Playoff EXTRA
Sauk Valley Media
First Round | October 31, 2019
4A
5A
Sterling Golden Warriors
2A
Dixon Dukes
Newman Comets
ON TO WEEK 10 6 area teams will open the IHSA playoffs tonight & Saturday; Polo waits another week to open the 8-man tournament. SVM’s got you covered for the postseason with 8 pages of previews
2A
West Carroll Thunder
1A
Morrison Mustangs
1A
8-man
Fulton Steamers
Starting lineups, stats & results!
Good luck to area teams in the football playoffs!
Polo Marcos
INSIDE.
www.commstbk.com Dixon • Fulton • Morrison • Rock Falls • Sterling
SM-ST28505-1031
MEMBER FDIC
Sauk Valley Media • October 31, 2019
| FIRST-ROUND EXTRA
2
Class 5A • Chicago Heights Marian (5-4) at Sterling (9-0) • 7 p.m. Friday • Roscoe Eades Stadium • 105.5 FM
Sterling fired up to face Chicago Heights Marian WB6 title, 9-0 regular season just start of Warriors’ checklist BY BRIAN WEIDMAN bweidman@saukvalley.com 1-815-632-2544 @BrianWeidman
One way or another, Sterling knew its name was going to be called Saturday night when the IHSA announced the 256 teams that would comprise the field for this year’s football playoffs. The only question was would the Golden Warriors get to play a firstround game. A strike among Chicago Public League teachers put many of those playoff-eligible teams in jeopardy of forfeiting their first-round games either Friday or Saturday. Sterling was among the teams wondering if they’d suit up or receive a free pass to the second round. As it turned out, the Golden Warriors will have to earn their way down the playoff trail. Sterling drew Chicago Heights Marian as its first-round playoff opponent. The Golden Warriors and Spartans will tee it up Friday at Roscoe Eades Stadium. Sterling coach Jon Schlemmer is pleased that is the case. “You only get so many of these,” Schlemmer said. “We gave ourselves the opportunity to play Week 10, and that’s what we wanted to do. We’ve got to be at the top of our game from now on.”
Cooper Willman Sterling senior
Jahshawn Howard Sterling junior
Noel Aponte Sterling junior
Marian (5-4) is a member of the Chicago Catholic League’s East Suburban Catholic Conference, Red Division, along with DePaul Prep, Leo and Westchester St. Joseph. Marian defeated those teams to win the league title, as well as decisions against Oak Lawn and Bowman Academy in Gary, Ind. The Spartans’ losses came to other Chicago Catholic League teams Woodstock Marian, Lisle Benet, St. Rita and St. Ignatius. “The level of competition they’ve seen this year has been extremely good,” Schlemmer said. “You’re talking some of the upper-echelon teams in the state come from that conference year-in and year-out. They’re going to be prepared. They’ve played against teams with a lot of success like we’ve had the last couple of years, so by no means do I think there will be any sort of intimidation factor coming
in here. “They’ve played really good teams, and done some really good things.” After watching film of Marian this week, Schlemmer noted he’s seen a good run/pass balance, and a dangerous attack that averaged 33.5 points per game this season. “They’ll be in two-back and run it right at you, but they can also spread you out and push the ball vertically with some really good athletes on the outside,” Schlemmer said. “We’re going to have to make sure we’re prepared for all of it, and really have to defend the whole field.” As for Sterling (9-0), everything seems to be in order. The Golden Warriors won a Western Big 6 title in their first year in the league, and had an undefeated regular-season record for the 12th time in school history. “We were able to check two goals off our box on Friday night with a conference championship and a 9-0 regular season,” Schlemmer said. “I’m really proud of them. It takes a lot of hard work, and not just during the regular season, to accomplish those goals. The kids put the work in. They stayed focused throughout the entire conference slate, and it paid off. “It’s a new season, and we’re just excited to still be playing.”
How they stack up:
Sterling Golden Warriors QB 12 RB 9 HB/TE 10 WR 4 WR 15 SL 7 LT 53 LG 76 C 63 RG 56 RT 75
Offensive starters
Cooper Willman Noel Aponte Nick Simester Isaiah Yarbrough Carter Ryan Luke Heffelfinger Nate Beyer Aidan Munoz-Ripley Adan Ramirez Ryan Heffelfinger Cameron Beasley
1509 E. 4th Street | Sterling, IL 815-626-2780 SM-ST28648-1031
1709 E. 3rd St. • Sterling, IL • 815-625-0080
6-2 275 Sr. 6-1 190 Sr. 5-9 220 So. 6-5 235 Jr. 5-10 170 Jr. 6-1 215 Jr. 5-9 165 Jr. 5-8 140 Sr. 5-10 155 Jr. 6-1 175 Sr. 6-4 160 Jr.
2019 leaders
Results
Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25
Sterling Warriors 49, Marengo (7-2) 7 Warriors 47, Pekin (6-3) 21 Warriors 34, Alleman (5-4) 6 Warriors 27, Geneseo (4-5) 7 Warriors 33, Quincy (4-5) 20 Warriors 49, Rock Island (7-2) 26 Warriors 53, Moline (5-4) 26 Warriors 49, United Twp. (1-8) 13 Warriors 54, Galesburg (2-7) 28
Chicago Heights Marian Aug. 30 Spartans 63, Oak Lawn (1-8) 7 Sept. 6 Spartans 56, Gary (Ind.) Bowman Academy (3-6) 14 Sept. 13 Woodstock Marian (4-5) 21, Spartans 0 Sept. 20 Spartans 49, Westchester St. Joseph (1-8) 0 Sept. 27 Lisle Benet (6-3) 38, Spartans 15 Oct. 4 Spartans 62, Chi. DePaul (3-6) 26 Oct. 11 Chi. St. Rita (6-3) 55, Spartans 7 Oct. 18 Chi. St. Ignatius (5-4) 15, Spartans 7 Oct. 25 Spartans 43, Chi. Leo (3-6) 12
Good Luck Teams! We’re Rooting for you!
SM-ST28655-1031
Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. So. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr.
Rushing • Cooper Willman 121 rushes, 1,075 yards, 13 TDs • Noel Aponte 120-763, 16 TDs • Jahshawn Howard 106-683, 12 TDs • David Tessman 43-290, 7 TDs Passing • Cooper Willman 62-88, 906 yards, 6 TDs, 1 INT Receiving • Luke Heffelfinger 20 catches, 340 yards • Noel Aponte 10-176, 2 TDs • Quintin Spaulding 10-122, 1 TD • Trevon Jordan 5-74 • Isaiah Yarbrough 5-44
FLORIST & GREENHOUSE TO ALL AREA TEAMS!
170 155 170 175 165 140 270 275 255 240 290
Defensive starters
DE 76 Munoz-Ripley DT 74 Gannon Fiorini DT 58 Junior Farnham DE 83 Trevon Jordan LB 10 Simester LB 30 Zarek Jenkins LB 38 Alex Knapper LB 7 L.Heffelfinger CB 9 Aponte CB 4 Yarbrough FS 14 Michael Hanrahan
LUNDSTROM
Good Luck
6-0 5-10 5-10 6-1 5-11 5-8 6-5 6-2 5-11 5-10 6-2
Tina Rajnowski (815) 625-1351
2608 Woodlawn Rd., Sterling, IL 61081
Class 4A • Dixon (5-4) at Stillman Valley (8-1) • 1 p.m. Saturday • StillmanValley H.S. • 1460 AM Dixon Dukes QB RB WR WR WR WR LT LG C RG RT
12 30 8 13 16 15 51 70 79 67 76
Offensive starters
Jacob Shafer Sebastian Quintana Nate Long Cal Kyker Aidan Schmall Jacob Gaither Patrick Grossman Nick Engle Riley Riggen Cameron Rogers Noah Williams
5-10 5-7 5-10 6-2 5-11 6-3 6-2 6-2 5-10 5-11 5-11
169 195 155 173 184 170 170 274 207 250 204
Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. So. Sr. Sr. So. Jr. Sr.
Defensive starters
DE 88 Hunter Pate DT 55 Kade Frey NG 52 Dre Jackson DT 50 Justin Dallas DL 27 Quinn Staples LB 16 Schmall LB 24 Garrett Helfrich CB 4 Jaylen Carr CB 8 Long SS 23 Jericho Kirby FS 15 Gaither
6-0 191 Jr. 6-0 178 Sr. 6-0 280 So. 6-1 192 So. 5-11 164 Jr. 5-11 184 Sr. 5-10 170 Sr. 5-8 157 Jr. 5-10 155 Sr. 6-1 180 Jr. 6-3 170 So.
Rushing • Sebastian Quintana 110 rushes, 812 yards, 12 TDs • Nate Long 18-153, 3 TDs • Zavion Johnson 13-125, 2 TDs Passing • Jacob Shafer 93-151, 1,430 yards, 19 TDs, 4 INTs Receiving • Nate Long 39 catches, 645 yards, 10 TDs • Jacob Gaither 24-387, 4 TDs • Cal Kyker 13-244, 3 TDs • Aidan Schmall 13-141, 2 TDs • Jacob Gusse 5-59, 1 TD
Results
Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25
Dixon Stillman Valley (8-1) 37, Dukes 12 Rock Falls (1-8) 35, Dukes 13 Dukes 46, Oregon (2-7) 14 Dukes 26, North Boone (5-4) 18 Dukes 51, Mendota (1-8) 0 Dukes 48, Rkfd. Lutheran (4-5) 8 Genoa-Kingston (8-1) 35, Dukes 12 Dukes 47, Winnebago (3-6) 0 Byron (8-1) 62, Dukes 21
Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25
Stillman Valley Cardinals 37, Dixon (5-4) 12 Cardinals 18, Byron (8-1) 16 Cardinals 43, Winnebago (3-6) 35 Cardinals 48, Rock Falls (1-8) 0 Cardinals 35, Oregon (2-7) 7 Cardinals 52, North Boone (5-4) 28 Cardinals 44, Mendota (1-8) 6 Cardinals 35, Rkfd. Lutheran (4-5) 14 Genoa-Kingston (8-1) 18, Cardinals 7
Cardinals add potent passing attack to well-respected run game junior wide receiver Joe Kuthe. The Dukes will need to be aware of all facets of a Stillman Valley attack that produced 35.4 points @BrianWeidman per game this season. There are no surprises this week “First we have got to control the when it comes to what lies ahead run,” Dixon linebacker/safety for the Dixon High School football Garrett Helfrich said. “We have Jacob Garrett Jacob team. to make sure they don’t lull us to Shafer Helfrich Gaither That’s because the Dukes (5-4) sleep with the run game. Our DBs Dixon Dixon Dixon will be tangling with one of the senior senior sophomore have to be aware. They caught blue blood programs in the state, us off-guard the whole game and Stillman Valley, on Saturday after- awesome environment to watch were throwing touchdowns.” noon in the first round of the that football game.” This marks the second consecClass 4A playoffs. This year’s Cardinals were in utive season Stillman Valley and Stillman Valley (8-1) has won position to claim a Big Northern Dixon will meet twice. In 2018, five state championships (1999, Conference championship, as it the Cardinals opened with a 42-13 200, 2003, 2009, 2013) under the began 8-0 before falling 18-7 at road win against the Dukes. The guidance of Mike Lalor, who has home to Genoa-Kingston in Week squads played again in the first amassed a 197-65 record in his 9. Stillman Valley, Byron and G-K round of the playoffs, again at A.C. 22nd year at the school. He was a shared the league title with 8-1 Bowers Field. Stillman Valley also member of the 2019 Illinois High marks. won that game, 28-13, before fallSchool Football Coaches AssociaStillman Valley has been known ing to IC Catholic in the second tion hall of fame class. for having a potent running game round of the playoffs. Dixon coach Dave Smith, upon through the years, but the CardiThis year, Dixon has to go on learning on Saturday night his nals have had success throwing the road for both of its meetings team’s first-round opponent the ball with junior quarterback against Stillman Valley. Helfrich would be Stillman Valley, immedi- Chad Gerig. Nobody knows that and his teammates look at it as an ately thought of Lalor. more than the Dukes. opportunity at redemption. “…You know who Stillman is. Dixon began the 2019 season “I don’t think there’s any presCoach Lalor’s teams – there’s a with a 37-12 loss at Stillman Valsure on us,” Helfrich said. “People reason why Coach Lalor is in the ley. While the Cardinals churned didn’t think we were even going to hall of fame,” Smith said. “He’s out 318 yards on 61 carries, it was make the playoffs. We lost to Rock one heck of a coach. He’s probably the passing game that made them Falls [in Week 2] and that really the best coach I’ve ever coached even more difficult to defend. set us behind, so we’ve just got to against. His kids will be ready to Gerig threw touchdown passes go out there and play Dixon footgo. It will be a fun game. It will be of 32, 43 and 27 yards to fellow ball.” at Stillman Valley, and it will be an BY BRIAN WEIDMAN bweidman@saukvalley.com 815-632-2544
GOOD LUCK AREA TEAMS!
Good Luck To All Area Teams!
Good Luck All Area Teams!
Mama Cimino’s
25 E. Main St. Amboy, IL 815-857-3691
104 S. Peoria Ave., Dixon | 815.288.4448
www.mamaciminosdixon.com
F l a v o r s We bring life to products.TM
SM-ST28502-1031
1824 Locust St., Sterling 815-625-2700 www.sterlingchevy.com
• October 31, 2019
2019 leaders
Dukes meet Stillman for fourth time in 2 years
3
FIRST-ROUND EXTRA | Sauk Valley Media
How they stack up:
Sauk Valley Media • October 31, 2019
| FIRST-ROUND EXTRA
4
Class 2A • Orion (5-4) at Newman (8-1) • 1 p.m. Saturday • Roscoe Eades Stadium • 102.7 FM
Newman faces off again with multi-threat Orion offense BY ERIC INGLES eingles@saukvalley.com 815-632-2543 @Eric_Ingles
Newman and Orion go at it again in the first round of the Class 2A postseason. The Comets welcomed the Chargers to Roscoe Eades Stadium Week 7, and pulled out a 28-6 win. When the Chargers were in town last, they tried to mix things up in the play-calling on offense to move the ball against Newman. The Comets were able to bottle up Chargers’ power-rushing back Coby Schultz, who managed 35 yards on the ground, but Orion quarterback Ryan Jungwirth completed 13 passes for 97 yards and threw the ball well on a pair of drives late in each half. “[Orion has] just a wide variety of attack, especially offensively,” Newman coach Brandon Kreczmer said. “They’ll go from wishbone, which we run, to five wide. Chip’s [Orion coach Chip Filler] a really good offensive mind and you know he’ll figure something out to try and find our weakness. We’ve got to be ready for the run and the pass.”
How they stack up:
Newman Comets QB FB RB RB TE TE OL OL OL OL OL
23 12 11 21 14 17 50 54 70 74 75
Offensive starters
Jacob Ackman Kye O’Brien Andrew Velasquez Connor McBride Brett Newman Andrew Wilson Nolan Vesley Nate Neubauer Daniel Feltes Riley Wescott Hunter Buser
5-11 6-2 5-10 6-0 6-1 6-4 6-2 6-1 5-10 5-10 6-1
170 210 180 160 185 230 250 185 230 235 225
Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr.
Defensive starters
Connor McBride Newman senior
Andrew Velasquez Newman junior
Kye O’Brien Newman senior
Newman’s defense did intercept a pair of Jungwirth’s passes in that game, Nate Ahlers picking off a pass near midfield on Orion’s second drive of the game and Connor McBride picking off a pass on the goal line as time expired in the first half. The Chargers only crossed midfield three times in that game, including on a late scoring drive in the fourth quarter after Newman had gone up 28-0. That strong Comets defense has kept going from there, getting a pair of late stops in Week 8 in a 14-7 win over Riverdale and limiting Fulton’s rushing attack in a 25-8 win over the Steamers Week 9. “They’ve been reading their keys well and trusting what they see on every play,” Kreczmer said. “We
Brett Newman Newman junior
Riley Wescott Newman senior
Ethan VanLanduit Newman sophomore
talk about how it starts with their eyes, and alignment responsibilities and technique. Credit to the kids, they’ve really been buying in and working hard in practice and flying to the ball on gameday.” Since facing Newman, Orion beat Bureau Valley 55-0 in Week 8 to become playoff eligible, then lost 35-6 to Morrison Week 9 to close the regular season. The Chargers opened the season with a 3-0 start thanks to narrow wins over Monmouth-Roseville and Kewanee and a somewhat more comfortable win over Rockridge. But Orion had to face a string of playoff teams after that, and won just twice more the rest of the way while losing to Princeton, Fulton, Newman and Morrison.
saukvalley.com saukvalley.com saukvalley.com saukvalley.com saukvalley.com saukvalley.com saukvalley.com saukvalley.com saukvalley.com
Good Luck Newman Comets!
Dixon Glass C O M P A N Y
414 W. 1st St., Dixon 815-288-3000
Congratts Area Schools!!
DL 70 Feltes DL 71 Ryan Waldschmidt DL 74 Wescott LB 11 Velasquez LB 14 Newman LB 17 Wilson LB 24 Brady Stevens LB 30 Ethan Van Landuit DB 21 McBride DB 23 Ackman DB 25 Kade Decker
5-10 230 Sr. 6-0 220 Sr. 5-10 235 Sr. 5-10 180 Jr. 6-1 185 Jr. 6-4 230 Sr. 5-11 185 Jr. 6-0 180 So. 6-0 160 Sr. 5-11 170 Jr. 6-2 175 Jr.
2019 leaders
Rushing • Andrew Velasquez 105 rushes, 575 yards, 4 TDs • Connor McBride 99-510, 6 TDs • Kye O’Brien 85-468, 9 TDs Passing • Jacob Ackman 37-67, 577 yards, 7 TDs, 4 INTs Receiving • Andrew Wilson 15 catches, 226 yards, 4 TDs • Connor McBride 11-210, 3 TDs • Kye O’Brien 4-56
Results
Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25
Newman Comets 20, Hall (6-3) 6 Comets 25, Princeton (8-1) 21 Comets 27, Kewanee (6-3) 26 Comets 50, Bureau Valley (0-9) 7 Morrison (9-0) 18, Comets 6 Comets 28, Rockridge (4-5) 7 Comets 28, Orion (5-4) 6 Comets 14, Riverdale (4-5) 7 Comets 25, Fulton (5-4) 8
Orion Aug. 30 Chargers 20, Monmouth-Roseville (4-5) 18 Sept. 6 Chargers 35, Kewanee (6-3) 27 Sept. 13 Chargers 19, Rockridge (4-5) 0 Sept. 20 Princeton (8-1) 44, Chargers 0 Sept. 27 Chargers 33, Riverdale (4-5) 3 Oct. 4 Fulton (5-4) 27, Chargers 26 Oct. 11 Newman (8-1) 28, Chargers 6 Oct. 18 Chargers 55, Bureau Valley (0-9) 0 Oct. 25 Morrison (9-0) 35, Chargers 6
GOOD LUCK LOCAL TEAMS AT PLAYOFFS!
1514 W. 4th Street Sterling (815) 625-5949
2900 N. Locust St. • Sterling, IL 61081 SM-ST28549-1031
Class 2A • West Carroll (5-4) at Fieldcrest (9-0) • 6 p.m. Friday • Minonk West Carroll Thunder QB RB RB WR WR WR C G G T T
4 21 27 1 2 14 78 50 55 64 77
Offensive starters
Derek Tracy Aiden Sullivan Kody Sipe Colton Ballard Jackson Miller Michael Popkin Alex Mull Zach King Jorge Rodriguez Brad Tuftee John McCombie
6-2 5-10 5-6 5-11 5-10 6-2 5-10 5-10 5-7 5-8 6-0
190 170 175 145 150 180 300 190 200 220 190
Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr.
West Carroll returns to site of last playoff victory Many familiar faces on Fieldcrest roster from 2017 playoff game
Defensive starters
DT 27 Sipe DT 55 Rodriguez DT 64 Tuftee DT 77 McCombie LB 21 Sullivan LB 33 Devin Davis LB 50 King DB 2 Miller DB 11 Ashton St. Ores DB 14 Popkin DB 42 Carson Rice
5-6 175 Sr. 5-7 200 Sr. 5-8 220 Sr. 6-0 190 Jr. 5-10 170 Sr. 5-10 195 Jr. 5-10 190 Sr. 5-10 150 Sr. 5-9 135 So. 6-2 180 Sr. 5-7 160 Sr.
Rushing • Aiden Sullivan 122 rushes, 748 yards, 9 TDs • Derek Tracy 97-573, 7 TDs • Kody Sipe 81-370, 3 TDs • Camren Simpson 27-121, 1 TD Passing • Derek Tracy 57-107, 725 yards, 5 TDs, 9 INTs Receiving • Michael Popkin 23 catches, 273 yards, 1 TD • Aiden Sullivan 12-145 • Colton Ballard 7-135, 1 TD • Jackson Miller 7-74, 3 TDs
Results
West Carroll Aug. 30 Thunder 22, Galena (2-7) 20 Sept. 6 Thunder 24, Dakota (4-5) 12 Sept. 13 Eastland-Pearl City (4-5) 8, Thunder 0 Sept. 20 Thunder 36, Amboy-LaMoille (2-7) 7 Sept. 27 Thunder 36, Ashton-Franklin Center (0-9) 8 Oct. 4 Forreston (7-2) 38, Thunder 36 Oct. 11 Thunder 22, Milledgeville (1-8) 0 Oct. 18 Durand-Pecatonica (6-3) 16, Thunder 8 Oct. 25 Freeport Aquin (9-0) 28, Thunder 8 Fieldcrest Aug. 30 Knights 47, Reed-Custer (1-8) 7 Sept. 6 Knights 25, Tri-Valley (4-5) 0 Sept. 13 Knights 42, Tremont (6-3) 7 Sept. 20 Knights 14, Gibson City-Melvin Sibley (8-1) 6 Sept. 27 Knights 48, Illini West (4-5) 8 Oct. 4 Knights 42, Deer Creek-Mackinaw (2-7) 6 Oct. 11 Knights 43, Colfax Ridgeview (2-7) 0 Oct. 18 Knights 21, Eureka (7-2) 17 Oct. 25 Knights 34, El Paso-Gridley (2-7) 7
@STyReynolds
Two years ago, Derek Tracy spent the week leading up to West Carroll’s first-round playoff game against Fieldcrest impersonating the Knights’ star quarterback. This week, the Thunder quarterback is preparing for another road trip to Minonk, this time as the starter, in hopes that his team can duplicate the 40-0 victory there in 2017. “We’re familiar with the trip down there, and that helps,” West Carroll coach Matt Leitzen said. “All of our seniors were on that 2017 team as sophomores, and a handful of them played, so it’s always nice to bring that experience with us.” Watching film on this year’s Fieldcrest team, Leitzen saw a lot of familiar faces. A young group when the Thunder pulled off the first-round upset 2 years ago, the Knights (9-0) are now a team full of experienced veterans who just completed their second-ever undefeated regular-season in school history – and that included snapping two-time defending state champion GCMS’ win streak at 31 games with a Week 4 win. “There were a lot of young kids on that team in 2017, and I
GOING ON VACATION?
dailyGAZETTE
TELEGRAPH
Keep in touch with the news of the Sauk Valley SM-ST28501-1031
Your Local Source To subscribe call 815-625-3600 • 815-284-2222
West Carroll (5-4) also brings a balanced attack to Friday night’s first-round game. Tracy has completed 53 percent of his passes for 725 yards and five touchdowns, and has also run for 573 yards and seven scores. Aiden Sullivan leads the ThunZach Derek Aiden der with 748 yards and nine King Tracy Sullivan West Carroll West Carroll West Carroll touchdowns, and Kody Sipe has 370 yards and three TDs on the senior senior senior ground. Michael Popkin (273 noticed on film there are a lot of yards, 1 TD), Sullivan (145 yards) the same guys out there,” Leitzen and Colton Ballard (135 yards, 1 said. “Now they’ve played a lot of TD) all have more than 100 yards varsity football, and they’re a cou- receiving, and Jackson Miller has ple years older and bring back a three TD catches. lot of experience.” Defensively, Zach King has 100 Fieldcrest has run a balanced tackles (56 solo, 7 for loss), and attack all year, with senior runSullivan (73 tackles, 8 for loss), ning back Kenton Castrejon havPopkin (66 tackles, 11 for loss, 3 ing run for more than 1,100 yards INTs), Camren Simpson (50 tackand 19 touchdowns, while senior les, 6 for loss) and Sipe (48 tackles, quarterback Matt Lorton has 7 for loss) lead a stingy Thunder thrown for more than 1,000 yards defense that has given up just 137 and 11 TDs. points all season. “They’re a different team than “Everybody starts with the goal what we saw 2 years ago, when to makes the playoffs, and we’re they were centered around a great excited to have the opportunity athlete at quarterback,” Leitzen to extend our season,” Leitzen said. “This year, they’re a little said. “It comes down to us being more focused around their runable to execute the game plan ning back and the quarterback we set up for the kids, and in our together. It’s the same problem stronger games, we’ve done that. – you have to defend the run and We’ve proved we can play with the pass – but it’s two different some really good teams this year, kids as opposed to one dualand we get to do that again Friday threat quarterback.” night.”
• October 31, 2019
2019 leaders
BY TY REYNOLDS treynolds@saukvalley.com 815-632-2542
5
FIRST-ROUND EXTRA | Sauk Valley Media
How they stack up:
Sauk Valley Media • October 31, 2019
| FIRST-ROUND EXTRA
6
Class 1A • Ridgewood (5-4) at Morrison (9-0) • 4 p.m. Saturday • E.M. “Bud” Cole Field
Playoffs, first-round foe a new experience for Mustangs BY TY REYNOLDS treynolds@saukvalley.com 815-632-2542 @STyReynolds
After a 6-year hiatus from the playoffs, the Morrison Mustangs are happy to be back. The fact that they get to host a first-round playoff game after running the table in the regular season is just some really sweet icing and a really tasty cake. One of the fun parts about a Week 10 game is the chance to see a totally new and unfamiliar team, and the Mustangs are certainly getting a strong dose of that experience. When Morrison coach Ryan Oetting saw the Ridgewood Spartans come up opposite his team during the IHSA playoff draw on Saturday night, he was left wondering about the opponent. “They were on our radar as a possibility for us to play, but we didn’t know a heck of a lot about them,” Oetting said. “We’re just happy to still be playing football after a little bit of a hiatus from the playoffs here in Morrison.” After a couple of days of film study, Oetting says he can see why the Spartans (6-3) are still playing, as well.
Hunter Newman Morrison sophomore
Riley Wilkens Morrison senior
Keegan Anderson Morrison senior
Balance is what he sees from Ridgewood, and physicality up front on both sides of the ball. “Offensively they throw it a little bit and run it, just a nice mix,” Oetting said. “Defensively they run a 4-4, similar to us – they run a little more Cover-2 [on the back end] than we do – but they look like strong, physical kids. They’ve just got a nice team.” The Spartans (6-3) had to replace 11 of 12 starters who graduated last season, but two-way lineman Alex Johnson anchors the trenches, and senior Logan Nodine has played well under center in his first year at quarterback. “[Nodine] looks like he throws a nice ball,” Oetting said, “and he’s got some good-sized targets down the field at wide receiver. Their backs and receivers are physical and quick.”
Nate Helms Morrison junior
TC Ottens Morrison junior
Kolten Sage Morrison senior
Morrison (9-0) has got some of those attributes, too. Quarterback Nate Helms has thrown for 804 yards and nine touchdowns, with three receivers having at least seven catches. Keegan Anderson has 497 yards rushing and 502 yards receiving, with 10 total TDs, and Riley Wilkens (506 yards, 9 TDs) and Hunter Newman (602 yards, 3 TDs) lead a ground attack that averages 6.1 yards per carry. “We’re not going to reinvent the wheel for the postseason; we’re going to do what got us here,” Oetting said. “We’re a big-play offense, and defensively we’re going to have 11 guys going to the football and keep pursuing until the play is over. “It’s exciting to see a new opponent, but our game plan is pretty much going to stay the same as it was the first 9 weeks.”
saukvalley.com saukvalley.com saukvalley.com saukvalley.com saukvalley.com saukvalley.com
Morrison Auto Supply, Inc.
Good Luck Local Teams!
Good Luck
How they stack up:
Morrison Mustangs Offensive starters
QB 16 Nate Helms RB 6 Keegan Anderson RB 23 Hunter Newman RB 41 Riley Wilkens or RB 8 Jevin Smith E 20 Kolten Sage E 2 TC Ottens or E 33 Ryan Kennedy OL 60 Collin Roberts OL 58 Aaron Wolf OL 52 Tyson Smith OL 66 Justice Brainerd OL 67 Thomas Schlafer or OL 61 Eric Jackson
6-1 6-1 6-0 6-2
160 180 165 185
Jr. Sr. So. Sr.
5-7 6-2 6-7
165 190 175
Sr. Sr. Jr.
5-9 6-1 5-11 6-2 6-1 6-2
155 210 185 205 185 285
Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. So.
6-3
185
Sr.
Defensive starters
DL 67 Schlafer DL 51 Cooper Darby DL 41 Wilkens DL 66 Brainerd or DL 60 Roberts LB 6 Anderson LB 15 Nathan Mickley LB 39 Isaak Shetler LB 23 Newman DB 13 Brenden Stearns DB 9 Nick Allen DB 33 Kennedy
6-2 5-11 6-2 6-1
285 So. 215 Sr. 185 Sr. 185 So.
6-1 210 Sr. 6-1 180 Sr. 6-1 185 Sr. 6-1 170 Sr. 6-0 165 So. 6-1 175 Sr. 5-6 140 Sr. 5-9 155 Sr.
2019 leaders
Rushing • Hunter Newman 73 rushes, 602 yards, 3 TDs • Riley Wilkens 98-506, 9 TDs • Keegan Anderson 48-497, 7 TDs • Nathan Mickley 20-151, 1 TD • Jevin Smith 40-125, 2 TDs Passing • Nathan Helms 39-66, 804 yards, 9 TDs, 2 INTs Receiving • Keegan Anderson 11 catches, 502 yards, 3 TDs • TC Ottens 9-97, 1 TD • Kolten Sage 7-109, 1 TD • Hunter Newman 5-89, 4 TDs
Results
Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25
Morrison Mustangs 41, St. Bede (1-8) 7 Mustangs 54, Sherrard (1-8) 6 Mustangs 16, Riverdale (4-5) 3 Mustangs 24, Fulton (5-4) 0 Mustangs 18, Newman (8-1) 6 Mustangs 42, Bureau Valley (0-9) 0 Mustangs 26, Erie-P’town (2-7) 0 Mustangs 27, Rockridge (4-5) 13 Mustangs 35, Orion (5-4) 6
Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25
Ridgewood Spartans 50, Peoria Hts. (0-9) 25 Spartans 32, West Prairie (3-6) 12 Spartans 22, Mid-County (2-7) 14 Spartans 35, Stark County (3-6) 20 Spartans 20, Mercer County (6-3) 6 Anna.-Weth. (9-0) 44, Spartans 0 West Central (4-5) 18, Spartans 8 Spartans 26, Mon. United (2-7) 15 Princeville (7-2) 44, Spartans 14
Good Luck Local Surrounding Schools with Football Playoffs! You can count on us for fast and reliable installation, maintenance and repair of your cooling systems, home’s heating all year round.
Surrounding Schools
Air Conditioning
in the Football Playoffs!
Heating
FREE ESTIMATES Licensed & Insured SERVING THE
SAUK VALLEY AREA
502 E. Lincolnway, Morrison, IL
815-772-7451
www.morrisonautosupply.com
SINCE 1949!
www.morrisonhospital.com 815-722-4003 303 N Jackson St, Morrison, IL 61270
WORKMAN HEATING & COOLING (815)772-2010 • 15825 Lincoln Rd., Morrison www.workmanhc.com
SM-ST28650-1031
Class 1A • Fulton (5-4) at Aquin (9-0) • 1 p.m. Saturday • Freeport • 1390 AM Fulton Steamers QB 2 RB 33 WR 1 WR 5 WR 22 WR 34 LT 74 LG 54 C 58 RG 66 RT 59
Offensive starters
Connor Barnett Ethan Rash Brock Mason Jake Pannell Bradlee Damhoff Kyler Pessman Dylan Bridgeman Joey Huizenga Max Pannell Nate Portz Trae VanZuiden
6-2 5-7 6-0 6-0 6-5 6-2 6-4 6-1 5-9 5-11 6-4
160 Jr. 180 Jr. 170 So. 180 Sr. 190 Sr. 180 Jr. 280 Jr. 190 So. 230 Jr. 265 Jr. 265 Sr.
Steamers hope to slow down potent Aquin aerial attack BY TY REYNOLDS treynolds@saukvalley.com 815-632-2542 @STyReynolds
Defensive starters
DE 56 Kole Schipper 6-2 185 So. DT 66 Portz 5-11 265 Jr. DT 45 Josh Huizenga 6-0 190 Jr. DE 69 Jake North 6-3 240 Jr. OLB 5 J.Pannell 6-0 180 Sr. ILB 42 Keegan VanKampen 6-2 190 So. ILB 23 Will Conner 6-0 175 Jr. OLB 34 Pessman 6-2 180 Jr. DB 13 Michael Apostolos 5-10 150 Jr. DB 4 Eathan Long 5-10 155 Sr. S 1 Mason 6-0 170 So.
Rushing • Ethan Rash 158 rushes, 927 yards, 14 TDs • Kyler Pessman 86-526, 6 TDs • Jacob Jones 30-207, 1 TD Passing • Connor Barnett 66-127, 836 yards, 7 TDs, 9 INTs Receiving • Kyler Pessman 18 catches, 230 yards, 3 TDs • Jake Pannell 14-189, 2 TDs • Brock Mason 11-103, 1 TD • Bradlee Damhoff 10-90 • Ethan Rash 6-58 • Will Conner 5-165, 1 TD
Results
Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25
Fulton Princeton (8-1) 45, Steamers 7 Steamers 28, St. Bede (1-8) 20 Steamers 54, Bureau Valley (0-9) 6 Morrison (9-0) 24, Steamers 0 Steamers 48, Rockridge (4-5) 28 Steamers 27, Orion (5-4) 26 Steamers 36, Riverdale (4-5) 12 Hall (6-3) 33, Steamers 32 Newman (8-1) 25, Steamers 8
Aquin Aug. 30 Bulldogs 28, Orangeville (6-3) 16 Sept. 6 Bulldogs 40, Stockton (6-3) 22 Sept. 13 Bulldogs 42, Milledgeville (1-8) 14 Sept. 20 Bulldogs 39, East Dubuque (2-7) 7 Sept. 27 Bulldogs 52, Amboy-LaMoille (2-7) 24 Oct. 4 Bulldogs 34, Eastland-Pearl City (4-5) 27 Oct. 11 Bulldogs 48, Ashton-Franklin Center (0-9) 14 Oct. 18 Bulldogs 36, Forreston (7-2) 30 Oct. 25 Bulldogs 28, West Carroll (5-4) 8
Ethan Rash Fulton junior
Kyler Pessman Fulton junior
Connor Barnett Fulton junior
run for 774 yards and 16 touchdowns, and thrown for 1,306 yards and 17 TDs. “We probably haven’t seen a quarterback this season like the one we’ll see on Saturday,” Lower said. “He’s so dynamic, both with his arm and his legs. He’s a lot like Riley Fetterer from Rockridge and Drake Davis from Bureau Valley in years past. “If you put those two together, you get Gustafson. He’s pretty darn good.” Ty Stykel is Aquin’s leading rusher, with 845 yards and 13 scores, while Brennan Carlson (40 catches, 588 yards, 4 TDs) and Andrew Bowman (32 catches, 516 yards, 11 TDs) are a formidable 1-2 punch down the field as Gustafson’s favorite targets. Fulton (5-4) counters with a little balance of its own. Ethan Rash (927 yards, 14 TDs) and Kyler Pessman (526 yards, 6 TDs) lead the ground game, while Connor Barnett has thrown for 836 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Brock Mason Fulton sophomore
Jake Pannell Fulton senior
Nate Portz Fulton junior
“At this point, it’s more about matchups more than whatever seed with whatever record that you’re playing,” Lower said. “If you match up well with a team, you can expect good things; if you don’t match up well, you’ve got your work cut out for you. I think it’s a little bit of both with this team.” But don’t think the Steamers are fazed by another tough challenge. Playing in a league like the Three Rivers, Fulton is used to taking on playoff-caliber opponents on a weekly basis. “What I always say is if you’re lucky and fortunate enough to get through our conference schedule and make the playoffs, you’re definitely going to be battle-tested and ready for anything,” Lower said. “The kids are excited; I always feel like anytime you get a Week 10 game, you should embrace it. It doesn’t matter how you got here, as long as you’re in the playoffs, you’ve earned it.”
GOOD LUCK AT PLAYOFFS LOCAL TEAMS!
Good Luck to Surrounding Schools for the Football Playoffs!
Since 1976
3210 4th St., Sterling, IL • 815-626-0401
Geneseo • Prophetstown Morrison
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR SAUK VALLEY TEAMS!
SM-ST28652-1031
3602 E. Lincolnway (IL Rt. 2) Sterling, IL 815-626-4422 • Open 7 Days a Week SM-ST27162-1031
• October 31, 2019
2019 leaders
While the Fulton Steamers are never going to be a pass-happy team, they’ve done a good job all season of mixing in a solid aerial attack with their usual punishing ground game. Their opponent in the first round of the Class 1A playoffs, however, takes the opposite approach on offense. Freeport Aquin has also run a balanced offense this season, but it’s usually the passing game setting up the run, as opposed to Fulton’s run-first philosophy. And the Bulldogs have found plenty of success using that method, as they’ve outscored opponents 347-162 this season – or 38.6-18.0 per game. “They do a really good job of mixing the run and the pass,” Fulton coach Patrick Lower said. “It looks like they do on offense whatever the defense lets them do. If you play to stop the pass and give them the run, they’ll take it; and if you load up the box to stop the run, they throw it. “The defense can never be right; whatever you take away, they’ll just do the other thing. They’re a very good football team, and we have our work cut out for us.” Quarterback Will Gustafson makes the Bulldogs (9-0) go. He’s
7
FIRST-ROUND EXTRA | Sauk Valley Media
How they stack up:
Sauk Valley Media • October 31, 2019
| FIRST-ROUND EXTRA
8
8-man • Polo Marcos (9-0) • First-round bye
Defense has dominated all year long in Polo BY ERIC INGLES eingles@saukvalley.com 815-632-2543 @Eric_Ingles
How they stack up:
Polo Marcos
constricting, we’ve got our tackles getting in there, our corners are doing their job. Everyone is doing their job to help others.” In the 114 8-man football games The Marcos allowed 14 points in in Illinois that did not involve Polo each of the first two games they this season, Illinois’ 8-man teams played – Week 1 against Danville scored a total of 3,576 points. That Schlarman and Week 3 against Jace Tucker Alex averages out to more than 31 points Mumford Bunker Hill – but have allowed 34 Coffey Davies per game in a brand of football that total points in the six games since. Polo Polo Polo can often lead to high scores. “There were some times early in senior senior senior But Polo’s defense brought that the season where we’d fall off in the “I see everybody that comes in and second quarter,” Mumford said. “It scoring average down by quite it seems like they want to be there,” was all just keeping our cool and a bit. The Marcos pitched two Coffey said. “Last year we were shutouts, held three other teams staying calm and collected, even if under 10 points, and never allowed bringing up freshmen just to get in we had the lead, that was helping more than 14 points in any of their just because we needed them. This us stop those teams from scoring if year, if someone goes in, we have games this year. we got tired or started to fall off.” a choice. There’s someone else, so Eight times this year, including The defensive dominance came you have to work for your spot. You to a head Week 9 in a 46-6 win over Alden-Hebron’s game against the can tell when someone gets in there, Pawnee, when the Marcos allowed Marcos in Week 6, an 8-man team they have to fight for their spot.” in Illinois allowed 62 or more three first downs and 98 total yards. Among other 8-man teams in points. Polo allowed 62 all year. “We go into every game thinkIllinois, no one else has anywhere “Everybody’s flowing to the ball ing we’re the tougher team on the close to Polo’s mark for shutting and gang-tackling,” Polo senior field,” Mumford said. “Whether the teams down. Illinois School for the conditions are crappy or amazing, Tucker Mumford said. “Even our Deaf has allowed the second-fewbackups who get into the game, we’re going to play hard no matter est total points in the state, 174, they don’t change how we play. what, and we’re going to do the but has played two fewer games They bring the same energy on best of our abilities to keep you defense and the same fundamental than Polo. In the eight games Polo from moving the football.” won on the field (ISD forfeited their principles we work on in practice Polo has Week 10 off, getting Week 2 matchup), Polo has allowed a first-round bye for the 8-man to work on stopping teams.” an average of 7.75 points per game. playoffs and awaiting the winner Mumford has played a huge role The other unbeaten team in 8-man between Metro-East Lutheran and in that defense, with six sacks, football in Illinois, Milford Cissna three fumble recoveries and three Lowpoint-Washburn. Park, has allowed 22.9 points per interceptions. With no specific team to prepare He leads the team in tackles with game. Flanagan-Cornell-Woodland for this week, the Marcos are just 58, and plenty of other Marcos has allowed 23.3 points per game. weight training and conditioning. have chipped in, with Alex Davies “Everybody knows their job to a “This week is going to be more recording 52 tackles, Cole Faivre T,” Coffey said. “Last year we did fundamentals and working on what adding 50, and Jace Coffey making stuff well and knew our roles, but we need to get better at that we’ve 48. In all, 20 different Marcos have didn’t always perform very well. noticed throughout the season,” made at least one tackle this year. Mumford said. This year, we’ve got our ends
Wishing All Area Teams
Angelo’s
Angelo’s II 2525 E. Lincolnway, Sterling 815-625-5451
Angelo’s Delivery 1804 Locust St., Sterling 815-625-5000 SM-ST28651-1031
Angelo’s III 800 N. Galena Ave., Dixon 815-285-0055
17 22 31 54 72 52 24 35
Offensive starters
Tucker Mumford Alex Davies Jace Coffey Joey Bardell Julian Warzack Brady Clark Cole Faivre Kahlil Sankey
6-4 6-0 5-10 5-10 5-7 5-9 5-10 6-2
170 160 200 145 180 215 195 180
6-4 170 Sr 5-9 215 Jr. 5-10 200 Sr. 5-10 155 Jr. 6-0 160 Sr. 5-10 195 Jr. 5-9 150 Jr. 5-7 140 Sr.
2019 leaders
Rushing • Jace Coffey 80 rushes, 832 yards, 12 TDs • Alex Davies 89-560 yards, 10 TDs • Tucker Mumford 49-687, 15 TDs • Jesse Powell 42-349, 4 TDs Passing • Tucker Mumford 12-28, 152 yards, 5 TDs, 2 INTs Receiving • Joey Bardell 5 catches, 58 yards, 1 TD • Scott Prerost 5-40, 3 TDs • Jace Coffey 2-54, 1 TD
Results
Aug. 30 Marcos 54, Schlarman (5-3) 14 Sept. 6 Marcos 1, Illinois School for the Deaf (2-4) 0 (forfeit) Sept. 13 Marcos 44, Bunker Hill (0-9) 14 Sept. 20 Marcos 56, Westminster Christian (1-7) 0 Sept. 27 Marcos 52, Metro-East Lutheran (5-4) 8 Oct. 4 Marcos 64, Alden-Hebron (1-7) 12 Oct. 11 Marcos 44, Lake Forest Academy (4-4) 0 Oct. 18 Marcos 34, River Ridge (6-3) 8 Oct. 25 Marcos 46, Pawnee (6-3) 6
saukvalley.com saukvalley.com saukvalley.com saukvalley.com saukvalley.com
Good Luck to all Surrounding Schools for Football Playoffs!
1500 Halo Way Sterling, IL 815-625-0980
WORK HARD. PLAY HARD
103 W. 3rd St., Sterling, IL 815-548-9550 SM-ST28357-1031
SM-ST28654-1031
Sr Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. So.
Defensive starters
DE 17 Mumford NT 52 Clark DE 31 Coffey LB 10 Jesse Powell LB 22 Davies LB 24 Faivre CB 13 Parker Wolber CB 15 Brody Glawe
Good Luck to all Surrounding Schools for Football Playoffs!
Good Luck in the Playoffs! 608 12th Ave., Rock Falls 815-625-5163
QB RB RB E G C G E