est . 1851 Amboy/LaMoille/Ohio • Bureau Valley • Fieldcrest Flanagan-Cornell/Woodland • Hall • L-P Marquette • Mendota • Ottawa • Princeton St. Bede • Seneca • Streator 2022 Prep KickoffFootball
2ShawLocal.com2022AugustMediaShaw||| PREVIEWFOOTBALL Good Luck this Season! firststatebank.biz l 800.362.9623
The Cavs will have other new faces in the backfield as well with Brett Aimone, Peyton Ellermeyer and Ro driguez seeing time at fullback to replace Matt Carrico (770 yards, six touchdowns in 2021) and Billy Mini and Mason Lynch filling the wing backMaalikspots.Madrigal and Tommy Hart man will play receiver. Up front, the Cavs return senior starters Nik Belski at left tackle and L-P’s Mason Lynch, carries the ball during the Meet the Cavs scrimmage at Howard Fellows Stadium on Friday Aug. 20, 2021.
3FOOTBALLPREVIEW 2022August||ShawNedia| ShawLocal.com Good Luck LP Cavaliers! Providing all of your SPORTS MEDICINE, PHYSICAL and AQUATIC THERAPY needs! Gina Martin ATC, CSCS Chiaventone,Carrigan ATC SteveMS,KorsanATC SM-LA2005932 1627 4th Street, Peru | 815-223-4479 | www.citycenter-rehab.com SM-LA2005777 2905 Peoria St, Peru (815) 224-9283 GOOD LUCK ALL AREA TEAMS! After back-to-back playoff berths, L-P looks to take next step By Kevin Chlum After qualifying for the playoffs in each of the last two full seasons with an undefeated spring season in be tween, the [ velopingsometheright.”mosttwoMedinafensivelysivelyseason.playroundin68-26thinkMedinatocoachkeygamesonsold-out[Howardgame“Welinebackermotivationroundisle-peru/com/friday-night-drive/schools/lasalhttps://www.shawlocal.]LaSalle-Perufootballteamlookingtotakethenextstep.“We’retiredoflosinginthefirsteveryyear,sohopefullythat’sforusthisyear,”seniorAntonioRodriguezsaid.wanttotrytogetahomeplayoffthisyear,playingonthisfieldFellowsStadium]withacrowd.Thatmotivationtowinapostseagame—andhaveahomeplayoffforthefirsttimesince2003—istomovingtheprogramforward,JoseMedinasaid.“Ithinkthemotivationhastobewinthatfirst-roundplayoffgame,”said.“Iftheybelieveinthat,Iitcanbeattained.”MedinasaidtheCavaliers,wholosttoRochesterinthefirstround2019and42-0toMorrisinthefirstlastfall,mustcleanuptheirtohavemoresuccessinthepost“Ithinkthebiggestthingisoffenwecan’thavemistakes,anddewecan’tgiveupbigplays,”said.“Ifwecancontrolthosethingsandstayhealthythroughoftheseason,weshouldbeallOffensively,theCavswillstillruntripleoption,buttheyhavemadetweaks,includingtotheblockscheme.L-Pwillalsolooktodetheplay-actionpassinggame.JuniorBrendanBoudreautakes over as quarterback after playing the position on the JV level and taking some varsity snaps last season.
“The kids who have that breakaway speed and can make people miss are the kids who are going to get some op portunities there,” Jose Medina said. The Cavs open at home against United Township (4-5 in 2021), which L-P has not played since 2017 after facing the Panthers 10 times between 2006-2017.L-Ptravels to traditional Mid-Illini Conference power Metamora (5-5) in Week 2 before opening Kishwau kee River/Interstate 8 White Division play in Week 3 at Woodstock North (0-9).After a Kishwaukee River/I8 cross over at Plano (6-4) in Week 4, the Cavs return to conference play with home games against Morris (10-1) and Woodstock (4-5), a trip to Ottawa (2-7) and a home game against Syca more (9-3) before closing the regular season at Kaneland (5-5).
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“We’re going to run the ball, then that should open up the passing game,” Belski said. “If we get to our assignments, make our blocks hap pen, we should be moving that ball prettyDefensively,well.”
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Creed McCormick at right guard, while Adam Lane will play left guard and Ty Terzick takes over at center. Gage Swiskoski and Aiden Anderson could see time at right tackle.
On special teams, soccer player Seth Adams will do some kicking along with Mini. Madrigal — who Jose Medina said has a “strong leg” — will be the punter, and Lynch, Burrell, Ste phens and Brady Romagnoli are can didates to return kickoffs and punts.
tler Connor Lorden has come out and will play defensive end, and Medina said “he’s going to be a big addition to our defensive line.” Warren Mrowicki will play nose tackle, while Aimone will get time at the other end spot along with Gage Starkey once he returns from injury. Rodriguez returns at inside line backer, while Nolan Glynn will also play there. Madrigal and Andy Me dina — Jose Medina’s son — will fill the outside linebacker spots. In the secondary, Lynch returns at safety. Hartman also will play safety and Caleb Burrell and Ethan Pohar will fill the cornerback slots. Mini, Gunnar Skoog and Skylar Stephens also could see time in the defensive backfield.“[Defensive coordinator Pat] Car ney always prepares us,” Lynch said. “He’s a good coach. I think we’ll be good. We’re always pretty good on defense. He prepares us to stop the running game really well, so it forces them to pass to ball, and our DBs are there. We’re quick and fast.”
5FOOTBALLPREVIEW 2022August||ShawNedia| ShawLocal.com SM-LA2005641GRAIN COMPANY GoodL-P!Luck 3004 E. 12th St. Mendota LaSalle - Peru - Mendota - Oglesby - Wenona eurekasavings.com 815-223-1742 mazelumber.comSM-LA2005825 SM-LA2005738 Good Luck to All Area Teams! UNTZ Truck & Trailer Repair, Inc. 24-HOUE ROAD SERVICE 3460 Brennen Drive • Peru, Illinois 61354 (815) 224-2675 • Evenings: (815) 223-5381 / (815) 343-8701 BRUCE UNTZ President Growing Stronger Together! 300 Walnut Dr., Peru 815-223-7904 Route 251, Mendota ivymca.com815-538-2900 Good Luck to all Area Teams! SM-LA2006399 2017 Marquette Rd Peru, IL 61354 (815)svcb.com663-2211 GOOD LUCK CAVS! SM-LA2006830 Smith’S SaleS & Service 1604 Peoria St. 815-223-0132Peru Listen anywhere with station apps and at StarvedRock.media ON ONON
Hall’s players were tasked with ad justing to a new coach with a new rou tine this offseason, but the Red Devils’ seniors — who played for Tieman as freshmen — have been instrumental in making the transition smooth.
Hall rebuilding under returning head coach Randy Tieman
6ShawLocal.com2022AugustMediaShaw||| PREVIEWFOOTBALL SM-LA2006398 315 N Cornelia St Spring Valley, IL 61362 (815)svcb.com663-2211 Good Luck Red Devils! SM-LA2006506 Red Devils! Good Luck City of Spring Valley 2139 N. Main PrincetonSt. 800 W. Dakota St. Spring Valley 1503 13th Avenue 2701 12th MendotaSt. NOW HIRING/EOE Locally owned/operated by Paul & Mary Breznay ENJOY FRAPPE!CARAMELDELICIOUSA COCA-COLAFROZEN ENJOY OUR ICEYS AND FRAPPES! DEVILS!GOODLUCKRED SM-LA1998749 FROZEN FANTA WILD CHERRY BLUE RASPBERRY SM-LA1862916 INAGAMEOFINCHES, Hennepin~Ladd 862916 www.northcentralbank.com By Clark Teuscher Having had the chance to take stock of his charges prior to his second first season as Hall’s coach, Randy Tieman is confident the [ abouthimditioningCountyprogram—Tieman’sprovementandduringcoachTieman’stiontheirilslocal.com/tags/hall-preps/https://www.shaw]RedDevhavethepiecesinplacetobeginbuildtowardpostseasonconteninearnest.Hallmadetheplayoffssixtimesineight-seasontenureasheadfrom2012-19,butwent2-12hisabsenceoverthespringfall2021seasons.Whiletheinitialfocusisonimandskilldevelopment,workwiththeRedDevilswhogotaboostinnumbersinthewiththeadditionofPutnamasaco-oppartner—inconandteamcamphasshownconsiderablepotential.“Wehaven’ttalkedawholelotit,butthat’smygoalgoingin every year,” Tieman said about the playoffs. “I just think if the team buys in and we get better every week, we’ll win some games and everything else will fall into place.”
“It’s been a big transition for them,” Tieman said. “[The seniors] knew what to expect and told the rest of the team, and we’ve been able to get pretty much where I think we should be right Headingnow.”the returners is Mac Rese tich, who returns for his fourth varsity season after earning first-team AllThree Rivers Conference Mississippi Division honors at running back and defensive back last season. Resetich was one of eight players to earn firstteam All-TRC Mississippi accolades on offense and defense in 2021, and is one of just two — joining Princeton’s Teagan Davis — returning this season. Last season, Resetich rushed for 754 yards and 11 touchdowns on 106 carries and caught 22 passes for 407 yards and three scores. “He’ll be all over the field,” Tieman said of Resetich. “We’ll put him in the slot, out wide, in the backfield and try to get him the ball as much as we can.”Junior Gianni Guerrini returns for a third varsity season, while seniors Hunter Meagher and Joe Schrader as well as junior Joseph Bacidore also return at the skill positions. Meagher is taking over at quarter back after getting some snaps last sea son.Junior Luke Smith will be called upon to anchor the Red Devils’ line on both sides of the ball, while Alex Jones, Michael Terry, Tristan Radcliff and Leo Lopez will also figure into theThemix.Red Devils face a tough sched ule that includes six teams that quali fied for the postseason in 2021. Hall opens the season with a pair of Three Rivers Conference cross overs at Orion and at home with Monmouth-Roseville before opening division play at Princeton, which has won or shared four consecutive con ference titles. In Week 4, Hall plays Morrison — which the Red Devils beat for their lone win last fall — in a TRC crossover before closing out with five divisional games at home against Mendota, at Kewanee, at home against Newman, at St. Bede and at home against Bu reauLastValley.season, four of Hall’s eight losses came by 10 points or less to playoff teams, as the Red Devils fell 40-32 against Monmouth-Roseville, 43-34 to Mendota, 24-22 against Ke wanee (which shared the league title with Princeton) and 15-12 to rival St. Bede.
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8ShawLocal.com2022AugustMediaShaw||| PREVIEWFOOTBALL Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Amanda Neurohr, OTR, ATC Occupational Therapist Athletic Trainer Elena Gaeta, OTR, ATC Occupational Therapist Athletic Trainer 1430 Midtown Road | Peru Center for Physical Rehab (815) 223-8600 Drew Wallace, ATC, LAT Athletic Trainer aboutsmh.org Michael Shin, MD Board Certified in Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Valley Orthopedics & Sports Medicine (815) 664-5343 Paul G. Perona, MD Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon Fellowship Trained in Major Joint Replacements/Revision Family Orthopedic Center (815) CALL663-8009TODAY & see what our orthopedic surgeons can do for your sports injuries. Robert Mitchell, DO Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon Illinois Valley Orthopedics (815) 223-2143 Connor Kasik, DO Board Certified in Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Illinois Valley Orthopedics (815) 223-2143 Connor Armstrong, ATC Athletic Trainer Kayla Olson, ATC Athletic Trainer 310 Walnut Street | Peru Center for Physical Rehab & Aquatics (815) 780-3509 SM-LA1992757
9FOOTBALLPREVIEW 2022August||ShawNedia| ShawLocal.com 1 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 4 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 4 0 3 0 2 0 1 0 Call Brett to protect you now and to plan for your future Brett Dyche STATE FARM® INSURANCE AGENT 1104 Columbus St., Ottawa brett@brettdyche.com 815.433.5110 GRAIN COMPANY Good Luck Pirates! 3004 E. 12th St. MendotaSM-CL2005639 MEMBER F.D.I.C. 100 E. BLUFF St., Marseilles • 1-815-795-3900 24 Hour ATM Main Lobby open: Mon.-Fri. 8am-5pm • Sat. 8am-noon Drive up hours: Mon.-Fri. 7:00am-5:30pm • Sat. 8am-noon We support our local teams! TINO’S Shoe & Boot Repair Quality Since 1970 | Tino Rubio - Owner And Antiques 217 W Main Street, Ottawa 815-434-0720 Tuesday - Friday 9:00 - 4:00 • Saturday 9:00-12:00 Closed for Lunch 11 to 12 SM-CL2005544 SM-CL2006277 Income Tax Etc., Ltd. Income Tax Accounting Consulting Patrick Campbell • Certified Public Accountant Phone: 815/434-2450 Fax: Email:815/433-3922taxesltd1@att.net 628 Columbus Ottawa,SuiteStreet404IL61350 Good Luck This Season! POLANCIC’SMeats&Tenderloins 1-815-433-0324412 W. Norris Drive, Ottawa Mon. - Sat. 8 am - 5:30 pm 815-672-3171 1621 S. Illinois St., Streator SM-CL2002916 C omplete t ire and automotive ServiCe JIM BOE FIRESTONESERVICE m iChelin | u niroyal | B.F. G oodriCh | B ridGeStone jimboeservice.com 1011 Columbus sT. • oTTawa, Il 61350 (815) 434-0389 • JOE SMITH - ManagEr OTTAWA HIGH SCHOOL PIRATES Have a Great 2022 Season!
10ShawLocal.com 2022AugustMediaShaw||| PREVIEWFOOTBALL SM-CL2006866 financialplus.org ON!GAME BEST OF SchoolAreatoLUCKallofourHighTeams SM-CL2006587 Veronica Flori Customer Service Representative 605 Clinton Street • Ottawa, IL 61350 Office: (815) 434-0127 • Fax: (815) 434-1057 • vflori@northernins.com INSURANCE SERVICE OTTAWA, LTD. INSURANCE AND BONDS SINCE 1927 HAVE SEASON!GREATA 1202 COLUMBUS ST JIMMYJOHNS.COM SM-CL2006476 1781E.NorrrisDr. Ottawa,IL61350 815-433-1748 www.pompstire.com ALLTHELOCALTEAMSBESTWISHESTO MarquetteCrusadersOttawaPiratesand SM-CL1908972 OTTAWA HIGH SCHOOL PIRATES Have a GreatSeason!2022 Ottawa expecting to turn the corner in 2022 By Brian Hoxsey When it comes to the expectations for the Ottawa Pirates football pro gram heading into the 2022 season, fifth-year head coach Chad Gross is upfront about what he will be looking for.Ottawa finished last season 2-7 overall, 1-5 in Kishwaukee River/In terstate 8 West Division play and lost to graduation Times All-Area First Team selections QB Braiden Miller, RB Javarius Whitfield and Ol/DL Ethen
“We’ve been pretty open and very truthful with the kids as a coaching staff as far as expectations this sea son,” Gross said. “We are expecting to turn the corner as a program. We have kids that have a good amount of varsity experience and very good numbers at the lower levels. We’ve had some rough years; but we feel those are in the past and it’s time to move“Weforward.expectto compete for a spot in the playoffs. The kids really want that and have been working hard to reach that goal. They need to be hungry and expect to win.” So, what is it going to take to reach those“Thegoals?biggest key for us will be being consistent in all four quarters every game,” Gross said. “The past few sea sons we have been in so many games at halftime, and then for whatever reason just weren’t able to finish. We have to be able to finish drives with touchdowns - that was a big key for us last season. We’d get in the red zone and then just not punch it in. “Those situations have been a huge focus of ours in the offseason.”
Junior Colby Mortensen takes over the reigns at quarterback after two years leading the junior varsity squad. “He has really had a good summer and offseason,” Gross said. “He has put in the work and put himself in the position to have a good season for us. We are all excited to see what he can do.”
However,Swords.Gross has a number of key starters returning on both sides of the ball and feels the combination of experience and a solid offseason boosts the possibilities of a turn around season for the Pirates.
On defense, starters Charles Medrow, Alex Perez and Coglianese all return up front, while Gross says much like the spots on the O-line, the final spot is still up for grabs.
11FOOTBALLPREVIEW 2022August||ShawNedia| ShawLocal.com
Mortensen will have veteran wide outs Levi Sheehan (43 catches, 667 yards, six TDs) and Conner Price (13165-1), as well as Packston Miller to look to downfield, “Levi has a good feel for the game and what it takes to be a good re ceiver,” Gross said. “He has the ability to adjust and make tough catches, but also the ability to make tacklers miss and get yards after the catch - turn ing what would normally be a 5-yard catch into a 20-yard catch.”
Gross says as of now he sees run ning the ball as a joint effort between Keevon Peterson, Marquette Acad emy transfer Julian Alexander, Bran den Aguirre, Dillan Quatrano and Ryder Miller. He adds the group has a good mix of quickness, power and skill sets, while all catch the ball well.
“We would like to have six to eight guys that we can rotate in and out to keep everyone fresh,” Gross said.
Ottawa’s Levi Sheehan pulls in one of his 43 receptions in 2021 between Sandwich’s Dylan Young and Christian Sommers in the first quarter of last season’s season opener.
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The veteran secondary will consist of returning cornerbacks Sheehan and Price, with Peterson and Alexan der as backups as well as safety Qua trano and three-year starter Ryder Miller splitting time between S and LB. Gross also says Matt Haerle, who will see time at wideout, has looked good at “They’vesafety.seen so many different combination routes, and they all un derstand what other teams are going to try and do against us,” Gross said. “They’ve played so much together, so there is a comfort level there, and they also communicate so well with each other.”Ottawa opens the season hosting Plano before road games against Stre ator, Harvard and Sycamore. The Pi rates then entertain Kaneland, travel to Woodstock North, host longtime rival La Salle-Peru, play at Morris and finish the regular season at King Field against Woodstock.
The offensive line returns starters Michael Mills at tackle and Tanner Coglianese at guard, with three open spots being battled for. Cam Loomis returns at kicker and will also add punting to his duties.
Aguirre, a three-year starter, will an chor one linebacker spot, with others like Johnny Pacholski, Weston Aver kamp, Tyce Kubiak and Trey Donnely vying for OLB spots.
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Stopping opponents in crunch time — an early-season strength in the Bull dogs’ 3-0 start, with those three wins coming by a combined 12 points — de veloped into an issue as last season went on. Tutt feels good about his de fensive line, again led by Nieto and featuring many of the same players as the O-line, and extremely solid in the secondary, where Ford, Phillis and the Browns will patrol.
13FOOTBALLPREVIEW 2022August||ShawNedia| ShawLocal.com
“Jake covered a lot of things for us,” Tutt said. “He was such an emotional leader for us, and he was a coach on the field for us, calling a lot of the de fense. That’s a big question for us on defense: Who’s going to be the next guy?”Adding depth on the roster are ju niors Michael Greer, Collin Jeffries, Eric Moton II, Blake Weibel, Kalon Kisantear, Zach Schultz, Dylan Tay lor and DeShawn Young; as well as sophomores Josh Cameron and An thonyStreatorMohr.opens the season Fri., Aug. 26, at East Peoria a week before what should be an excitement-filled home opener in Week 2 against old rival Ot tawa on the night the Bulldogs’ field is renamed “Doug Dieken Stadium.” From there, it’s into ICE Conference play Weeks 3-9. Streator defenders (clockwise from left) Manuel Nieto, Darryl Gullens (1), Jake Luckey (9) and Jeremiah Brown (22) tackle Herscher’s Clay Schultz last season at the SHS Athletic Fields. Nieto and Brown will be back as leaders this fall.
By J.T. Pedelty When asked about how their league looks this fall, football coaches across the Illinois Central Eight Conference interchangeably used the words “dan gerous” and “explosive” to describe the [
runningWhite,intriguinglis,splitting-time-with-soccermiah’sreceiver,emiahwheelontouches,ningplantohisseasonalsoallowswithbehaswithsaid.evolvedJohnyardagebreakarmed,recordator’soffseasonthingsWe[defensively]we’vemore,wantcommitmentsummer],varsityKyle7s,”werefirstatoplosive,dogsLB/PAneefyplaymakersStreatorfriday-night-drive/schools/streator/https://www.shawlocal.com/]Bulldogs.Whileit’sexcitingtohavebig-timereturningsuchasRB/DBFordandrecord-settingQB/ChristianBenning,theBullthisseasonarehopingthoseexdangerousbigplaystranslatemorewinsthanthe3-6recordofyearago,maybeeventoStreator’splayoffappearancesince2017.“Ithinkwehadagreatsummer,reallyabletoexcelinour7-on-third-seasonBulldogscoachTuttsaid.“Wehadalotofourguyswithusthroughout[thewhichIthoughtwasagreattohowsuccessfulwetobe.“We’recatchingtheballalittlemakingplaysalittlemore,hadafewmoreinterceptionsthanwehadlastyear.justreallyfeelsomeofthoseweweretalkingaboutinthearecomingtofruition.”BenningreturnsaftersettingStresingle-seasonpassingyardagelastfallwith1,314.Thebig-athleticjuniorisontracktotheschool’scareerpassingrecordof2,239yards,heldbyBenckendorf,thisseason.“Ifyou’venoticed,ourplaybookthroughoutalllastyear,”Tutt“BecauseChristianhasbeenmeafewyearsnow,wefeelheareallygoodhandleofit,sowe’llabletodosomereallyneatthingsRPOs(run/passoption).ThatChristiantobeChristian,andallowsAneefytobeAneefy.”Fordwasabig-playmachinelastasajunior,spendingmostoftimesplitoutwide.He’sstilllikelylineupoutsideattimes,buttheistoprimarilyusehimasarunbacktogetthespeedstermorenotonlyonhandoffsbutscreenplays,optionsweepsandroutes.Anothertwo-waystarter,seniorJerBrown,willbeafeaturedwidewithAnthonyMoore,JereyoungerbrotherIsaiahBrown,ParkerPhilIsaiahDembo,RyanSmithandantransferfromOttawa—DJwhocanalsotakecarriesatback,ascantheyounger
Linebacker, however, is a question mark after the preseason and likely season-ending injury suffered by re turning Times All-Area standout WR/ LB Jake Luckey. Benning will return to two-way duties as a linebacker op posite either White or senior Jesse Porter, while the physical James Pawelczyk will man the middle. The talent is there, but depth and leader ship in the corps are works in prog ress.
Center Jett Austin along with Jack Sorenseon, Aidan Stevens, Aus tin Taylor and Manny Villalobos all figure into the conversation up front.
Streator aims to be dangerous, hopefully all the way to the playoffs
Brown — also expected to be featured at Whilereceiver.the skill positions, the of fensive line brings some questions. Those question marks do not, how ever, include senor line leader Man uel “Sabby” Nieto — like Benning and Ford, a Times All-Area First Team performer — or junior Anthony Domi nic, both back after strong 2021 cam paigns.
“We’ve got some guys back who are really going to lead the way in that with Sabby Nieto and Anthony Dom inic,” Tutt said, “then a couple other kids who are going to fill those roles for the guys we’re missing from last year. ... When you talk about what we can do offensively, we feel we’re good if we’re physical up front.”
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FCW’s Joey Jones (59) tackles South Beloit ballcarrier Fernando Balderas at Woodland during an I8FA playoff game Friday, Oct. 29, 2021. Jones is one of a number of Times All-Area performers gone to graduation this fall’s Falcons will be looking to replace.
15FOOTBALLPREVIEW 2022August||ShawNedia| ShawLocal.com By J.T. Pedelty A large, dedicated and talented se nior class led the [ flanagan/local.com/friday-night-drive/schools/https://www.shaw]Flanagan-Cornell/WoodlandFalconseight-manfootballteambacktoitswinningwayslastfall,witha7-3recordandIllinois8-ManFootballAssociation(I8FA)playoffrun.NowFCWheadcoachToddReed—enteringhisfourthseasonwitha16-10record—willbelookingforleadershipandincreasedon-the-fieldproductionfromhisreturningFalconsafterthelosstoPompandCircumstanceofstandoutplayerssuchas]TimesAll-AreaTeamstandoutsJoeyJones,WilliamWeber,J.D.Ruddy,SamJones,DallasHamiltonandChrisStasko.“Withthebiglossofourtalentedseniorgroupwehadlastyear,welooktoreloadwithnewfacessteppingin,”Reedsaid.“(WR/DB)EthanKane,(QB/DB)MasonPersico,(OL/DL)JaseTorrez,(RB/LB)JesseSimpson,(QB/OL/DL)EthanSchumm,(OL/DL)ShawnBrinkmeyerand(OL/LB)JacobGamblinwillbeourseniorfootballleadersthisfall.“Thisgroupisreallyspecialtome,becauseamajorityofthemwerethefirstgroupoffreshmenthatcameintoourprogramwhenItookoverfouryearsago.”Flanagan-Cornell/Woodland hasbeenknowninrecentyearsforitsbalancedandpotentoffensiveattackaswellasitshard-hittingdefense.Withsomanyoftheplayerswhoreforgedthatprogramidentitynowgraduated,exactlyhowthingscometogetherthisseasonisstilltobedetermined.BothSimpsonandTorrez,however,areexpectedtobeattheheartofitonbothoffenseanddefenseafterjuniorseasonthatsawbothearnTimesAll-Areasecondteamhonors.WhileTorrezwillbeanchoringbothlines,SimpsonwillbeafeaturedrunningbackforFCWalongwithfellowbig-playRB/DBPaytonQuaintance.“Jessesapowerful,veteranbackwhoranforalmost500yardslastyearwiththreeotherrunningbackssharingthechorewithhim,”Reedsaid.“Paytonhasworkedincrediblyhardthisoffseasongettingstrongerandquicker.”Withdual-threatHamilton’sgraduation,SchummandPersicohavebothbeentakingsnapsastheteam’spotentialnextstartingquarterback.Whicheverwinsthejobwillhaveadeepoffensivelinetoworkbehind,featuringTorrezaswellasfellowlinemenBrinkmeyer,DrewNovotney,EmersonWeber,CalixStout,AydanRadke,JoshLane,BlakeRuddy,Kes
ler Collins and Adam Westerhold. The receiving corps, too, will be a mix of a small number of proven returnees bolstered by a wealth of varsity newcomers. Kane should lead the group, with other notable players including Seth Jones, Rudra Patel, Zandar Radke, Kenny Eutesy, Logan Steinquist and Isaac Follmer. Defensively, many of the same names will be on the field for the Falcons. Reed specifically mentioned Toby Hansen at linebacker and de fensive linemen Collins, Weber and Torrez as impact players on the de fensive side. The program’s overall numbers are eye-popping for recent years, es pecially at the eight-man level, with 45 players combined on the varsity and JV rosters the opening week of official practices. Encouragingly for the future, 25 of those are underclass men, including — in a nice ouroboros with this year’s seniors having been freshmen in Reed’s first year as head coach — 13 freshmen. “We call the freshmen ‘puppies,’ be cause they are young and lack knowl edge of the game,” Reed said, “but freshmen are very important for our program. We ask them to trust the process and the coaching staff, and I myself love watching them grow into competitive football players as they getTheolder.”Falcons open the I8FA season at Milford-Cissna Park on Thursday, Aug. 25, visit Champaign St. Thomas More the following week, then host their first home games the following two Fridays on their two home fields — Sept. 9 vs. River Ridge at Wood land’s Wood Shed, then Sept. 16 for Flanagan-Cornell’s homecoming against Decatur Lutheran.
New leaders stepping up for eight-man contender Flanagan-Cornell/Woodland
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Princeton Tigers reloading for another deep playoff run
“He’s just a fantastic athlete. What ever we ask Teegan to do, he can do,” Pearson said. “He can hurt you with his arm. He throws a great football. Everybody knows he can hurt you with his legs. He’s a state champion high jumper. He’s running about a 4.4 40[-yard dash] right now. So we’re ex pecting him to really carry the load this year for us.”
Princeton senior quarterback Teegan Davis looks to lead the Tigers back to the 3A playoffs and defend their Three Rivers East Conference championship.
Pearson anticipates utilizing a seven- or eight-back rotation, led by seniors Augie Christiansen and C.J. Hickey. Christiansen led the running backs with 954 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns. Hickey debuted with a 114-yard game in the season opener against Rockridge only to hurt his
17FOOTBALLPREVIEW 2022August||ShawNedia| ShawLocal.com EXPERIENCE KNOWLEDGE& 682 E. Peru St., Princeton 815-875-4408 FARRELL CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC Go Princeton Tigers!SM-PR2005190 GoTigers!PHS State Bloomington,Farm IL 2001732 Here’s the deal: When you go with State Farm®, you get a local agent that can deliver Good Neighbor service at surprisingly great rates. Give me a call. PICK THE RIGHT TEAM! Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.® Lorita Hellman, Agent 324 N Main St. Princeton, IL 61356 Bus: www.lhellman.com815-875-2393 By Kevin Hieronymus Ryan Pearson hesitates to use the word, but acknowledges his [ nucleuspionships.winsreturnsisDavisofoffensiveday,practiceshitsummerRockridge,openwetheusTheybegram,ingetsakidsdocerned.asworkonsaid.weprogramilaringand(Mississippi)straightbutTigersdrive/schools/Princeton/www.shawlocal.com/friday-night-https://]Princetonwillnotberebuildingthisyear,ratherreloading.TheTigersarecomingoffafourthThreeRiversConferenceEastDivisionchampionshipadeeprunintheplayoffs,reachtheClass3Aquarterfinals.Theyareindeedreloadingforsimsuccess.“Iguessthat’sourmantra.Ourisinaplacerightnowthatexpecttobesuccessful,”Pearson“Thatdoesn’tjuststartforusAug.8.That’ssomethingthatweextremelyhardonyearroundfarasourweighttrainingisconTheoffseasonstuffthatwewithHudlandthingslikethat,ourarebuildingtowardthisforquitefewmonthsbeforetheseasonevenhere.“Theamountofworkourkidsputandtheexpectationsofourprotheyfirmlybelievetheycanoneofthetopcontendersin3A.expecttodowell.Thegoalforisjustnottobesatisfiedgoingtoplayoffs.“Wewanttodosomedamageoncegetthere.”PearsonsaidtheTigers,whowilltheseasonFriday,Aug.26athavehadanoutstandingsessionandwerereadytothegroundrunningwhenthefirstofthefallseasonstartMonAug.8.WhiletheTigersareloadedwithtalent—includingthelikesanall-statequarterbackinTeeganandadeepbackfield—Pearsonmostexcitedbyhisdefense,whicheightstarters.“I’mafirmbelieverthatoffensegames,butdefensewinschamAndwe’vegotagreatcoreofkidscomingback,”hesaid.OntheD-line,theTigerswillline up with senior Payne Miller, junior Bennett Williams and sophomore Cade Odell, all of whom started last year. Other returning starters will be seniors Danny Cihocki, Augie Chris tiansen and Carson Etheridge at linebacker, with Davis and sophomore Noah LaPorte in the secondary. While the Tigers will have to re place Drew Harp at linebacker, soph omore Ian Morris steps in full time after filling in two games as a fresh man when Harp was hurt. Other newcomers on defense will be senior Brady Byers in the second ary and junior Ace Christiansen, who will join his brother at linebacker. The Tigers offense is no doubt in good hands with Davis back for his second year behind center. The Ti gers quarterback is as good as they get. Last year, Davis rushed for nearly 1,100 yards with 16 touchdowns and threw for 1,838 yards and 19 TDs.
“Our overall team speed is unlike anything we’ve had before. We’ve got multiple kids who are under 4.5 40, and I’ve never had that before,” he said. “To their credit, they work on it all year round. They’re track kids. Coach [Dan] Foes does a great job in the track season, and we’re hoping that translates in the fall.”
BEST OF LUCK TO ALL OUR AREA TEAMS
18ShawLocal.com 2022AugustMediaShaw||| PREVIEWFOOTBALL Outstanding in the FIELD! SM-PR2006482 2139 N. Main PrincetonSt. 800 W. Dakota St. Spring Valley 1503 13th Avenue 2701 12th MendotaSt. NOW HIRING/EOE Locally owned/operated by Paul & Mary Breznay ENJOY FRAPPE!CARAMELDELICIOUSA COCA-COLAFROZEN ENJOY OUR ICEYS AND FRAPPES! TIGERS!GOODLUCK FROZEN FANTA WILD CHERRY BLUE RASPBERRY SM-PR2006550 125 Backbone Rd. E., 815-879-7351Princeton GO BIG BLUE! SM-PR2006553 “Your Independent Community Bank” MEMBER FDICMALDEN MALDEN,CENTERBANKINGIL•815-643-2121FIRST STATE BANK OF VAN ORIN VAN ORIN, IL • 815-638-2111 Good Luck Tigers! 815-223-1742 mazelumber.comSM-LA2005827 knee and not make it back. “That’s a good problem to have,” Pearson said of his depth in the backfield. “That’s going to help with any possible injuries that may occur during the year. But it’s going to keep kids fresh. We’re going to be able to rotate during a game., whereas a lot of teams we play are going to have to leave their kids on the field where they don’t come off.”
While the backfield brings back a lot of experience, the Tigers receiving corps will be in need of a makeover. The Tigers must replace graduated re ceivers Bennett Sierens, Matt Lucas and Ian Compton, who combined for 81 receptions, 1,340 receiving yards and 11 Cihockitouchdowns.returnsoff a big junior campaign with a team-high seven TD catches along with 15 receptions and 271 yards. LaPorte, Andrew Peacock, Byers, Ace Christiansen and new comer Carlos Benavidez will be tak ing on expanded roles. It will all start up front for the Ti gers on the line with senior Brady Pia centi at center, sophomores Odell and Morris at guard, and senior Miller and juniors Williams and Jack May back at tackle, with Cihocki and sopho more Daniel Sousa at tight end.
“I know we’re going to be young in certain spots, but at the same time a lot of those kids who are going to be playing for us as sophomores and juniors had a lot of experience,” Pear sonPearsonsaid. said the Tigers possess su perior team speed, which is going to be one of their biggest strengths.
“I think we have gotten so much better in that aspect throughout the summer and through the first week of practice. If someone does make a mistake, we have the other 10 guys picking him up. It’s about having short-term memories — learn from it and keep rolling.
Members of the Fieldcrest football team break a huddle during football camp on Monday, July 18, 2022 at New Millenia Park in Minonk.
Although he was living and work ing in Louisville, Ky., last fall, Nick Meyer was keeping an eye via Hudl and hearing from his dad and brother who are assistant coaches on how the [
“I think it will be important for our core five or six guys upfront to get used to playing together to give our skill guys time to get into space.”
On the defensive side with multiple looks upfront will be Harsted, Perry, Aydin Stimpert, Cooper Haugens, Dalton Mrazek, Levi Harlan and Auden Meierhofer. The linebacking core will feature Topolski, Hakes, Modro, Hurd, Gens ler and Hedrick, with Lorton, Kear fott, Brady Ruestman and Johnson in the“Tosecondary.behonest, we want to make de fense simple,” Meyer said. “We want the kids to react, move fast and play football. Sure, we have sets, simple checks and coverages that we use, but the main thing is we have to have 11 tacklers each and every play. I re ally believe that the work they’ve all put in in the offseason in the weight room, including better hand strength, is going to translate to the defensive side of the ball. I think we’ll be able to shed blocks and then not only wrap up the ballcarrier, but bring him down effectively. ... “I feel we can be a very good de fensive team, but like I said, making tackles and communication will be our two biggest keys for that to be the case.”Fieldcrest, a Heart of Illinois Con ference Large Division member, opens its season hosting Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley and El Paso-Grid ley, but still has an open date for Week 3 after Fisher dropped its var sity program last month. ‘Knights football’ this fall
Fieldcrest hopes to get back to playing
Meyer said the offensive line will be made up of a combination of Aiden Harsted, Coltin Perry, Carter Stim pert, Jordan Carey, Chance Hedrick and Aydin Stimpert “For us offensively, it is going to be our guys doing their job each and every play.” Meyer said. “They are going to also have to understand that there are highs and lows to any foot ball game. They might miss a pass or miss a block ... things are going to go wrong sometimes.
19FOOTBALLPREVIEW 2022August||ShawNedia| ShawLocal.com LaSalle - Peru - Mendota - Oglesby - Wenona eurekasavings.com
By Brian Hoxsey
ballHakeswithlikelyyards,toGenslerHurdfeaturedreturningsecond-teamea-football-team/presenting-the-times-fall-2021-all-arday-night-drive/news/2021/12/22/https://www.shawlocal.com/friuseabilities,board.otherlikeBradyandKoltintheonnowaandputsomethetheandstarterstorm.thinkassaid.gamesingmoveintheJanuary2011FNLBCDC7TR4EHPDY/com/composer/edit/3G5P7BSDJNthe2019semifinalappearancescrestnight-drive/schools/fieldcrest/https://www.shawlocal.com/friday-]Fieldfootballteam—with14playoffin30seasonsalongwithappearancesin2014and—wasdoing.Itwasatoughseasonallaround,asKnightsfinished0-9.[https://shawmedia.arcpublishing.]Meyer,aFieldcrestgraduate,washiredintotakeovertheprogram,andfirst-yearheadcoachsayswhat’sthepastisthepast,andit’stimetoforward.“AlloftheseplayersgrewupwatchFieldcrestteamswinatonofandbeverysuccessful,”Meyer“Lastyearwasaboutastoughitgetsformanyofthem,butIalsoitwasalittlebitofaperfectStartinglastyearwithonlyoneback,arosterfullofjuniorsunderclassmenthatdidn’tgetbenefitofjuniorvarsitygamesinCOVID-19shortenedspringandkeyinjuriesearlyon.They’velastyearinthepast,andIthinkhopetheytrulybelievewecanbesolidfootballteam.“Thetalentanddesirearethere;it’sjustacaseofshowingthatthefield.”MeyersaidwhilethereisabattleatquarterbackspotbetweenjuniorsKearfott(1,037passingyardssixtouchdownsinsixgames)andRuestman,“it’snotsomuchthisguyisgoingtoplayandtheisgoingtobeholdingaclipTheyeachhaveverydifferentsowe’regoingtohopefullythattoouradvantage.”SophomoreEddieLorton,a[]TimesAll-Areaselectionandtheteam’srushingleader,willbetherunningback,withAidenservingasbackupandLoren“abigstrongkid”beingaskedgetashortyardortwoifneeded.LandonModro(450receiving2TDs)andJoziaJohnsonwillbethemainreceivingtargets,TrentonTopolskiandJacksonalsooccasionallyhavingthethrowntheirway.
20ShawLocal.com 2022AugustMediaShaw||| PREVIEWFOOTBALL 815-672-3171 1621 S. Illinois St., Streator SM-CL2002922 MARQUETTE ACADEMY GO CLUB Good Luck this Season Crusader’s! SM-CL2005612 PROUD SUPPORTER OF MARQUETTE ATHLETICS Call Brett to protect you now and to plan for your future Brett Dyche STATE FARM® INSURANCE AGENT 1104 Columbus St., Ottawa brett@brettdyche.com 815.433.5110 SM-CL2006280 Looking Forward to a Great Season! Good Luck Boys! From: Dan & Tricia McGrath TINO’S Shoe & Boot Repair Quality Since 1970 | Tino Rubio - Owner And Antiques 217 W Main Street, Ottawa 815-434-0720 Tuesday - Friday 9:00 - 4:00 • Saturday 9:00-12:00 Closed for Lunch 11 to 12 SM-CL2005545 Income Tax Etc., Ltd. Income Tax Accounting Consulting Patrick Campbell Certified Public Accountant Phone: 815/434-2450 Fax: 815/433-3922 Email: taxesltd1@att.net 628 Columbus Street Suite 404, Ottawa, IL 61350SM-CL2006279 MEMBER F.D.I.C. 100 E. BLUFF St., Marseilles • 1-815-795-3900 24 Hour ATM Main Lobby open: Mon.-Fri. 8am-5pm • Sat. 8am-noon Drive up hours: Mon.-Fri. 7:00am-5:30pm • Sat. 8am-noon We support our local teams! SM-CL2005555 Good Luck This Season! POLANCIC’SMeats&Tenderloins 1-815-433-0324412 W. Norris Drive, Ottawa Mon. - Sat. 8 am - 5:30 pm MARQUETTE CRUSADERS! HAVE A GREAT 2022 SEASON
21FOOTBALLPREVIEW 2022August||ShawNedia| ShawLocal.com
It remains to be seen whether the 2022 Marquette Crusaders will be able to grind opponents into submis sion as they have most years during the tenure of head coach Tom Jobst. But if they can this year, they’ll be doing it in a little different way. The Crusaders will be missing two of their biggest pieces – graduated of fensive guards Beau and Brady Ewers – but the veteran coach will have at his disposal a whole passel of very talented, very athletic, very smart re turnees from last fall’s 9-2 club who will be more than capable to repeat ing that dominance, and maybe even tack a few more wins on that record.
“Anyone who wants to know if we’re gonna throw the ball more this year wasn’t paying attention to last year, because we threw the ball a lot last year,” Jobst said with a chuckle. “Of course, I’m not averse to throw ing the ball, but if we’re not running the ball, we’re not winning.
By Charlie Ellerbrock
The Times Fall 2021 Football Player of the Year Tommy Durdan, fullback Jurnee Reed, quarterback Alex Graham, a trio of stout linemen in Noah Barth, Stefan Swords and Aiden Thompson and many other re turnees should have the Cru loaded and ready for bear when its indepen dent schedule kicks off against Au rora Christian on Aug. 26, the first of four straight home games at Gould Stadium.“Onething about this team is that we’re smaller than we’ve been in a long time,” said Jobst, who has posted a 91-34 mark since taking over the MA program in 2010, “but we have good athletes, decent speed and smart kids. We’ll probably look a little dif ferent than we have in the past, but we’re still gonna be fun to watch.”
Defensively, the linebackers seem set with Price and Reed inside and Mullen and Nelson outside, while the defensive backfield of Walker, Durdan and Eller will be tough to beat. The D-line is a work in progress, with Henry McGrath, Barth, Swords, Battestelli and possibly Pete McGrath leading the way in the trenches.
Graham will have perhaps the most athletic group of receivers in school history in 6-4 junior tight end Charlie Mullen and at wideouts 5-10 Griffin Walker, 6-2 Logan Nelson and 6-4 CadenWalkerEller.may also see time at running back, along with seniors Vinnie Bat testelli, Pete McGrath (both starters prior to injuries) and Gabe Almeda, and sophomore Payton Gutierrez.
Vying for time in the line will be senior Luke Am icon, junior Andrew Hamm and sophomores Tommy Walsh, Tommy Stafford and Sean Kath. “Having so many people returning, typically we’d be able to start ahead of where we usually would,” Jobst said, “but when your guards are your en gines and you’re breaking in two new ones, you can only go as fast as they can go. They are doing a nice job of picking things up.”
Also, Mitre, who connected on 42 of 53 PAT kicks last season, was seen at practice clearing field goals from 40-plus“We’reyards.where we want to be at this point,” Jobst said. “Things are going good … and we’re itching to get started.” but more athletic
Veteran Marquette Academy squad smaller,
Much will depend on the line, where senior Ethan Price (6-0, 210), junior Henry McGrath (6-1, 175) and sophomore Sam Mitre (6-1, 220) fig ure to fill the guard spots between tackles Thompson (6-3, 230) and Barth (6-1, 240) and around center Swords (5-11, 220).
Marquette quarterback Alex Graham fires a pass during the game against Fisher at Gould Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021.
Jobst, always an advocate of the power wing-T ground game that last year averaged 265.4 of its 381.6 yards per game on the ground, has the ver satile Durdan coming off a junior sea son in which he accounted for 1,183 rush yards and 19 touchdowns, 19 catches for 437 yards and eight TDs, and netted 174 of Marquette’s 454 points.He’s teamed in the backfield with classmates Reed, who added 867 ground yards, 12 TDs and 186 re ceiving yards and two scores, and Graham, a strong-armed leader who completed 61 of 112 passes for 1,290 yards and 15 TDs, with only five in terceptions. All three were Times All Area First Team selections.
“You always have to do your stuff, but the speed will probably make it look a little nicer, plus we’ll be able to do some other things that maybe we haven’t done in the past.”
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Bureau Valley coach Mat Pistole runs through summer practices this offseason.
Lemons, who returns to the team this year after sitting out last year, will also help at linebacker along with Nu gent, Endress and Helms. Isaac Attig, a returning starter, Brock Shane, Eli Attig, Helms, and Robert Novak man the defensive backfield.TheStorm’s kicking duties are in good hands, Pistole said, with Shane as the placekicker and Endress as punter, who both have “all-confer encePistolepotential.”pointed to the continuity with his coaching staff as being cru cial to the Storm’s gains on the field. “Our coaching staff has now been intact for three years, and we are speaking the same language and row ing the same direction, not to mention our staff is filled with incredibly qual ity men who have the best interests of these kids in mind,” he said. “Continuity within a coaching staff is huge, and you can see that the kids know the expectations and under stand what we are trying to do, so it allows us to focus on more of the fi nite details and increase our level of intensity.”Witha Week 1 opponent now in place with the addition of Villa Grova, a replacement for Riverdale, which canceled its varsity season, the Storm are ready for some football. “New year, new opportunities, and we are super jacked up to get going,” Pistole said. “We continue to pound the stone every day, attacking the pro cess and getting better each day. The kids have been awesome, and I can’t wait to spend the next three months with this group.”
23FOOTBALLPREVIEW 2022August||ShawNedia| ShawLocal.com By Kevin Hieronymus While he had a lean start taking over his hometown football program, going 0-9 in 2019, 0-4 in the 2021 spring season and 3-6 in the 2021 fall season, [ andCameronfronttolastingment.”beitywhilehurtbothrepscanpractice,goinghelpedwePistoleprogramover45standpointoffseason,resssonenthusiasmcoachingseason.StormMatbureau-valley/cal.com/friday-night-drive/schools/https://www.shawlo]BureauValleycoachPistolelikesthedirectiontheareheadingenteringthe2022Numbersareupincamp,thestaffremainsstable,andtheisinplaceforasolidseathisfall.“I’mreallyexcitedwiththeprogourkidshavemadeoverthisprimarilyfromanumberswhereweshouldbeoverkidsintheprogram.Thatiswellthenumberwehavehadintheinmypreviousthreeyears,”said.“Thekidshavereallyboughtin,andcreateafunenvironmentthathasusrecruitthehallways.Thisistoallowustomoreeffectivelyandthefreshmenandvarsitypracticeseparately,doublingtheandincreasingqualityofrepsforlevels.“Inthepast,thelackofnumbersouryoungkids’developmentalsonotallowingforthequalofrepsforourvarsity.Wecouldn’tmoreexcitedaboutthisdevelopTheStormwillbegoingfromhavalotofexperienceinitsbackfieldyearandinexperienceonthelinetheexactoppositethisfall.TheStorm’sexperiencestartsupwithseniorsAyizeMartinandLillieandjuniorsJonDybekConnorScott,alltwo-yearreturningstartinglinemen.Martin,DybekandScottareallreturningall-conferencehonorablementionplayers.“Theywillanchoreverythingwedo,andeverythingforuswillstartupfront,”Pistolesaid.“Needlesstosay,wearethrilledtohavetheathleticism,experienceandphysicalityreturningupfront."PistolesaidtheStormareblessedwithdepthupfrontandexpectsjuniorsNolanNugent,CarterHartz,AidanMorrisandBlakeEricksontobeabletocontribute.SeniorIsaacAttig,whosplittimeatrunningbacklastyear,istheonlyreturnerinthebackfield.HeandsophomoreBryceHelmsarevyingforstartingquarterbackduties,withbothplayingkeyrolesoffensively,Pistolesaid.SeniorMasonGoossens,sophomoreElijahEndressandjuniorsCameronLemonsandRobertNovakshouldhandlemostofthecarries,Pistolesaid.BV’sreceivingdutieswillbehan dled by juniors Brock Shane, whom Pistole calls “one of the best route runners I’ve ever been around,” and EliMartinAttig. and Dybek, who Pistole said have all-conference potential, will an chor the defensive line. Other con tributors on the D-line will be Hartz, Morris, Lillie and Erickson.
Scott, the returning leading tackler (62) and “best defensive player” last year, heads up the linebacker corps again. Pistole said Scott gets the most out of his “Connorabilities.isundersized, but pound for pound is one of the toughest and most sound fundamental linebackers I’ve been around,” he said.
Numbers, excitement up in Bureau Valley camp
Seneca quarterback Nathan Grant (7) jumps over a block during a game last season against Watseka.
But
senior center Brady Barla (5-7, 200), junior guard Chris Peura (6-0, 220), senior tackle Aiden Wood (6-2, 260) and junior tackle Josh Lucas (6-4, 275). In reserve are senior Gabe Hicks and juniors Alex Bogner-Kid well and Casey Clennon. The tight ends — used mostly as blockers, as Grant threw just 45 times in the 2021 season — will be senior Bryce Roe, back from injury, and ju nior Lane Provance (6-6, 200). The Irish defense, which allowed an even 200 points a year ago, gave up 100 of those in winning four of the last six contests. The D-line will see Peura and Pro vance at ends and Wood and Lucas at tackles, with Hicks, Dillon, Barla and senior Dave Bergeson in reserve. The linebackers will be manned by Roe and Wight inside, Hamby and Kysen Klinker outside. Filling in will be Clennon, Griffin and Kleich. The defensive backs will be Grant, Ellis and Giertz, with Neal, Othon, Chur chill and junior Ricky McRaven bat tling for time. “We came in last year with so many questions, but this year I look around and I see a lot of those questions an swered,” Maxwell said. “We’re a lot stronger up front. They were boys last year. They’re men this year. At the same time, these guys know that no one is going to give us anything.
Now experienced, Seneca plans to challenge for postseason spot
24ShawLocal.com 2022AugustMediaShaw||| PREVIEWFOOTBALL
By Charlie Ellerbrock Seneca coach Terry Maxwell sus pected in his first season last fall that his young squad would struggle a bit early on. After all, it had to rely on a passel of untested sophomores oper ating in a new power-T scheme they knew only in passing. He was right. The result was a pre dictable a 1-4 start. [
“We have a good group of seniors and juniors with good leadership qualities who are putting in the time, and when you put a little skin in the game, it means a lot more.”
riencedingoffense.”thatponentsandsoto…hadandrushedgoodMaxwellunderPaxtonatGrantforterbackgamesoutsomethingpickingingstandingWeeksaid.hadbylearningingat2001,sincetoniorinyearpointsthetwofiveoff-boundincludingtheythefriday-night-drive/schools/seneca/https://www.shawlocal.com/]Irishlearnedonthejobsowellwonthreeoftheirlastfour,anupsetwinat2AplayCliftonCentral.Infact,thelosseswerealltoplayoffteams,decidedbyasingleTDandwithIrishputtingup28,26and20intheothers.NowtheIrishareayearolder,awiserand—thankstodedicationtheweightroomledbythenowjuclass—ayearstrongerandreadymaketheschoolfirstpostseason2019andjustthethirdsincethistimebeginninginWeek1downstateWestville.“Lastyear,wewerekindoffeelthingsoutaswewentonthefly,howtoplayvarsityball,andtheendoftheseasonIfeltlikeweagoodpulseonthings,”Maxwell“Ourbiggestimprovementfrom1toWeek9wasjustunderthesystem.…Wewereplayteamsclose,andrightnowwe’rerightupwhereweleftoff.“Theguysaremotivatedtomakehappenthisyearandcomeontheothersideofthoseclosefromlastyear.”OnekeywillbetheplayofquarNathanGrant,ajuniorbackhisthirdyearasthevarsitystarter.mayalsotakesomesnapstailback,witheithersophomoreGiertzorjuniorNateOthoncenter.“Nathanrunsthisoffensesowell,”said.“Hisfootworkissoafterthreeyearsofthisthathefor11touchdownslastseason,thoughwedidn’tthrowalot,hesomekeytouchdownpasses,too.He’sagoodathlete,andwewantgethimtheballindifferentways,we’llmovehimaroundalittlebit.“Wehaveacoupleguyslikethat,we’llmovethemaroundsoopcan’tkeyonthem,andagaincomesfromacomfortlevelintheDoingtheirshareoftheheavyliftarethreestrong,athleticandexpebacks:seniorsCollinWright and Braden Ellis along with junior AsherWrightHamby.earned [ juniorSamSulzberger,betotalthehischoice,scores.ond-teamerTDs,with]Timestimes-fall-2021-all-area-football-team/news/2021/12/22/presenting-the-shawlocal.com/friday-night-drive/https://www.All-Areafirst-teamhonorsateam-best737yardswithsixwhileElliswasaTimessecwith556yardsandfourHamby,alsoaTimesfirst-teamadded174rushyards,while77totaltacklesatlinebackerledIrish.Wrightwassecondwith55tackles.OtherbacksalongwithGiertzwillseniorsDominickGriffinandZachjuniorsSamChurchill,KleichandNathanNeal.Aweights-dedicatedlinewillbeguardMattDillon(5-11,255),
25FOOTBALLPREVIEW 2022August||ShawNedia| ShawLocal.com
26ShawLocal.com 2022AugustMediaShaw||| PREVIEWFOOTBALL Mendota looks to continue building
“That’s been very, very refreshing to see how they’re treating incoming freshmen and anybody else that might be a new face,” Hill said. “There’s none of the traditional behavior you might hear about within football teams looking down on their peers or bullying; just the quality of enjoying practice as teammates and building each other up. “It’s very obvious that for this cur rent group, this way of treating people is a priority, and what we accomplish on the field has a chance to be better because of it. If they continue to op erate that way, the coaches can focus on football instead of having to spend time on those personal skills.”
sincerand-Pecatonica.ofaftersixpaignnewfounddiligentlyfootballdrive/schools/mendota/www.shawlocal.com/friday-night-https://]Mendotateamhasspentitsoffseasonworkingtorecapturethesuccessitachievedin2021.TheTrojansopenedlastyear’scamwithfivevictoriesintheirfirstgames,finishingtheseason5-5bowingoutofthefirstroundtheClass3AplayoffsagainstDuMendota’swintotalwasitsmosta6-4finishin2014andnoMendotasquadhadwonmorethanonegamesince.CoachKeeganHill’screwwilllookdifferentlyin2022,buthasputintheefforttokeeptheTrojansimproving.“Whetherthekidsputitintowordsornot,[the2021success]fedintotheirpreparationforthisseason,”saidHill,whoentershissixthseasonastheTrojans’mentor.“Ithinkalotofthemhavehigherexpectationsofthemselvesnowbecausetheysawwhatwaspossible.”Mendotalost13seniorstograduation,includingsixoftheteam’ssevenAll-ThreeRiversConferenceMississippiDivisionselections.IsaacSmith,anhonorablementionAll-TRCpicklastseasonatdefensiveback,returnsatsafetythisseasonand
will also play wide receiver. Smith had 165 yards and one touchdown receiving last season. Tony Childs returns at running back and linebacker after rushing for 467 yards and six touchdowns last fall. J.P. Belmonte also got some car ries in 2021, while Ryne Strouss and Garrett Zinke gained experience in the receiving corps last season. The Trojans have a veteran offen sive line with four starters back - Jose Rocha, Landon Kreiser, Jordan Coney and Neal Linden. Junior Justin Randolph will take over at quarterback for three-year starter Ted Landgraf. Randolph at tempted passes in five games last season, including the final four. He completed 3 of 11 passes for 73 yards.
after successful 2021 season
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“Our junior class is only five or six kids, so some younger guys will be asked to provide some depth,” Hill said. “I don’t think you can ever have enough depth, but we’re starting the season healthy, and we got after it this summer. Our style of play will change a bit based on the skillset of the guys we have, but the presentation and how we want to do it will look very similar.”With so many younger players counted on to fill gaps in the depth chart, Hill has benefited from a senior class that has taken a collective re sponsibility to ensure the entire team is on the same page.
By Clark Teuscher
Coming off a winning campaign for the first time since 2014, the [
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After the Trojans play Sherrard in a TRC crossover in Week 6, they finish the season with conference games at home against Kewanee, at Newman and home against St. Bede. Mendota’s schedule features five teams that made the playoffs in 2021, including the Trojans’ final three op ponents of the regular season. 61342
Trojans open the 2022 season at Erie-Prophetstown Friday, Aug. 26 in a Three Rivers Conference crossover. Mendota won last year’s matchupMendota’s24-14.Week 2 is up in the air after Riverdale canceled its varsity season. The Trojans get into TRC Mis sissippi Division play in Week 3 with a trip to Bureau Valley before playing Princeton at home in Week 4 and Hall on the road in Week 5.
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By Kevin Chlum
“Every team wants to be in the play offs and make a run, and we’re no dif ferent.”TheBruins have a solid core to build around on both sides of the ball.
Offensively, St. Bede returns New sTribune and BCR All-Area quarter back John Brady, who threw for 1,699 yards and 14 touchdowns and ran for 700 yards and seven scores as a junior. Up front, the Bruins bring back fouryear starter Ryan Migliorini at tackle as well as starters Joe Bima, who played center last year but may play guard, and Ben Burke at guard. Jake Migliorini, Gavin Hahn and Garrett Connelly are in the mix on the line. Eustice said running back will be by committee, with Callan Hueneburg likely getting the most the carries at the start of the season. Calym Setser, Ryan Brady, Tom Makransky and Seth Fer rari also will get touches.
Ben Wallace returns at receiver, while Connor Brown, Evan Entrican and Landon Jackson also will see time.
“Our seniors helped that group in the spring go 5-1 and be playoff eligible, so to speak, and then last year as juniors they were a big part of the success we had,” St. Bede coach Jim Eustice said. “Now they want to be one of the few classes here that’s been playoff bound three years in a row. Our young guys have bought in. It’s a lot of fun. “We expect to win every game we play, and we expect to be in the play offs, and hopefully we’ll be healthy when we get there. We’ll see what kind of draw we get, and you never know.
S t. Bede opens the season with Three Rivers Conference crossovers at Sherrard and home against Erie-Proph etstown. The Bruins get into Missis sippi Division play in Week 3 at home against Kewanee, then travel to New man in Week 4. After a bye week due to Riverdale dropping its varsity team, the Bru ins close out with four more division games at home against Bureau Valley, at Princeton, home against Hall and at Mendota.
With strong core back, St. Bede aims for more playoff success
The Bruins lost their most explosive offensive weapon in receiver Tyreke Fortney, who racked up nearly 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns last year. “Tyreke was obviously our main re ceiver with his speed, but I think this year with the size we have, we can spread it out a lot more,” John Brady said. “We still have some quick guys in the slot like Setser and Hueneburg who can open things up. “I think we’re going to be good pass ing the ball and running the ball with our offensive line working hard the way they are.”
28ShawLocal.com 2022AugustMediaShaw||| PREVIEWFOOTBALL City of Spring Valley GOOD LUCK BRUINS! 123 S. Main St. • Cherry, IL 815-559-2088 Good Luck St. Bede! And All Area Teams Support Your LOCAL TEAM with Team Spirit Gear! T-Shirts • Sweatshirts • Blankets • Facemasks Screen Printing • Embroidery Online Team & Fan Shops Available 123815-663-1108E.St.PaulSt.,SpringValleySM-LA2005504
The Bruins have a question mark at kicker after losing all-area kicker Ste phenWallace,Shaver.Burke and Marco Rizzi may handle kicking duties, while Wallace, Burke and John Brady could punt. Ryan Brady, Hueneburg and Fer rari may see time returning punts and kicks.
The St. Bede football team’s senior class has known nothing but success on the varsity level. As sophomores, they helped the Bru ins go 5-1 in the COVID-19 shortened season and last fall played key roles in St. Bede’s 8-3 record and trip to the second round of the Class 1A playoffs. The Bruins expect another postsea son berth this season.
“Whether it’s with a good run game, jet sweeps, a quick passing game, boot legs or play action, we try to get our athletes the ball in space so they can do their thing,” Eustice said. “For the most part, the system is the same, but the way we go about it can change from year to year depending on our personnel.”Defensively, the Bruins will look to senior safety Ryan Brady as the leader after he made a team-high 99 tackles last year and was NewsTribune and BCRHueneburgAll-Area. returns at one corner back spot, while Ferrari and Makran sky are taking reps at the other corner. Burke saw time at linebacker last fall and will play the Bruins’ Mike position. Nate Lough will handle one inside line backer spot, while Jackson and Grady Gillan could see time at the other. Brown, Entrican, Setser, Wallace and Gavin Marquez are in the mix to play St. Bede’s defensive end/outside linebacker spots. Ryan Migliorini, Joe Bima, Sam Bima, Ali Arslan and Hahn will see time at the three down linemen positions.“Ourdefense is strong,” Ryan Mi gliorini said. “We have a lot of people stepping up and filling the spots we lost last“We’reyear. trying to follow our rules and stay sound. All of us are really working hard to try to get ready.”
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30ShawLocal.com 2022AugustMediaShaw||| PREVIEWFOOTBALL
To take the next step this year, Amboy will need to become more effective in the passing“Obviously,game. the biggest key to success for us is we’ve gotta be able to run the football. That’s what we like to do. On the other hand, though, we’ve gotta get better at passing the ball than we were last year,” Coach Payne said. “We were pretty good last year, but we gotta get a lot better this year because we’re Amboy; teams know what we’re gonna do. But we put in a few more spread formations and some different pass plays, so we gotta be a lot better at throwing the foot ball this year.”
“We’ve got Tucker back, and we’ve got three really good running backs in my mind. And we’ve got a really good offensive line,” coach Payne said. “Our offensive line’s big and quick and phys ical. So there’s two position groups I’m really excited about, to see what they can do in game-type situations.”
Trey Payne is expecting big things from RB/LB Landon Whelchel.
‘Looking to go all the way this year’: Amboy striving to finish what it started
31FOOTBALLPREVIEW 2022August||ShawNedia| ShawLocal.com SM-PR2006555 “Your Independent Community Bank” MEMBER FDICMALDEN MALDEN,CENTERBANKINGIL•815-643-2121FIRST STATE BANK OF VAN ORIN VAN ORIN, IL • 815-638-2111 Good Luck Clippers! By Dan Wussow Ending the 2021 I8FA football sea son in [ run-in-8-man-semifinal/angeville-ends-amboy-lamoilles-magical-friday-night-drive/news/2021/11/14/orhttps://www.shawlocal.com/]a34-12losstoOrangevilleintheeight-manstatesemifinalswasabitterendingtoanotherwisesatisfyingseasonfortheAmboy-LaMoille-Ohiofootballteam.Thisyear,however,there’splentyofoptimismandexcitementsurroundingtheteamwiththereturnofseniorquarterbackTuckerLindenmeyerandseveraljuniorswhostartedlastseason.“We’reexcitedtobeback,especiallyafteratoughlosstoOrangevillelastyearinthesemifinals.We’relookingtobuildonthatthisyear,”saidjuniorTEBrennanBlaine,anIllinois8-ManFootballAssociationfirst-teamselectionintheutilitycategorylastseason.“Wedon’twanttoloselikewedid.We’relookingtogoallthewaythisyear.”“I’mreallyexcitedtobeback.WetookatoughlosslastyearaftertheOrangevillegame,”juniorMLBLeviMcKinleysaid.“Andthefansknow,thewholecommunityknows,theschoolknows:we’regonnacomebackthisseason,we’regonnagetthatgameback,getallthegamesback,trytopushtostate,andreallyjustshoweveryonewhatwecandothisyear.”TheClipperswillbetestedrightawayinWeek1whentheytraveltoPolototakeonthetwo-timedefendingeight-manstatechampionMarcos.InWeek5,they’llgettheirhighly-anticipatedrematchwithOrangeville.Throughsummercampandthefirstfewpracticesoftheoffseason,AmboycoachScottPaynehasbeenimpressedwiththeleadershiphe’sseen–andstruckbyhowclose-knitthisyear’steamis.“Theseguysareworkinghard.Greatteamleaders.We’veonlygotonesenior,andhe’sdoneatremendousjobofjustbeingthatloneseniorandleadingtheteam,”hesaid.“Butallthesejuniorshavereallysteppedupanddonegreatjobsbeingteamleadersandhelpingtheyoungerkidsalong.Andtheyallgetalongwitheachother.I’veneverseenateamwithsomuchcamaraderieasIdowiththeseguys.Beforepractice,they’reovertherejokingaround.They’rejokingaroundafter.It’sgreattoseethat,thoseguysgettingalongaswellastheydo.”JuniorcenterTreyPaynebelieveslastyear’ssemifinallosstoOrangevillebroughttheteamclosertogether.“ThechemistryofourteamisbuiltbetterafterthatlosstoOrangeville,”hesaid.“Sowe’reabletobestrongerandhavebetterchemistrythanwedidlastyear.”LindenmeyerseessomeoftheyoungerplayerssteppinguptohelptheClippers’ cause this year.
Youth in the secondary is one poten tial concern for the Amboy co-op this year, especially during the early part of the season when it faces teams like Polo, Milledgeville and Milford-Cissna Park. “One position is defensive back. We’re gonna have a sophomore there and then a sophomore backing him up. In an eight-man game, you’re one-on-one, and so that could be an early-on struggle for us,” coach Payne said. “But the sopho more we have starting there, he’s looked pretty good right now, without pads. But defensive back is one of our ... not a big concern, but it is a concern on defense.” Offensively, the Clippers expect to win a lot of battles up front and consistently create movement at the point of attack.
“A few of the younger kids that are taking over the varsity senior spots from last year I think are really improving, and they’re gonna fill in really good this year,” he said. In a survey of Clippers’ players and coach Payne, the consensus was that sophomore fullback Quinton Leffelman is poised to be this year’s breakout player.
Amboy-LaMoille-Ohio players run through drills July 28 at the high school. After making a run to the Illinois 8-Man Football Association semifinals a year ago, the Clippers are hungry to finish the job with a state championship this fall.
“I think Landon Whelchel will also have a big part on our defense this year after taking Jordan Gulley’s spot, and help create a lot of big plays for us on the defensive side,” he said.
“We have a really solid front line,” Lin denmeyer said. “They’re pretty big and strong, so they’re gonna open up a lot holes for us this year.”
“We’ve got a sophomore, Quinton Leffelman. He’s going to be playing de fensive end and fullback for us. He’s a really good kid,” coach Payne said. “He worked his butt off all summer, and we’re expecting big things out of him running the football and on defense. He started last year as a freshman for us at nose guard, so he’s even better this year than he was last year.”
“I would say our fullback Quinton Lef felman’s going to step up big this year,” Blaine agreed. “He’s going to be starting both ways this year for us, so I think he’ll be“Quintongood.” Leffelman this year, that’s gonna be a big player,” McKinley added. “We lost Joe Quest last year, our start ing fullback, so it’s good for Quinton to come back and take over his spot. He’s gonna be good there.”
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