Preps Football Preview - Friday, August 28

SIDELINES

And the games begin ...

Compiled from H&R staff and news service reports

Coverage from Mount Zion-Lincoln, A&M-Unity/Saturday

Gillispie arrested on DIU charge Former Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie has pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol following his arrest early Thursday in central Kentucky.

Gillispie wore an orange jumpsuit and said few words during his video arraignment, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press.

The judge told Gillispie she was suspending his right Gillispie to drive in Kentucky because he refused to take blood and breath tests.

Lawrenceburg police officer Michael Corley clocked Gillispie doing 63 mph in a 45 mph zone along a highway in Lawrenceburg about 30 miles from Lexington and pulled up behind Gillispie at a red light. When the light turned green, Gillispie’s car stayed motionless for one or two minutes before continuing down the road, Corley wrote in his report.

“Billy had a strong fruity smell coming from his person (possibly wine) and had red, glassy eyes and slow, slurred speech,” Corley wrote.

Ex-Illini takes chance with UFL Former Illini Simeon Rice is making a comeback with the new United Football League.

The New York Sentinels announced Thursday that they had signed the 35-year-old defensive end. Rice last played in the NFL in 2007, when he was released by both the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts.

He had 122 sacks in 12 seasons, earning three Pro Bowl selections during his stints with the Arizona Cardinals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Drafted third overall in 1996, Rice won a Super Bowl with the Bucs after the 2002 season.

Tebow likely wouldn’t do this A minor league baseball team has changed a Tim Tebow promotion after receiving a cease and desist e-mail from the University of Florida.

Fort Myers Miracle fans expected “What Would Tim Tebow Do?” night Wednesday, but the theme was changed to “What Would T.T. Do?” The Naples Daily News reported that senior associate athletic director Jamie McCloskey told the team NCAA rules prohibit the names or pictures of its athletes in commercial promotions.

A ceremonial jump-pass started Wednesday’s game against the St. Lucie Mets. Fans received promise rings and watched a character called “T.T.” try to walk on water.

Bolt ready for a new event?

Jamaican sprint star Usain Bolt says he wants to try a new event — the long jump.

The world-record holder in the 100 and 200 meters says he thinks he could be a good long jumper some day.

Bolt says he has been “messing around” with the Bolt long jump since high school and would like to compete in the event before he retires.

While he’s willing to try a new event, he says he has no plans to run the 400.

Speak up Who is the best football team in the Okaw Valley this year?

Maroa-Forsyth . . . . . . . . . . . 41% St. Teresa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18% Tolono Unity . . . . . . . . . . . . 10% Central A&M . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9% Meridian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9% Tuscola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8% Someone else . . . . . . . . . . . . 4% Today’s question: Who will win this year’s Arch Rivalry football game — Illinois or Missouri?

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

Friday, August 28, 2009

B

Herald& Review

Fitzgerald,Wildcats want to build on nine-win season/B6

Sports www.herald-review.com

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

hrpreps FOOTBALL WEEK 1 PREVIEW

Wave has tough task in opener

On the Web Results for our blog question — Who will be the best team in the area this year? — and comments from our bloggers. To read more, go to www. hrpreps.com/blog.

1. Maroa-Forsyth (91 points) “It will be really tough to stop anything they do. They have good leadership and are on a roll for the last few years.”

— Forloveofthegame 2. MacArthur (89 points) “Going to be excellent, even better than most people think.”

— illini 3. St. Teresa (45 points) “ ‘Rebuilding’ is a word that Coach Davis has never spoken. The Bulldogs will turn a lot of heads this year, this I can promise.” — Touchdown Bulldogs 4. Mount Zion (44 points) “I am still absolutely amazed how quickly that program has adjusted to coach Smith’s scheme.”

— John Sheary O.D. 5. Central A&M (31 points) “A team that has paid their dues the past few years. I think (they) are bound to make a run this year and get back to good ol’ Moweaqua football.” — Matt Utterman

Under new coach, Mattoon hits road to face Generals

By SCOTT RICHEY H&R Staff Writer

n Week 1 preview

Herald & Review/Lisa Morrison

Central A&M junior Collin Townsend led the school’s JV team to an undefeated season last year, and now he’s starting at quarterback for a Raiders squad eager to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2006.

Playoffs? No talk yet A&M just focusing on winning game for now

By JUSTIN CONN H&R Staff Writer

C

MATTOON — There are easier ways to start a football season than to go on the road to face a team that finished last season with a 9-3 record and earned a trip to the Class 5A quarterfinals.

But that’s exactly the challenge Mattoon faces when the Green Wave travels to Decatur to play Class 5A sixth-ranked MacArthur at 7 tonight.

Mattoon is starting this season following last year’s 2-7 record and is doing so with a new coach in Troy Johnson. MacArthur recently was in the same position Mattoon is now faced with. The Generals followed up five Capsules for consecuthe big games tive losing in the area; seasons week-by-week with a 2-7 schedule. record in hrpreps/B4-5 Derek Spates’ first year as head coach in 2007 before the drastic turnaround last season.

“We can call things and they can fly around and do it because they’ve been doing it since they were sophomores,” Spates said about having a veteran team. “They know what it takes to win in this conference. They’ve just gotten smarter, more competitive.”

Mattoon’s biggest challenge rests in stopping MacArthur’s offense. The Generals beat Mattoon 49-6 in last year’s season opener in Mattoon. While four players who scored in that game for MacArthur are no longer around, the ones who remain are just as dangerous.

Seniors Robert Smith (quarterback), Kieston Greene (wide receiver) and LaDarion Shelby (running back) all found the end zone against Mattoon last year. Smith not only rushed for a 66-yard touchdown but connected with Greene for a 37-yard score as well.

“He catches the ball well,” Spates said about Greene. “A lot of high school guys like to use their body to catch the ball.

Kieston always seems to use his hands. He brings some fire to the team. Being a starter in three varsity sports, he’s a competitor.”

Johnson won’t be game-planning against MacArthur’s competitive

entral A&M’s potential to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2006 is the talk of Moweaqua and Assumption.

But that talk stops once you step inside the Raiders’ locker room.

“When we talked to the kids this year, we didn’t talk playoffs,” said Central A&M coach Mark Ramsey, entering his 26th year coaching football in Moweaqua. “We just said, ‘Let’s play 48 minutes every game and see where we’re at.’

“We’re not going to talk playoffs. We’re just going to prepare each week and play hard. That’s been our motto.”

That the Raiders aren’t talking about the playoffs was confirmed by junior quarterback Collin Townsend. And looking at last year, it’s easy to see why Ramsey has resorted to “one-game-at-atime” mode before the season has even started.

‘What we’re capable of is showing in practice, but now we have to show it in games.’

Collin Townsend, Central A&M QB After winning four of its first five games last year, it seemed imminent that the Raiders would make the Class 1A playoffs and go on one of their signature runs.

But a 27-21 loss to Tuscola, eventually a Class 1A quarterfinalist, began a downward spiral. Once aiming for a possible first-round home game in the playoffs, a 34-22 loss to Warrensburg-Latham the next week suddenly put A&M’s playoff hopes in jeopardy. The Raiders finished with blowout losses to Maroa-Forsyth and archrival Meridian, ending

their season on the outside looking in.

“We’ve came up short in making the playoffs the last two years, and that’s been a little frustrating,” Ramsey said. “Last year, we got to four wins and it just didn’t happen. We saw a lot of opportunities slip away.

“But this is a new season and the kids are ready to start fresh,” Ramsey said.

When A&M takes the field for its season opener against Tolono Unity, it will be a fresh start for the Raiders in a lot of ways. A&M’s entire starting backfield from last year is gone, replaced by a group that includes several players off the Raiders’ undefeated JV team from last season.

One of those players is Townsend, who will start at quarterback.

“He understands his role as quarterback is a leadership position and he’s stepped up

A&M/B4

Since Central A&M was formed, coach Mark Ramsey has had his share of success, but the past few years have been a tough ride for the Raiders: Year 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Record 13-1* 10-2 9-3 13-1* 12-2* 14-0^ 10-1 4-5 12-1 13-1* 9-3 5-5 4-5 8-3 5-5 3-6 4-5

* — state runner-up ^ — state champion

WAVE/B4

Boller better in win

Unlikely homer downs Cards

Rams’backup QB throws TD

Keppinger helps Astros avoid sweep

CINCINNATI (AP) — The last thing that the St. Louis Rams wanted to see was Kyle Boller’s helmet tumbling across the field.

Boller played better Thursday night in his second game filling in for Marc Bulger, completing a flurry of short passes during a 24-21 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. He also had one moment of bravado that made the Rams shudder.

He refused to duck.

Boller got his helmet knocked off on a hit by linebacker Keith Rivers at the end of an 8-yard scramble, waiting too long to start his slide. Unfazed, Boller got to his feet, found his helmet and completed his next two passes, including a 3-yard shovel pass to running back Samkon Gado for a touchdown.

“I could have slid a little earlier,” said

BOLLER/B6

Associated Press

Kyle Boller threw a 3-yard shovel TD pass Thursday in the Rams’ 24-21 victory.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — One big swing from Jeff Keppinger, hardly a longball threat, eased the Houston Astros’ frustrations after getting worked over by St. Keppinger Louis Cardinals pitchers.

Keppinger hit a tiebreaking homer with two out in the ninth inning, and Houston rallied to beat the Cardinals 4-3 on Thursday, avoiding a three-game sweep.

Keppinger’s shot to left on a 2-2 pitch from Kyle McClellan (4-3) was his fourth of the season and first since June 19. He has only 17 homers in 1,116 career atbats, so he was running when the drive barely cleared the wall.

“It was kind of nice to see the outcome,” Keppinger said. “You ever look up at the scoreboard and see my totals?”

Jose Valverde (2-2) pitched two scoreless innings for the Astros, who scored all four runs with two outs and won for only the fifth time in their past 19 road games. They avoided a

UNLIKELY/B3

B4 PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW

FRIDAY AUGUST 28, 2009

DECATUR, ILLINOIS

“

The kids, no matter what class they’re in, have gained a respect for him and how hard he works.

By the numbers Top area teams according to Maxpreps.com ’03-’07 Avg 1. St. Teresa 25.7 2. Maroa-Forsyth 23.0 3. Tuscola 20.0 4. Casey-Westfield 16.9 5. Taylorville 11.4 6. Mount Zion 9.3 7. Effingham 7.5 8. MacArthur 7.3 9. Arthur-Lovington 5.8 10. Charleston 5.6

www.hrpreps.com

Natl rank 1067 1450 2001 2612 4038 4650 5203 5269 5750 5809

Most playoff appearances during the past 10 years Tuscola Casey-Westfield St. Teresa Taylorville Cerro Gordo Arthur-Lovington Mount Zion Newton Nokomis Central A&M Maroa-Forsyth Mattoon Argenta-Oreana

”

— Mark Ramsey, Central A&M coach, on Collin Townsend

(Numbers are maxpreps.com dynasty index for the years 2003-2007 and ranking of all U.S. schools playing football)

10 9 9 8 8 7 7 7 7 6 6 6 6

Top win percentage during past 10 years 1. Tuscola 2. St. Teresa 3. Casey-West.

4. Newton 5. Arthur-Loving.

6. Cerro Gordo 7. Mount Zion 8. Maroa-Forsyth 9. Central A&M 10. Mattoon

102-19 90-21 90-25 78-29 69-35 70-36 69-36 70-38 71-39 68-43

.843 .811 .783 .729 .663 .660 .657 .648 .645 .613

Area teams who have played in a state title game 1974 St. Teresa (Class 2A, 1) 1975 St. Teresa (Class 2A, 1) 1977 Arcola (Class 1A, 2) 1978 Arcola (Class 1A, 1) 1979 St. Teresa (Class 2A, 1) 1980 Atwood-Hammond (Class 1A, 1) 1981 Maroa-Forsyth (Class 1A, 2) 1982 Casey (Class 2A, 2) 1983 Maroa-Forsyth (Class 1A, 2) 1985 Arcola (Class 1A, 1) Casey-Westfield (Class 2A, 1) 1986 Macon (Class 1A, 2) St. Teresa (Class 2A, 2) 1988 Arcola (Class 1A, 1) 1991 Arcola (Class 1A, 2) Robinson (Class 3A, 2) 1992 Central A&M (Class 2A, 2) 1995 Arcola (Class 1A, 2) Central A&M (Class 2A, 2) 1996 Central A&M (Class 2A, 2) 1997 Central A&M (Class 2A, 1) 1999 Meridian (Class 2A, 2) 2001 Central A&M (Class 2A, 2) 2005 Newton (Class 4A, 2) 2006 Tuscola (Class 1A, 1) Maroa-Forsyth (Class 2A, 1) 2007 Tuscola (Class 1A, 2) 2008 Casey-Westfield (Class 2A, 2)

Herald & Review photos/Lisa Morrison

Senior split end Tim Bridgman readies himself in a Central A&M practice. The Raiders are hoping to get back into the playoffs this year behind quarterback Collin Townsend, above right.

A&M

Continued from B1 in that role,” Ramsey said.

“The kids, no matter what class they’re in, have gained a respect for him and how hard he works.”

Townsend will be joined in the backfield by a group of running backs, including senior fullbacks Kyle Wiseman and Conner Bridgman, and junior tailbacks Evan Hayes

and Matt Davis.

While no one in that group has significant varsity experience, they’ll run behind a line that includes senior returners Ryan Workman, Corey Richardson, Kline Renfro and Bret Merrell.

“In practices, those guys have been making holes for our backs, and our running backs have been hitting those holes for nice gains,” Townsend said. “What we’re capable of is showing in prac-

tice, but now we have to show it in games.”

The first chance to do that will be today at Moweaqua against a Tolono Unity team that will be going for its 16th straight playoff appearance.

“They’re always going to be solid,” Ramsey said. “We’ve had a good camp, and the team’s chemistry is really good. Beating them will be a tough task, but we’re not looking for any moral victories.” jconn@herald-review.com|421-7971

On the radio today St. Teresa at Warrensburg WSOY (1340 AM), WDKR (107.3 FM) Mattoon at MacArthur WDZ (1050 AM), WMCI (101.3 FM) Monticello at Meridian WXFM (99.3 FM)

WAVE

Continued from B1 spirit, but he will have to find a way to stop the Generals’ athletes.

“They are very athletic,” Johnson said of MacArthur.

“Obviously they’re getting some publicity, and after last year and what they have coming back, they should be. They’re going to make plays. Any time you put athletes on the field, they’re going to make plays.

The key is to make sure they’re just big plays, but not big plays for touchdowns.”

Out to stop that explosive offense is the Green Wave defense. Johnson said defensive containment has been a focus during practice leading up to the MacArthur game. That containment will be key with Smith operating as a dual-threat quarterback who can beat defenses with his arm and legs.

“Robert is a special individual,” Spates said. “He’s been a four-year starter on both sides of the ball. When you’ve got a guy like that who can come in when things break down and be a steadying force in the huddle, it’s a luxury as a coach.”

Key to containing Smith could be Mattoon’s rotation at linebacker. Several of the Green Wave’s players will play both offense and defense, and Johnson said he likes to have at least three inside linebackers and three outside linebackers so there is enough depth to give a player a breather when needed.

Vince Anello, Michael Heller, Desmond McDonald, Jake Gates and Nic Thomas (all listed as probable starting linebackers) will most likely be pulling double duty against MacArthur. Anello, MacDonald and Gates are all running backs, Heller is the starting quarterback and Thomas starts at one of the offensive guard positions.

“The key is keeping him in check, inside,” Johnson said. “Making him come up

inside and making sure we tackle him. You can’t miss tackles on cats like that because when you do their off to the races. It’s been a focal point, but it’s one of those things where you’ve just got to get it done.”

Even with some focus on how to stop MacArthur’s offense based off of scouting reports and running the scout team offense during practice, Johnson said the team’s primary focus is still on itself.

“We’re not necessarily worrying about what they’re doing,” Johnson said. “Our focus is us making sure we’re in the right spots. I don’t care what plays MacArthur runs. We run a fundamentally sound defense. We just need to make sure we align and we’re on the right keys whether it’s against MacArthur or against us.”

Mattoon is in the process of learning a new defense and offense, and some of the special teams play also is new in Johnson’s first year as coach.

“What we do, especially offensively, is not easy,” Johnson said. “We don’t have it all in, but the kids have done a great job of trying to learn it and pick it up.

The kids that went to 7-on-7 during the summer are way more advanced than the kids that didn’t. I think they’re focused and trying to do the right stuff. They’ve been working hard in practice, and really that’s all I can ask.”

Part of that new offense might include a change in quarterback if MacArthur’s defense is able to shut down Heller, who also provides an offensive spark with his legs in addition to his arm.

That change could see Heller shift to a different position.

“Don’t count out Shawnesy Carlen,” Johnson said.

“If I’m struggling getting Michael Heller the ball, or getting him out in space, I will not hesitate to put (Carlen) in at quarterback and get Michael the ball someway, somehow out in space.”

Week 1 Preview Capsules

Mattoon at MacArthur

St. Teresa at Warrensburg-Latham

Clinton at Maroa-Forsyth

LAST MEETING: MacArthur won 49-6 in 2008.

NEXT WEEK: Danville at Mattoon; Champaign Centennial at MacArthur.

OF NOTE: MacArthur got last year started in a big way when Robert Smith ripped off a 66-yard run early, and the Generals went on to open with a big victory over Mattoon. It established the Generals as a legitimate threat, and they kept it up en route to a 9-3 season.

Now the bull’s-eye will be on MacArthur’s back as it starts the year ranked No. 6 in Class 5A. Michael Heller had a nice debut at quarterback last year for Mattoon and went on to lead the Green Wave in rushing (524 yards) and passing, completing 54 of 166 attempts for 1,028 yards. He’ll be given every opportunity by new coach Troy Johnson to make plays.

“Obviously, Michael Heller is a pretty good athlete and throws the ball well. Not only will you see him at quarterback, but you may see him at slot receiver. He’s going to touch the ball a bunch. Obviously, at quarterback he will be getting touches there, but we will try and free him up.”

LAST MEETING: St. Teresa won 50-0 in 2006.

NEXT WEEK: Warrensburg-Latham at Sullivan; Tuscola at St. Teresa.

OF NOTE: The teams haven’t met in the two years since the Okaw Valley went to two divisions, so they both are ready to get back at it even though the series has been lopsided lately. St. Teresa has won the five meetings by an average of 41-3. But both sidelines will be full of young, inexperienced players who know little of those games and can start over. St. Teresa has just three starters back on offense and two on defense. Several sophomores will have to step in for the Bulldogs, including quarterback Daniel Queen. Warrensburg will be opening the season with a new backfield that will want to keep the Cardinals on track. They finally broke through to the playoffs last year, but if they are to do that again, they’ll need to pick up a couple wins now before getting into the tough Okaw Blue division.

LAST MEETING: Maroa-Forsyth won 42-0 in 2006.

NEXT WEEK: Central A&M at Clinton; Maroa-Forsyth at Monticello.

OF NOTE: Another year, another bunch of highly touted players at Maroa with a state ranking on the line each week. And the Trojans are starting to like being in this position. And again it’s warranted, with so many returning starters from a team that took Casey-Westfield to the wire it the 2A playoff quarterfinals. Justin Barnes is in his third season of running the offense and is really getting the hang of it. He accounted for 2,670 yards last year. Dalton Coventry, getting Division I looks, will keep the defense stingy. Looking for all kinds of answers will be coach John Hayden, who comes to Clinton after a stint at South Piatt. Hayden will have to figure out how to slow Maroa while being new to the Okaw and looking to see what he’s got. Returning players David Alwood (DB), Aaron Ennis (QB), Nick Wheat (OL/DL) and Josh Shride (LB) give him a starting point.

www.hrpreps.com

Eisenhower at Champaign Centennial LAST MEETING: Champaign Centennial won 42-12 in 2008.

NEXT WEEK: Normal West at Eisenhower; Champaign Centennial at MacArthur.

OF NOTE: Eisenhower returns a few experienced players and a bunch of younger players who have won at the lower levels.

They’re hoping that translates into success on the varsity level this season. The last time the Panthers won a season opener was in 2004 when they took Centennial 14-7.

QB Zach Shugart will try to get the power-I offense moving. Centennial was going to be hit by losses anyway, but then stud running back Rayvonte Rice decided to concentrate on basketball and quarterback Mike Locksley took off for New Mexico when his father took the football job there. But the cupboard won’t be completely bare.

Back is junior Shaquille Traylor, who has star potential at running back.

Monticello at Meridian

Lincoln at Mount Zion

LAST MEETING: Monticello won 20-15 in 2006.

NEXT WEEK: Maroa-Forsyth at Monticello; Meridian at Shelbyville.

OF NOTE: New Monticello coach Cullen Welter gets a heckuva introduction to the Okaw Valley Conference, as the non-conference portion starts with Meridian, MaroaForsyth and Central A&M — three teams expected to compete for playoff berths and maybe a lot more. Cullen has the pedigree and some cornerstones to get things turned around. He took Aledo to state title games in 1998, 2001, 2002, 2005 and 2006. Strongarmed Ben Palla will line up behind a line that returns four starters.

Meridian will come into the season as it did a year ago — with people not sure just how good the Hawks can be. And there could be enough players back to make a similar run if a few youngsters can answer the call. Senior quarterback Cory Burns gets the ball with the ability to also make things happen with his feet.

LAST MEETING: Mount Zion won 33-28 in 2008.

NEXT WEEK: Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin at Lincoln; Mount Zion at Paris.

OF NOTE: In one of the more entertaining games last year, Mount Zion needed a 26-0 second half to knock off the Railers. It’s been that way recently in a series that resumed in 2004. All Mount Zion has to do this fall is replace two-way standounts Jake Jones, Eric Walters (1,730 yards rushing) and Matthew Smith. But coach Dave Smith is confident the pieces will fall into place, led by junior Jacob Smith and senior Krys Gray.

Ben Brackney had a big game for Lincoln in last year’s opener with Mount Zion, but he has decided to not play this year. So, at quarterback will be Stephen Duncan, 6-foot, 150-pound junior. Duncan won’t have to be the main offensive weapon right away. Running back Jace Camp returns. He ran 94 times for 509 yards (5.4 ypc) as a junior. Giving the offense time to get in rhythm should be a defense that returns seven starters.

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DECATUR, ILLINOIS

PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW

B5

Week-by-week schedule and best games of the week Tolono Unity at Central A&M This game will give a peek into the pecking order of both sides of the Okaw Valley Conference.

Raiders coach Mark Ramsey doesn't want moral victories. But win or lose, a good performance against a perennial Class 3A power will bode well for the rest of the season as A&M tries to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2006. The Raiders' last meeting with Unity was in 2000, when the Rockets won 44-20 in the Class 2A semifinals.

Honorable mention Mattoon at MacArthur Casey-Westfield at Marshall St. Teresa at WarrensburgLatham Lincoln at Mount Zion Monticello at Meridian

Tuscola at St. Teresa Another fun Okaw BlueBlack matchup. St. Teresa’s inexperienced offensive line will get an early test against a vicious Tuscola defense. A Tuscola win could put the Warriors on the fast track to a long Class 1A playoff run. Like Unity/A&M, this is the first matchup between these teams since the conference expanded two years ago. Their last meeting was a 41-0 St. Teresa win in the second round of the 1995 Class 2A playoffs.

Honorable mention Champaign Centennial at MacArthur Springfield Sacred HeartGriffin at Lincoln Bridgeport Red Hill at Casey-Westfield Vandalia at Carlinville Maroa-Forsyth at Monticello

Week 1 — Aug. 28

Week 4 — Sept. 18

Big 12 Champaign Central at Normal West Danville at Bloomington Eisenhower at Champaign Centennial Mattoon at MacArthur Normal at Urbana Little Illini Casey-Westfield at Marshall Flora at Lawrenceville Palestine at Oblong Cumberland at Bridgeport Red Hill South Central Carlinville at Alton Marquette Litchfield at Greenville Pana at Roxana Piasa Southwestern at Hillsboro Vandalia at East Alton-Wood River Non-conference Arthur-Lovington at Fithian Oakwood Breese Mater Dei at Effingham Centralia at Salem Charleston at Taylorville Chatham Glenwood at Troy Triad Clinton at Maroa-Forsyth Collinsville at Springfield Flanagan at Tri-County Girard at Auburn Hoopeston vs. East Central at Shiloh Jerseyville at Jacksonville Kincaid South Fork at Petersburg PORTA Lincoln at Mount Zion Martinsville at Milford Monticello at Meridian New Berlin at Virden Newton at Albion Edwards County Olney at Dupo Pawnee at Athens Pleasant Plains at Mount Olive Robinson at St. Joseph-Ogden Sangamon Valley at Nokomis Salt Fork at Arcola Shelbyville at Tuscola South Piatt at Cerro Gordo Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin at Lombard Montini (Sat.) Springfield Southeast at Peoria (Sat.) St. Teresa at Warrensburg-Latham Staunton at Riverton Sullivan at Argenta-Oreana Tolono Unity at Central A&M Villa Grove at Georgetown-Ridge Farm Washington at Springfield Lanphier (Sat.) Williamsville at Gillespie

Apollo Mount Zion at Salem Newton at Effingham Olney at Robinson (Sat.) Paris at Charleston Big 12 Champaign Central at Bloomington MacArthur at Eisenhower (Sat.) Normal West at Danville Normal at Champaign Centennial Urbana at Mattoon Central State Eight Lincoln at Springfield Southeast Springfield Lanphier at Jacksonville Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin at Chatham Glenwood Taylorville at Springfield (Sat.) Little Illini Bridgeport Red Hill at Flora Casey-Westfield at Cumberland Lawrenceville at Palestine Marshall at Albion Edwards County Little Okaw Valley South Piatt at Tri-County Cerro Gordo at Arcola Martinsville at Arthur-Lovington Villa Grove vs. East Central at Shiloh Prairie State Girard at Gillespie Kincaid South Fork at Virden Nokomis at Pawnee Staunton at Mount Olive Sangamo New Berlin at Petersburg PORTA Sangamon Valley at Athens Riverton at Pleasant Plains Williamsville at Auburn South Central Alton Marquette at Vandalia Carlinville at Pana Hillsboro at Greenville Litchfield at Roxana Piasa Southwestern at East Alton- Wood River Non-conference Argenta-Oreana at Monticello Central A&M at Shelbyville Maroa-Forsyth at St. Teresa Meridian at Sullivan Tuscola at Tolono Unity Warrensburg-Latham at Clinton

Maroa-Forsyth at St. Teresa Besides being the hottest rivarly going, these two teams haven’t been beaten by another Okaw team other than each other since the Trojans’ loss to Shelbyville in 2004.

Since the Okaw split into two divisions in 2007, this game has decided the “true” conference champion. Expect a close one. St. Teresa won last year’s game by seven points, and Maroa won the year before by one. In eight meetings since 2003, each team has four wins.

Honorable mention Mount Zion at Salem Newton at Effingham MacArthur at Eisenhower (Sat.) Cerro Gordo at Arcola Tuscola at Tolono Unity

Honorable mention Effingham at Paris Arcola vs. Arthur-Lovington at Lovington Cerro Gordo at Martinsville St. Teresa at Meridian Monticello at Central A&M

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Normal at MacArthur The Ironmen handed the Generals their worst loss of last season (48-21) and broke their six-game winning streak to start the year. MacArthur learned from the humbling loss and went on to record a run to the quarterfinals.

But it still stung, and the Generals know if they’re going to make a legitimate run at the Big 12 title, they’ll have to knock off the top dog. MacArthur hasn’t beaten Normal since 1995.

Honorable mention Effingham at Robinson Newton at Mount Zion Monticello at Tolono Unity Maroa-Forsyth at Tuscola Warrensburg-Latham at Central A&M

Apollo Charleston at Salem Effingham at Robinson Newton at Mount Zion Olney at Paris Big 12 Bloomington at Normal West Champaign Centennial at Mattoon Danville at Champaign Central Eisenhower at Urbana Normal at MacArthur Central State Eight Lincoln at Jacksonville Springfield Lanphier at Springfield SE (Sat.) Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin at Springfield Taylorville at Chatham Glenwood Little Illini Albion Edwards County at Cumberland Lawrenceville at Bridgeport Red Hill Oblong at Casey-Westfield Palestine at Marshall Little Okaw Valley Arcola at Villa Grove East Central at Arthur-Lovington Martinsville at South Piatt Tri-County at Cerro Gordo Okaw Valley Black Clinton at St. Teresa Monticello at Tolono Unity Shelbyville at Sullivan Okaw Valley Blue Argenta-Oreana at Meridian Maroa-Forsyth at Tuscola Warrensburg-Latham at Central A&M Prairie State Mount Olive at Kincaid South Fork Nokomis at Girard Pawnee at Gillespie Virden at Staunton Sangamo Athens at Williamsville Auburn at Sangamon Valley Pleasant Plains at Petersburg PORTA (Sat.) Riverton at New Berlin (Sat.) South Central East Alton-Wood River at Alton Marquette (Sat.) Hillsboro at Carlinville Litchfield at Pana Piasa Southwestern at Vandalia Roxana at Greenville Non-conference Farmer City Blue Ridge at Flora (Sat.)

Week 2 — Sept. 4

Week 5 — Sept. 25

Week 8 — Oct. 16

Apollo Mount Zion at Paris Olney at Charleston (Sat.) Robinson at Newton Salem at Effingham Big 12 Bloomington vs. Normal at Illinois State U. Champaign Centennial at MacArthur Danville at Mattoon Normal West at Eisenhower Urbana at Champaign Central Central State Eight Chatham Glenwood at Springfield Southeast Jacksonville at Springfield Springfield Lanphier at Taylorville Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin at Lincoln Little Illini Albion Edwards County at Palestine Bridgeport Red Hill at Casey-Westfield Lawrenceville at Cumberland Oblong at Flora Prairie State Gillespie at Staunton Mount Olive at Pawnee Nokomis at Kincaid South Fork Virden at Girard Sangamo Athens at Pleasant Plains Auburn at New Berlin Petersburg PORTA at Sangamon Valley Riverton at Williamsville South Central Greenville at Piasa Southwestern Hillsboro at Roxana Vandalia at Carlinville East Alton-Wood River at Litchfield Non-conference Argenta-Oreana at Tolono Unity Bismarck-Henning at Villa Grove Central A&M at Clinton Cerro Gordo at Farmington Chicago Academy at Martinsville (Sat.) Georgetown-Ridge Farm at Arthur-Lovington Heyworth at Tri-County Meridian at Shelbyville Maroa-Forsyth at Monticello Marshall at Mahomet-Seymour Milford at East Central Orion at Arcola (Sat.) Pana at Alton Marquette (Sat.) South Piatt at Salt Fork Tuscola at St. Teresa Warrensburg-Latham at Sullivan

Apollo Charleston at Newton Effingham at Olney Robinson at Mount Zion Salem at Paris Big 12 Bloomington at Mattoon Champaign Central at MacArthur Danville at Eisenhower Normal West at Normal Urbana at Champaign Centennial Central State Eight Chatham Glenwood at Lincoln Jacksonville at Taylorville Springfield at Springfield Lanphier Springfield Southeast at Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin (Sat.) Little Illini Albion Edwards County at Bridgeport Red Hill Flora at Marshall Oblong at Lawrenceville Palestine at Cumberland Little Okaw Valley Arthur-Lovington at Cerro Gordo South Piatt at Villa Grove East Central at Arcola Tri-County at Martinsville Okaw Valley Black Monticello at Clinton Shelbyville at St. Teresa Tolono Unity at Sullivan Okaw Valley Blue Maroa-Forsyth at Meridian Central A&M at Argenta-Oreana Warrensburg-Latham at Tuscola Prairie State Gillespie at Mount Olive (Sat.) Kincaid South Fork at Girard Pawnee at Staunton Virden at Nokomis Sangamo Auburn at Riverton Petersburg PORTA at Athens Pleasant Plains at Sangamon Valley Williamsville at New Berlin South Central Greenville at Alton Marquette Pana at Piasa Southwestern Roxana at Carlinville Vandalia at Litchfield East Alton- Wood River at Hillsboro

Apollo Effingham at Charleston Mount Zion at Olney Newton at Salem Paris at Robinson Big 12 Bloomington at Eisenhower Champaign Central at Champaign Centennial Danville at Normal MacArthur at Urbana Normal West at Mattoon Central State Eight Chatham Glenwood at Springfield Lanphier Jacksonville at Springfield SHG (Sat.) Springfield at Lincoln Springfield Southeast at Taylorville Little Illini Bridgeport Red Hill at Oblong Casey-Westfield at Albion Edwards County Flora at Palestine Marshall at Lawrenceville Little Okaw Valley Arthur-Lovington vs. Tri-County at Oakland South Piatt at Arcola East Central at Martinsville Villa Grove at Cerro Gordo Okaw Valley Black Monticello at Shelbyville Sullivan at St. Teresa Tolono Unity vs. Clinton at Clinton Okaw Valley Blue Central A&M at Maroa-Forsyth Tuscola at Meridian Warrensburg-Latham at Argenta-Oreana Prairie State Girard at Mount Olive Kincaid South Fork at Gillespie Pawnee at Virden Staunton at Nokomis Sangamo New Berlin at Athens Sangamon Valley at Riverton Pleasant Plains at Auburn Williamsville at Petersburg PORTA South Central Alton Marquette at Roxana Greenville at East Alton- Wood River Litchfield at Hillsboro Pana at Vandalia Piasa Southwestern at Carlinville Non-conference Cumberland at Fisher

Robinson at Mount Zion This will be Tim Nolen’s first trip to Mount Zion as Robinson’s coach after spending 14 years on the Braves’ sideline. Nolen won 83 games and made eight trips to the playoffs at Mount Zion, but the Braves didn’t exactly miss him last season. Dave Smith stepped in and led them to a 10-1 record, using a distinctly different style. Nolen hopes his homecoming goes better than his first game against his former team — a 47-14 shellacking at Robinson.

Honorable mention Charleston at Newton Champaign Central at MacArthur Arthur-Lovington at Cerro Gordo Maroa-Forsyth at Meridian Central A&M at ArgentaOreana

Week 3 — Sept. 11 Charleston at Mount Zion Both teams will have plenty to play for in a matchup of the two teams expected to battle for the top spot in the Apollo Conference. In last year’s game, Charleston took a 14-0 lead, but Mount Zion stormed back to claim a 28-21 overtime win. The Braves went on to go undefeated in the regular season and carry a ninegame conference winning streak into the season.

Charleston ended up 4-5, missing the playoffs by a game.

Week 7 — Oct. 9

Apollo Charleston at Mount Zion Effingham at Paris Newton at Olney Salem at Robinson Big 12 Bloomington at Urbana Champaign Centennial at Danville Eisenhower at Champaign Central MacArthur at Normal West Mattoon at Normal Central State Eight Chatham Glenwood at Jacksonville Springfield at Springfield Southeast Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin at Springfield Lanphier Taylorville at Lincoln Little Illini Albion Edwards County at Oblong Flora at Casey-Westfield Palestine at Bridgeport Red Hill Cumberland at Marshall Little Okaw Valley Arcola vs. Arthur-Lovington at Lovington East Central at South Piatt Cerro Gordo at Martinsville Tri-County at Villa Grove Prairie State Girard at Staunton Mount Olive at Nokomis Pawnee at Kincaid South Fork Virden at Gillespie Sangamo Athens at Riverton Auburn at Petersburg PORTA New Berlin at Sangamon Valley Pleasant Plains at Williamsville South Central Alton Marquette at Hillsboro Greenville at Carlinville Piasa Southwestern at Litchfield Roxana at Vandalia East Alton-Wood River at Pana Non-conference Clinton at Argenta-Oreana Monticello at Central A&M Shelbyville at Maroa-Forsyth St. Teresa at Meridian Sullivan at Tuscola Tolono Unity at Warrensburg-Latham

Honorable mention Mount Zion at Olney Central A&M at MaroaForsyth Effingham at Charleston Tuscola at Meridian

Week 6 — Oct. 2 Taylorville at Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin For a lot of years, Taylorville had been one of Griffin’s tougher games.

The defending state champs will give the Tornadoes a feel for where they stand under new coach Jeb Odam. But Taylorville will be measuring itself against a team with 49 straight wins in the Central State Eight in what is always a highly charged atmosphere.

Honorable mention Mount Zion at Effingham St. Teresa at Tolono (Unity Meridian at WarrensburgLatham Tuscola at Central A&M Greenville at Pana

Apollo Mount Zion at Effingham Paris at Newton Robinson at Charleston Salem at Olney Big 12 Champaign Centennial at Bloomington Eisenhower at Normal MacArthur at Danville Mattoon at. Champaign Central Urbana at Normal West Central State Eight Lincoln at Springfield Lanphier (Sat.) Springfield at Chatham Glenwood Springfield Southeast at Jacksonville Taylorville at Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin Little Illini Casey-Westfield at Palestine Lawrenceville at Albion Edwards County Marshall at Oblong Cumberland at Flora Little Okaw Valley Arcola at Tri-County Arthur-Lovington at South Piatt Cerro Gordo vs. East Central at Broadlands Villa Grove at Martinsville Okaw Valley Black Clinton at Shelbyville St. Teresa at Tolono Unity Sullivan at Monticello Okaw Valley Blue Argenta-Oreana at Maroa-Forsyth Meridian at Warrensburg-Latham Tuscola at Central A&M Prairie State Gillespie at Nokomis Girard at Pawnee (Sat.) Mount Olive at Virden Staunton at Kincaid South Fork Sangamo Athens at Auburn (Sat.) New Berlin at Pleasant Plains Sangamon Valley at Williamsville Petersburg PORTA at Riverton South Central Alton Marquette at Litchfield Carlinville at East Alton- Wood River Greenville at Pana Roxana at Piasa Southwestern Vandalia at Hillsboro

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Villa Grove at Cerro Gordo This game could potentially decide the Little Okaw Valley Conference title. Until the Blue Devils lost 20-8 to Pawnee in the second round of the playoffs last season, Cerro Gordo had given them their best game — an 18-16 Villa Grove win that snapped a stretch of six games in which the Blue Devils had scored at least 45 points. VIlla Grove has big numbers at the varsity level, but the Broncos return more experienced players.

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Week 9 — Oct. 23 MacArthur at Bloomington Bloomington’s 23-13 win ruined the Generals’ chance at a share of the Big 12 title last year, and that will serve as big-time motivation for MacArthur.

Plus, there’s a good chance the game could again have conference championship implications. MacArthur hasn’t beaten Bloomington since 1994.

Honorable mention Mattoon at Eisenhower Arthur-Lovington at Villa Grove Cerro Gordo at South Piatt Meridian at Central A&M Effingham at Taylorville

Big 12 Champaign Centennial at Normal West MacArthur at Bloomington Mattoon at Eisenhower Normal at Champaign Central Urbana at Danville Little Illini Albion Edwards County at Flora Bridgeport Red Hill at Marshall Lawrenceville at Casey-Westfield Oblong at Cumberland Little Okaw Valley Arthur-Lovington at Villa Grove Cerro Gordo at South Piatt Martinsville at Arcola Tri-County vs. East Central at Broadlands Okaw Valley Black Clinton at Sullivan St. Teresa at Monticello Shelbyville at Tolono Unity Okaw Valley Blue Argenta-Oreana at Tuscola Meridian at Central A&M Maroa-Forsyth at Warrensburg-Latham South Central Alton Marquette at Piasa Southwestern Carlinville at Litchfield Hillsboro at Pana Vandalia at Greenville East Alton- Wood River at Roxana Non-conference Athens at Girard Auburn at Pawnee Benton at Anna-Jonesboro Breese Mater Dei at Newton Cahokia at Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin Effingham at Taylorville Gillespie at Sangamon Valley Highland at Charleston Jacksonville at Centralia (Sat.) Mount Carmel at Robinson Mount Olive at New Berlin Mount Zion at Bethalto Civic Memorial Nokomis at Williamsville Olney at Metropolis Massac County Paris at Trenton Wesclin (Sat.) Peoria Woodruff at Springfield Southeast Petersburg PORTA at Staunton Quincy at Chatham Glenwood Riverton at Kincaid South Fork Salem at Mascoutah Springfield at Washington Springfield Lanphier at Peoria Notre Dame (Thurs.)

Waterloo at Lincoln