SVM _Prep Football Preview_082824

4 football storylines to watch in the Sauk Valley area in 2024

By DRAKE LANSMAN dlansman@shawmedia.com

The Illinois high school football season began Monday with the start of preseason practices. Here are five of the top storylines to watch in the Sauk Valley area this season.

Can Sterling reach the playoffs for the 10th straight year?

The Golden Warriors have been a model of success in Class 5A the last couple of decades, missing the playoffs only once (2013) since 2001. Sneaking in at 4-5 last year was rare for Sterling, although it followed by drilling undefeated No. 1 seed Chicago Payton 50-0 as the No. 16 seed before falling 49-8 to St. Francis.

Coach Jon Schlemmer says the team is young this season, and it will be up to him and the coaching staff to quickly acclimate the new players. The graduation of linemen Lucas Austin, who went to West Virginia, and Kendric Muhammad, also left two holes that will need to be filled. The backfield also will have a new look after the graduation of Andrew Klaver and Cale Ledergerber.

Quarterback Drew Nettleton and RB/DE Wyatt Cassens return for Sterling, along with dynamic slot receiver Kaedon Phillips, who looks to be utilized in a variety of ways offensively this season in addition to playing defensive back.

Schlemmer also listed seniors Jimmy Wadsworth (WR/SS) and Braden Birdsley (OL/LB) along with sophomore AJ Coleman (OL/DL) among his top returning players.

Can Dixon reach the playoffs for the 10th straight season?

Like Sterling in Class 5A, Dixon is vying for its 10th straight playoff appearance in Class 4A.

It was a season to remember for the Dukes last year as senior quarterback Tyler Shaner helped Dixon finish 9-2, earn a No. 3 seed in the playoffs and beat Plano 10-7 for their first playoff win since 2017 when it finished 10-2. The Dukes fell 31-21 to St. Laurence in the second round.

However, Shaner has since graduated, and coach Jared Shaner will look to reload in order to keep Sterling’s playoff streak going in his fifth year as coach.

GoodLuckToAllAreaTeams!

Another Shaner, Cullen, takes the reins at QB after playing wide receiver last season. Both are sons of the coach. Shaner’s top returning players include seniors Eli Davidson (LB/WR), Tyler Zepezauer (DL), Tyson Dambman (WR/DB) and Aidan Hoggard (DL) along with junior Landon Knugge (RB/DB).

Can Amboy return to the 8-man championship game?

The Amboy-LaMoille-Ohio co-op ran through the Illinois 8-Man Football Association season an undefeated 13-0 while scoring over 50 points per game en route to the state championship. Its closest contest, a 48-42 win over Ridgewood, became a distant memory after a 74-22 victory over Ridgewood in the title game.

The Clippers lost some key all-state pieces to graduation, including two-way standout tight end/defensive end Brennan Blaine, lineman Landon Montavon and tailback/linebacker Landon Whelchel.

However, they return 2,500 yards of offensive production, led by senior quarterback Eddie Jones, who was 50-for-72 passing for 1,269 yards, 22 touchdowns and one interception last season. Quinn

Leffelman also is back to lead the backfield after rushing for 913 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. He also compiled 83 tackles, 14 sacks and 15 tackles for loss on defense.

That looks to be plenty to work with for coach Scott Payne, who also included seniors Brayden Klein (RB/LB) and Caleb Sugars (OL/DL) and sophomore Evan Flanagan (OL/DL) among his top players.

How will Morrison fare in the NUIC?

The Mustangs make their debut in the Northwest Upstate Illini Conference after finishing 9-3 and second in the Three Rivers Rock. Last season’s nine wins in Nathan Vandermyde’s first season as coach were the most by Morrison since going 11-1 in 2019.

The NUIC is a bit smaller conference by average classification enrollment at 275; TRAC Rock teams averaged a 373 enrollment last season. Morrison’s classification enrollment last season was 286.5.

The Mustangs have a solid returning core to rely on, including senior quarterback/defensive back Colton Bielema and junior running back/DB Brady Anderson.

Western Big 6

By DRAKE LANSMAN dlansman@shawmedia.com

Galesburg Silver Streaks

Coach: Shawn Hickey

2023 record: 2-7, 1-5

Worth noting: This is the first season as head coach for Shawn Hickey, a 1996 Galesburg grad and former athlete who was named interim head coach following Derek Blackwell’s resignation on June 7. Hickey coached football at Galesburg in various capacities from 2000-2011, also serving as a color commentator during WGIL radio broadcasts of football games the last seven years. According to Hickey, Galesburg’s top returning players are seniors Jamar Range (RB/OLB), Celestin Matala (OL/DL), Asher Whitcomb (OL/ DL), Kenny Ward (WR/OLB/DB) and junior Demetrius Watson (WR/ DB). The Silver Streaks struggled on defense last year, allowing over 38 points per game. Galesburg has not had a winning season since 2016 when it went 8-3 and reached the playoffs in Class 6A.

Schedule: Aug. 30 at Dunlap; Sept. 6 Limestone; Sept. 13 Morrison; Sept. 20 Sterling; Sept. 27 at Geneseo; Oct. 4 Quincy; Oct. 11 at Rock Island; Oct. 18 Moline; Oct. 25 at United Township.

Geneseo Maple Leafs

Coach: Matthew Furlong 2023 record: 6-4, 3-3 Worth noting: This is the debut season at Geneseo for coach Matthew Furlong, who was the defensive coordinator for Cary-Grove High School when it won Illinois state championships in 2018, ‘21, and ‘23. … Furlong is a Davenport Assumption High School and Augustana College grad. He follows Larry Johnsen Jr., who coached Geneseo for 20 seasons. Geneseo will look to adjust to the graduation of quarterback AJ Weller, an all-conference first-team selection and three-year starter. The Leafs are very short on starting experience. According to Furlong, Geneseo’s top returning players are seniors Cole Freeman (OL/DL) and Aaron Bechter (OL/DL), along with juniors Jackson McAvoy (QB/DB), Kye Weinzierl (RB/ LB) and Quinn VanHyfte (RB/DB). The Maple Leafs held five of its six Big 6 opponents to 21 points or less last season.

Schedule: Aug. 30 Chicago Noble/ Comer; Sept. 6 at Clinton (WI); Sept. 13

Moline; Sept. 20 at United Township; Sept. 27 Galesburg; Oct. 4 at Sterling; Oct. 11 Thornridge; Oct. 18 Quincy; Oct. 25 at Rock Island

Moline Maroons

Coach: Mike Morrissey 2023 record: 4-5, 2-4

Worth noting: Last year’s 4-5 finish was Moline’s fewest wins in a full season under Mike Morrissey in his eight seasons as coach after backto-back 9-2 seasons; Moline went 2-7 in the 2016-17 season in Mike Tracey’s last season. Moline returns seven starters on offense, including senior quarterback Eli Taylor, and four on defense. According to Morrissey, among Moline’s top players are seniors Adrian Cooper (RB/LB), Jenaro Sepeda (OL/DL), Jack Sibley (RB/DB), along with sophomores Eli Warren (RB/DB) and Marc Cary (RB/ DB). The Maroons open the season with a big test against Rockwood Summit, a team from Missouri that went 10-1 and 5-0 in its district last season; the Falcons are coached by Moline graduate and former football standout Eric Stewart.

Schedule: Aug. 30 Fenton Rockwood Summit (MO); Sept. 6 at Benet; Sept. 13 at Geneseo; Sept. 20 Quincy; Sept. 27 at Rock Island; Oct. 4 Thornton; Oct. 11 United Township; Oct. 18 at Galesburg; Oct. 25 Sterling.

Quincy Blue Devils

Coach: Rick Little 2023 record: 11-1, 6-0

Worth noting: Quincy is led by single-game, single-season, and career passing yards leader Bradyn Little again after an appearance in the Class 7A state quarterfinals after winning its first 11 games. Little, a Quincy University football commit, is on pace to crack the IHSA Top 20 in career passing yards, completions, and touchdowns. The reigning WB6 MVP enters the season with 6,533 career passing yards, 436 completions with 73 touchdowns. The Blue Devils also return last year’s leading rusher in the conference in Jeraius Rice; they are the team to beat in the Big 6.According to Little, Quincy’s other top returning players include seniors Tykell Hammers (WR/DB), Rico Clay (WR/DB), and Caedon Johannessen (WR). The line is anchored by junior left tackle Todd Smith, a 6-foot-6, 280-pounder who was also heavyweight wrestling champion in the Big 6.

Schedule: Aug. 30 at Quincy Notre Dame; Sept. 6 Alton; Sept. 13 Rock Island; Sept. 20 at Moline; Sept. 27 United Township; Oct. 4 at Galesburg; Oct. 11 Sterling; Oct. 18 at Geneseo; Oct. 25 at Capital City (MO).

Rock Island Rocks

Coach: Fritz Dieudonné 2023 record: 3-6, 3-3 Worth noting: Fritz Dieudonné is in his second season as Rocky’s head coach following two years at Alleman, which is not fielding a varsity team for the second straight year; he was previously the defensive coordinator at Rock Island. QB Jae’vion Clark-Pugh is statistically the top returning passer in Big 6 play behind Quincy’s Bradyn Little. The Rocks last reached the playoffs in 2021 when they went 6-4. … According to Dieudonné, Rocky’s top returning players include seniors ClarkPugh, Isaiss Duarte (LB/RB), Josh Farrance (LB), V’Jay Garrard (FS), and junior Avian Thomas (CB). Duarte was a first-team all-Big 6 selection and Garrard was on the second-team. Schedule: Aug. 30 Minooka; Sept. 6 Dunlap; Sept. 13 at Quincy; Sept. 20 at Bradley-Bourbonnais; Sept. 27 Moline; Oct. 4 at United Township; Oct. 11 Galesburg; Oct. 18 at Sterling; Oct. 25 Geneseo.

Sterling Golden Warriors

Coach: Jon Schlemmer 2023 record: 5-6, 4-2 Worth noting: Last year’s 5-6 finish after going 1-1 in the playoffs was Sterling’s fewest wins in a full season since it went 5-4 in 2013; that was the only year the Golden Warriors have missed the playoffs under Schlemmer. Sterling has missed the playoffs only once since 2001. Sterling just snuck into the Class 5A playoffs last season before drilling undefeated No. 1 seed Chicago Payton 50-0 as the No. 16 seed; the Golden Warriors fell 49-8 to St. Francis in the second round. Coach Schlemmer says he will have a young team this season after Sterling graduated four All-Big 6 first teamers in linemen Lucas Austin and Kendrick Muhammad, and tailbacks Andre Klaver and Cale Ledergerber. The returning connection between QB Drew Nettleton and speedy slot receiver Kaedon Phillips looks to be a focus outside of Sterling’s typically strong run game. According to Schlemmer, Sterling’s top returning players are seniors Phillips, Jimmy Wadsworth (WR/SS), Braden Birdsley

Alex T. Paschal – apaschal@shawmedia.com

Sterling’s Kaedon Phillips intercepts a pass intended for Quincy’s Tykell Hammers last season in Sterling. Phillips and Hammers are two of the top players back in the Big 6 this season.

(OL/LB), and junior Wyatt Cassens (RB/DE) and sophomore AJ Coleman (OL/DL).

Schedule: Aug. 30 Metamora; Sept. 6 Niles Notre Dame; Sept. 13 United Township; Sept. 20 at Galesburg; Sept. 27 at Beloit Turner (WI); Oct. 4 Geneseo; Oct. 11 at Quincy; Oct. 18 Rock Island; Oct. 25 at Moline.

United Township Panthers

Coach: Nick Welch

2023 record: 4-5, 2-4

Worth noting: The Panthers are another team looking to a new starting quarterback to start the season in senior Christian Peterson after the graduation of QB Matthew Kelley, who was the No. 2 leading passer in the Big 6 after Quincy’s Bradyn Little. Peterson brings some varsity experience filling in for Kelley. … UT has not had a winning season since the 5-1 COVID season. .UT’s last playoff appearance came in 2001 when it went 8-2 under Mike Tracey. According to sixth-year coach Nick Welch, UT’s top returning players are Peterson, senior Cohen Parsons (WR/ DB), and juniors Isaiah Navarrete (RB), Tristan Wallareb (OL) and Eli Oppenheimer (OL).

Schedule: Aug. 30 at LaSalle-Peru; Sept. 6 Chicago Noble/Muchin; Sept. 13 at Sterling; Sept. 20 Geneseo; Sept. 27 at Quincy; Oct. 4 Rock Island; Oct. 11 at Moline; Oct. 18 at Eau Claire Regis (WI); Oct. 25 Galesburg.

By EDDIE CARIFIO ecarifio@shawmedia.com

Byron Tigers

Coach: Jeff Boyer

2023 record: 14-0, 9-0

Worth noting: The defending Class 3A state champions have appeared in four of the past five state championship games, winning in 2021 and finishing second in 2018 and 2019. They are 64-5 in the past five full seasons. They appear to be as loaded as ever, starting with junior Caden Considine, who ran for 153 yards and two scores in a 69-7 win over Mt. Carmel in the title game. He finished the year with more than 1,600 yards and 27 touchdowns. He returns as does fellow all-state selection senior Jared Claunch blocking for him on the line. Senior Nolan Brass joins Claunch in returning on the line, and Boyer said he may be the best lineman in the conference. Andrew Talbert split time at quarterback last year but ran for three touchdowns against the Golden Aces. He’s back under center and at free safety, where he was the starter. Schedule: Aug. 30 at Rock Falls; Sept. 6 Rockford Lutheran; Sept. 13 at Rockford Christian; Sept. 20 at North Boone; Sept. 27 Oregon; Oct. 4 GenoaKingston; Oct. 11 at Winnebago; Oct. 18 at Dixon; Oct. 25 Stillman Valley

Dixon Dukes

Coach: Jared Shaner

2023 record: 9-2, 8-1

Worth noting: The Dukes had two losses last year – one to 3A champ Byron, the other to 4A runner-up St. Laurence in the second round of the playoffs. But the team returns 13 starters from that team, including eight on defense. Cullen Shaner caught 27 passes for 493 yards and seven touchdowns from his brother Tyler Shaner last year. Cullen Shaner, now a senior, will take over for his brother at quarterback. Senior Eli Davidson, who like Shaner is a returning first-team selection on the Sauk Valley Media AllArea Team, is likely to be a top target after 22 catches for 247 yards last year. He also had 148 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. Senior Tyson Dambman is likely to be the top target after 38 catches for 377 yards and five scores last year. He also had 84 tackles as a defensive back. Dixon has made nine straight postseasons, but last year was the most wins and longest playoff run since a 10-2 mark in 2017.

Schedule: Aug. 30 Stillman Valley; Sept. 6 Oregon; Sept. 13 at Rock

Big Northern Conference Preview 2024

Falls; Sept. 20 at Genoa-Kingston; Sept. 27 Rockford Lutheran; Oct. 4 at Winnebago; Oct. 11 Rockford Christian; Oct. 18 Byron; Oct. 25 at North Boone

Genoa-Kingston Cogs

Coach: Cameron Davekos

2023 record: 4-5, 4-5

Worth noting: The Cogs and Rockford Lutheran both entered Week 9 last year with 4-4 records. The Royal Lions got the win 20-12 along with the playoff berth as the Cogs missed the postseason for the first time since 2014. With five starters back on each side of the ball, the Cogs should be in the playoff picture again. Quarterback Nathan Kleba returns and will be taking on duties at outside linebacker as well. There are plenty of options to haul the rock in the Cogs’ wing-T, including seniors Tyler Atterberry, Nolan Kline and Peyton Meyer. The linebacker spot should be a strength with Kleba and Kline joining senior John Swinehart and junior Owen Zaccard.

Schedule: Aug. 30 Rockford

Christian; Sept. 6 North Boone; Sept. 13 at Oregon; Sept. 20 Dixon; Sept. 27 Winnebago; Oct. 4 at Byron; Oct. 11 Stillman Valley; Oct. 18 at Rock Falls; Oct. 25 at Rockford Lutheran

North Boone Vikings

Coach: Ryan Kelley 2023 record: 6-4, 6-3

Worth noting: The Vikings were back in the postseason for the second time in Kelley’s three-year tenure but are looking for their first playoff win since 2018, their only trip past the first round since 2004. North Boone has qualified for five of the last six postseasons. To make it six of seven, two-way senior lineman Patrick McCarty will play a key role. Junior Bradley Dahl figures to be a key piece at wide receiver and defensive end.

Schedule: Aug. 30 Oregon; Sept. 6 at Genoa-Kingston; Sept. 13 at Winnebago; Sept. 20 Byron; Sept. 27 at Stillman Valley; Oct. 4 Rock Falls; Oct. 11 Rockford Lutheran; Oct. 18 at Rockford Christian; Oct. 25 Dixon

Oregon Hawks

Coach: Broc Kundert 2023 record: 5-5, 5-4

Worth noting: North Boone coach Ryan Kelley said the Hawks could surprise some people this season. And there are a lot of weapons returning for a team that made its first playoff

appearance since 2014. They hadn’t won more than three games in a season between the playoff appearances. But a stacked defensive line that includes seniors Josh Crandall, Briggs Sellers, Seth Rote and Andrew Young will look to change that. Sellers, Rote and Young all play on the O-line as well, with Crandall playing tight end. Logan Weems, a Sauk Valley all-area first-team selection, was a workhorse with 223 carries for 1,111 yards and 14 scores. Crandall and senior Hunter Bartel figure to be key targets for senior quarterback Jack Washburn. Junior Cooper Johnson may be able to help alleviate the workload of Weems.

Schedule: Aug. 30 at North Boone; Sept. 6 at Dixon; Sept. 13 GenoaKingston; Sept. 20 Winnebago; Sept. 27 at Byron; Oct. 4 Stillman Valley; Oct. 11 at Rock Falls; Oct. 18 at Rockford Lutheran; Oct. 25 Rockford Christian

Rock Falls Rockets

Coach: Kevin Parker

2023 record: 2-7, 2-7

Worth noting: After a winless 2022 campaign, the Rockets had a pair of wins in 2023 – the most wins in a single season since back-to-back 3-6 marks in 2016 and 2017. They’re searching for their first winning season since 2009 and first playoff berth since 1992. Easton Canales is back after starting at quarterback last year, with Austin Castaneda one of his top returning targets. Both seniors also played linebacker. Senior Korbin Oligney played running back and linebacker last year.

Schedule: Aug. 30 Byron; Sept. 6 at Stillman Valley; Sept. 13 Dixon; Sept. 20 Rockford Lutheran; Sept. 27 at Rockford Christian; Oct. 4 at North Boone; Oct. 11 Oregon; Oct. 18 GenoaKingston; Oct. 25 at Winnebago

Rockford Lutheran Crusaders

Coach: Jeff Luedke

2023 record: 5-5, 5-4

Worth noting: When Jeff Luedeke took over the team in 2022, the Crusaders hadn’t made the playoffs since 2016. He’s guided them to the playoffs in both of his seasons and a playoff win in 2022. Although he returns, he said there are new coaches on both sides of the ball, resulting in a new look for the team on offense and defense. Junior Gavin Sanders started last year in a big way, rushing for 305 yards and five touchdowns against Winnebago and kept up that momentum throughout the year.

Senior wide receiver David Ballard returns as well as fellow seniors Landon Schoenweiss (linebacker) and tight end Jack Behmer. Junior defensive end Julius Holt looks for a strong follow-up to his sophomore campaign.

Schedule: Aug. 30 at Winnebago; Sept. 6 at Byron; Sept. 13 Stillman Valley; Sept. 20 at Rock Falls; Sept. 27 at Dixon; Oct. 4 Rockford Christian; Oct. 11 at North Boone; Oct. 18 Oregon; Oct. 25 Genoa-Kingston

Stillman Valley Cardinals

Coach: Mike Lalor

2023 record: 6-5, 5-4

Worth noting: The Cardinals labored through the regular season, going 3-3 to start, but winning two straight battles against GenoaKingston (20-12) and Winnebago (2714)to lock up a berth before running into Byron in the final. But they picked up a playoff win for the fifth straight postseason. They look to get back to the playoffs as they have in every full season since a 4-5 mark in 2017. Seniors Michael Orlando and Henry Hildreth had big years last season as both were running backs and defensive backs. Brock Needs, also a senior, played fullback and middle linebacker last year.

Schedule: Aug. 30 at Dixon; Sept. 6 Rock Falls; Sept. 13 at Rockford Lutheran; Sept. 20 Rockford Christian; Sept. 27 North Boone; Oct. 4 at Oregon; Oct. 11 at Genoa-Kingston; Oct. 18 Winnebago; Oct. 25 at Byron

Winnebago Indians

Coach: Mark Helm

2023 record: 1-8, 1-8

Worth noting: The Indians followed their first playoff berth since 2017 with a one-win season, the only win coming in Week 2 with a 55-34 win over Rockford Christian. There’s a lot of returning blockers back to protect quarterback Mitchell Cunningham, including seniors Josh Cowman and Payton Booth. But the numbers are thin this year according to Helm making depth a concern for a team not only looking for a second playoff berth in three years but its first playoff win since 2013.

Schedule: Aug. 30 Rockford Lutheran; Sept. 6 at Rockford Christian; Sept. 13 North Boone; Sept. 20 at Oregon; Sept. 27 at GenoaKingston; Oct. 4 Dixon; Oct. 11 Byron; Oct. 18 at Stillman Valley; Oct. 25 Rock Falls

Three Rivers Mississippi Conference Preview 2024

By KEVIN HIERONYMUS khieronymus@shawmedia.com

Princeton

Coach: Ryan Pearson

Last season: 10-2, 5-0

Worth noting: The Tigers are reloading for another deep postseason run, looking to get over the quarterfinal hurdle that has stopped them the last three seasons. They are six-time defending Three Rivers Mississippi Division champions. Senior Noah LaPorte (eight TDs receiving, 46 tackles) is a Northwestern commit and two-way standout. Junior Casey Etheridge (1,897/29) and senior Ace Christiansen (738/8) combined for 1,635 yards rushing and 37 touchdowns last season. Junior Will Lott stepped in well taking over for all-state QB Teegan Davis, throwing for 1,024 yards and 11 TDs. Senior Cade Odell, a four-year varsity player, anchors the Tigers’ offensive line with classmate Anthony Vujanov on the left side along with junior center Rhett Pearson. The Tiger defense is anchored by senior stalwarts Ian Morris and Arthur Burden at linebacker and LaPorte and Christiansen at safety.

Schedule: Aug. 30 vs. Newman, Sept. 6 at Rockridge, Sept. 13 vs. Sherrard, Sept. 20 at Kewanee, Sept. 27 at Monmouth-Roseville, Oct. 4 vs. Hall, Oct. 11 at Mendota, Oct. 18 vs. Mercer County, Oct. 25 at ErieProphetstown

Hall-Putnam County

Coach: Logan Larson. Last season: 3-6, 1-4.

Worth noting: The Red Devils kick off a new era with Larson taking over as head coach. He previously was on staff for 2A state runner-up Athens. He said he was most attracted to Hall by its tradition and “community school.” He inherits a Red Devils program that looks to get back to some of its tradition. Hall is a combined 10-27 since its last winning season, 7-4 in 2019. Junior Braden Curran was a second-team all-conference selection at running back. He also plays defensive back. Larson also looks for big production from juniors Aiden Redcliff (RB/LB) and Jacob Mongan (OL/DL) and seniors Jack Jablonski (RB/WR/ DB) and Cameron Spradling (OL/DL). Schedule: Aug. 30 vs. Orion, Sept. 6 at Erie-Prophetstown, Sept. 13 vs. Mendota, Sept. 20 at Sherrard, Sept. 27 vs. Kewanee, Oct. 4 at Princeton, Oct.

11 vs. Monmouth-Roseville, Oct. 18 vs. Riverdale, Oct. 25 at Rockridge.

Kewanee

Coach: Matt Taylor.

Last season: 8-2, 4-1.

Worth noting: The Boilermakers have big shoes to fill replacing Brady Clark, who was a four-position, firstteam all-conference selection (QB/ DB/P/PK) and became the program’s all-time leading scorer. Senior Alex Duarte (RB/LB) was a two-way, firstteam all-conference pick last year, rushing for 797 yards and 11 TDs and recording 64 tackles. The Boilermakers bring back their top three receivers with seniors Ben Taylor (370, five TDs), who was chosen first-team all-conference, and Davonte Jordan (17-361-3) and junior Colson Welgat (12258-4). Senior Braden Conley (C) and Welgat (WR) received all-conference honorable mention on offense and Jordan (DB) gained honorable mention honors on defense. Kewanee is the only team besides Princeton to have won the Three Rivers Mississippi championship since 2018, having shared the title with the Tigers in 2021.

Schedule: Aug. 30 vs. E-P, Sept. 6 at Riverdale, Sept. 13 at MonmouthRoseville, Sept. 20 vs. Princeton, Sept. 27 at Hall, Oct. 4 vs. Mendota, Oct. 11 at Sherrard, Oct. 18 vs. Newman, Oct. 25 at Orion.

Mendota

Coach: Keegan Hill.

Last season: 1-8, 0-5.

Worth noting: Hill said the Trojans had a productive summer and look for that to continue in the fall camp.

Seniors Gabriel Vallego (OL/DL) and Braiden Freeman (RB/WR/DB) are both three-year starters. Junior Aden Tillman is expected to step in at quarterback. Other top players include senior Angil Serrano (OL/ DL) and junior Keegan Beetz, (WR/ DB). “The fresh schedule this fall will be fun to play some teams we haven’t seen before. We graduated six seniors which means a lot of young players got experience and will return this season,” Hill said.

Schedule: Aug. 30 vs. Riverdale, Sept. 7 at Newman, Sept. 13 at Hall, Sept. 20 vs. Monmouth-Roseville, Sept. 27 vs. Sherrard, Oct. 4 at Kewanee, Oct. 11 vs. Princeton, Oct. 18 vs. E-P, Oct. 25 at Mercer County.

straight Class 3A quarterfinal appearances.

Monmouth-Roseville

Coach: Jeremy Adolphson.

Last season: 6-5.

Worth noting: The Titans return 19 lettermen with seven returning starters on both sides of the ball including Payton Thompson (992 yards rushing; 170 yards receiving, 15 TDs, 98 tackles, four interceptions), Andy Myers (35-69-530 passing, three TDs; 508 yards, eight TDs rushing) and Andrew Way (78 tackles, one INT; 275 yards, three TDs rushing). Adolphson, who is in 14th year at Mon-Rose, said this will be the biggest and strongest team he’s had in his 24-year coaching career. “We have a very experienced senior class and several juniors who played key roles as sophomores. I think our depth on both sides of the line and in the offensive backfield should be our strength. Our main weakness is the lack of top end speed, however we have several good athletes who are aggressive and will play fast.”

Schedule: Aug. 30 vs. Mercer County, Sept. 6 at Orion, Sept. 13 vs. Kewanee, Sept. 20 at Mendota, Sept. 27 vs. Princeton, Oct. 4 vs. Sherrard, Oct. 11 at Hall, Oct. 18 vs. Rockridge, Oct. 25 at Newman.

Sherrard

Coach: Brandon Johnston.

Last season: 3-6.

Worth noting: The Tigers make the switch from the Three Rivers Rock Division side, finishing fifth last year at 2-4. Most of the Tigers’ skill players graduated last year, but they return five linemen who each started at least one time last year. Junior Carter Brown is the only Tiger returner receiving all-conference honors last year, named as a wide receiver, defensive back and returner. He scored eight touchdowns receiving and two touchdowns rushing. He takes over at quarterback this year. Senior Garrett Woodward provides experience at running back. “Our roster size took a hit this year, losing 17 seniors from last year’s team and only bringing in about 12 freshmen. We need to stay healthy, but feel if that happens we’ll be a competitive team again in the TRAC,” Johnston said.

Schedule: Aug. 30 vs. Rockridge, Sept. 6 at Mercer County, Sept. 13 at Princeton, Sept. 20 vs. Hall, Sept. 27 at Mendota, Oct. 4 at MonmouthRoseville, Oct. 11 vs. Kewanee, Oct. 18 vs. Orion, Oct. 25 at Riverdale.

Photo by Mike Vaughn

Princeton’s Noah LaPorte makes a return in second-round playoff action at Monmouth-Roseville last year. The Tigers have made three

Three Rivers Rock Conference Preview 2024

By KEVIN HIERONYMUS khieronymus@shawmedia.com

Newman

Coach: Mike LeMay

Last season: 7-3, 3-2

Worth noting: The Comets have the promise for another strong season with returning players in key positions. Senior Cody McBride is a three-year starter and lockdown corner, LeMay said with three INTs in 2023. Another three-year starter, senior Daniel Kelly, returns at LB, leading the team in tackles, both in 2023 and 2022. Junior Evan Bushman returns for his third season at QB and is ‘very poised player that will be looking to expand upon many successes,” LeMay said. He thew for over 1,500 passing yards and 14 TDs. Senior Brady Williamson goes into his senior season as a “go-to” RB (two TDs last year) and DB. Sophomore Matthew Blackert (RB/LB) returns for his second season as a strong contributor. “We are excited about this season,” LeMay said. “We have a lot of skill position kids coming back. We also will be very fast and aggressive defensively, that is where we will be our strongest. We will have new guys in the trenches, but we are excited about this group, as they have put in a ton of time and effort to getting better.”

Schedule: Aug. 30 at Princeton, Sept. 7 vs. Mendota, Sept. 13 at E-P, Sept. 20 vs. Orion, Sept. 27 vs. Rockridge, Oct. 4 at Mercer County, Oct. 11 vs. Riverdale, Oct. 18 at Kewanee, Oct. 25 vs. MonmouthRoseville.

Coach: Tyler Whitebread

Last season: 3-6, 3-3

Worth noting: The Panthers carry momentum into the season after winning three of their last four games last year and adding a junior group that finished 8-1 as sophomores. Senior Demetree Larsen (RB/DB) was a twoway 1st Team All-Conference selection, rushing for 627 yards and four TDs with 402 receiving yards/four receiving TDs. Senior Amen Barron (G/LB) was E-P’s top tackler last year, earning second team all-conference honors at linebacker. Junior Keegan Winckler started on defense as a sophomore and is expected to be the starting QB this year. Juniors Gaven Adams (WR/ LB) and Connor Keegan (WR/DB) are returning two-way starters. “Our goal is to work as hard as possible this offseason, so we can put ourselves in

a position to compete against tough competition,” Whitebread said.

Schedule: Aug. 30 at Kewanee, Sept. 6 vs. Hall, Sept. 13 vs. Newman, Sept. 20 at Rockridge, Sept. 27 vs. Mercer County, Oct. 4 at Riverdale, Oct. 11 vs. Orion, Oct. 18 at Mendota, Oct. 25 at Princeton.

Orion

Coach: Chip Fuller

Last season: 3-6, 1-5

Worth noting: Junior Kale Fuller returns for his third year as the quarterback for his dad’s Chargers. He completed 147 of 252 pass attempts for 2,038 yards and 23 TDs with three interceptions. Other returners on offense are senior RB Aiden Fisher (385 yards, five TDs) and senior wide receiver Jake Bainbridge (55-872, 12 TDs) and junior wide receiver Owen Voorhees (40-765, eight TDs). Fisher is a three-year starter at linebacker with 110 tackles last year. The Chargers had a run of six straight playoff appearances, but have gone 12-19 since their last in 2019.

Schedule: Aug. 30 at Hall, Sept. 6 vs. Monmouth-Roseville, Sept. 13 vs. Mercer County, Sept. 20 at Newman, Sept. 27 vs. Riverdale, Oct. 4 vs. Rockridge, Oct. 11 at E-P, Oct. 18 at Sherrard, Oct. 25 vs. Kewanee.

Mercer County

Coach: Tanner Matlick

Last season: 6-4

Worth noting: The Golden Eagles make the move to the Three Rivers from the Lincoln Trail/Prairieland, swapping places with Bureau Valley. They qualified for the playoffs last year, falling to Wilmington 41-14 in a first round 2A game. Seniors Payton Sedam (RB/LB) and Jacob Kenney (WR/DL) were first-team all-conference players in the LTP on defense last year with junior Lucas Marston (TE/LB) earning second-team honors. Juniors Tannen Whitehall (RB/DB) and Dakota Coppola (WR/ SS) were second-team all-conference players on offense. Junior John Baldwin takes over as the Golden Eagles quarterback.

Schedule: Aug. 30 at MonmouthRoseville, Sept. 6 vs. Sherrard, Sept. 13 at Orion, Sept. 20 vs. Riverdale, Sept. 27 at E-P, Oct. 4 vs. Newman, Oct. 11 at Rockridge, Oct. 18 at Princeton, Oct. 25 vs. Mendota.

Newman’s Evan Bushman fires a pass against ROWVA in the 2023 Class 1A playoffs in Sterling. He returns for his third season as the Comets’ quarterback.

Riverdale

Coach: Guy Dierikx

Last season: 0-9, 0-6

Worth noting: This will be the Rams second year back in action after a one-year varsity hiatus in 2022 season due to lack of numbers. They hope to make strides after going 0-9 last year having lost just two seniors last year. Top returning players for the Rams are seniors Kolton Kruse (QB/LB) and Tyler Hasenour (TE/DE) and juniors Gaege Heinsen (RB/LB), Caen Beckett (RB/DB) and Jake Schradey (OL/DL).

“While we will have many varsity starters returning, we will still be a very young team,” Dierikx said. “Many of them have aspirations of playing at the next level which helps with their effort in the weight room and what we are trying to accomplish bigger and better things. The kids have been working hard and are excited about only going up from the last couple of years.”

Schedule: Aug. 30 at Mendota, Sept. 6 vs. Kewanee, Sept. 13 vs. Rockridge, Sept. 20 at Mercer County, Sept. 27 at Orion, Oct. 4 vs. E-P, Oct. 11 at Newman, Oct. 18 at Hall, Oct. 25 vs. Sherrard.

Rockridge

Coach: Sam Graves.

Last season: 9-2, 6-0 Worth noting: The Rockets are the defending Rock Division champions. If they are able to repeat will all come down to the Rockets’ line play this year. Those leading the charge will be seniors Landon Bull (OL-TE/LB), Cullen Schwigen (QB) and Landon Wheatley (WR/DB) and juniors Jacob Freyermuth (RB) and Tanner McKeag (LT/DL). Looking at his team’s prospects, Graves said, “We should be ‘OK.’ We lost three of five offensive linemen from last year and will have trouble replacing them. We are very thin in the upcoming sophomore to senior classes on the line. We have skill positions coming back that can compete with about anyone in the conference, but line play may hold us back.”

Schedule: Aug. 30 at Sherrard, Sept. 6 vs. Princeton, Sept. 13 at Riverdale, Sept. 20 vs. E-P, Sept. 27 at Newman, Oct. 4 at Orion, Oct. 11 vs. Mercer County, Oct. 18 at MonmouthRoseville, Oct. 25 vs. Hall.

Alex T. Paschal – apaschal@shawmedia.com

Conference

Preview 2024

Northwest Upstate Illini

By DRAKE LANSMAN dlansman@shawmedia.com

Dakota Indians

Coach: Eric Didesch

Last season: 3-6, 2-6

Worth noting: Dakota and second-year head coach Eric Didesch hope to bounce back after three wins last season. Dakota made a run to the Class 1A state quarterfinals as a No. 11 seed in 2022 before falling to Forreston. Didesch says among his top players are Braxton Niedermeier (DE/TE), Avery Bowers (G/LB), Brody Goode (QB/DB), Jaden Gordon (RB/LB) and Bennie Gordon (WR/DB).

Schedule: Aug. 26 vs. Fisher, Sept. 1 vs. Forreston, Sept. 8 at Du-Pec, Sept. 15 at Lena-Winslow, Sept. 22 vs. Fulton, Sept. 29 vs. West Carroll, Oct. 6 at Galena, Oct. 13 at Stockton, Oct. 20 vs. Eastland-Pearl City.

Pecatonica Du-Pec Rivermen

Coach: Tyler Hoffman

Last season: 8-3, 6-2. Worth noting: The Rivermen have won eight or more games for the last three seasons and reached the Class 3A state quarterfinals last season before falling to eventual state champion Byron. Du-Pec was runnerup in the NUIC last year, falling only to Lena-Winslow, 48-27. Du-Pec’s nine wins match the most in school history, which was also done in 2021. Hoffman says among this year’s top players are seniors Cooper Hoffman (QB) Jaxon Diedrich, sr., (WR/OLB); Jordan Gassman, sr., (WR/CB); Payton Mulder, sr., (OL/DL); Nolan Stadler, sr., (OL/ILB).

Schedule: Aug. 30 at Stockton, Sept. 6 vs. Eastland-Pearl City, Sept. 13 at Dakota, Sept. 20 vs. Morrison, Sept. 27 vs. Galena, Oct. 4 at LenaWinslow, Oct. 11 vs. Fulton, Oct. 18 at Forreston, Oct. 25 at Seneca.

Forreston Cardinals

Coach: Kenyon Janicke Last season: 8-3, 6-2.

Worth noting: Forreston has won eight games the last four full seasons, falling to powerhouse Lena-Winslow in the playoffs the last three years. Janicke said there are eight seniors that will see significant playing time: Evan Boettner (RB/LB), Ayden Book (OL/DL), Devin Bratt (OL/DL), Coehen

Kirchner (RB/DB), Bryce Miller (OL/ DL), Colton Saldecki (OL/DL), Alec Schoonhoven (OL/DL) and Dane Setterstrom (RB/LB). Forreston also has 10 juniors and 10 sophomores on the varsity roster.

Schedule: Aug. 30 at Fulton, Sept. 6 vs. Dakota, Sept. 13 vs. Galena, Sept. 20 at Eastland-Pearl City, Sept. 27 at Morrison, Oct. 4 vs. Stockton, Oct. 11 at Hazel Green Southwestern (WI), Oct. 18 vs. Du-Pec, Oct. 25 at LenaWinslow.

Fulton Steamers

Coach: Patrick Lower

Last season: 6-4, 5-3

Worth noting: Senior Dom Kramer is back at QB this year after throwing for 1,119 yards and 16 touchdowns with 300 yards rushing. Classmates Josiah Heald (OL/DL) and Jacob Huisenga (TE/ WR/DL) are also key pieces on offense and Skylier Crooks led the team with 500 yards rushing. “Our goal is to be competitive each and every week in what we believe is the toughest 1A/2A conference in the state,” Lower said. “Each team presents many problems for us and we must prepare for each week as it is the most important game on our schedule. I feel we have had a very good off-season, and an excellent July.”

Schedule: Aug. 30 vs. Forreston, Sept. 6 at Lena-Winslow, Sept. 13 at Eastland-Pearl City, Sept. 20 vs. Stockton, Sept. 27 vs. Dakota, Oct. 4 at Galena, Oct. 11 at Du-Pec, Oct. 18 vs. Knoxville, Oct. 25 vs. Morrison.

Galena Pirates

Coach: Ed Freed

Last season: 3-6, 3-5

Worth noting: The Pirates last reached the playoffs in 2021 when they finished 5-5. Galena started 2-0 last season before six straight losses. Ed Freed, coaching Galena for his 21st season, says Will Anderson (OL/DL), Roman Romer (QB/DB), Josh McNett (TE/DE), Myles Schumacher (RB/DB) and Juan Dorantos (LB/OL) are among his top returning players.”

Schedule: Aug. 30 vs. EastlandPearl City, Sept. 6 vs. Morrison, Sept. 13 at Forreston, Sept. 20 vs. Fennimore (WI), Sept. 27 at Du-Pec, Oct. 4 vs. Fulton, Oct. 11 at Dakota, Oct. 18 vs. Lena-Winslow, Oct. 25 at Stockton.

Eastland-Pearl City Cougars

Coach: Jared McNutt

Last season: 3-6, 2-6

Worth noting: The Cougars have 10 returning starters on offense and nine on defense. EPC has not reached the playoffs since 2018’s run to the state semifinals and 12-1 finish in McNutt’s first season. … The Cougars started 0-5 last season before winning three of their last four. McNutt says junior RB/DB Draven Zier is one of the better athletes in the conference; he added Will Birchen (OL/LB), Jaxsyn Kempel (RB/DL), Adam Awender (QB/DB), and Peyton Spears (WR/DB) as some of his top players back. … Jackson Corbin is also back at quarterback with Awender in the mix as a “wildcat” QB.

Schedule: Aug. 30 at Galena, Sept. 6 at Du-Pec, Sept. 13 vs. Fulton, Sept. 20 vs. Forreston, Sept. 27 at Stockton, Oct. 4 vs. Westmont, Oct. 11 vs. LenaWinslow, Oct. 18 at Morrison, Oct. 25 vs. Dakota.

Lena-Winslow Panthers

Coach: Ric Arand

Last season: 13-1, 8-0

Worth noting: This is Morrison’s first season in the NUIC after leaving the Three Rivers. Vandermyde, a 2008 Morrison grad, is in his second season as head coach; he was previously an assistant coach at Fulton and Morrison for four years each. Brady Anderson rushed for 1,026 yards and 17 touchdowns last season. … Vandermyde also listed seniors Colton Bielema (QB/DB), Austin Boonstra (OL/DL), Donny Reavy (FB/DL) and Tyler Peters (OL/DL) among his top players.

Schedule: Aug. 30 vs. LenaWinslow, Sept. 6 at Galena, Sept. 13 at

Galesburg, Sept. 20 at Du-Pec, Sept. 27 vs. Forreston, Oct. 4 vs. Dakota, Oct. 11 at Stockton, Oct. 18 vs. EastlandPearl City, Oct. 25 at Fulton.

Morrison Mustangs

Coach: Nathan Vandermyde

Last season: 9-2

Worth noting: This is Morrison’s first season in the NUIC after leaving the Three Rivers. Vandermyde, a 2008 Morrison grad, is in his second season as head coach; he was previously an assistant coach at Fulton and Morrison for four years each. Brady Anderson rushed for 1,026 yards and 17 touchdowns last season. … Vandermyde also listed seniors Colton Bielema (QB/DB), Austin Boonstra (OL/DL), Donny Reavy (FB/DL) and Tyler Peters (OL/DL) among his top players.

Schedule: Aug. 30 vs. LenaWinslow, Sept. 6 at Galena, Sept. 13 at Galesburg, Sept. 20 at Du-Pec, Sept. 27 vs. Forreston, Oct. 4 vs. Dakota, Oct. 11 at Stockton, Oct. 18 vs. EastlandPearl City, Oct. 25 at Fulton.

Stockton Blackhawks

Coach: Sean Downey

Last season: 4-5, 3-5

Worth noting: Stockton has not reached the playoffs since 2019 when it went 7-4. The Blackhawks lost the first and last game of the regular season last year by one possession. Downey says Bryce Grube (OL/DL), Jeremiah Luke (OL/LB), Mark Detwiler (FB/LB), Eli Larson (TE/DL), and Noah Larson (QB/DB) among his top players.

Schedule: Aug. 30 vs. Du-Pec, Sept. 6 at Shullsburg (WI), Sept. 13 at LenaWinslow, Sept. 20 at Fulton, Sept. 27 vs. Eastland-Pearl City, Oct. 4 at Forreston, Oct. 11 vs. Morrison, Oct. 18 at Dakota, Oct. 25 vs. Galena.

Photo by Brian Hurley / Shaw Local News Network

Fulton QB Don Kramer hands the ball off to RB Skyler Crooks in round one of the 2023 Class 1A football playoffs.

8-Man North Conference Preview 2024

By EDDIE CARIFIO, J.T. PEDELTY, DRAKE LANSMAN AND ALEX KANTECKI SHAW MEDIA

Amboy/LaMoille Clippers

Coach: Scott Payne

2023 Record: 13-0 (I8FA state champion)

Worth noting: Among the 8-man state champions’ key returning pieces are QB Eddie Jones and tailback Quinn Leffelman, who was an IHSFCA allstate selection. Jones passed for over 1,200 yards with 22 touchdowns and one interception while Leffelman had 913 rushing yards with 18 touchdowns, also tallying 83 tackles (33 solo), 14 sacks and 15 tackles for loss. Amboy won nearly every game in blowout fashion; a 48-42 win over Ridgewood and 32-20 victory over Milledgeville were the closest regular season contests; Amboy beat Ridgewood 74-22 in the 8-man state title game.

Schedule: Aug. 30 Ridgewood Co-op; Sept. 7 at West Prairie/ Southeastern; Sept. 13 Galva; Sept. 21 at Bushnell-Prairie City; Sept. 27 at Ridgewood Co-Op; Oct. 4 at FlanaganCornell/Woodland; Oct. 11 Peoria Heights; Oct. 18 at Biggsville West Central; Oct. 25 Bushnell-Prairie City.

Ashton-Franklin Center Raiders

Coach: Dave Smith 2023 Record: 1-8

Worth noting: First-year coach Dave Smith takes over a Raiders program that went 7-11 the last two years following three straight 0-9 seasons. AFC’s last winning season came in 2012 when it went 5-4. … Smith’s top players include seniors Ben Rockwood (DL/DE), Brock Lehman (LB/RB), Nolan Reuff (LB/ QB), and juniors Lane Messer (DL/OL) and Musi Mimini (DT/OL).

Schedule: Aug. 30 at Milledgeville; Sept. 6 Rockford Christian Life; Sept. 13 at West Carroll; Sept. 20 Polo; Sept. 27 at South Beloit; Oct. 4 River Ridge; Oct. 11 at Hiawatha; Oct. 18 Orangeville; Oct. 25 Alden-Hebron.

Milledgeville Missiles

Coach: Jason Wroble 2023 Record: 9-2

Worth noting: The Missiles lost all-state QB and I8FA’s all-time leading

passer Connor Nye to graduation, but return a stable of productive tailbacks in Micah Toms-Smith, Spencer Nye, and Konner Johnson, along with tight end and pass rusher Karter Livengood. Milledgeville reached the second round of the 8- man playoffs last year before losing 35-23 to Polo in the quarterfinals.

Schedule: Aug. 30 Ashton-Franklin Center; Sept. 6 at Alden-Hebron; Sept. 14 at Orangeville; Sept. 20 Rockford Christian Life; Sept. 27 at West Carroll; Oct. 4 Polo; Oct. 11 at South Beloit; Oct. 18 River Ridge; Oct. 25 at Hiawatha.

Polo Marcos

Coach: Ted Alston

2023 Record: 9-3

Worth noting: The Marcos look to reload after losing QB Brock Soltow to graduation; he was the two-time SVM Football Player of the Year with three straight all-state seasons. Polo reached the 8-man semifinals before losing 40-6 to eventual state champion Amboy. Among Polo’s top players are seniors Noah Dewey (WR/DB), Jeffrey Donaldson (OL/DL), Logan Nelson (OL/DL), Billy Lowry (RB/DB) and Gus Mumford (QB/DB).

Schedule: Aug. 30 South Beloit; Sept. 6 at River Ridge; Sept. 13 Hiawatha; Sept. 20 at Ashton-Franklin Center; Sept. 27 Alden Hebron; Oct. 4 at Milledgeville; Oct. 11 Rockford Christian Life; Oct. 18 at West Carroll; Oct. 26 at Orangeville.

West Carroll Thunder

Coach: Abelardo Sustaita 2023 Record: 0-9

Worth noting: TThe Thunder hope to snap a 24-game losing skid that dates back to the 2019 campaign after moving to 8-man this season. First-year coach Abelardo Sustaita has some returning pieces to work with, including senior QB Winter Harrington, along with classmates Aden Wiest (OL/ DL), Conner Townsend (FB/LB), Noah White (OL/DL), and Giovanni Gallagher (TE/DT). West Carroll finished 5-5 in 2019 and its last winning season was in 2017 (7-4).

Schedule: Aug. 30 River Ridge; Sept. 6 at Hiawatha; Sept. 13 AshtonFranklin Center; Sept. 20 at AldenHebron; Sept. 27 Milledgeville; Oct. 4 at Rockford Christian Life; Oct. 12 at Orangeville; Oct. 18 Polo; Oct. 25 at South Beloit.

Amboy co-op looking to reload in 2024

By TY REYNOLDS For Shaw Media

After the last two seasons ended with appearances in the Illinois 8-Man Football Association state championship game, the defending champs are “reloading,” according to head coach Scott Payne.

Last year’s Amboy-LaMoille-Ohio Clippers were on a mission and steamrolled pretty much everybody who got in their way. After losing just one senior to graduation following 2022s runner-up finish to West Central, anything less than a state title wasn’t going to be enough for last year’s Clippers.

And while they ended last season with the coveted title, now their goal is to go back-to-back.

“A lot of kids who are seniors this year are excited to make their marks,” Payne said. “With the type of team we were last year, all the seniors we had,

these guys didn’t get on the field as much as they could have with other teams – a lot of them would’ve started for other teams – and they want to show what type of team we really are, even after losing some of the great players that graduated.”

Led by seniors like Brennan Blaine, Landon Whelchel, Austin Heath, Ian Sundberg, Trey Payne, Landon Montavon and Troy Anderson, Amboy rolled through the regular season last year with a 437-137 scoring edge. Only one game was decided by one score –48-42 over Cambridge in Week 5, which came right after a Week 4 forfeit win –and only one other game was decided by two scores (a 32-20 win over Milledgeville in Week 6).

The next-closest margin of victory was 46 points, achieved three times, before a playoff run that included wins of 54-6 over Hiawatha, 62-7 over Flanagan-Cornell/Woodland, and 40-6 over Polo before routing Cambridge 74-22 in the title game. The Clippers led that one 30-0 midway through the first quarter and stretched the lead to 60-0

midway through the second.

Schedule

Date Opponent

Aug. 30 Ridgewood Co-op

Sept. 7 at West Prairie/ Southeastern

All year long, Amboy put up impressive numbers while being considered the team to beat in the I8FA. This year’s team hopes to have the target squarely on its back again.

Sept. 13 Galva

Sept. 21 at Bushnell-Prairie City

Sept. 27 at Ridgewood Co-Op

Oct. 4 at Flanagan-Cornell/ Woodland

Oct. 11 Peoria Heights

Oct. 18 at Biggsville West Central

Oct. 25 Bushnell-Prairie City

“In our mind, we want to be that team everybody wants to knock off,” Payne said. “A few teams will look at our roster and see who’s graduated and might think that we’ll be down, so we might sneak up on some people this year.

“We just want to go out and play our game, and our kids understand the type of football we want to play. We want to be the most physical team on

Alex T. Paschal – apaschal@shawmedia.com

Amboy’s Quinn Leffelman picks up yards against Hiawatha Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 in the I8FA playoffs in Amboy.

Ashton-Franklin Center

Ashton-Franklin Center eyeing improvement under new coach

By TY REYNOLDS For Shaw Media

Dave Smith is a 35-year coaching veteran in Illinois high school football. But coming back after four years of retirement – and into 8-man football for the first time – he feels like everything is brand new.

The longtime coach is back on the sidelines, taking over as the Ashton-Franklin Center head coach for the 2024 season.

“I’m a rookie all over again, and I’m loving it,” he said. “But this is not me, this is us. I want it to be about these kids, because this is their experience. I’ve had mine, so I’m doing this for us. That’s why I’m here. I love football, and I’m paying it back. I put my years in, and now I’m just going to pay it back and have some fun.”

Smith steps in for Ben Mershon, who coached the Raiders to a 7-12 record the past two seasons – AFC’s first two seasons in 8-man football –including their first playoff appearance since 2005 after a 6-3 regular season in 2022.

It’s the 10th school as a head coach for Smith, who has amassed a 138-93 record and 13 playoff appearances. His last stop was just down the road in Dixon, where he coached the Dukes to a 48-43 record in nine seasons, including a 43-21 mark and six straight playoff appearances from 2014-2019 before retiring.

While the Raiders hope some of his past success rubs off on them, Smith is also preaching that this is a new start for not only him, but the players as well.

“I told these guys, it doesn’t matter where I’ve been or my past experience, this is my first year. And this is their first year, so regardless of what’s happened in the past for all of us, this is our first year, so we’re working hard and keeping positive attitudes,” he said. “The energy is tremendous, workouts, film study … these kids are real quick in picking things up, so I’m real happy.”

A retired teacher, Smith returned to serve as a part-time driver’s education instructor at AFC. He took over the head coaching job in January, and immediately set up an offseason training program – and has been thrilled with the way his players have bought in.

“Super group of kids. I’ve been with them since January, so when we came

back from winter break, we got together and we put the weight room program in. We’re pushing grades, we’ve pushed the weights, we’ve pushed speed training, plyometric training, agility training, since January. We were going to do it four days a week, and these kids came to me and said, ‘Can we go five?’” Smith said. “And I have to tell them to go home. They pick up after practice, they go back into the building and want to keep working. It’s so nice to see these kids want this so much.

“Phenomenal GPAs too, and I feel very blessed to be here. Things are clicking pretty good.”

Smith also credits his assistant coaches, who are locals who were around the school and the athletic programs prior to his arrival. They know the kids, they know the culture, and they’ve proved invaluable as the Raiders prepare for their third season in the Illinois 8-Man Football Association.

Smith says the insight from the other coaches into the playing style and strategy of 8-man football as he adjusts to the game will be a boon as the program continues to build.

“It starts with these coaches that I’ve been blessed to have,” he said. “When you have men like Josh Stone and Mike Messer and Brian Treadwell and Ryan Engelbarts and Chad Murphy, it makes things easier.

“Brian Treadwell’s the varsity baseball coach, Mike Messer’s the head basketball coach. So I’ve got the head baseball coach, the head basketball coach, I’ve got two phenomenal teachers in the building. I’m in the building part-time. So I’m really happy. The culture has come together, and the kids are right in it.”

The numbers are down, but the

See ASHTON, page 18

Schedule

Date Opponent

Aug. 30 at Milledgeville

Sept. 6 Rockford Christian Life

Sept. 13 at West Carroll

Sept. 20 Polo

Sept. 27 at South Beloit

Oct. 4 River Ridge

Oct. 11 at Hiawatha

Oct. 18 Orangeville

Oct. 25 Alden-Hebron

Photo by Ty Reynolds / For Shaw Media

New Ashton-Franklin Center head coach Dave Smith talks to his players after practice on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024 in Ashton.

Bureau Valley

Bureau Valley ventures into the Lincoln Trail/Prairieland Conference

By KEVIN HIERONYMUS khieronymus@shawmedia.com

The Bureau Valley Storm made big strides last year, going from 0-9 the year before to 4-5 and on the threshold of the playoffs.

Storm coach Mat Pistole believes the Storm were just a handful of plays away from being 6-3 and looks for the Storm to continue that progress moving into the 2024 campaign.

“The details and fundamentals in crucial moments made the difference last year, and correcting that is going to be big,” Pistole said. “We were super proud of last year’s group and all they did to elevate the program. We have challenged this year’s seniors to continue to do the same, and I know they are more than capable.

“I really like our group this year. The young men we needed to have big offseasons have done the work and made the progress we needed. Now it’s time to show it on the field.”

Those steps will come in a new venue. Bureau Valley has joined the Lincoln Trail/Prairieland Conference after playing 24 years in the Big Rivers/Three Rivers Conference.

The Storm haven been assigned to the large-school division of the conference this year, paired with defending champion Farmington, Carthage Illini West, Elmwood-Brimfield, Hamilton West Hancock, Knoxville, the Lewistown co-op and Macomb.

Pistole is excited for the new challenges that lie ahead in their new conference.

“It is an honor to be joining such a proud, successful and competitive conference,” he said. “It is really exciting to be playing a bunch of new teams that we don’t know much about and

get to see new stadiums. It is almost going to give a playoff feel to our entire season. I think that will be a lot of fun for our kids.

“Make no mistake about it – we have our work cut out for us, as there are some really good football programs and we look forward to competing.”

Pistole said getting off to a good start, building confidence and staying healthy will be big keys for his Storm squad.

The Storm have a strong nucleus to build around, including seniors Bryce Helms (QB/DB), Elijah Endress (RB/ LB) and Bracin Patnoe (G/DL).

Helms returns for his third season at quarterback and was an all-conference safety. He passed for six touchdowns and rushed for two. He also led the Storm with two interceptions and was second in tackles with 57.

“It is really nice having a QB with as much experience returning as he has,” Pistole said. “Bryce has came a really long way since his sophomore year. We have gotten to the point that he can finish all my sentences, and he’s even corrected me a couple times this offseason.

“The biggest step we need Bryce to take this year is stepping up as a vocal leader, and then on the field being more decisive post-snap.”

Endress was a first-team all-Three Rivers Mississippi selection at running back, leading the Storm with 14 rushing touchdowns while gaining 738 yards with 100 receiving yards and one touchdown.

“He has a chance to be special on both sides of the ball, and I think he can be one of the best players in 2A if he continues to work,” Pistole said.

Pistole said Patnoe’s experience last year and “huge progress this offseason” set him up with the potential to be a two way all-conference lineman.

Other seniors expected for some big contributions are Ryan Wasilewski (WR/LB), Kai Walowski (WR/DB), Ayden Andrade (OL/DL), Aidan Besler(OG/LB), Kai Walowski (WR/ DB) and Brock Rediger (OL/DL).

Pistole calls Wasilewski “our Swiss Army knife that defensively just seems to find the ball and is our best tackler.” Pistole said Wasilewski can play anywhere offensively and has “worked

See BUREAU, page 18

Schedule

Date

Opponent

Aug. 30 at Monmouth United

Sept. 6 at Lexington/Ridgeview

Sept. 13 Lewistown co-op

Sept. 20 at Farmington

Sept. 27 Knoxville

Oct. 4 Elmwood-Brimf ield

Oct. 11 at Carthage Illini West

Oct. 18 at Macomb

Oct. 25 Hamilton/Warsaw.

Photo by Mike Vaughn

Bureau Valley quarterback Bryce Helms looks for running room Friday night against Sherrard

Dixon looks to keep playoff streak going

By TY REYNOLDS For Shaw Media

In the midst of an unprecedented run of success, the Dixon football team is now looking to take the next step.

After qualifying for the playoffs in each of the last nine seasons the postseason had been held, the Dukes are looking to extend that streak this season – and make a deep run into November.

“State championship, man. That’s what our goal is,” senior lineman Tyler Zepezauer said. “We all want it, and we think we can get it this year. It’s just hammer and nail; one nail comes up and we just hammer it down. Nothing less than that.”

Dixon had just five playoff appearances in program history before 2014, but has nearly doubled that total in the last decade. The Dukes advanced to the postseason in each of the last six seasons of Dave Smith’s tenure, and in each of the first three full seasons under Jared Shaner (the playoffs were not held in the 2020-21 COVID-altered season).

The key, according to Shaner, is the ability to replace key players who graduate each year.

“This hopefully will be 10 straight years when the playoffs have been held, taking out the COVID year,” Shaner said. “It was the guys on that first team making the playoffs and setting the tone, and it’s just the expectation now. And that’s what good programs do; you learn a group of guys’ names and feel like, ‘How are we ever going to replace these guys?’ and then the next group steps up when it’s their turn.

Bowers Field in Dixon.

year out, and the teams that are good year in and year out have that tradition going. That’s what they do, and it’s hard to get on the field certainly as a sophomore and even your junior year; you’re just behind a good senior who’s put in a lot of time. That’s kind of what we have going, and we’re excited to try and do it again this year.”

At first glance, it looks like the Dukes have a lot to replace. Gone are three-year starting quarterback Tyler Shaner (743 yards and 15 touchdowns rushing, 1,552 yards and 17 TDs passing last year) and leading rusher Aiden Wiseman (1,241 yards, 12 TDs rushing).

Receivers Collin Scott (12 catches, 149

yards, TD) and Cort Jacobson (7 catches, 129 yards, 2 TDs) also leave a couple of holes to fill.

But Dixon brings back five running backs who saw action last year, led by seniors Devon Wallace and Eli Davidson, and two of its top three receivers from 2023 in Davidson and Tyson Dambman. Cullen Shaner, who led the Dukes in receiving yards last year, is also coming back, but he’ll move to quarterback this fall to replace his older brother.

“We’ve got some guys that will do some good things on offense. Obviously Aiden and Tyler led us statistically, but we’ve got three or four

Schedule

Date Opponent

Aug. 30 Stillman Valley

Sept. 6 Oregon

Sept. 13 at Rock Falls

Sept. 20 at Genoa-Kingston

Sept. 27 Rockford Lutheran

Oct. 4 at Winnebago

Oct. 11 Rockford Christian

Oct. 18 Byron Oct. 25 at North Boone

Alex T. Paschal – apaschal@shawmedia.com Dixon’s Caleb Carlson (34) and John Godbold (51) chase Rock Falls’ Korbin Oligey (26) on the opening kickoff during their 2023 game at A.C.

Eastland-Pearl City

Eastland-Pearl City hopes returning experience leads to wins

Cougars return 10 on offense, nine on defense

By DRAKE LANSMAN dlansman@shawmedia.com

Eastland-Pearl City football coach

Jared McNutt says the Cougars are off to a faster start than usual with a Week 1 Northwest Upstate Illini Conference matchup at Galena less than two weeks away.

Boasting 10 returning starters on offense and nine on defense, the team of familiar faces has grown comfortable with the playbook.

“Kids have just grown up,”said McNutt, now in his seventh season of leading the team, “and it’s really been nice to see some of the guys take that next jump from one year to the next.”

McNutt hopes the number of returning players can lead to winning more games. There are 13 seniors and four juniors on the varsity roster of 28 players. There are 37 on the JV roster.

The Cougars have struggled in recent years and have not yet reached the playoffs since 2018′s run to the state semifinals and 12-1 finish in McNutt’s first season.

They started 0-5 last season before winning three of their last four.

McNutt noted the strength of the conference from top to bottom. Now it gets even stronger with the addition of Morrison following West Carroll heading to 8-man football.

“You can’t relax,” he said. “Every team is ready to play on Fridays and every coach in the league has been around for a long time.”

Among the Cougars’ returning personnel to watch is junior Draven Zier at running back and defensive back.

He was a first-team all-NUIC pick as a defensive utility. He was also part of the SVM football all-area second-team after nearly 500 yards rushing, eight

touchdowns, a kickoff return TD, 43 tackles (24 solo), one sack, two tackles for loss and one interception.

“(He) has got to be one of the better athletes in the league,” McNutt said.

“He will be involved heavily on both sides.”

Another junior, Will Birchen, was a unanimous first-team all-NUIC linebacker last season. He was also an SVM all-area second-team selection

last year after 129 tackles (87 solo), nine tackles for a loss, one sack and a forced fumble.

Zyacn Haverland and Payton Spears are two other names to watch, according to McNutt, along with Jaxsyn Kempel at fullback.

McNutt says the team has talent, it just needed experience.

“We knew we had some athletes,” he said,” it’s just a matter of us being inexperienced up front on both sides.”

The next step is turning that experience into wins. The Cougars went a combined 4-14 the last two seasons.

McNutt said the coaching staff has made some adjustments after struggling to stop the run.

Offensively, he has dual options at quarterback.

Senior Jackson Corbin started eight games last year and Adam Awender is the team’s “wildcat” QB.

“Teams will have to prepare for both guys moving forward,” he said.

Date Opponent

Aug. 30 at Galena

Sept. 6 at Du-Pec

Sept. 13 F ulton

Sept. 20 Forreston

Sept. 27 at Stockton

Oct. 4 Westmont

Oct. 11 Lena-Winslow

Oct. 18 at Morrison

Oct. 25 Dakota

Photo by Troy Taylor

Eastland Pearl City coach Jared McNutt stands on the sidelines of the football game on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021.

Erie-Prophetstown

Erie-Prophetstown, with addition of talented underclassmen, holds high hopes for the future

By JOSHUA WELGE jwelge@shawmedia.com

Erie-Prophetstown’s most recent results, paired with the promise of new varsity players, makes for the potential of brighter days ahead.

Now it needs to play out on the field.

The Panthers only have put together one winning season over the last nine, but did win three of their last four games last year to finish 3-6.

Added to that momentum, Erie-Prophetstown this fall will be adding a talented junior group that collectively went 8-1 as sophomores.

“We just kept improving last year every single week. The guys just stuck with it,” Erie-Prophetstown coach Tyler Whitebread said. “We have a good incoming group from last year’s sophomore team. We’re excited to see what they can do on varsity. We’re excited, but we are young.”

Leading the returning players is senior running back/defensive back Demetree Larsen. The two-way first team all-conference pick rushed for a team-high 627 yards with four touchdowns last season, and also had 402 receiving yards with four TD catches.

“He’s a guy that knows football and he understands it,” Whitebread said. “He has great instincts and a lot of god-given ability that he utilizes. It’s fun to watch him play. We’re expecting a similar to better season from him.”

Senior Amen Barron, a 5-foot-9, 225pound guard/linebacker, was the Panthers’ leading tackler last season and a second-team all-conference pick.

“He’s kind of a weight room junkie. Physically, I would put him toe-to-toe against every other player on our team,” Whitebread said. “He is slowly becoming a super good leader for us. The guys follow him. Offensively he can do things pulling and trapping at guard. Most of his big hits come on the offensive side.”

Among the Panthers’ other returning players, junior Keegan Winckler started on defense as a sophomore but is expected to be the team’s starting quarterback this fall. Whitebread calls junior wide receiver/linebacker Gaven Adams “a leader that’s put a ton of time in during the offseason to become a better player,” and junior receiver/defensive back Connor Keegan is a “quiet leader, super athletic, has put a ton of time in the weight room.”

Up front, senior Nolan Gerlach was injured for the first few games last season and Whitebread said had a tough time getting his footing, but is healthy now and a starter on both sides of the line. Incoming junior Max Milem can do a little bit of everything, and will be the Panthers’ slot receiver and backup safety. Braylon Swertfeger, a senior tight end/linebacker, got a little bit of time as a junior, and Whitebread called him a “fearless kid who throws his body around.” Whitebread also

expects big things out of sophomore running back and linebacker Tristan Hovey, super athletic and strong.

Two-way linemen Derek Naftzer and Caleb Reymer are two more sophomores who could make an impact.

“These younger kids, they’ve just had success throughout the years,” Whitebread said. “It’s a group that is committed to being the best they can be and it’s a good number of kids that are athletic and can move around and

play multiple positions. They’re just smart athletes who understand the game.”

Key to the Panthers coming together is how well students from both Erie and Prophetstown can jell and trust each other, how quickly the team’s seniors can help lead the juniors and the juniors having the ability to play at the varsity at a high level.

GOOD LUCK

“We have to get it going right away,” Whitebread said. “Last year that started halfway through the season and it was too late for us.”

Schedule

Date Opponent

Aug. 30 at Kewanee

Sept. 6 Hall

Sept. 13 Newman

Sept. 20 at Rockridge

Sept. 27 Mercer County

Oct. 4 at Riverdale

Oct. 11 Orion

Oct. 18 at Mendota

Oct. 25 at Princeton

Photo by Alex T. Paschal/ Shaw Media Erie-Prophetstown’s Connor Keegan picks up yards against Newman’s Mac Hanrahan during a 2023 game at Erie.

Forreston

Forreston football hoping to ‘get over the hump’ after four 8-win seasons

Cardinals’ season has ended with playoff losses to Lena-Winslow the last three seasons

By DRAKE LANSMAN dlansman@shawmedia.com

Winning eight games in each of the last four full seasons is a stretch that many high school football teams would be satisfied with.

The Forreston Cardinals, however, have been left wanting more in recent years.

After winning Class 1A state titles in 2014, 2016 and 2018, Forreston’s season has been ended by Lena-Winslow the past three years. The Panthers finished as state runner-up last year, with state titles in 2022 and 2021.

Lena-Winslow has six state titles since 2010.

“I think a lot of programs would take eight wins,” said Forreston fourth-year coach Kenyon Janicke, a 2012 Forreston graduate who started as an assistant in 2016. “We’re still kind of frustrated with it and believe we can do better.”

While frustrating to run into a fellow Northwest Upstate Illini Conference powerhouse in the playoffs, it helps set a high standard for success for Forreston and Janicke.

“Lena-Winslow is an incredible team from the staff to their players. They’re on one of the best runs we’ve seen in the state,” Janicke said. “To keep running into them is pretty frustrating, but they keep giving us a benchmark to work from.”

The NUIC seems to belong to the Panthers until someone takes it from them. Forreston reached the state semifinals in 2022 and last beat Le-Win during the 2021 regular season by a score of 22-20.

“They are usually a good benchmark to see where we’re at,” Janicke said. “In the playoffs we just keep coming up short. We’re giving it our all, it’s just too much for us to handle the last couple years.”

Janicke said players have still done

Forreston football players work on a blocking drill during football camp at Forreston

open the 2024 season at Fulton on Aug. 30.

a good job understanding the tradition of success that Forreston has established.

“Our seniors kind of understand that this is their last shot at it, so they’ve been kind of dictating the vibe and how practices have been going,” Janicke said. “They’ve been doing a really good job.”

Janicke said there are eight seniors that will see significant playing time: Evan Boettner (RB/LB), Ayden Book (OL/DL), Devin Bratt (OL/DL), Coehen Kirchner (RB/DB), Bryce Miller (OL/DL), Colton Saldecki (OL/DL), Alec Schoonhoven (OL/DL) and Dane Setterstrom (RB/LB). Forreston also has 10 juniors and 10 sophomores on the varsity roster.

Forreston starts the year with Fulton, which it beat 22-18 last year. Janicke said the Steamers have developed into a bit of a rival with the games going back and forth in recent matchups.

The NUIC has also gotten stronger

with the addition of Morrison. Janicke said the team must be better at running the ball. The Cardinals only attempted 27 passes last season. “We’re still going to play really tough defense and turn the ball over, make some stops on the field,” he said, “and mistake free special teams, because special teams can win or lose you some games like we learned two

years ago.”

Janicke said it will still be Forreston football this year.

“Same identity, but hopefully people know us as a hard-working team that is relentless and you won’t want to play us again after the game is over,” he said, “win, lose or draw.

Photo by Earleen Hinton/ Shaw Media

High School on Monday, July 29, 2024. The Cardinals

•AMBOY

Continued from page 10

the field, and we take pride in that. We’re not flashy, but the kids buy in, and they like that style.

“We had a little swagger last year, and I see it carrying over into this year.”

Amboy has a few key pieces returning from the title run.

Quarterback Eddie Jones is entering his second year as the full-time starter, and he also started five games as a sophomore in 2022. Fullback/linebacker Quinn Leffelman will be starting for the fourth straight season, and Payne mentioned Caleb Yanos and Evan “Tank” Flanagan as stepping into the tight end/defensive end position manned by the two-time all-stater Blaine.

Payne also said he likes his team’s speed to complement the physical power run game.

“We’re probably faster than we were last year; we have three tailbacks who are really good and really fast, who played behind our really good tailback [Whelchel] last year,” Payne

•ASHTON

Continued from page 11

group is a tight-knit one that is willing to work hard to get better. The kids have played various sports together their entire lives, and Smith and his staff are pushing that idea that all of the sports they play, not just football, will be valuable experience on the gridiron.

“We have good kids, and they work hard. Right now the numbers aren’t perfect, but we’re going to put our heads down, we’re going to work hard, and we’re not going to worry about what we don’t have,” Smith said. “What they’ve done in the past is not

said. “Our senior linemen also got a lot of playing time in the second halves last year as juniors, and we’ve seen great things out of them.

“And then, of course, with Eddie and Quinn, it’s great to have guys like that who know the offense, know what we want on defense and really fill that leadership role.”

Last year, a return to the state title game and a championship trophy were on the Clippers’ minds all season long, and they accomplished their goal. Now, they know what it takes to get the job done, and are eager to stay atop the I8FA mountain.

“Obviously, every team in the state talks about winning a state championship at this time of year, and we’re no different,” Payne said. “Our kids understand what it takes to do that, and our motto is the same one this year from last year: Our goal is to 1-0 every week, and the most important team is who we’re playing next.

“We concentrate and fully focus on our next opponent, then once that game is over, we’ll worry about the next one. If we do that, things will take care of themselves.”

important at this point in time. What is important is the successful experiences the basketball team and the baseball team had last year, so we’re building off of that.

“We’re pushing multiple sports. I told these kids we’re putting in a strength program because it’s going to help you in football, basketball and baseball. So you’re not just a football player, you’re not going to be done in November. It’s got to get you through basketball, then it’s got to get you through baseball, so let’s design a program that meets the needs of all our athletes. And I can’t tell you how impressed I am with the training and work these kids have put in.”

•BUREAU

Continued from page 12

really hard to get faster to be able to maximize his ability.”

Andrade was better than he got credit for last year as a nose guard, Pistole said, and “has continued to transform his body and getting faster and stronger” with first-team all-conference potential.

While they didn’t see a lot of playing time last year, Pistole said, Besler, Kai Walowski and Brock Rediger have had “great offseasons and will be big contributors for us.”

Blake Foster (WR/DB) and Brady Hartz gained valuable experience as sophomores last year and are expected to be big playmakers on both sides of the ball this year for the Storm.

Newcomers to watch in the Storm camp are juniors Gus Anderson (DL), Tyce Barkman (RB/LB), Jake Bolin (C), Brandon Carrington (WR/DB), Bryson Foster (OL/DL), Alex Michlig (WR/DB) and Brad Schoff (OL/DL) and sophomores Reid Maynard (OL/ LB) and Dane Stewart (RB/LB).

The Storm will open the season Aug. 30 in a crossover game at Monmouth United.

Fulton, with experienced O-line back, looks to find the right balance

All-conference tackle

Josiah Heald leads veteran group up front

By JOSHUA WELGE jwelge@shawmedia.com

Winning eight games in each of the last four full seasons is a stretch that many high school football teams would be satisfied with.

The Forreston Cardinals, however, have been left wanting more in recent years.

After winning Class 1A state titles in 2014, 2016 and 2018, Forreston’s season has been ended by Lena-Winslow the past three years. The Panthers finished as state runner-up last year, with state titles in 2022 and 2021.

Lena-Winslow has six state titles since 2010.

“I think a lot of programs would take eight wins,” said Forreston fourth-year coach Kenyon Janicke, a 2012 Forreston graduate who started as an assistant in 2016. “We’re still kind of frustrated with it and believe we can do better.”

While frustrating to run into a fellow Northwest Upstate Illini Conference powerhouse in the playoffs, it helps set a high standard for success for Forreston and Janicke.

“Lena-Winslow is an incredible team from the staff to their players. They’re on one of the best runs we’ve seen in the state,” Janicke said. “To keep running into them is pretty frustrating, but they keep giving us a benchmark to work from.”

The NUIC seems to belong to the Panthers until someone takes it from them. Forreston reached the state semifinals in 2022 and last beat Le-Win during the 2021 regular season by a score of 22-20.

“They are usually a good benchmark to see where we’re at,” Janicke said. “In the playoffs we just keep coming up short. We’re giving it our all, it’s just too much for us to handle the last couple years.”

Janicke said players have still done a good job understanding the tradition of success that Forreston has established.

“Our seniors kind of understand that this is their last shot at it, so they’ve been kind of dictating the vibe and how practices have been going,” Janicke said. “They’ve been doing a really good job.”

Janicke said there are eight seniors that will see significant playing time: Evan Boettner (RB/LB), Ayden Book (OL/DL), Devin Bratt (OL/DL), Coehen Kirchner (RB/DB), Bryce Miller (OL/DL), Colton Saldecki (OL/DL), Alec Schoonhoven (OL/DL) and Dane Setterstrom (RB/LB). Forreston also has 10 juniors and 10 sophomores on the varsity roster.

Forreston starts the year with Fulton, which it beat 22-18 last year. Jan-

icke said the Steamers have developed into a bit of a rival with the games going back and forth in recent matchups.

The NUIC has also gotten stronger with the addition of Morrison.

Janicke said the team must be better at running the ball. The Cardinals only attempted 27 passes last season.

“We’re still going to play really tough defense and turn the ball over, make some stops on the field,” he said, “and mistake free special teams, because special teams can win or lose you some games like we learned two years ago.”

Janicke said it will still be Forreston football this year.

“Same identity, but hopefully people know us as a hard-working team that is relentless and you won’t want to play us again after the game is over,” he said, “win, lose or draw.

Photo by Earleen Hinton/ Shaw Media Fulton’s Dom Kramer (4) runs for a gain against Forreston during the 2023 season.

•DIXON

Continued from page 13

receivers who played a lot last year and were just behind a couple of guys. When you’ve got a kid like Aiden Wiseman, you give him the ball a lot; I see us spreading it out more this year,” coach Shaner said. “We probably don’t have that one guy at the running back position that’s going to run for 1,500 yards, but I think we’re going to be able to get the ball to four, five, six guys that can all make plays for us.

“Tyson’s back, Devon’s back. Landon Knigge didn’t get a ton of time on offense last year, just because he was behind Aiden, but he was a starter on defense all year and was a great kick returner for us. And Cullen will be just fine at quarterback. He played there up until his sophomore year, when he moved to receiver and started playing on the varsity. We’re going to have to have some guys step up on the O-line, because we lost some seniors from last year’s team.”

Leading the way in the trenches will be Zepezauer and fellow seniors Aidan Hoggard, Will Howard, Peyton Dingley and John Godbold. They all got solid varsity experience last year, and they’ve also been impressed with the level of commitment shown by the younger players.

“We’re definitely rolling deep this year. We’ve got some experience, and we’ve also got a lot of young guys coming up to varsity. We’re looking fast, we’re looking disciplined,” Zepezauer said. “A lot of linemen were working hard every day. Surprisingly, a lot of freshmen came out early in the offseason working hard, just getting in their reps. Everyone’s involved, everyone’s a part of the team, everyone wants it. And that’s what makes a winning team.”

Zepezauer and Davidson both credited last year’s senior class with setting an example that will help this year’s seniors be leaders on and off the field.

“That was a big senior group and they were good; those guys made a lot of plays for us. But we’re returning a lot more starters than maybe it feels like. You get out here and look around on the defensive end and I see a lot of familiar faces from last year. We’re just really excited to be back out here,” Davidson said. “We’re a close group; last year’s was a close group, and I think we really picked that up from them. They really showed us how to be a good team and how to play together. So we’re trying to carry that on this year, and I think we’re ready to go. We’ve got a lot of experience and we’re ready to put that to good use.”

Dixon returns eight starters on

defense, led by last year’s leading tackler Davidson. In fact, the Dukes bring back seven of their top nine tacklers from a year ago, and have experience all three levels.

“We’ve got talent across the board, at every position on both sides of the ball,” Davidson said. “We’ve got guys who should be out there on the field playing varsity football who are going to be standing on the sideline, and that depth is a good problem to have. It makes these preseason practices really competitive, and we’re making each other better everyday. We’ve got a lot of talent, and it’s just a matter of finding where it lands at each spot. Kids are trying out different spots and seeing where everybody fits.”

Part of the fuel feeding Dixon’s fire comes from last year’s heartbreaking finish. Even after a 9-2 record, the Dukes – who outscored their opponents 416-211 last year – felt like they let their second-round playoff game slip away, and that’s left a bad taste in their mouths all offseason.

Dixon lost 31-21 to St. Laurence in a game where it had the ball at the 4-yard line trailing 24-21 midway through the third quarter. But the Dukes couldn’t put points on the board, and three plays later, St. Laurence broke off a 77-yard touchdown run to essentially ice the game.

St. Laurence went on to finish sec-

ond in Class 4A, losing the title game to Rochester. Being that close to the state runners-up not only gives the Dukes motivation, but confidence as well.

“That stings; right now even talking about it, it’s tough. But that’s fueling this right now. It’s why we come out here everyday and work our tails off, why we’re not taking any reps off,” Davidson said. “It was just two or three plays that made the difference in losing that [playoff] game, so we know that every rep counts. It’s really fueling us to dig deep and understand that inches matter. In that game, we were a couple of inches away from maybe beating the team that went on to finish second in the state, so it really puts things in perspective, and we’re not taking it for granted.”

Good luck to all area teams on

Milledgeville

Milledgeville shooting for deep run this season

By TY REYNOLDS For Shaw Media

Over the last several years, Milledgeville has boasted some of the best skill-position players in the area. This fall will be no different.

Despite losing standout quarterback Connor Nye to graduation, the Missiles will once again have talent and depth among their playmakers.

“We’ve got some nice pieces back, with good experience. We’ve got a lot of different guys who can carry the load this year, and I think we have some athletes who are mismatches for teams,” longtime coach Jason Wroble said. “If we can get the ball to those guys in space, we have a lot of playmakers who have the potential to take it the distance every time.

“There’s not just one guy now, we have several, and teams are going to have to pick their poison.”

Nye leaves some huge shoes to fill. The quarterback was a three-time first-team All-State pick who ended his career as the Illinois 8-Man Football Association’s all-time leader in passing yards (4,244), passing TDs (75) and total TDs (112). Not only that, he served as a security blanket for Wroble and offensive coordinator Brad Grenoble.

“Connor was one of those types of players that you don’t get many of in your career as a coach,” Wroble said. “There was his pure ability, but also his understanding of the game and what to do with the ball. There were times when Coach Grenoble would call a play and I’d think, ‘Oh no, how is that going to work?’ and Connor would make some spectacular play with his

arm or legs.”

Nye may be gone, but Milledgeville brings back guys like seniors Micah Toms-Smith and Dalton Adamec and juniors Karter Livengood, Konner Johnson and Spencer Nye, who are all weapons on both sides of the ball.

Toms-Smith had more than 1,000 yards of total offense and 15 touchdowns last year, while Johnson amassed more than 850 yards and 15 TDs; both were also weapons on special teams. Livengood had 526 receiving yards and nine TDs, and also had 10 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and four fumble recoveries. Spencer Nye ran for 311 yards and three scores, and added nine TFLs, 6.5 sacks, five interceptions and five fumble recoveries.

That’s why it’s not just on offense that Wroble is excited to see what his team can do.

“I think a lot of the guys we’ve got right now are defensive-mindset guys,” he said. “We’ve got guys who love it when they’re playing defense, who want to fly around the field and make plays, just wreak havoc on the other team’s offense. They play fast and physical, and they’re excited to bring that to the table again this year.”

The Missiles come into 2024 with a chip on their shoulders, as a second-round playoff loss to rival Polo ended last season a little earlier than they would’ve liked. The offseason work began almost immediately after last season for some of the veteran players eager to get back out there this fall.

“The kids are chomping at the bit. They’re all pretty excited to get back after it, and the coaching staff is

excited too,” Wroble said. “Obviously that exit from the playoffs against our rivals left a sour taste, and I had some kids only a couple of weeks after football was over last season come up to me and say, ‘I wish next year was here already.’ We’ve had good summer turnout, a lot of guys working hard with conditioning and in the weight room, and I like the team we’ve got. We’ll see what we can do when the rubber meets the road.”

Oct.

Alex T. Paschal – apaschal@shawmedia.com

Milledgeville’s Micah Toms-Smith (6) gains yardage against Polo during their 2023 I8FA second-round playoff game at Floyd Daub Field in Milledgeville.

Morrison football ready to compete in NUIC; Wooden Shoe game is back Week 9

By DRAKE LANSMAN dlansman@shawmedia.com

Switching from the Three Rivers Athletic Conference to the Northwest Upstate Illini Conference is a move that came to make a lot of sense for the Morrison High School football team

and coach Nathan Vandermyde.

“We’re going to be playing very similarly-sized schools week-in and week-out,” he said. “There’s not really a big fluctuation in the size of who we’re facing. I think it was a good transition for us.”

The move also means the return of the Wooden Shoe game between Ful -

ton and Morrison, which is the last game of the regular season this year on Oct. 25. The Wooden Shoe series between the two conference rivals became official in 1977 and was last played in the regular season in 2021. Morrison beat Fulton 34-12 in the first round of last year’s Class 1A playoffs.

Vandermyde, a 2008 Morrison graduate who played quarterback for the Mustangs in 2006 and 2007, was previously an assistant at both Fulton and Morrison for four years. He’s now in his second year as head coach with the Mustangs.

“It’s a good rivalry,” he said of the matchup with Fulton. “For us, I feel like it’s another game. It’s Week 9; whoever we play is who we play. But it’s something I think that for both communities, it’s one they see on the

schedule, it’s one that they circle.

“There’s a lot of history, there’s a lot of pride in the community with that matchup. It seems like every time Morrison and Fulton play, it’s just a

See MORRISON, page 29

Date Opponent

Aug. 30 Lena-Winslow

Sept. 6 at Galena

Sept. 13 at Galesburg

Sept. 20 at Du-Pec

Sept. 27 Forreston

Oct. 4 Dakota

Oct. 11 at Stockton

Oct. 18 Eastland-Pearl City

Oct. 25 at F ulton

Photo by Brian Hurley / Shaw Media

Morrison’s Colton Bielema prepares to hand off against Fulton in round one of the Class 1A football playoffs. Bielema is back under center this season to help lead the Mustangs in their first year playing in the NUIC.

Newman football looks ‘ahead of the game’ in Mike LeMay’s third season as coach

All-conference

linebacker Daniel Kelly leads experienced group of returning players

By DRAKE LANSMAN dlansman@shawmedia.com

Newman Central Catholic football coach Mike LeMay feels like his team is ahead of the game.

After a strong offseason led by a number of experienced seniors, the Comets are feeling confident.

“We have some guys that have played a significant amount of reps in varsity games the last four years,” LeMay said. “It’s a lot less teaching now, because the summer went so well. We’re hoping that matches with execution in a game.”

Newman will be tested right off the bat in a Three Rivers Mississippi matchup with Princeton in Week 1. Princeton is the defending conference champion and reached the Class 3A state quarterfinals last season.

The Tigers have shut out Newman the last three matchups.

“I think it’s great,” LeMay said of the tough Week 1 matchup. “Our kids have had it circled for a long time. The focus is there. They are going to be ready. Princeton is a quality team. I think it’s always good to go into a game, especially Week 1, being challenged to kind of see what the makeup

of the team is early on.”

LeMay said the team has been trying to “close the gap” with Princeton.

“This year, hopefully we can take a step and really be in the game and see what it looks like,” he said. “It’s ramped up the focus of the team getting ready for them. … The kids are excited for the challenge.”

LeMay said the team’s leadership stands out early on. The defense is also solid and has speed. The football team also features multiple athletes who contributed to the baseball team’s run back to state.

“I do feel strongly about that leadership and I hope that pays off for us as we get ready to go in the game,” LeMay said.

Daniel Kelly was a first-team AllTRAC linebacker last season. Fellow seniors Cody McBride (CB) and Brady Williamson (RB/DB) are also among LeMay’s top players, according to the coach.

Junior Evan Bushman is back at quarterback after starting every game last year.

“We’re looking forward to seeing him come back,” LeMay said. “He’s definitely made some big strides this summer.”

Bushman, who threw for around 1,400 yards last season, has helped provide some balance to the offense at the traditionally run-heavy program.

LeMay, a 2006 Newman graduate, is in his third year as head coach. He was an assistant at Sterling for 10 years.

Newman went 5-5 and 7-3 his first two years. The Comets have had at least five wins since 1992.

He said the team has athletes and looks bigger, faster and stronger than previous seasons. A fleet of different players are expected to run the ball.

“There’s a lot more depth,” LeMay said. “It’s going to be an exciting year and you will hopefully be hearing a bunch of different names throughout the season.”

Photo by Alex T. Paschal/ Shaw Media Newman’s Evan Bushman hands the ball off during practice Monday, Aug. 12, 2024 for the first day of football practice.

Oregon aiming to take the next step

By JOSHUA WELGE jwelge@shawmedia.com

Oregon’s football program found success last season that had been elusive for nearly a decade.

The next step?

In third-year coach Broc Kundert’s estimation, that measure will be how the Hawks handle the spoils of success.

“I feel like last year, even after a few games we won, we thought we had arrived,” Kundert said. “We can’t overlook anybody. Week after week has to be our best effort.”

Hopes are understandably quite high in Oregon this fall. The Hawks, coming off a 5-5 season and first playoff appearance since 2014, return eight starters on offense and six on defense. It’s a senior laden group with close to 25 seniors, four of them third-year starters Jack Washburn, Josh Crandall, Hunter Bartel and Briggs Sellers.

“Small schools, kids get pulled in a ton of different directions, but that senior group are football-first guys,” Kundert said. “They play other sports, but they’re the group that has pushed us in the right direction in the weight room and work ethic. Everything that we’re trying to build, they are the group that we have built around.

“Hopefully we’ll have a pretty successful year. They’ll set the tone.”

Washburn is a quarterback who can throw it with accuracy, and Kundert called probably the smartest guy on the team.

“He is the guy in the huddle that knows everybody’s responsibilities, what they are doing, understands the game and embraces the role of quar -

Oregon’s Logan Weems runs for a gain during September 2023 action against the

terback,” Kundert said. “He’s a leader by example. He does everything right.”

The Hawks’ vocal leader is the one who snaps Washburn the ball. Sellers, Oregon’s 6-foot-1, 285-pound center, was a first team all-conference offensive lineman as a junior.

“He sets the tone for us,” Kundert said. “He’s one of the guys that after practices sticks around with the coaches and talks for 20 minutes. He plays hard, he’s a big kid – he’s tough.”

Crandall, 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds, holds scholarship offers from Illinois State, Illinois Wesleyan and Sacred

Heart out of Connecticut. He will play tight end, defensive line – wherever the Hawks need him.

“He is a big kid, runs well, we’ll split him out at wide receiver, H-back, tight end – he’s a guy that will move around for us,” Kundert said. “He is talented, smart and physical. He wants to put people on their backs. He is a hard-nosed football player.”

Bartel, the fourth third-year starter, will play receiver and defensive back.

“He is kind of the Jack on defense.

Aug. 30 at North Boone

Sept. 6 at Dixon

Sept. 13 Genoa-Kingston

Sept. 20 Winnebago

Sept. 27 at Byron

Oct. 4 Stillman Valley

Oct. 11 at Rock Falls

Oct. 18 at Rockford Lutheran Oct. 25 Athens

Earleen Hinton – ehinton@shawmedia.com

Winnebago Indians at Winnebago High School.

New cast of characters in Polo hope to keep special run going

By TY REYNOLDS For Shaw Media

The last few football seasons have been special in Polo. State championships in 2019 and 2021 were followed by trips to the Illinois 8-Man Football Association semifinals in each of the last two years.

The Marcos have been in the Final Four each of the last four seasons when playoffs were held. To get back there this fall, though, it’s going to take some new faces stepping up and leading the way.

“We’ve got a lot of starters to replace,” longtime coach Ted Alston said. “We’ve only got one or two guys returning on each side of the ball that saw any significant time last year.”

The biggest loss is do-everything quarterback/running back/linebacker Brock Soltow. The three-time first-team All-State pick ended his career last fall as the I8FA’s all-time leader in rushing touchdowns (83) and total offensive yards (6,670), and ranked second in rushing yards (5,424) and total touchdowns (104).

Also gone is running back Delo Fernandez, a speedy complement to Soltow’s power who won a Class 1A state track championship in the 4x100 as a junior in 2023. Tight ends Landen Brooks and Nathaniel Yingling have both graduated, as have linemen Jacob Monaco and Alex Albano.

Essentially, it’s almost a full rebuild on the offensive side of the ball – but Alston remains optimistic about the

Polo’s Noah Dewey picks up yards against Milledgeville in round 2 of the

new crew coming in.

“We lost one of the best players that I’ve ever coached; we lost the entire backfield, both tight ends, our center and our guard. It’s a lot to replace,” Alston said. “But the thing is, the kids we have coming back, it’s not like they’ve never seen varsity time. They’re kids that we could have put in games as juniors last year, quality kids who were just behind other kids that were good, experienced players.

“We’ve got a nice-sized senior class, a good number of juniors, a lot of qual-

ity players, and I hope those kids can mature and step up and take those spots.”

A couple of familiar names coming back to the lineup are senior speedster Noah Dewey – also a member of that 2022 state-title 4x100 team with Fernandez – senior receiver and defensive back Billy Lowry, senior defensive stalwart Gus Mumford, and senior Jeffrey Donaldson and junior Wyatt

See POLO, page 29

Date

Schedule

Opponent

Aug. 30 South Beloit

Sept. 6 at River Ridge

Sept. 13 Hiawatha

Sept. 20 at Ashton-Franklin Center

Sept. 27 Alden Hebron

Oct. 4 at Milledgeville

Oct. 11 Rockford Christian Life

Oct. 18 at West Carroll

Oct. 26 at Orangeville

Alex T. Paschal – apaschal@shawmedia.com

18FA football bracket in November 2023 at Milledgeville.

Rock Falls

Rock Falls football hopes to continue moving in right direction

Rockets have not had a winning season since 2009

By DRAKE LANSMAN dlansman@shawmedia.com

Rock Falls High School football coach Kevin Parker hopes things are finally moving in the right direction for the football program.

Parker says there are players that have started since they were freshmen. He says the program continues to add committed players, despite a downtick in overall numbers this year. There are 11 seniors. The coaching staff has mostly been the same during his six years.

It just comes down to turning the positives into wins.

“We’re excited to see those things come together,” Parker said. “[We hope] the change in our culture will start to result in some wins and consistent play.”

The Rockets have not won more than two games since 2017 and have not had a winning season since they went 5-4 in 2009. Before that, it was the 7-4 season in 1992, the last time they reached the playoffs.

Two of the seniors leading the way for Rock falls this season are quarterback Easton Canales and wide receiver Austin Castaneda.

“We’re really excited about our

skill guys,” Parker said. “We’ve got a lot of quality there. Kids that are quick, kids that have put in time in the weight room. Kids that have been working their tails off in practice. We’ve got a lot of experience in those positions.”

Parker said adding to the win column comes down to having confidence and playing to their abilities. And not getting in their own way.

“Decreasing mistakes. Mistakes that we can control. We have made way too many mistakes since I’ve been here,” he said. “We make way too many mental mistakes on the football field.”

He said it’s been a challenge for players having motivation and consistency on the football team with low expectations.

“To challenge players across from you and not to just give in to their abilities. … We want to find out how good we truly are. Not kind of just cower back and take a couple shots.”

Another key player Parker mentioned for this season is 6-foot-5, 325pound lineman Hunter Gale.

“To me, what solves that is a commitment from the kids in the offseason,” he said. “If kids put the time and energy into preparing, they’re not going to quit, they’re going to focus better and that leads to wins.”

Rock Falls also currently has an open spot in its schedule in Week 5 (Sept. 27) after Rockford Christian canceled its season. The Royal Lions were one of Rock Falls’ wins last year and finished winless. The Rockets also beat Winnebago, 41-35, in the last game of the season.

To open this season, Rock Falls has a tall task in Week 1 with defending Class 3A state champion Byron. Parker considers them the best team in the state.

“I simply look for the effort level and our desire to compete,” he said.

“He needs to be the catalyst for us up front,” Parker said. “We did lose a couple kids from moving out of the district and some surprises not to play. We’ve got some younger kids, some juniors coming in that are very strong kids. Just having that group up front play together and jell is absolutely the key to our season.”

Date Opponent

Aug. 30 Byron

Sept. 6 at Stillman Valley

Sept. 13 Dixon

Sept. 20 Rockford Lutheran

Sept. 2 open

Oct. 4 at North Boone

Oct. 11 Oregon

Oct. 18 Genoa-Kingston Oct. 25 at Winnebago

Photo by Alex T. Paschal/ Shaw Media

The Rock Falls football team lines up for drills Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. The Rockets face Byron on Aug. 30.

Sterling is focused on better results after sneaking into playoffs last season

Senior quarterback Drew Nettleton taking on larger role

By DRAKE LANSMAN dlansman@shawmedia.com

STERLING – As summer heats up in late July, so does the quarterback competition at Sterling football camp.

Through the first week-and-a-half of 7-on-7s and camp, it’s been a threehorse race for the starting job.

The contenders so far? Senior Cale Ledergerber and junior Joe Holcomb –both converted running backs/ receivers – and junior Drew Nettleton, last year’s third-string quarterback.

As the 2023 season draws nearer, the quarterback depth chart will come into focus. Right now, the starting job is anyone’s to win.

“What is it, the 20th today? And I don’t know if I’ve got a good answer for you yet. We’ve got three kids competing, and we think three different kids bring different skill sets to the table,” Sterling coach Jon Schlemmer said at a three-team 7-on-7 with Dixon and Newman on Thursday. “I don’t necessarily have a good answer. It’s not like I’m trying to hide anything, there’s just a lot of competition left. And getting into fall camp, there’s going to be guys competing for that job. Being this late in the summer, it’s as wide-open as we’ve ever had. We’ve still got time to figure some things out, but there’s nothing there yet.”

Last year, the Golden Warriors relied heavily on two senior quarterbacks: Kael Ryan, a Class 5A IHSFCA All-State selection and Western Big 6 MVP, and JP Schilling, an all-Western Big 6 first-team selection.

Ryan rushed for 1,178 yards and 22 touchdowns on 154 carries, and was 36-for-68 passing for 387 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions last year.

Schilling went 50-for-80 passing for 680 yards and seven touchdowns, and rushed for 641 yards and 12 touchdowns on 124 carries.

Suffice to say, replacing them will not be easy.

“Those are two special, special high

school players. They brought not only the physical attributes of being able to run the ball, being able to scramble, kind of get out of some sticky situations, but they both led on the field,” Schlemmer said. “And Kael, a little bit more of a running guy, but both guys played both ways, so they’re going to be hard to replace. But we have good kids that are coming back up. Some of the intangibles that both of those guys had, it’s not something I coach. It’s just what they were born with. They worked hard to get their skill sets and get the things that they needed to get, but they’re tough ones to replace.”

The starting quarterback job, wide open as it is, could come down to who is the most efficient passer. Decision-making will also influence the choice, and running ability could separate one from the rest.

“We have three people in the quarterback competition right now. It’s a pretty good competition,” Ledergerber said. “I’ll definitely have to complete like 50% or more [of my passes] to have the starting job, passing-wise, anyway. We have some pretty good quarterbacks in the quarterback room.”

“I’ve thought it’s been really good. It’s been a really tough competition, too, because Cale and Joe, they’re both really good players,” Nettleton said. “So it’s been really difficult, but I think to win that, I’ll just have to complete more passes, make better reads and better decisions overall.”

“It’ll definitely take determination [to win the job],” Holcomb said. “We have a lot of people coming in at quarterback.”

Each quarterback could add a different dimension to the offense. Nettleton, a varsity baseball pitcher and shortstop, is the most polished passer of the three. Ledergerber and Holcomb are dangerous runners; their 4x200 relay team won the Class 2A Illinois Top Times indoor state track & field championship in March, then earned fourth- and sixth-place medals in 4x200 and 4x100 at the IHSA outdoor state meet in May.

Schlemmer is intrigued by all three.

“Cale Ledergerber, he’ll be a senior. He played running back for us the last couple of years, and the kid can really, really, really scoot, man,” Schlemmer said. “He’s a good-looking athlete, he

runs really well, he’s good in open space. I think he’s working on some things as far as he just hasn’t played quarterback ever before. The reads in the pass games and certain things like that, they’re going to come, it just takes time. And it doesn’t always happen immediately.

“Drew Nettleton, who’s a junior –we think he throws the ball really well, and he’s got a pretty good understanding of our pass scheme and what we’re trying to do. So he does a good job with that.

“And then Joe Holcomb, who’s kind of played receiver/running back before, he’s just such a dynamic athlete, and he’s a smart kid. And once things start slowing down for him, we think he can be really, really good.”

As a converted running back/ receiver, Ledergerber is still developing as a passer. But that previous experience, although at different positions, is coming in handy.

“I never played quarterback when I was younger, but playing receiver and running back helps a lot because I already know some of the reads for run plays,” Ledergerber said. “And then it helps with knowing what the DBs are going to do on pass plays.”

In the wake of the senior departures at quarterback – as well as running backs Antonio Tablante and AJ Kested –Sterling has big production and leadership voids to fill. To reach its lofty goals this season, the seniors will need to rise to the occasion.

“Definitely leadership, someone needs to take control,” Holcomb said. “Some seniors need to step up and lead the team, for sure.”

“We definitely have to have some people step up as vocal leaders in practice and on the field during games,” Ledergerber said.

Alex T. Paschal – apaschal@shawmedia.com

Sterling’s Drew Nettleton works on his footwork Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024 during quarterback drills at Sterling High School.

West Carroll

West Carroll’s hopes are high with move to 8-man, new coach

First-year head coach was assistant for Amboy-LaMoille-Ohio

8-man state champions

By JOSHUA WELGE jwelge@shawmedia.com

Abelardo Sustaita’s move to West Carroll seems like a case of perfect timing.

He hopes success follows him.

Sustaita, hired as West Carroll’s new head football coach just after Christmas, previously coached the receivers and defensive backs, and JV team, for the Amboy-LaMoille-Ohio co-op. That program last November won the Illinois 8-Man Football Association state championship to cap a perfect season. It’s reached the state championship game the past two seasons.

As luck would have it, West Carroll this fall is moving to the 8-man game after an 0-9 season in 2023 in the Northwest Upstate Illini, generally considered one of the most difficult small-school leagues in Illinois.

“I remembered the transition we had at Amboy. It’s different,” Sustaita said. “I think these kids can be successful.”

That’s a big statement for a program that has struggled mightily in recent seasons. West Carroll is winless the past three seasons it fielded a football team, with its last win coming in 2019 – also the program’s last playoff appearance.

But Sustaita, who moved to Illinois from Texas in 2019 and has experience coaching bigger schools in Texas, is looking to change that vibe. He said that this summer he had 15-17 kids in the weight room in the morning and another 15-17 in the evening.

“The first thing is just that energy. When I got here the energy was so down. I’m an energy guy and I’m telling the kids they’re going to win,” Sustaita said. “When I was at Amboy, I was a physical education teacher and worked with weightlifting and

did a lot of weightlifting with the boys, and that’s something we did over here. When I walked around school I could see the talent. The numbers didn’t match the other schools. Maybe that’s why they struggled.”

From Sustaita’s experience, the bigger adjustment with the move to 8-man is more with the coaching staff than the kids. He was fortunate enough to retain former head coach Mike Bicksler as the team’s defensive coordinator among other coaches staying on.

“The kids have picked it up pretty quick,” Sustaita said. “We are starting to come together, the players and coaches, trying to figure out what I want to create as an identity. We are not bringing Amboy here, not to say that I didn’t learn things there. We’re trying to create something here.”

Sustaita is expecting a little over

30 kids out for football, freshman through senior class. Junior Winter Harrington will be the team’s quarterback. Senior Aden Wiest is an offensive lineman who missed last season with an injury. Senior Conner Townsend is a fullback/linebacker and Sustaita likes the aggressiveness of sophomore linebacker Aden Buchholz.

West Carroll receives its introduction to the 8-man game with the home opener Aug. 30 against River Ridge.

“The excitement has been there with the parents, the community –we’re going to look different, we have new uniforms,” Sustaita said. “Weightlifting last summer ... they were lucky to get five to six kids out. This year we we had 15-17 in the morning and 15-17 in the evening. We did an 8-man week camp for the middle school, got coaches set up. In a couple years we will have the experi-

ence all the way down to the sixth grade. Even with the coaches I was surprised that they were very open coming in. We’ve been lucky. We understand that changes have been made. We’re ready for the kids to win.”

Schedule

Date Opponent Aug. 30 River Ridge

Sept. 6 at Hiawatha

Sept. 13 Ashton-Franklin Center

Sept. 20 at Alden-Hebron

Sept. 27 Milledgeville

Oct. 4 at Rockford Christian Life

Oct. 12 at Orangeville

Oct. 18 Polo

Oct. 25 at South Beloit

Earleen Hinton – ehinton@shawmedia.com

West Carroll’s Austin Lahre (right) defends a pass against Eastland-Pearl City during the spring 2021 season.

•MORRISON

Continued from page 22

different environment you’re playing in.”

Back for Morrison to lead the backfield is junior Brady Anderson, a unanimous first-team all-conference pick last year at running back after rushing for 1,026 yards and 17 touchdowns on 86 carries. The speedy back was also a Sauk Valley Media co-track athlete of the year last spring.

“I want to see him continually get better. Keep mastering his craft,” Vandermyde said of Anderson. “He’s the

•OREGON

Continued from page 24

He knows what everybody is doing, is real smart defensively, has things figured out,” Kundert said. “He runs real well – we’re hoping for a big year for him. Put the ball in his hands, he’s pretty dangerous.”

Senior running back Logan Weems, a first team Sauk Valley Newspapers pick and second-team All-Big Northern pick as a junior, rushed for 1,111

•POLO

Continued from page 25

Plachno on the line.

“Noah was a great receiver last year, and we’re going to try and get him the ball in as many different ways as possible,” Alston said. “Billy was a good receiver and defender in the secondary. Gus played a lot of defense for us last year and will be one of the kids trying to take over the quarterback spot this year. And on the line of scrimmage, Jeffrey saw a lot of time in different spots; we plugged him in wherever we needed him week to week, and he saw a lot of time at a lot of spots. Wyatt saw a lot of time too, especially

running back that has the most varsity experience in the backfield, so he’s going to be the one that guys look to to know the assignments. I kind of put it on Brady that he needs to be able to communicate that to them.

“He’s got to be the leader in that backfield.”

Senior Colton Bielema is also back under center at quarterback after throwing for 800 yards and 12 TDs with a 54% completion percentage.

Vandermyde intends to mix things up between run and pass.

“He came through big for us in some big moments,” the coach said of Bielema. “There were some really big

yards on 223 carries with 14 TDs. Tough as they come, Weems dislocated an elbow on the third play of Oregon’s playoff loss to Du-Pec last year, but popped it back in and kept going.

“He is just hard-nosed. He wants to run you over, not run around you. He very rarely will go down with one hit,” Kundert said. “He has sneaky speed on the football field. He is faster than he looks. He’s a gamer. He was injured most of last year, and you wouldn’t have known.”

The Hawks had to lean on Weems

at the end of the year.

“We’ve got a lot of guys coming back who weren’t full-time players, but got quality time, and then we’ve got other kids who have worked pretty hard this summer. We’re hoping they’re going to step up for us this year.”

One thing that’s been ever-present for the Marcos the last several seasons is a hunger to prove themselves. After a senior-heavy group won the state title in Polo’s first year in I8FA in 2019, another group was eager to prove themselves in 2021 after COVID-19 wiped out the playoffs in 2020. Then after that second state title, leaders like Soltow and Avery Grenoble made sure the team kept playing with that

throws in the Princeton game that helped propel us to coming out on top.”

Vandermyde also listed seniors Austin Boonstra (OL/DL), Donny Reavy (FB/DL) and Tyler Peters (OL/ DL)among his top players.

He understands the increased competition this season. There is not a week off in the NUIC.

“We’ve got to be fundamentally sound with our responsibilities and doing our individual jobs week-in and week-out, because in the NUIC, there’s no easy game,” he said. “Everybody is a tough opponent, everybody is vying for that playoff spot.

quite a bit last season, but with added depth Kundert is hopeful they can keep him fresh. He’ll run behind an offensive line with three returning starters that Kundert considers one of his team’s strongest units. Andrew Young and Seth Rote started every game at guard as juniors, and Kyson Morris is at tackle.

“Nobody out there should not know what’s going on. We have experience, and nothing has really changed,” Kundert said. “There might be times where we’re overmatched by a guy,

chip on their shoulders to prove again that they were contenders.

Now, a new group of Marcos are ready to make their mark.

“You can really tell with the older kids that they know it’s their chance to step up. They’re definitely wanting to take the reins and prove what they can do,” Alston said. “A lot of them weren’t far off from being starters last year, and now that they have the chance to be in there, you can tell they want to be on the field all the time.”

While it will be impossible for one player to step in and replace a 5,000yard rusher, Polo has a stable of backs looking to share the load this season. There’s a lot of trust between the backfield and the line, but Alston warns

“It’s going to be a challenge, but I think our guys are going to be up for that challenge and welcome that challenge.”

He expects every team’s best shot as the new team on the block. But the Mustangs are used to playing hard.

“I think it’s very similar to the style of football that we play as well,” Vandermyde said. “It just feels like kind of a natural fit. There’s a lot of smash mouth football, there’s big hits, there’s big boys out there. I think we should fit right in. It should be a fun year.”

but that shouldn’t happen a ton.”

Oregon doesn’t have to look far to recognize what taking success to the next level looks like. Just up the road, Byron is coming off a 14-0 season and Class 3A state championship. That kind of week-in, week-out consistency doesn’t happen by accident.

“You look at Byron, every game is their best game. That is what we have to be,” Kundert said. “Approach every game like it’s the state championship and go from there.”

that any injuries will be tougher to overcome this year than in the last couple because of the Marcos don’t have the depth that they’ve been blessed with in recent years.

“Offensively, we’ve got to have kids step up and want to be playmakers,” Alston said. “We won’t have that one go-to guy to give the ball to 25 or 30 times in a game – but we have maybe four or five guys to spread it out to for five or 10 carries a game. I think we’ll have a more diverse offense, and if the kids understand and accept those roles, I think we’ll be good.

“And defensively, we’ve got some good kids, but we’ve got to get better at tackling. That’s going to be a point of emphasis for us all season.”

2024 Master Schedule

When and where to see your favorite team each week

Note: All games 7 p.m. unless noted

WEEK 1

Friday, Aug. 30

• Amboy vs. Ridgewood

• Dixon vs. Stillman Valley

• Oregon at North Boone

• Newman at Princeton

• Rock Falls vs. Byron

• Bureau Valley at United

• Fulton at Forreston

• Eastland at Galena

• Morrison vs. Lena-Winslow

• Erie-Prophetstown at Kewanee

• Sterling vs. Metamora

• Milledgeville vs. Ashton-Franklin Center

• West Carroll vs. River Ridge

• Polo vs. South Beloit

WEEK 4

Friday, Sept. 20

• Dixon at Genoa-Kingston

• Oregon vs. Winnebago

• Rock Falls vs. Rockford Lutheran

• Bureau Valley at Farmington

• Fulton vs. Stockton

• Eastland vs. Forreston

• Morrison at Durand

• Erie-Prophetstown at Rockridge

• Newman vs. Orion

• Sterling at Galesburg

• Milledgeville vs. Rockford Christian

• Ashton-Franklin Center vs. Polo

Saturday, Sept. 21

• Amboy vs. Bushnell-Prairie City, 1 p.m.

Fulton

Lower talks to his team during a 7-on-7 competition

Camanche, Iowa in Fulton on Friday, July 26, 2024. Football practice begins Aug. 8 and the season starts Friday, Aug. 30 when the Steamers host Forreston..

WEEK 2

Friday, Sept. 6

• Dixon vs. Oregon

• Rock Falls at Stillman Valley

• Bureau Valley at Colfax Ridgeview

• Fulton at Lena-Winslow

• Eastland at Durand

• Morrison at Galena

• Erie-Prophetstown vs. Hall

• Newman vs. Mendota

• Sterling vs. Niles Notre Dame

• Forreston vs. Dakota

• Milledgeville at Alden-Hebron

• AFC vs. Christian Life

• West Carroll at Hiawatha

• Polo at River Ridge

Saturday, Sept. 7

• Amboy/LaMoille/Ohio at West Prairie/Southeastern, 1 p.m.Polo at Orangeville, 1 p.m.

WEEK 5

Friday, Sept. 27

• Amboy at Cambridge

• Dixon at Rockford Lutheran

• Oregon at Byron

• Rock Falls at Rockford Christian

• Bureau Valley vs. Knoxville

• Fulton vs. Dakota

• Eastland at Stockton

• Morrison vs. Forreston

• Erie-Prophetstown vs. Mercer County

• Newman vs. Rockridge

• Sterling vs. Beloit Turner (WI)

• Milledgeville at West Carroll

• Ashton-Franklin Center at South Beloit

• Polo vs. Alden-Hebron

WEEK 3

Friday, Sept. 13

• Dixon at Rock Falls

• Oregon vs. Genoa-Kingston

• Bureau Valley vs. Lewistown

• Fulton at Lanark Eastland

• Morrison vs. Galesburg

• Newman at Erie-Prophetstown

• Sterling vs. UT

• Forreston vs. Galena

• Amboy vs. Galva

• Ashton-Franklin Center at West Carroll

• Polo vs. Hiawatha

Saturday, Sept. 14

• Milledgeville at Orangeville, 1 p.m.

WEEK 6

Friday, Oct. 4

• Dixon at Winnebago

• Oregon vs. Stillman Valley

• Rock Falls at North Boone

• Bureau Valley vs. Elmwood

• Fulton at Galena

• Eastland vs. Westmont

• Morrison vs. Dakota

• Erie-Prophetstown at Riverdale

• Newman at Mercer County

• Sterling vs. Geneseo

• Forreston vs. Stockton

• Amboy at Flanagan

• Milledgeville vs. Polo

• Ashton-Franklin Center vs. River Ridge

Earleen Hinton – ehinton@shawmedia.com

coach Patrick

with

Alex T. Paschal – apaschal@shawmedia.com

WEEK 7

Friday, Oct. 11

• Amboy vs. Peoria Heights

• Dixon vs. Rockford Christian

• Oregon at Rock Falls

• Bureau Valley at Carthage Illini West

• Fulton at Durand

• Eastland vs. Lena-Winslow

• Morrison at Stockton

• Erie-Prophetstown vs. Orion

• Newman vs. Riverdale

• Sterling at Quincy

• Forreston vs. Southwestern/ East Dubuque (WI)

• Milledgeville at South Beloit

• Ashton-Franklin Center at Hiawatha

• Polo vs. Christian Life

WEEK 8

Friday, Oct. 18

•Dixon vs. Byron

•Oregon at Rockford Lutheran

• Rock Falls vs. Genoa-Kingston

• Bureau Valley at Macomb

•Fulton vs. Knoxville

• Eastland at Morrison

• Erie-Prophetstown at Mendota

•Newman at Kewanee

•Sterling vs. Rock Island

• Forreston vs. Durand

• Amboy/LaMoille/Ohio at Biggsville West Central

• Milledgeville vs. River Ridge

•Ashton-Franklin Center vs. Orangeville

• West Carroll vs. Polo

WEEK 9

Friday, Oct. 25

• Dixon at Poplar Grove North Boone

• Rockford Christian

• Rock Falls at Winnebago

• Bureau Valley vs. Hamilton West Hancock

• Fulton vs. Morrison

• Eastland vs. Dakota

• Erie-Prophetstown vs. Princeton

• Newman vs. Monmouth

• Sterling at Moline

• Forreston at Lena-Winslow

• Amboy/LaMoille/Ohio vs. Bushnell-Prairie City

• Milledgeville at Hiawatha

• Ashton-Franklin Center vs. Alden-Hebron

• West Carroll at South Beloit

Saturday, Oct. 26

• Polo at Orangeville, 1 p.m.

LEFT: Sterling players run through drills Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024 during the first week of football practice. RIGHT: Dixon’s Jay Zeigler hauls in a catch during the first day of football practice Monday, Aug. 12, 2024.