speaking of moving on, that’s what Cutler did after spending his first three seasons with the Broncos. He became disenchanted in Denver when he learned the team had talked about trading him for New England Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel.

7:00

7:30

CSI: Miami “Payback” 627908 Intervention “Casie” 550637

8:00

8:30

9:00

9:30

Two and a The Big Bang CSI: Miami “Dead on Arrival” Half Men ’ Theory 5347 ’ History Detectives 20453 (N) American Masters 17989 ’

10:00

10:30

11:00

11:30

12:00

12:30

3 News at Ten (:35) Late Show With David The Late Late Show With (:37) Extra Letterman 23108908 (N) ’ Craig Ferguson ’ 6045521 6355458 (N) Summer Wine Being Served (:03) Charlie Rose 49163 (N) History Detectives 95090 ’

’

’

Law & Order: Criminal Intent “Passion” 77989 Dating in the Dark (Season Finale) 6618863 (N) ’ Gossip Girl 32665 Georgina helps Blair with a scheme.

Magic’s Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed 11347 Lie to Me “Undercover” 19989

Dateline NBC 80453 ’

Stormcenter (:35) The Tonight Show With (:37) Late Night With Jimmy 17 at 10 (N) Conan O’Brien 56890250 (N) Fallon 1694188 ’ (:01) Castle “Home Is Where Nightside (:35) Seinfeld (:05) Nightline (:36) Jimmy Kimmel Live the Heart Stops” 73163 ’ News (N) 6847434 ’ 32915366 1894386 ’ The King of The King of Everybody- Everybody- That ’70s That ’70s Paid Program Queens ’ Queens ’ Raymond Raymond Show 85434 Show 11057 45038 WCFN News Ab Circle Pro Oprah Winfrey 34298 Family Guy Punk’d 26989 One on One at 9 88521 (N) 76873 “PTV” 90366 ’ 43670 NewsChannel Access Holly- TMZ 73298 (N) Storm Stories Law & Order: Criminal Intent According to ’ 59618 “Vacancy” 79569 at 9 wood 74415 ’ Jim 41212 ’ History Detectives 53705 (N) American Masters 73569 ’ Charlie Rose 43328 (N) ’ Waiting for May to De(Off Air) God 32724 cember ’

8:00

8:30

9:00

9:30

10:00

10:30

11:00

11:30

12:00

Last Call-Daly Paid Program RENO 911!

13941 One on One 95545 Scrubs 93187 ’

12:30

Intervention “Gloria” 536057 Hoarders 549521 Compulsive Paranormal Paranormal Intervention “Casie” 703927 Intervention “Gloria” 739922 shopping. (N) State 981618 State 990366 (N) (5:00) ››› “Kiss Kiss, Bang ›› “Firewall” (2006, Suspense) Harrison Ford, Paul Bettany, Virginia Madsen. Mad Men “Love Among the (:32) ››› “Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang” (2005, Suspense) Robert Mad Men 553231 A bank security expert battles a criminal.

9926106 Bang” (2005) 350724 Ruins” 8749163 Downey Jr., Val Kilmer. 474724 Killer Crocs of Costa Rica Dogs 101 97705 Traits. ’ Monsters Inside Me “Sex Ma- Animal Cops Phoenix “Har- Dogs 101 96076 Traits. ’ Monsters Inside Me “Sex Ma- Animal Cops Phoenix “Harniacs” 96863 ’ ness of Horror” 93989 (N) niacs” 33705 ’ ness of Horror” 133458 ’ 64076 ’ (5:00) 106 & Park: BET’s Top ››› “Waiting to Exhale” (1995) Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett, Lela Ro- Tiny & Toya The Wendy Williams Show › “3 Strikes” (2000, Comedy) Brian Hooks. 616328 An inno965811 890908 (N) ’ 10 Live 211502 chon. 803453 Four Phoenix women bond while pursuing romance. cent ex-con becomes the quarry in a police manhunt.

Kudlow Report 8654540 Fastest Growing Companies Inside Track: Refueling the American Originals: BudMad Money 6624960 Fast Money 3529434 Inside Track: Refueling the of 2009 Business of NASCAR weiser 6621873 Business of NASCAR Lou Dobbs Tonight 241502 Campbell Brown 107569 (N) Larry King Live 183989 (N) Anderson Cooper 360 186076 Larry King Live 310231 Anderson Cooper 360 636922 Scrubs Scrubs ›› “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle” (2004, Comedy) Futurama Futurama Daily Show- The Colbert Jo Koy: Don’t Make Him An- Futurama Daily Show8607927 8698279 ’ 2258502 ’ 6172057 ’ 9098729 ’ John Cho, Kal Penn, Paula Garcés. 4829095 Jon Stewart Report gry 4825279 Jon Stewart Wizards-Place Wizards-Place “Princess Protection Program” (2009) Sele- Phineas and Wizards-Place Hannah Mon- Suite Life of That’s So Life With Cory in the The Replace- Kim Possible Ferb tana 622569 Zack & Cody Raven 967144 Derek 512618 House 920665 ments 353632 647583 na Gomez, Demi Lovato. 4456076 Nefertiti Resurrected 625540 Cleopatra: Portrait of a Killer Out of Egypt 541989 Relics Out of Egypt “Shape of the Cleopatra: Portrait of a Killer Out of Egypt 778231 Relics Out of Egypt “Shape of the ’ (Part 2 of 2) “Episode 1” 565569 “Episode 1” 557540 from all over the world. ’ Gods” 554453 (N) ’ from all over the world. ’ Gods” 744854 ’ Monday Night Countdown NFL Preseason Football New York Jets at Baltimore Ravens. 872163 From M&T Bank Stadium SportsCenter 902076 (Live) NFL Live Baseball SportsCenter 184458 (Live) in Baltimore. (Live) Tonight 410705 105714 (Live) 282724 Make It or Break It “Where’s The Secret Life of the Ameri- Make It or Break It “All That The Secret Life of the Ameri- The 700 Club 443908 The Secret Life of the Ameri- Paid Program Paid Program 557380 816545 Kaylie?” 805724 can Teenager 444637 Glitters” 420057 can Teenager 433521 can Teenager 958415 The FOX Report With Shep- The O’Reilly Factor 3896298 Hannity 3872618 (N) On the Record With Greta The O’Reilly Factor 3895569 Hannity 7826144 On the Record With Greta ard Smith 4670540 (N) Van Susteren 3885182 (N) Van Susteren 8930458 (N) Challenge “Villain Cakes” Good Eats Good Eats Unwrapped Unwrapped Diner, Drive-In Diner, Drive-In Good Eats Unwrapped Unwrapped Unwrapped Diner, Drive-In Diner, Drive-In 6191182 7051076 8685705 7060724 7049231 4912163 4921811 2268989 5983057 World Poker Tour: Season 7 Mizzou All Access 259637 Missouri Foot. Kansas Foot- Iowa State Neb Preview Kansas St The Final Baseball’s Best Damn Best Damn Top 50 Special 603434 (Part 2 of 2) 438922 ball Preview Football Preview Score 983182 Golden Age Toughman (4:30) ››› “The Devil Wears › “Wild Hogs” (2007, Comedy) Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence. ›› “The Girl Next Door” (2004) Emile Hirsch, Elisha Cuthbert, Timothy That ’70s That ’70s Prada” 6714057 Olyphant. 1098786 A teen falls for a woman who used to be a porn star.

Show Show 6737908 Four friends take a motorcycle road trip.

House House Hunters Property Vir- Property Vir- House Hunters My First Place House Hunters For Rent The Unsellables My First Place Property Vir- Property Vir- House Hunters My First Place 1755960 9753811 7662892 ’ 5588434 Hunters gins 7821960 gins 1751144 7847908 gins 9732328 gins 7596057 9365545 M*A*S*H M*A*S*H Touched by an Angel “The Touched by an Angel “Flesh Touched by an Angel “Birth- The Golden The Golden The Golden The Golden Cheers Cheers Quality of Mercy” 7467144 and Blood” 7476892 marks” 7463328 Girls 8301521 Girls 8327569 Girls 9517328 Girls 4413786 8170106 ’ 6738057 6752637 9980767 ’ Reba 89163 ’ Reba 70415 ’ Ghost Whisperer “Friendly › “End of Days” (1999, Horror) Arnold Schwarzenegger. Premiere. 337328 An Paid Program Paid Program Paid Program Pastor Melissa Scott 809854 33304 ’ 34724 ’ 60347 ’ ’ Neighborhood Ghost” 62095 ex-cop must prevent a woman from bearing the Antichrist.

How I Met How I Met Reba 637250 Reba 354415 Drop Dead Diva “Magic Bullet” Army Wives “First Response” Grey’s Anatomy “Sweet Sur- Frasier Frasier Will & Grace Will & Grace Your Mother Your Mother ’ render” 449182 ’ ’ 426231 446095 796502 249279 560854 829019 Hardball 4650786 Countdown With Keith Olber- The Rachel Maddow Show Countdown With Keith Olber- The Rachel Maddow Show Hardball 7839618 Countdown With Keith Olber3878892 (N) 3868415 mann 3869144 (N) mann 3865328 mann 8936632 iCarly 497569 iCarly 471521 Glenn Martin, Malcolm in George Lopez George Lopez George Lopez George Lopez The Nanny The Nanny The Nanny The Nanny The Nanny The Nanny ’ ’ 769298 748705 807057 635927 987892 996540 802502 606273 368458 650941 DDS 743250 the Middle (4:48) ›› “Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace” (7:54) ›› “Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace” (1999) Liam Neeson, Ewan McGre- Batman-Asy- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation “Formalities” gor. 19177347 Young Anakin Skywalker begins to learn about the Force. ’ lum (1999) Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor. 85769076 ’ 895873 ’ (DVS) Star Trek: The Next Genera- Star Trek: The Next Genera- Star Trek: The Next Genera- Star Trek: The Next Genera- Mobile Suit Mobile Suit Rave Master Rave Master Lost 3255903 ’ 9392453 tion “Disaster” 6951908 ’ tion “The Game” 9562366 tion “Unification” 9548786 tion “Unification” 9551250 Gundam 00 Gundam 00 1741366 Seinfeld Seinfeld Family Guy Family Guy Family Guy Family Guy My Name Is My Name Is The Bill Eng- Sex and the Sex and the ››› “Crocodile Dundee” (1986) Paul Hogan, Earl 478569 Earl 240873 vall Show City 527434 City 440786 Linda Kozlowski. 400453 736095 727347 559386 716231 559106 917331 Masters of Reception 629124 Jon & Kate Jon & Kate Jon & Kate Plus 8 987873 Ski Cake Boss Cake Boss Jon & Kate Jon & Kate Jon & Kate Plus 8 121415 Ski Cake Boss Cake Boss ’ 285927 174219 713090 821895 Plus 8 813724 Plus 8 521231 vacation in Utah.

Plus 8 325144 Plus 8 334892 vacation in Utah.

The Closer “Signed, Sealed, The Closer “Maternal Instincts” The Closer “Waivers of Extra- Raising the Bar “Beating a CSI: NY “People With Money” Raising the Bar “Beating a CSI: NY “’Til Death Do We Murdered” 429106 dition” 985415 (N) Dead Horse” 905279 (N) Dead Horse” 129057 Part” 887274 ’ 909095 908366 ’ Cops 1988250 Cops 1979502 Bait Car Bait Car Operation Operation Operation Operation Forensic Files Forensic Files Forensic Files Forensic Files Forensic Files Forensic Files ’ ’ 6471347 1975786 (N) Repo 6480095 Repo 6469502 Repo 6828960 Repo 8653811 3490298 3476618 6830705 6608144 5103187 3784309 NCIS “An Eye for an Eye” NCIS “Bikini Wax” 192637 ’ WWE Monday Night Raw 5978434 ’ (Live) (:05) Royal Pains “Nobody’s (:05) Law & Order: Criminal (12:05) ››› “Octopussy” 276298 ’ (1983, Action) 21494309 Perfect” 9707453 Intent 2849328 ’ Megan Wants a Millionaire Real Chance of Love 435095 Real Chance of Love 411415 The T.O. Show Real Chance of Love 835892 The T.O. Show My Antonio 655057 Ex-wife. ’ Megan Wants a Millionaire 586328 Physical challenge. ’ Fabled creature. ’ 711927 Fabled creature. ’ 866076 527800 Physical challenge.

America’s Funniest Home America’s Funniest Home America’s Funniest Home WGN News at Nine 257279 Scrubs Scrubs The Bob & Tom Show 781811 Star Trek: The Next Genera(N) ’ 976892 985540 ’ Videos 605892 ’ Videos 251095 Videos 237415 tion “The Outcast” 430380 ’

SIDELINES Compiled from H&R staff and news service reports

Back to school for Johnson Three-time reigning NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson donated $150,000 in grants Monday to four Charlotte, N.C. area school systems.

The grants are from the Jimmie Johnson Foundation. Johnson and his wife, Chandra, have launched similar Johnson programs in their hometowns of El Cajon, Calif., and Muscogee, Okla. The total donations so far from the Jimmie Johnson Foundation are $500,000.

The grants are in addition to Johnson’s ongoing “Helmet of Hope” campaign. Each week, he draws two charities submitted by media and fans, and donates $1,048 to each.

Off to another dimension ESPN says it will test its ability to televise football games in 3-D with a special screening of the game between No. 4 USC and No. 6 Ohio State at three theaters on Sept. 12.

The Galen Center on the USC campus in Los Angeles will screen the game in 3-D, as will theaters in Columbus and Hurst, Texas — the lone neutral site for gathering fan reaction. ESPN staff will also watch a screening in Hartford, Conn., near its Bristol headquarters.

It marks the third 3-D test screening of a football game in the U.S. In January, people in 30 cities nationwide paid about $20 to watch No. 1 Florida and No. 2 Oklahoma in an 3-D airing of the BCS title game.

A field to dream The mother of the late Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart has fulfilled her top priority since her son was killed in an traffic accident in April.

On Sunday, Janet Gigeous joined about 150 people in putting Adenhart’s name on the Little League field Adenhart in Halfway, Md., where he honed his skills.

The red, white and blue sign designates the diamond as Nicholas James Adenhart Memorial Field.

The sign includes a quote from Pete Rose: “You owe it to yourself to be the best you can possibly be ... in baseball and in life.”

Hold all bets A federal appeals court ruled Monday that sports betting in Delaware would violate a 1992 federal ban on such wagering, essentially halting the state’s plans to start taking bets next month.

Delaware Gov. Jack Markell had pushed for sports betting as a way to help resolve an unprecedented shortfall in state tax revenues and balance the state budget. Delaware was one of four states exempted from the federal ban on sports betting because it once ran an NFL sports lottery in 1976 that required parlay, or multiple bets, on at least three games.

They said it

”

“I’m just waiting for the lights to flash ‘game over,’ ‘cause I felt like I was in a video game.”

— U.S. sprinter Shawn Crawford after losing to Usain Bolt in the 200

Speak up

Will the addition of Brett Favre be enough to help the Vikings make the NFC title game?

YES

NO

24% 76% Today’s question: Who is the best football team in the Okaw Valley Conference?

Vote online at: www.herald-review.com/sports

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Touring the Big Ten Take a look at Indiana’s chances/B5 Purdue outlook/ Wednesday

Sports Herald& Review

Red Sox thump White Sox/B3

www.herald-review.com

Questions or comments regarding this section? Contact Sports Editor Mike Albright at 421-7909

Pride a bad hop from title

2009 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

STATING THEIR CASE

Panthers have lost 19 straight and 28 of 29. And though there are several contributing factors, the main problem has been that Eisenhower’s players aren’t strong enough to compete with the big boys in the Big 12.

Using the posterboard he made at the end of last season, Austin challenged his players to even up

DECATUR — What do a snow fence and kidney stones have to do with the recently completed International Softball Congress II Tournament of Champions in the Quad-Cities?

Let’s start with the snow fence and how it impacted the Decatur Pride’s quest to win the tournament.

The Pride breezed through pool play with a 4-0 record, allowing just three runs and looking like one of the favorites in the 40-team tournament.

Decatur beat St. Paul (Minn.)

ASB Villard 8-0 behind Brent Stevenson’s two-hitter, then beat Wyevale (Ontario) Tribe 4-2 behind the pitching of T.J. Dobson, then defeated Kelso, Mo., 6-1 with Alan Meinhart getting the victory and finished pool play with a 4-0 victory over the Kitchener (Ontario) Outlaws.

That sent the Pride winging into the single-elimination playoff round and that started well with a 4-3 victory over Bridgeport (Ontario). Drew Minton was 4-for-4 in that one.

But that’s where the fun ended and the snow fence came into play.

Because Decatur was playing on a big slow pitch diamond, a plastic, temporary snow fences was brought in to mark off a 250-foot outfield fence.

The Pride led 4-3 going into the seventh inning of their game against Port Elgin (Ontario) Blue Devils. But a batter for Port Elgin hit a ball to deep left that hit the fence and somehow ended up on the other side.

“At first, the umpire held up two fingers and was calling it a ground-rule double,” said Pride manager Scott Standerfer. “He tells their manager that he saw the ball go through a hole in the fence.

“But they protested and they brought the protest committee out. They hadn’t seen the play, but in the discussion the umpire’s story kind of changed to say it may have bounced off the fence and went over, which would be a home run.”

The protest committee ruled it to be a home run and Port Elgin scored twice in the inning to take a 5-4 lead that would eliminate the Pride from the playoff round. Two victories later, Port Elgin was the tournament champion.

“We played very well, very solid,” Standerfer said. “It was a controversial play, but that was also the worst game we played in the tournament. We made a couple of errors and they played well enough to win.”

Two Pride players — the father-son tandem of Rick and Drew Minton — were named to the 15-player all-tournament team.

“They played great,” Standerfer said. “Doug Williams and David Boys played well. And pitching wise, we couldn’t have asked for more than what we got.”

Now it’s back to Central Illinois for a few more tuneup games before the Amateur Softball Association Class A national tournament begins next week.

The Pride travels to Teutopolis to play a doubleheader against Wessel’s Quik Stop at 7 p.m., Thursday, then returns to Borg-Warner Field to take on Vandalia Freight at 6 p.m., Saturday and Teutopolis Bud Light at 2 p.m., Sunday.

So what about the kidney stones?

Well, while the ISC II tournament was going on, the ISC World Tournament was also taking place in the Quad-Cities.

This is for the elite teams in the sport and for the second year in a row, it was won by the Rivershark Twins out of Kitchener

WEIGHT/B4

TUPPER/B5

Cody Vadakin, left, is expected to punch open some holes for the speedy Generals offense this season as they look to go deeper in the playoffs.

With plenty of talent back, MacArthur looks to shake things up

By JUSTIN CONN H&R Staff Writer

DECATUR — How far MacArthur has come in Derek Spates’ first two seasons as the Generals’ coach is well-illustrated by quotes from his players.

Entering Spates’ first year, with MacArthur coming off five straight losing seasons, senior running back Ethan Funkhouser tried to muster up some optimism, saying in the Generals’ season preview, “Hopefully, we can put more points on the board.”

But after another 2-7 season, Spates’ influence had set in by year two, when junior quarterback Robert Smith said in the preview, “We’ve got the guys, we have the plays. It’s time.”

He was right. MacArthur recorded its best season in the playoff era, going 9-3 and advancing to the Class 5A quarterfinals.

Now, with nearly its entire offense back, words are coming out of the players’ mouths that would have been laughable two years ago.

“We’re expecting a state championship,” senior LaDarion Shelby said.

“State championship,” Smith said.

“Conference championship and state championship,” senior Kieston Greene said.

“The red carpet,” senior Jalen Spates said Those are statements Derek Spates likes to hear, but he is careful not to let the Generals think they’re too good.

“As a coach, you hope your team isn’t satisfied. That’s always lurking in your mind,” Spates said. “I’m always going to be doing little things to keep them on edge and keep them on their toes.”

It seems to be working.

“Last year we won, but if we don’t win this year, everyone is going to say that was a fluke,” Greene said. “We have to keep up what got us where we were last year.”

With dual threat Smith at quarterback running the show with electric weapons in Shelby at running back, Greene and Marquece Tate

MARK TUPPER

TALENT/B4

SUNDAY: Which teams are loaded to make a run and which teams are in position to be the surprises of 2009?

MONDAY: The St. Teresa Bulldogs will rely on a large group of youngsters to keep the playoff run going.

TODAY: A loaded MacArthur team believes it can make its mark on the Big 12 and into the playoffs.

At Eisenhower, can secondyear coach Rick Austin get the team moving in the right direction?

WEDNESDAY: We’ll take a closer look at who might be some of the area’s better

players this season.

THURSDAY: All the area team rosters and schedules for you to save.

FRIDAY: Get your look at the week-byweek schedule for area teams and a preview of Week 1 action.

SATURDAY: The footballs finally start flying around and we’ll be there to tell you about it.

Time to throw their weight around This isn’t your same old Eisenhower team

By JUSTIN CONN H&R Staff Writer

DECATUR — When Eisenhower’s second consecutive 0-9 season ended with its 27-20 loss to Mattoon last season, the next week Panthers coach Rick Austin gathered his players in the weight room.

Each player lifted their maximum in the bench press, squat thrust and clean-and-jerk, and the totals were added up.

“We had several kids way below the norm,” Austin said. “We wanted them to be in the 700- and 800pound club, but we had kids in the 400- and 500-pound club.”

Austin wanted the players to be accountable, so he wrote the results on a poster board.

“If they didn’t even make 500, I didn’t put their names up there,” Austin said. “I told them, if you’re name isn’t up there, you have a lot of work to do.”

Last season was Austin’s first as Eisenhower’s head coach, but it could hardly be called a full season. Austin wasn’t hired until June 24 last year, so he wasn’t able to run the offseason weight program and didn’t even get the chance to use the full allotment of contact

Herald & Review/Stephen Haas

After watching his team get pushed around last year, Eisenhower coach Rick Austin stressed a weight program. Now he’s hoping he has enough big guys who can do some pushing back. days.

Austin tried to make due, scrapping the split back veer for a mix of the wide-open A-11 offense and a tightly packed power I. But other than a close game with Mattoon to end the season, there weren’t many high notes.

Unfortunately, struggling has become the norm at Eisenhower.

Since making the playoffs in 2004, Eisenhower’s record is 2-34. The

B

B4 SPORTS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2009

www.herald-review.com

DECATUR, ILLINOIS

PREPS Scoreboard SOCCER

WEIGHT Continued from B1

CHARLESTON 2, ST. TERESA 1 At St. Teresa

Charleston goals: Tommy Ball 2; assists Eric McCaufland and Jason Coon. Goalie Aaron Smith had 4 saves.

St. Teresa goals: Matt Hunt; assist Cha Jaw. Goalie Connor Smith had 15 saves and Jeremy Shull had 1 save.

(St. Teresa — 0-1; next: Today at Tolono Unity.

Charleston — 1-0.)

MONTICELLO 8, HEYWORTH 0 At Monticello

Monticello goals: Brett Winterbottom 2; Bos Hutson; Erik Oles; Jacob Hanselman. Dylan Lambert. Thomas Atkins; Kyle Patrick; assist: Dylan Lambert 2, assist: Drew Schumacher, assist: Winterbottom. Goalie Tyler Mumm had 0 saves.

Heyworth goalie Jordan Kemp had 10 saves.

(Monticello — 1-0; Heyworth — 0-1.)

BOYS GOLF

MOUNT PULASKI 181, MERIDIAN 205

1. Luke Etnier 38 (M); 2. Keegan Gibbs 41 (MP); 3. Kyle Przykopanski 44 (MP); 4. Evan Comerford 46 (M); 5. Shawn Knauer 47 (MP) Other Meridian results: Joel Grabiel 59, Evan Collins 62.

Other Mount Pulaski results: Justin Knauer 49.

(Meridian — 0-2; next: Today vs. Maroa-Forsyth)

MONTICELLO 168, SANGAMON VALLEY 200

1. Clint Brubaker (M) 41; 2. Codi Swan and Drew Heffley (M) 42; 3. Daly O’Brian (M) 43; 4. Nick Yokley (SV) 46; 5. John Kraft (SV) 49 Other Sangamon Valley results: Seth Bramel 52, Rob Moeller 53.

VANDALIA 163, PANA 188, METRO EAST LUTHERAN 225 At Pana

1. Blake Swofford (V) 36; 2. Derrick Herker (V) 40; 3. Derek Ade (P) 42; 4. John Gooden (MEL) and Wes Lindsey (V) 43 Other Pana results: Matt Schmitz 46, Andrew Rybolt 48, Avery Hrobak.

Other Vandalia result: Freeman 44 (Pana — 1-2; next: Today vs. Shelbyville.)

MOUNT ZION 161, MAROA-FORSYTH 165, LINCOLN 182, SPRINGFIELD LANPHIER 184 At Hickory Point, Forsyth

1. Charlie Leach (MF) 34; 2. Ben Patton (SL) 36; 3. Zach Brown (MTZ) 37; 4. Christian Crabil (MTZ) 39; 5. Ian Freeman (MTZ) 41 Other Maroa-Forsyth results: Garret Timmons 43, Dylan Rogers 43, Eric Hollinden 45.

Other Lincoln results: Ryan Dean 42, Shea Zinelling 44, Ty Unger 48, Josh Horcham 48.

Other Mount Zion results: David Taschner 44, Evin Faught 46.

(Maroa-Forsyth — 3-3; Mount Zion — 3-0; Lincoln — 1-2.)

JOHN MACEK INVITE AT Illinois Blue Course, Champaign Team Scores

1. Effingham St. Anthony 285; 2. Bloomington 296; 3. Champaign Centennial (A) 304; 4. Lincoln 305; 5. Rockford Guliford 306; 6. Salt Fork 308; 7.

Champaign St Thomas Moore 310; 8. Normal 312; 9. Urbana 318; 10. Mattoon 318; 11. Normal West 319; 12. Danville 339; 13. Champaign Centennial (B) 341; 14. Taylorville 356; 15. Champaign Central 359; 16. MacArthur 416.

Top Individuals

1. Alex Burge (B) 68; 2. Derek Rohlfing (ESA) 69; 3. Dan Patkunas (NC) 70; 4. Lewis Martin (ESA) 71; 5. Tanner Cicci (B) 71.

Other Effingham St. Anthony results: Michael Koester 71, Kit Koerner 74.

(Effingham St. Anthony — next: Saturday at Kankakee McNamara.)

BASEBALL

SOUTH CENTRAL 10, WOODLAWN 5 At Woodlawn, 7 innings

W — Derek Harmeier(1-0), 7 innings, 5 runs, 8 hits, 8 strikeouts, 1 walk. L — Hollingsworth (0-1), 1 inning, 9 runs, 6 hits, 1 strikeout, 5 walks.

For South Central, Ian King was 2-for-3, 3-run home run, 3 RBIs. Tyler Gillett was 1-for-3, 1 double, 2 RBIs. Ryan Gesell was 1-for-3, home run.

(South Central — 1-0; next: Today vs. Clay City)

TODAY’S SCHEDULE Baseball

Louisville North Clay at Webber, 4:15 p.m.

St. Elmo at Dieterich 7 p.m.

Golf

Casey-Westfield at Marshall, 4 p.m.

Meridian at Maroa-Forsyth, 4 p.m.

Okaw Valley at Arcola, 4:30 p.m.

Shelbyville at Pana, 4 p.m.

Teutopolis at Newton 4 p.m.

Soccer

Charleston at Red Gold Tournament Lincoln at Springfield Lutheran, 4:30 p.m.

Mount Zion at MacArthur, 6 p.m.

Okaw Valley at Arcola, Kaskaskia, 4:30 p.m.

St. Teresa at Tolono Unity, 4:30 p.m.

Taylorville at Teutopolis, 5:30 p.m.

Tennis

roster

Shelbyville at Springfield Southeast, 4:30 p.m.

Mount Zion at Casey-Westfield, 4:15 p.m.

Newton at St. Anthony, 4:15 p.m.

the strength gap. He’s pleased with the results.

“The guys who wanted to buy into it and work hard to make themselves better football players are here. And the ones who didn’t are not,” Austin said.

“Now we have a couple of kids in the 1,000pound club. And when it came time to max out again this summer, the guys Davis were actually looking forward to it. They wanted to show us how much stronger they were.”

Though the A-11 is now outJohnson lawed — Austin said he hadn’t planned to run it again anyway — the Panthers will go with a similar offensive philosophy this year. Austin and new offensive coordinator Kevin Hale prefer to run the ball, so Eisenhower will use a double wing if it can. But if he finds the Panthers’ line is still getting manhandled, they’ll switch to a spread.

Senior tight end/wide receiver Caleb Davis will be Eisenhower’s most dangerous offensive weapon. He’ll catch passes from secondyear quarterback Zach Shugart. Wingbacks Gary Scott and Micah Winters, and fullback Brandon Dupree will take the majority of the handoffs.

“If we can, we’ll pack it in with double tight ends and use our big fullback and quick wing backs,” Austin said. “But if we’re having problems up front, we have the option of spreading it out.”

Defensively, Eisenhower hopes a number of individual talents will develop into a solid unit. At 6-foot-5 and a solidly built 210 pounds, Davis is a college prospect at defensive end. Kyle Johnson could have a breakout year at linebacker, and 295-pound defensive tackle Duron Lewis has added strength to a huge frame.

Austin likes what he’s seen out of his team in the offseason. He thinks the Panthers will break their losing streak and are potentially a playoff team.

“What a lot of people forget is that we started eight sophomores last year,” Austin said.

“Nobody is expecting us to be

Adams, Nigel RB/DE 6-2 Bright, Josh OL/DT 5-11 WR/DE 6-5 Davis, Caleb Eubanks, Josh WR/DB 6-1 Fitzgerald, John RB/DB 6-0 Joyner, Jaleel OL/DT 5-9 QB/DB 6-1 Shugart, Zach Dupree, Brandon RB/LB 6-2 Harper, C.J. OL/DT 6-2 Jackson, Jamall WR/DB 6-0 OL/LB 6-1 Johnson, Jalen Johnson, Kyle QB/LB 6-1 Lewis, Duron OL/DT 6-5 TE/DL 6-0 Madison, A.J. McKinney, Charles OL/DT 5-10 Mickle, Anthony WR/DB 5-10 Ostrander, Dale OL/DT 5-7 Perry, Teaonus OL/DL 5-9 Pittenger, Nate RB/LB 6-1 RB/DB 5-10 Scott, Gary Williams, Brandon WR/DB 6-0 Winters, Micah RB/LB 5-9 OL/DE 5-10 Auton, Jeff Bobbitt, Don RB/OLB 5-6 Creath, Joseph QB/DB 5-8 DePriest, Julius RB/LB 5-7 OL/DL 5-9 Lofland, Jacob Peoples, Demarius WR/DB 6-1

230 300 210 195 160 265 190 215 280 160 195 195 295 200 230 175 230 260 205 185 155 165 220 135 150 195 170 150

Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. So. So. So. So. So. So.

schedule Aug. 28 at *Champaign Centennial, 7 p.m.

Sept. 4 vs. *Normal West, 7 p.m.

Sept. 11 at *Champaign Central, 7 p.m.

Sept. 19 vs. *MacArthur, 3 p.m.

Sept. 25 vs. *Danville, 7 p.m.

Oct. 2 at *Normal, 7 p.m.

Oct. 9 at *Urbana, 7 p.m.

Oct. 16 vs. *Bloomington, 7 p.m.

Oct. 23 vs. *Mattoon, 7 p.m. * — Big 12 game

good, but we have a lot of talent. If this team can understand how to finish games, we can win five games in this conference. This isn’t the same old Eisenhower.”

The Panthers’ players are buying in, too.

“We put in the work in the offseason and we won a lot of games in seven on sevens,” Davis said. “Our passing game is going to be a lot more effective. If everyone stays focused and does their job on the field — as long as we don’t have people going off trying to be the hero — I believe we can get five wins this year, and hopefully more.”

Herald & Review/Stephen Haas

Derek Spates will try to keep his MacArthur team focused on the big picture this season.

TALENT

Hopkins, Cody Jaramillo, Dallin Johnson, Nate Jones, Chad Joyner, Sacorey Kelly, Tommy Lee, Kiston Lowery, Maurice Nasir, Jamal Perkins, Shaquille Seals, Micah Simmons, Quinton Stokes, Desmond Wilson, Isaac Young, Chris Joyner, Shevonte

roster

Continued from B1

at receiver and a line returning four of five starters, points won’t be a problem — “I think we’ll even be more high-powered,” Shelby said.

In fact, the only major holes left from graduation are on the defensive line (Christian Green and DeAnthony Hudson), but the Generals feel they have that covered with Durrell Dunn, Cyrus Lincoln and Aaron Anderson.

“We have guys who can come in there and fill those roles,” Smith said. “They’re fitting in well.”

The newcomers will have plenty of support behind them, particularly in hard-hitting safety Jalen Spates.

“I plan to bring what I did last year plus a whole lot more,” Spates said.

MacArthur should compete with perennial Big 12 powers Normal and Bloomington for the conference title. But the Generals know they won’t sneak up on anyone this year.

“It’s a different task,” Shelby said. “We have a bullseye on our backs now.”

Anderson, Aaron OL/DL LB Brad, Harrison RB/DB Burch, Josh Dickenson, John QB/DB Dunn, Durrell DL Greene, Kieston WR/DB OL Harris, Ulysses P/K Henderson, Miles Hindawi, Anthony DL James, Alex DL Jones, Larry WR DL Lincoln, Cyrus Shelby, Ladarion RB/DB Smith, Robert QB/DB Sowa, Joe OL Spates, Jalen WR/DB LB Stevens, Josh WR Tate, Marquece OL Vadakin, Cody Wilson, Jerry WR/DB DE Anderson, Trae WR Barnes, Ahkeel OL/DL Baum, Tristan Bickes, Cory OL/DL Boss, Dillon WR/DB LB Comer, A.J. DL Cross, Damon OL Dial, Nick Gauthier, Sam OL Hawkins, Montario LB

6-3 5-9 5-10 6-0 5-10 5-11 5-9 5-9 5-9 6-4 5-9 6-2 5-9 6-3 6-0 5-11 5-10 6-3 6-4 5-10 6-3 5-10 5-11 5-10 5-7 6-1 5-10 5-9 5-9 5-10

293 189 190 190 235 190 187 175 200 272 161 258 196 203 298 210 206 195 295 170 217 160 235 175 166 186 293 189 200 185

Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr.

OL/DL 6-2 DL 5-7 LB 6-1 WR 6-2 WR/DB 5-10 DL 5-10 WR 6-3 DL 5-9 WR/DB 5-10 OL/DL 5-9 RB/DB 5-9 QB/WR 5-9 WR/DB 5-9 DL 6-0 QB/DB 5-8 WR/DB 5-8

Aug. 28 vs. Mattoon, 7 p.m.

Sept. 4 vs. *Champaign Centennial, 7 p.m.

Sept. 11 at *Normal West, 7 p.m.

Sept. 19 at *Eisenhower, 3 p.m.

Sept. 25 vs. *Champaign Central, 7 p.m.

Oct. 2 at *Danville, 7 p.m.

Oct. 9 vs. *Normal, 7 p.m.

Oct. 16 at *Urbana, 7 p.m.

Oct. 23 at *Bloomington, 7 p.m. * — Big 12 game

“Everyone will be shooting for us,” Smith said.

Spates has prepared his players for that, too.

“I think these guys understand that the bar has been raised,” Derek Spates said.

“Everyone around here expects us to have a successful season, and I think the guys are ready to come out and execute things the way they need to get it done.” jconn@herald-review.com|421-7971

Seen any good movies lately?

Find out what’s hot in theaters every Friday

Herald&Review

Golf Card jg-tc.com

Buy one greens fee, get one free for a guest at each course * 20 courses including Decatur Park District Courses

Order by phone 217.421.6911 order online and view restrictions and participating courses at www.herald-review.com/teefortwo one time use per course *Certain restrictions apply

Participating courses:

Saturday September 19, 2009 9:00 a.m. - Noon

Lincoln Park, Decatur IL

Volunteers Needed!

Help us preserve Lincoln’s Sangamon and be treated to a presentation by Kim Bauer, Director of the Lincoln Project, City of Decatur, IL. His topic will be “Connected Forever: Abraham Lincoln and the Sangamon River” Work gloves, supplies and lunch will be provided.

Please dress appropriately for working on the riverbank.

Special Thanks to Marquis Beverage, Jimmy John’s, Refreshment Services Pepsi, Tire Shredders Limited.

Sign up Today!

Call Jo Caulkins at 433-0834 Sponsored by:

Agricultural Watershed Institute Archer Daniels Midland Co. City of Decatur Community Environmental Council Decatur Park District

Decatur

Gibson City

Petersburg

Hickory Point Golf Course Red Tail Run Golf Club Scovill Golf Club Sun N’ Fun Golf Course

Railside Golf Club

Shambolee Golf Club

Lebanon

Rantoul

Locust Hills Golf Course

Brookhill Golf Course

Carlyle

Mattoon

Sandoval

Governors Run Golf Course

Rogala Public Links

Colonial Golf Course

Casey

Oakland

Saybrook

Casey Country Club

Norton Knolls Golf Course

Indian Springs Golf Club

Danville

Pana

Tiskilwa

Harrison Park Golf Course Wolf Creek Golf Club

Oak Terrace Resort

Indian Hills Golf Club, Inc.

Effingham

Weaverridge Golf Club

Cardinal Golf Club

Peoria

Yes! Sign me up for the Tee for Two Golf Card.

Valid until November 1, 2009.

Please send me

card(s) at $19.95 each.

Check enclosed or charge my (circle one) VISA MasterCard American Express Discover #

Expiration

/ (3 or 4 digit number on back of card)

CID#

Signature

Herald & Review Macon County Conservation District Pitch In! Keep Macon County Beautiful

Name Address City Phone

State E-mail

Zip

Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. So.

schedule

jconn@herald-review.com|421-7971

COMMUNITY CLEANUP

275 195 187 193 201 290 180 185 184 245 186 180 185 251 170 165

Make check or money order payable to the Herald & Review. Mail this form to: Herald & Review Tee for Two Golf Card, P.O. Box 311, Decatur, IL 62525. For charge card purchases, call (217) 421-6911.

Purchase price is nonrefundable.

Not responsible for lost or stolen cards.

SIDELINES Compiled from H&R staff and news service reports

More football preview Schedules and rosters for all the area teams; prep polls/Thursday

Mets lose Santana for season Johan Santana needs surgery for bone chips in his left elbow and the star pitcher is out for the season, the latest blow to a New York Mets team battered by injuries.

The team said their 30-year-old ace is expected to be ready for spring training next year. The two-time Cy Young winner was examined Tuesday by Mets medical director Dr. David Altchek in New York.

Mets general manager Omar Minaya said Santana was evaluated around the All-Star break, adding the injury worsened in recent weeks, especially after his last start.

The GM said “nothing major was there” during the previous checkup.

Thomas starting with UNC It sounds like a made-for-TV matchup — Isiah Thomas making his coaching debut for FIU in the opening game of the season at defending national champion North Carolina.

Oh, but there’s a catch: It’s not the game FIU wanted — and it’s a game the Golden Panthers aren’t interested in playing.

FIU athletic director Pete Garcia lashed out Thomas against the matchup Tuesday, saying he felt the Golden Panthers were “bullied” by organizers of the Coaches vs. Cancer tournament and that he expected Thomas’ debut to be at Ohio State instead.

“Would they do what they’re doing to us to Duke, or to North Carolina? No,” Garcia said. “But they’ll do it to FIU and any other school out there like FIU.”

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

B

Sports Herald& Review

Boilers following new, but similar, game plan/B6

www.herald-review.com

Questions or comments regarding this section? Contact Sports Editor Mike Albright at 421-7909

Illini turn their attention to Missouri Team beginning to prep for its Week 1 opponent

By MARK TUPPER H&R Executive Sports Editor

CHAMPAIGN — With the season ready to kick off a week from Saturday, it’s nearly time for the Illini football team to zero in on that first opponent.

Ron Zook and Juice Williams said Tuesday the emphasis on the University of Missouri will intensify today.

“I believe the next couple of days we’ll start game planning a little more and start locking in on those guys,” said Williams, the senior quarterback who last season threw for 451 yards and five touchdowns Williams in the opener against the Tigers, albeit on the short end of a 52-42 outcome.

“You can sense it within the program. Guys are watching more (Missouri) film, and you can feel it.”

Zook and the coaching staff have been preparing a Missouri game plan for quite some time, but they’re just now getting ready to spoon feed it to the players.

“Next week, we’ll obviously be into it, but we’ll move more toward show teams than actually preparing for Missouri and we’ll get guys used to that this week, maybe a period or two (during practice today),” he said. “That’s more to get the guys acclimated to what they’re doing.”

Once the Illini offense and

defense get a sense of the formations Missouri uses, Zook and his staff will focus on specifics, including a number of new players Missouri will unveil at key positions.

Missouri lost 23 seniors, including quarterback Chase Daniel and sophomore superstar Jeremy Maclin, the electric receiver/kick returner.

“I’m very excited for what’s going to happen next Saturday,” Williams said.

ILLINI/B6

hrpreps FOOTBALL PREVIEW

It will keep you awake at night The anticipated four-game suspension of Saints placekicker Garrett Hartley became official Tuesday.

Hartley said earlier this month he’d received a letter from the NFL explaining he’d tested positive for the banned stimulant Adderall, which he said he used to stay awake while driving from Dallas to New Orleans for an offseason workout.

The Saints released a statement Tuesday on behalf of the NFL officially announcing Hartley’s suspension without pay for the first four games of the regular season.

Bolt book might be quick read Usain Bolt’s representatives are in talks with publishers about a biography, the agent for the recordbreaking sprinter said Tuesday.

“We’re negotiating a deal for a book for Usain,” the agent, Ricky Simms, said in a telephone interview. “We can’t really tell a lot about it at the moment.”

As for the scope of Bolt the book or how much of Bolt’s off-track life might be included, Simms said: “We’re negotiating all those things.”

Bolt emerged as a superstar at last year’s Beijing Olympics, winning gold medals in world-record time in the 100 meters, 200 meters and 400meter relay. He took home golds in all three events again at this month’s world championships — smashing his own records in the 100 and 200.

They said it

”

“Gravy used to be a beverage for him.”

— Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster, on 305-pound tackle Cordarrow Thompson, who once weighed 340

Speak up

Who is the best football team in the Okaw Valley Conference?

Vote online at: www.herald-review.com/sports

Herald & Review photos/Stephen Haas

Maroa-Forsyth running back Lance Grotjan looks to get around senior kicker Alex Chiligiris during a practice earlier this month. Chiligiris will play a key role for the Trojans this year as they look to improve on their Class 2A playoff quarterfinal appearance last year.

Trojans aim to leave mark Trio of seniors want their own success

By JUSTIN CONN H&R Staff Writer

aroaForsyth seniors Dalton Coventry, Justin Barnes and Alex Chiligiris have become household names for football fans in Macon County during the past three years.

M

Maroa’s three-headed monster returning for another year Justin Barnes Sr., QB/DB COMPLETIONS: 136 ATTEMPTS: 234 PASSING YARDS: 1,580 TDS: 21 INTS: 7 RUSHING YARDS: 1,090

Dalton Coventry Sr., LB/RB TACKLES: 95 SOLO: 30 TACKLES FOR LOSS: 10 FORCED FUMBLES: 1

Alex Chiligiris Sr., K/WR EXTRA POINTS: 48-for-55 RECEPTIONS: 13 YARDS: 168 TDS: 2

Wainwright bests Houston for 15th

And, fair or not, how they’re remembered in those households will come down to what they accomplish this season.

All three players have differing personalities, roles and skill sets, but all three have a common goal — a second state title in four years for the Trojans.

Something to prove A 5-foot-11, 218-pound linebacker, Coventry is likely the best physical specimen Maroa has had in Trojans coach

n Holes to fill

TROJANS/B5

Small in size, not competition Softball tourney sports just 8 teams

Starter allows three hits

By MARK TUPPER H&R Executive Sports Editor

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Adam Wainwright became the National League’s first 15-game winner. He also took the team lead, at least for a few days.

Wainwright worked eight innings of three-hit ball, and Albert Pujols’ rare hit off Wandy Rodriguez drove in the lone run in the St. Louis Cardinals’ 1-0 victory over the Houston Astros on Tuesday night.

Wainwright (15-7) matched the Yankees’ CC Sabathia for the major league victory lead, and moved ahead of Chris Carpenter (14-3) for staff honors.

“Golly, I’ve got to put my sprinting shoes on to stay ahead of him,” Wainwright said. “That’s good. I like the push. The whole rotation, we just

Josh Jostes’ 10 years.

And he also has as much to prove as any Mount Zion player trying to make taking up for losses; the more football. field hrpreps/B4-5 this year.

Coventry benches 350 pounds and squats 465,

Associated Press

Adam Wainwright threw a gem Tuesday, giving up just three hits in St. Louis’ 1-0 win over Houston.

WAINWRIGHT/B3

DECATUR — Rich Well, who manages The Freight men’s fast-pitch softball team from Vandalia, scanned the bracket for the Amateur Softball Association Class A national tournament and offered three words: “It’s wide open,” said Well, whose team is one of eight entered in the tournament that opens Friday, Sept. 4 at Rotary Park.

A drawing for the tournament was held Tuesday at the Decatur Indoor Sports Center, and Vandalia will take on Shawnee (Kan.) Piper Lake Club in one of

n Full schedule Get the full slate for next weekend’s softball events at Rotary Park.

Inside/B2 four games to kick off the tournament at 7 p.m.

The host Decatur Pride drew Marshall (Mich.)

Lightning, also at 7 p.m.

Belleville Pete’s Blues, Hopewell (Iowa) Hackers, Montfort (Wis.) New Image and Kokomo (Ind.) Saints are the other teams entered in the tournament, which will conclude on the afternoon of Sunday, Sept. 6.

And while the Class A field is unusually small, a total of 27 teams will be competing in the Class C

SOFTBALL/B2

B4 PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2009

Area’s top quarterbacks

DECATUR, ILLINOIS

www.hrpreps.com

Players to watch, by conference

Brandon Bailey, Sr., Olney — Bailey is the area’s leading returning passer, with 1,650 yards last season, and is fully healed from an arm injury that sidelined him in baseball last year.

Justin Barnes, Sr., Maroa Forsyth — A threat to run and pass, Barnes could potentially put up Dakota Getz-like numbers this year.

Cory Burns, Sr., Meridian — Whether or not Burns, left, is an effective passer isn’t known. But his ability to run and catch the ball gives the Hawks endless offensive possibilities.

Michael Heller, Jr., Mattoon — He improved steadily as a sophomore, finishing with 1,028 passing yards and 524 rushing yards.

Nathan Lawler, Sr., Cerro Gordo — The Broncos are expecting a breakout year from Lawler, who’s in his third year starting in Cerro MacArthur Gordo’s spread offense. quarterback Ben Palla, Sr., Monticello Robert Smith — Palla managed to throw for 1,174 yards in eight games for a winless team, and should benefit from Cullen Welter’s quarterback-friendly system.

Robert Smith, Sr., MacArthur — A Division I recruit at several positions, Smith’s speed and throwing arm make him a perfect spread option quarterback.

Tony Van Gundy, Jr., Arcola — The Purple Riders handed Van Gundy the reigns as a sophomore and didn’t regret it. He threw for 1,006 yards and 14 touchdowns in just 98 attempts.

Potential 1,000-yard backs Jaron Allred, Sr., Effingham — If he can bust loose for 140 against Breese Mater Dei as a backup last year, he can certainly pile up big yards as the main threat this season.

Kyle Burns, Jr., St. Teresa — The little guy (5-foot-5 maybe?) is breakaway fast and hard to find between those big linemen.

Jase Camp, Sr., Lincoln — He had more than 500 yards last year as the Railers’ second option. He should run behind a decent line.

Nick Farison, Sr., Cerro Gordo — Last year’s shifty change-up to power back Nash Ramage will take most of the handoffs this year.

Dan Rentschler, So., Sangamon Valley — He stepped in as a freshman and had a huge year, rushing for 906 yards. That included a 233-yard effort against Tri-County.

Justin Schuring, Sr., Arthur-Lovington — A breakaway threat who averaged 7.1 yards per carry, Schuring is also dangerous in the passing game. He had 124 receiving yards and touchdowns catching and passing the ball.

Josh Scribner, Sr., Tuscola — He could carry a bigger load this year with the injury to Jud Wienke. He wasn’t Cerro bad last year, rushing for 757 yards.

Gordo’s LaDarion Shelby, Sr., MacArthur — A Nick run/catch threat out of the backfield Farison who can break long runs, but also break tackles.

Billy Seeley, Sr., CaseyWestfield — Seeley’s role will increase exponentially this year as one of the few returning Warriors with experience.

Jacob Smith, Jr., Mount Zion — A bruising fullback who will be even more bruising this year with another year in coach Dave Smith’s offseason lifting program.

Area’s breakout players Caleb Davis (Sr., WR/DE) Eisenhower — An imposing physical presence on either side of the ball, Davis, right, presents a big target with the abilities to both block and run after the catch at receiver. As a passrushing end, he’ll demand double teams.

Drew Hadden (Sr., HB) Mount Zion — The third option at running back for the Braves last season, Hadden showed the ability to break tackles and outrun defenses. He should see more opportunities this season.

Kyle Helmuth (Jr., RB) Shelbyville — The Stewardson-Strasburg player will be in his first season in organized football as the schools co-op this season. He’ll be given a chance to see time as running back.

Adam Markwell (Sr., RB) Cumberland — Markwell was in the process of breaking out last year, rushing for 137 yards in the Pirates’ win over Marshall. But he broke his fibula in the same game. A healthy Markwell will have a big year.

Toby Probst (Jr., RB) Maroa-Forsyth — Probst will get the bulk of the carries at running back for the Trojans. He may not lead Maroa in rushing, with quarterback Justin Barnes’ ability to run the ball, but between handoffs and special teams returns, he’ll make an impact.

Ryan Smith (Jr., RB) St. Teresa — You know that a running back at St. Teresa will get 1,000 yards behind the kind of line coach Scott Davis puts together. If Smith gets enough carries, he has the power and speed to be that guy this season.

Alex Steppe (Jr., QB) Effingham — The last two Hearts quarterbacks became all-conference players, and coach Mike McDonald is confident Steppe can follow in their footsteps.

Marquece Tate (Sr., WR) MacArthur — Tate gives the Generals another big-play threat and should see plenty of passes coming his way with secondaries focusing on teammate Kieston Greene.

THINK

YOU KNOW

THE TEAMS TO BEAT?

Apollo Conf er ence

Little Ok aw Valle y Conf er ence

Jaron Allred (Sr., RB) Effingham — It’s his turn to be the top threat for the Hearts.

Brandon Bailey (Sr., QB) Olney — An accurate passer (61 percent in 205 attempts last year), Bailey could have a monster season if the Tigers can develop a more consistent all-around offense.

Jake Combs (Jr., LB) Olney — Despite coming in at 5-6, 135 pounds, he was second-team all-area as a sophomore, when he was credited with 116 tackles.

Adam Drake, (Sr., WR/DB) Charleston — “He’s got some opportunities ahead of him if he continues to progress,” coach Brian Halsey said of Drake, who had 29 catches a year ago.

Levi Eslinger (Sr., RB) Paris — A powerful back with sprinter’s speed.

Aaron Gilbert (Sr., LB) Effingham — A two-time letterman and team captain despite being just 5-9, 160 pounds.

Krys Gray (Sr., LB) Mount Zion — An athletic guy who pursues ball carriers with a mean streak.

Carlos Maldonado (Sr., DL) Mount Zion — A second-team all-county pick at nose tackle from a year ago who’s put on nearly 20 pounds of muscle.

Jake Pilman (Sr., LB) Newton — A third-year starter, Pilman will be the leader of a young Eagles defense.

Jacob Smith, above, (Jr., RB) Mount Zion — He’s 205 pounds of power that will lay on pop on would-be tacklers.

Jon Stallons (Sr., OL/DL) Charleston — A 285-pound senior in his third year starting, he’ll blow open holes for whoever runs the ball for the Trojans.

Bobby Aikman (Sr., WR/RB) Arthur-Lovington — He’ll give defenses trying to account for him nightmares. He’s as effective catching it (454 receiving yards last season) as he is running it (493 yards).

Ryan Chupp (Sr., OL/DL) Arthur-Lovington — Chupp’s play on the defensive line will be key to what the Knights hope is an improved defense this season.

Nick Farison (Sr., RB) Cerro Gordo — He could double his total of 667 yards from last season and is also an effective pass catcher.

Jared Higginbotham (Sr., QB/LB) Martinsville — If he plays well, Martinsville has a chance to win.

Dennie Jones (Sr., OL/DL) Villa Grove — One of the conference’s bigger linemen, he’ll lead what could be the conference’s best offensive lines.

Nathan Lawler, above, (Sr., QB) Cerro Gordo — He has command of the position and plenty of weapons to work with.

Matt Lee (Sr., OL/DL) South Piatt — An underrated player as a junior, Lee held his own against the best in the conference.

Mike Olvera (Jr., OL/DL) Arcola — A three-year starter, he’ll be the leader for the young guys. And at 6-2, 260, they’ll listen to him.

Justin Schuring (Sr., QB) Arthur-Lovington — If the Knights’ line remains healthy, Schuring could rush for 1,500-plus yards this season.

Garrett Stenger (Jr, LB) Arcola — Stenger had 97 tackles last year. “We felt he is a guy we have to build around, and we have done that,” coach Jarod Kiger said.

Tony Van Gundy (Jr., QB) Arcola — Another guy you didn’t hear much about last year but should have. Just ask South Piatt, which was victimized for 240 yards and three touchdowns.

Ok aw Valle y Black

Ok aw Valle y Blue

David Alwood (Sr., FS) Clinton — An all-area first teamer as a junior, he had six interceptions and is back for more.

Kyle Burns (Jr., RB) St. Teresa — He had more than 700 yards as a part-time player his sophomore season. Give him some room, and he could be gone.

Matt Franks (Jr., RB) Tolono Unity — He’ll be the workhorse behind an experienced and physical offensive line.

Cale Huisinga (Sr., SE) Monticello — At 6-4, he’s a nice target for Palla, who found the second-team all-conference pick plenty a year ago.

Matt Moran, right, (Sr., TE/OLB) St. Teresa — He was overshadowed by some very good people lined up next to him, but he has all-conference abilities on both sides of the ball.

Ben Palla (Sr., QB) Monticello — Few people heard much about him, but he threw for 277 yards against Clinton and 280 against Tolono Unity. So he’s loaded with ability.

Derek Smith (Sr., WR/DB) St. Teresa — Smith is very athletic, and his frame will help him at receiver. As a fundamentally sound defensive player, he’s capable of making up for the losses from last year’s team.

Nick Wheat (Sr., OL/DL) Clinton — A state qualifier in wrestling last year, Wheat may be one of the conference’s strongest players.

Justin Barnes (Sr., QB) Maroa-Forsyth — He’s already had two 1,000-yard passing seasons, and last year was at 59.5 percent accuracy.

Conner Bridgman (Sr., FS) Central A&M — He likes to come up and make the play. He had 67 tackles last year along with his three interceptions.

Cory Burns (Sr., QB/DB) Meridian — It’s hard to say which side of the ball Burns is better on. Despite his size, he’s a feared hitter on defense.

Alex Chiligiris (Sr., K) Maroa-Forsyth — The Maroa offense doesn’t have too much trouble reaching the end zone, but when it doesn’t, Chiligiris is deadly with his boot. And watch for him to catch some passes this year.

Dalton Coventry (Sr., LB) Maroa-Forsyth — A bum leg held him back a bit last year, but he was still credited with 95 tackles.

Gunnar Edwards (Sr., WR) Tuscola — One of the area’s top receivers last year with 42 catches, he’s capable of catching the ball in traffic or taking it deep.

Kyle Fore (Sr., OL/DL) Meridian — At 6-4, 260 pounds, he’s a force that will make life a bit easier for Burns.

Derek Hodges (Sr., QB) Argenta-Oreana — This will be his third year as a starter, and he’s made steady progress without the amount of help that other Okaw QBs have received.

Jordan Knerr (Sr., LB) Tuscola — The big guy is coming off a 119-tackle, all-conference performance.

Andrew Patterson (Sr., OL/DL) Argenta-Oreana — It’s his third year on the line for the Bombers. He was second-team all-conference as a junior.

Corey Richardson (Sr., OL/DL) Central A&M — He’ll anchor both sides of the line. He’s coming off a 60-tackle season.

D.J. Salmons (Sr., DE) Warrensburg-Latham — He’s got the toughness and quickness to become a threat from this position.

Ot her Conf er ences

More football coverage ● Check out all our new stories about prep football at www.hrpreps.com. ● Chat about each week’s matchups at www.hrpreps.com/ gamecentral. ● Get all the scores, schedules and rosters whenever you want at www.hrpreps.com/scoreboard. ● Discuss the most recent news with the H&R staff and each other at www.hrpreps.com/ blog. ● Stay up to date wherever you are by following our Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/hrpreps.

Casey Acree (Jr., DB) Sangamon Valley — Teams in the Sangamo Conference will look to throw to the side of the field Acree isn’t on.

Aaron Bennett, (Jr., LB) Sangamon Valley — Has good size and (6-3, 195 pounds) and was the team’s leading tackler last year with 116.

Dalton Brooke (Sr., OL) Casey-Westfield — He’ll be the leader of a young offensive line, a job he should be well-suited for after starting last season.

Mychal Bush-King (Sr., OL/DL) Flora — The line, which started last season as a question mark, turned into a strength behind Bush-King.

Will Cowger (Sr., DL) Vandalia — South Central Conference quarterbacks will see plenty of Cowger coming at them this season.

Garrett Ess (Jr., RB/DB) Taylorville — The Tornadoes expect big things from their junior class, and Ess is ready to deliver.

Silas Gabel (Sr., LB) Cumberland — Strong enough to play linebacker and fast enough to play safety, Gabel will deliver big hits no matter where he plays.

Kyle Hadden (Sr., OL) Taylorville — Consistent offensive line play will be the key to the Tornadoes’ success, and Hadden gives them talent and experience.

R PLAY OU

ALL B T O O F O PR EST T N O C M OUT! PICKE AND FIND »Play against the H&R Staff! »Create groups, play with friends. »WIN GREAT PRIZES!

www.herald-review.com/profootball

We’re Banking On You!

Alan Handy (Sr., OT/DT), Pana — Who’s going to stop the 6-5, 320-pound Handy from creating havoc?

Colt Hickey (Sr., LB) Lincoln — He’ll lead what Lincoln coach Jared Shaner hopes is an improved defense.

Jordan Pesko (Sr., QB) Nokomis — The experience he gained last year should translate into leadership and production this season.

Elijah Plummer (Sr., QB) Oblong — If he can cut down his interceptions (15 last season), Oblong’s offense will score plenty.

Dan Rentschler (So., RB) Sangamon Valley — Rentschler proved he could handle the varsity grind as a freshman. Look for a monster year, even against a higher level of competition.

Joel Ritchhart (Sr., OL) Lincoln — The Railers had to replace most of their offense, but Ritchhart should help keep the ball moving.

Ray Rodriguez (Jr., LB) Taylorville — Another of Taylorville’s talented juniors, his play should make the Tornadoes’ defensive unit strong.

Clinton Scott (Jr., DL/K) Casey-Westfield — A sure foot at kicker who had 10 quarterback sacks as a 6-4, 200-pound sophomore.

Caleb Walton (Sr., OL/DL) Vandalia — He’ll anchor an offensive line that should be the Vandals’ strength.

Good Luck Maroa Forsyth Trojans!

3795 N. Woodford, Decatur, IL

877-6809

Herald & Review

450 E. Main, Warrensburg, IL

Printed with environmentally safe water-based ink

672-3596 Member FDIC

Village of Forsyth 301 S. Rt. 51 (217) 877-9445 forsythvillage.us

Forsyth Public Library

268 S. Elwood S. Forsyth, IL 62535 (217) 877-8174 forsythlibrary.com

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2009

www.hrpreps.com

DECATUR, ILLINOIS

PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW

B5

Players’ take on the area’s best players Maroa-Forsyth’s Justin Barnes and Dalton Coventry, both seniors, should know the other area teams well by now, and here’s their take on who to watch this season: Barnes’ top five offensive players Cory Burns, quarterback, Meridian — “He’ll do well. He’s good at whatever he does.”

Kyle Burns, running back, St. Teresa — “He’s a quick kid. He’ll have a good year.”

Nathan Lawler, quarterback, Cerro Gordo — “I’ve watched him in 7-on-7s, and he looked good.”

Ben Palla, right, quarterback, Monticello — “I think he’s going to have a big year.”

Robert Smith, quarterback, MacArthur — “He’s an outstanding athlete.”

Coventry’s top five defensive players Justin Barnes, defensive back, MaroaForsyth — “He made some big interceptions last year.”

Cory Burns, far left, defensive back, Meridian — “He knows how to lay people out.”

Krys Gray, linebacker, Mount Zion — “I’ve heard a lot of good things about him.”

Jordan Knerr, linebacker, Tuscola — “He puts up some big numbers.”

Jalen Spates, defensive back, MacArthur — “I’ve seen how hard he hits … he brings it.”

TROJANS Continued from B1

Herald & Review photos/Kelly J. Huff

Mount Zion coach Dave Smith lost a giant portion of his offense from a team that finished the 2008 regular season undefeated before losing in the Class 4A second round. A beefed-up Carlos Maldonado, below, is back on the defensive line, though.

Dream job a reality for Smith

By MARK TUPPER H&R Executive Sports Editor

OUNT ZION — If he were so inclined, Dave Smith could draw up a list of all of the holes in the Mount Zion High School football roster caused by graduation.

M

“We lost our quarterback, and he was a great kid,” Smith said after being prodded to name some of the losses.

“We lost our receivers and a tight end.

And we lost our offensive line, five starters there. And our tailback.”

With losses like that, some coaches might turn in their whistle.

But Smith doesn’t see it that way.

Rather than lament what he doesn’t have, he finds gratitude for what he does have. And at Mount Zion, what the head coach has is a strong, reliable feedersystem football program, where replacement players are always on the way up.

Smith believed he was taking over a strong program when he moved into the head job at Mount Zion last year, then made believers of any skeptics by marching through the regular season undefeated, and winning once in the Class 4A playoffs before losing to eventual state champion Bloomington Central Catholic.

A 10-1 record in his Mount Zion coaching debut begs the question: “Coach, is it possible you won too much that first season?”

Smith laughs at the question, but seems a bit put off by it as well.

“Someone asked me that the other day, and I said, ‘That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard of.’ I’m always going to win as many games as we possibly can.

“It’s not about records. It’s about coaching young men to play the game of football. Sometimes we forget that and we focus only on wins and losses.”

Smith has come to believe in the quality of young person he has in his program, their work ethic during the

www.hrpreps.com

25 days the Illinois High School Association allots for conditioning during the summer and the fact that good kids within a good program are driven to become the next torch bearers for the football team.

“I don’t want to say the record doesn’t matter, because it does,” Smith said. “But what I’m asking from the kids is to be the best they can be, and we’ll be OK. I’m confident in our kids and the work they put in. Our kids are multiple sport athletes. It’s great living here. They train well. They are friends out of school.

There’s no animosity. There’s no jealousy. They were raised right. We’re doing a pretty good job in those categories.

“Now, if we can get them to play to the best of their abilities, then I have a real good feeling when I walk out onto the field on Friday night.”

Smith seems to have been a perfect fit for the Mount Zion head coaching job that was left vacant when Tim Nolen went to Robinson.

Smith had been at Princeton and Burlington Central, and there can be bumps during the early part of any new coaching tenure.

“Everyone kept saying, ‘It’s a new offense and they won’t run it well the

first game, maybe the first year,’ ” Smith recalled. “That was in the back of your mind.

“But we told the kids that wasn’t a good reason. We had all summer to prepare, we had two-a-days.”

Still, Mount Zion did not execute well in the first half of the opener against Lincoln.

But Smith did not panic, opting at halftime not to make any adjustments. “We just had to execute better, and we did.”

The result was the first of 10 straight victories.

Despite graduation losses that piled up especially high on the offensive side of the ball, Smith has confidence the next wave of players is ready to step in.

“Just like last year, we lost some tremendous players from the season before that,” he said. “But that’s the great thing about high school. Those eyes were on the great kids ahead of them, and those players said, ‘I want to be that next kid.’ And when it was their turn, they were ready.”

What really excites Smith is what he believes could be a special defense, anchored by all-Apollo Conference nose tackle Carlos Maldonado, and a trio of hard-hitting linebackers that include Krys Gray, Joe Butler and the coach’s son, Jacob Smith.

Maldonado, a wrestler, played at a bit over 150 pounds last year, and this year is between 175 and 180, Smith said.

Offensively, Jack McIntosh appears to have won the job as the starting quarterback.

“Where we need to continue to work is on the offensive line, to get those five kids in place and work on the continuity we had there last year,” Smith said.

Smith said every coach hopes to find a dream job, and he’s pretty certain he has found it at Mount Zion.

“What you’re looking for is a high school that gives you a chance to win, kids that are quality kids, kids who come to work with good intentions of getting better every day. We have that.

“I’m just glad they picked me when they made the hire. I said that last year 100 times. I’m glad they picked me.” mtupper@herald-review.com|421-7983

Log on.

Get schooled.

Sound off.

Follow @hrpreps for scores Every week we've got: during the games - Game coverage Play the weekly preps pickem contest for a chance to win a hrpreps.com T-Shirt!

- Photo galleries www.hrpreps.com/pickem - Pick 'em contest - Video of game footage and recaps - and blogs and video by the prep experts

and still manages a 4.7 40-yard dash.

“Physically, we’ve never had a player touch where he’s at,” Jostes said. “But Dalton needs to transfer those numbers onto the football field.”

Last year, Coventry played all season recovering from surgery for compartment syndrome in his leg. He led the team with 95 tackles.

But just 30 of them were solo tackles.

“I wasn’t even supposed to play until later in the season, but I rehabbed hard and got cleared for the first game,” Coventry said. “I couldn’t even walk until about a week before the game, and I was limping all over the field making tackles. It was never 100 percent.

But it’s football. You have to play through pain sometimes.”

His health is 100 percent now, and Coventry is ready to prove how good he can be when he’s healthy.

“I went to seven day-camps at colleges over the summer and learned a lot of fundamentals and technique,” Coventry said. “My level of game play has risen a lot.”

‘He gets it’ While not a starter as a freshman on Maroa’s 2006 state title team, Barnes did play a key roll as a backup to quarterback Luke Hockaday.

“I did whatever they didn’t want Luke to get hurt doing,” Barnes joked.

Barnes had a tough act to follow in Hockaday, who threw for 2,844 yards, 39 touchdowns and four interceptions in leading the Trojans to 681 points in 2004 — tied for third-most in state history. But Barnes has managed to carve out his own niche. As a sophomore, after winning a preseason battle for the job, Barnes played more of a secondary role to stars like Tyler Roush, Austin Place and Troy Davis. But as a junior, Barnes became the first quarterback in school history to rush for 1,000 yards and throw for 1,000 yards in the same season.

“He allows us to take what the other team is giving, and that makes him very difficult to defend,” Jostes said. “We’ve had a lot faster

kids than Justin, but he gets it.”

Barnes said in his third season as the starting quarterback, it’s now more reacting than thinking when he’s on the field.

“When I’m out there, I’m all instincts,” Barnes said.

“If I see one little hole I can run through, I’m hitting it.

“But part of it is the offense. Running it is a blast. I’m given the opportunity to make whatever calls I want. Whatever the call is, if I don’t like what I see from the defense, I can change it.”

‘He’s the best’ With 12 years of youth soccer under his belt, there’s no doubt Alex Chiligiris could make an impact on the Warrensburg-Latham/Maroa-Forsyth soccer co-op.

But, even with a soccer fanatic father from Greece, Chiligiris never wishes he was on the pitch when he takes the field as the Trojans’ kicker.

“I like to mess around at the park and play some soccer with the guys, but I like football better,” Chiligiris said. “My dad didn’t want me to play at first because he didn’t want me to get hurt. But after I started playing, he loved it.”

And for good reason.

Chiligiris was the only freshman to start for the 2006 Trojans. He booted 68 extra points — tied for eighth-most in state history — and has only improved since. Last year, he kicked the game-winning field goal in the Trojans’ 38-35 win over Meridian. But with Maroa’s powerful offense, Chiligiris is often under-utilized.

“We have a lot of confidence in our offense’s ability to strike from anywhere on the field,” Jostes said. “So, yeah, he probably could have had more opportunities to kick. But he puts up with that. And ultimately, he does get big-kick opportunities.”

And when he does, Chiligiris is a weapon few teams in the state — let alone Class 2A — can employ.

“He’s the best kicker in the state, bar none,” Barnes said. “The work he puts in is ridiculous. Drive past Forsyth Park any time between noon until 6 at night, there’s a good chance you’ll see him out there.” jconn@herald-review.com|421-7971