Western Big 6

Conference Preview 2022 Western Big 6

Alleman Pioneers

2021 record: 0-9 Coach: Fritz Dieudonne Worth noting: The Pioneers scored 14 points all season and suffered seven shutout losses. They gave up at least 48 points in every game (489 total), and allowed an average of 54.3 points per game. … Alleman brings back three of its top five running backs in Andrew Torres (134 rushes, 327 yards in 2021), Lincoln Dorsey (32-195, TD) and Jake Casel (23-23), as well as quarterback Quentin Fonseca (22 for 75, 130 yards TD, 3 INTs), who are all seniors this fall.

Galesburg Silver Streaks

2021 record: 4-5 Coach: Derrek Blackwell Worth noting: The Silver Streaks lost dynamic twin duo Alex and Dre Egipciaco to graduation; they’re both now playing at Monmouth College. Alex led the Streaks in rushing (89-599, 3 TDs), and Dre was the top receiver (24-379, 4 TDs). … Cameron Aguirre (108 rushes, 541 yards, 8 TDs) and Amari Richardson (31220, 4 TDs) look to take over the load in the ground game, while QB Tristan Legate returns after throwing for 962 yards, 11 TDs and 10 INTs in 2021. … Mikey Eiker is the leading receiver back this season (10-208, 2 TDs) last year. … The defense only allowed 149 points last year.

Geneseo Maple Leafs

2021 record: 3-6 Coach: Larry Johnsen Jr. Worth noting: The Maple Leafs have missed the

playoffs three consecutive seasons; prior to that, they missed the postseason only three times total since the playoffs began in 1974. They haven’t had a winning record since 2016. … Geneseo returns almost every skill-position player from a year ago, led by Jaden Weinzierl (8 rushes, 439 yards, 6 TDs; 29 catches, 441 yards, 5 TDs), Josh Steines (86-329, 5 TDs), William Taylor (26 catches, 219 yards) and Calvin Pettit (9 catches, 177 yards, TD). … In the first year of running the spread offense, quarterback A.J. Weller threw for 1,105 yards and eight touchdowns as a sophomore; he also ran for 248 yards and two scores. … The Leafs outscored opponents 221-187 last season.

Moline Maroons

2021 record: 9-2 Coach: Mike Morrissey Worth noting: The Maroons won the conference title last season, the first time any team besides Sterling had won it since the Golden Warriors joined in 2019. Moline outscored opponents 424157. … Leading rusher Riley Fuller returns after running for 1,188 yards and 9 TDs last fall. Pablo Perez (60-322, 5 TDs) and Mason Woods (50395, TD) will likely help carry the load. … Moline lost quarterback Alec Ponder (1,664 passing yards, 18 TDs, 14 INTs) to graduation. … Four of the top five receivers from last year’s squad are also gone. Grant Sibley caught 15 passes for 209 yards and a score last year as a junior.

Quincy Blue Devils

2021 record: 4-5 Coach: Rick Little Worth noting: The Blue Devils will likely rely heavily on dual-threat quarterback Adon Byquist. He was second on the team in rushing last year (438 yards, 8 TDs) as a sophomore, and threw for 1,208 yards and 13 touchdowns with seven interceptions. … Brian Douglas ran for 264 yards and three TDs last season as a junior, while Greg Quince (33 catches, 573 yards, 3 TDs) and Jack Mettemeyer (14-225, 7 TDs) return as the top wideouts.

Rock Island Rocks

2021 record: 6-4 Coach: Ben Hammer Worth noting: The Rocks outscored opponents 300-223 last year in the regular season. Their only two league losses came to Moline in Week 4 (63-0) and Sterling in Week 7 (5635); those were the only two games they allowed more than 30 points in the regular season. ... Their season ended with a 94-72 loss to Springfield in the first round of the 6A playoffs. … Quonterrion Brooks ran for 978 yards and 11 TDs last season, and also caught six passes for 125 yards and a TD. … Rock Island must replace starting QB Eli Reese (1,610 yards passing, 20 TDs, 9 INTs).

Sterling Golden Warriors

2021 record: 7-3 Coach: Jon Schlemmer Worth noting: The Golden Warriors bring back the league’s leading rusher in

the regular season a year ago in Antonio Tablante, who ran for 1,092 yards and 14 TDs. He has an offer from Western Illinois. … AJ Kested, who ran for 268 yards and four scores a year ago, was also a force in the Sterling defensive backfield. … Cale Ledergerber stepped up as a sophomore and ran for 291 yards and a TD, and will likely look to increase his workload this fall. … Sterling lost Drew Kested (455 rush yards, 639 pass yards, 11 total TDs) from its QB rotation from a year ago, but return Garrett Polson (113 pass yards, 2 TDs, 3 INTs), and also Kael Ryan, who missed last fall after tearing his right ACL late in the spring season. … Tommy Tate (20 catches, 186 yards in 2021) will lead the way for an inexperienced receiver corps.

United Township Panthers

2021 record: 4-5 Coach: Nick Welch Worth noting: The Panthers just missed the playoffs last year, mixing some explosive plays with a young offensive line that “got bullied a little bit,” according to Welch. He hopes to be more physical up front and also likes the speed and tenacity of his defense. … Quarterback Matthew Kelly returns after rushing for 256 yards and throwing for 1,158 yards and 12 TDs. Welch expects three quality – but inexperienced – running backs to take some of the pressure off of his QB, while he believes the young receiving corps can provide some explosive plays.