Three Rivers Rock

Conference Preview 2022 Three Rivers Rock

Erie-Prophetstown Panthers

2021 record: 8-3 Coach: Jesse Abbott Worth noting: The Panthers finished last season strong, winning eight straight games after an 0-2 start before bowing out in the second round of the 2A playoffs. It was their first trip to the postseason since making three in a row from 201214. … There are big shoes to fill from a year ago, starting with do-everything QB Kolby Franks. The Sauk Valley Media Player of the Year, Franks led the SVM area in rushing (190 carries, 1,566 yards 24 TDs) and was fourth with 975 passing yards and nine TDs, completing 59 of his 86 passes, with eight interceptions. … E-P also must replace second-leading rusher and leading receiver Connor Sibley, as well as fourth-leading rusher and second-leading receiver Mason Misfeldt. … Senior Jase Grunder looks to help fill those roles, after he ran for 422 yards and nine TDs on 55 rushes last year, while catching 13 passes for 150 yards; he was also the second-leading tackler with 109 stops (59 solo). … Senior Clay Hockaday will anchor an inexperienced line on both sides of the ball, while Jack Minssen will likely start at quarterback.

Monmouth-Roseville Titans

2021 record: 6-4 Coach: Jeremy Adolphson Worth noting: The Titans return 18 letter-winners from last year’s playoff team. They have five seniors who received all-conference recognition, including four three-year starters. There are seven returning starters on offense and five on defense. ... Senior quarterback Silas Braun threw for 1,451 yards and 15 TDs, and also rushed 507 yards and 13 TDs on 86 carries. Senior running backs CJ Johnson (484 yards, 3 TDs rushing; 153 yards, 2 TDs receiving) and Jerome Jackson (235 yards, 4 TDs) are also back. Johnson had 87 tackles from his linebacker position. The Titans finshed second behind Erie-Prophetstown in the TRAC Rock, reaching the 3A playoffs. Adolphson looks for similar success this year. “We believe that we will be in the hunt for another playoff berth and conference championship,” he said.

Morrison Mustangs

2021 record: 2-7 Coach: Steve Snider Worth noting: The Mustangs must replace 15 seniors from last year’s roster of 40 players, including running backs Alex Anderson and Thomas Dauphin, and wideouts Trey Strating and Andre McQueen. … Junior Carson Strating looks to be the workhorse again this fall, after leading Morrison in rushes (204), yards (846) and touchdowns (5) last season, while Logan Baker will return at fullback. … Danny Mouw also returns at QB, having thrown for 548 yards, 4 TDs and five interceptions while completing 38 of his 71 passes last fall. … WR Chase Newman joins Carson Strating as a returning second-team all-conference player from a year ago.

Orion Chargers

2021 record: 4-5 Coach: Chip Filler Worth noting: After falling short of the playoffs last season, the Chargers, who made the postseason six consecutive seasons from 2014-19 and nine times total since Filler took over in 2009, look to get back on track with an experienced roster that returns eight starters on both sides of the ball. ... Defensively, Orion brings back its entire line in ends Duncan Adamson and Luke Dunlap, who was all-conference last year, and tackles Kale Stropes and Quincy Perry. Honorable mention all-conference pick Lane Johnson returns at linebacker, while the secondary features four-year starter Cole Kratzberg at safety and Keagan Blessman and Kameron Weaver at corner. ... Offensively, Kratzberg is back at running back after rushing for more than 1,100 yards last season. He’s closing in on the program’s career rushing record. Also back are Johnson at fullback, Stropes, Perry, Nolan Loete and allconference pick Dunlap on the line and Blayden Murdock and Anthony Clark at receiver. ... The Chargers do have some key spots to fill at quarterback, left tackle, two outside linebackers and a safety. Senior Drake Gunn, junior Caiden Mielke and freshman Kale Filler – Chip Filler’s son – are in the mix at QB. Phillip Dochterman and Cooper Holke are battling at left tackle, while sophomore Maddux Anderson (RB/LB), junior Kaden Edmunds (RB/ LB) and senior Connor Green (WR/DB), who missed the last two seasons, are expected to make an impact.

Riverdale Rams

2021 record: 1-8 Worth noting: The Rams have canceled their varsity season due to lack of numbers.

Rockridge Rockets

2021 record: 5-5 Coach: Sam Graves Worth noting: The Rockets have a lot of questions to answer heading into the new season, with just four returning starters on both sides of the ball and replacing a three-year starter at quarterback and four of five offensive lineman. Senior Jacob Bayne faces the task of taking over for Breyden Deem at quarterback. Graves said Bayne has “worked hard for this spot.” ... The one area Rockridge has no questions about is at running back, where senior Peyton Locke returns. Locke (DB) and Connor Deem (WR/CB) return as two-way starters. ... Landon Bull is the lone returning offensive lineman, with Reese Fince back on the D line, Kameron Bohnsack at receiver and Alex Zarlatanes at linebacker.

Sherrard Tigers

2021 record: 0-9 Coach: Brad Johnston Worth noting: With only four seniors lost to graduation, the Tigers return plenty of experience as they look to turn around the program after a winless 2021. Senior Walker Anderson will lead the way after earning honorable mention all-conference honors last fall as an offensive tackle and linebacker. Also back are seniors Ryley Zippe (OL/DL) and Brody Bernier (WR/DB), along with juniors Holland Anderson (QB/ DB), Noah Fender (WR/ DB), Riley Colbrese (RB/ LB), Hunter Timerman (WR/ DB), Bailey Nelson (WR/ DL) and Zach Shields (OL/ DL). Senior Izaac Novitske (RB/DB), juniors Kyler Schmidt, Andy Johnson, Parker Adams and Kyler Gross, who are all receivers/ defensive backs, juniors Colton Dean, Jacob Werner and Collin Richardason, who are linemen, and sophomores Garrett Woodward (RB/DB), Aidan Geyssens (OL/DL) and Grady Steele (OL/DL) are newcomers expected to make an impact.