BCT-08-28-2014

Thursday, August 28, 2013

2C • Thursday, August 28, 2014

Bureau County Republican • bcrnews.com

Friday Night Lights Traditions

BCR file photo

Each area school has their own bit of tradition when it comes to playing under the Friday Night Lights. Here’s a look at a few!

BCR file photo BCR photo/Dan Dwyer

Remembering Daniel It was just the first day of practice of the 2012 season when Hall High School’s Daniel Lule collapsed on the field and later died with what proved to be an undiagnosed enlarged heart. The Red Devils have since rallied around that tragic loss, paying tribute to their lost teammate as they take the field by rubbing the head of a football figurine at the entrance of Nesti Stadium.

Piece of the rock The return in recent years of the rock to Princeton High School has led to a newly founded tradition for the Tigers, with each player touching it on the way to taking Bryant Field. The legendary rock has what can be described at best as a colorful history at Princeton High School.

BCR file photo

Raising the helmets See more traditions on page 12

One common team tradition is the raising of the helmets. The St. Bede Bruins rally together after a grid battle (left) and will salute their fans as do the Bureau Valley Storm (above).

Thursday, August 28, 2014 • 3C

Bureau County Republican • bcrnews.com

Princeton High School Nickname: Tigers

2014 Roster No. Player Yr. Ht./Wt. Pos 1 Kai Tomaszewski Jr. 5-7/130 RB/DB 2 *Michael Camp Sr. 6-0/160 WR/DB 3 Levi Bates Jr. 5-11/160 WR/DB 4 Eric Bibula Jr. 5-9/155 RB/DB 5 *Jacob Reinhardt Jr. 5-10/160 QB/DB 6 Scott Neahring Jr. 5-9/145 WR/DB 7 *Jett Wedekind Jr. 5-10/150 RB/DB 8 Jacob Tudor Jr. 6-0/175 RB/LB 9 Tanner Kuhne Jr. 5-8/150 K 10 *Zach Friel Sr. 6-0/175 WR/DE 12 Jack Bays Jr. 5-9/160 QB/DB 16 Skye Behrends Jr. 6-0/175 TE/LB 20 Austin Nordstrom Jr. 5-8/145 RB/DB 22 *Jacob Smith Jr. 5-10/160 RB/LB 28 Austin Rossler Jr. 5-11/165 RB/DB 30 Luke Marselle Jr. 5-9/130 RB/DB 50 Derek Debruhl Jr. 5-9/170 OL/DL 56 *Kyle Odell Sr. 5-10/210 OL/DL 58 Vince Vergamini So. 6-2/210 OL/DL 60 Griffin Orr Jr. 6-2/170 OL/DL 65 *Skyler Spencer Sr. 5-9/205 OL/DL 66 Levi Piper Jr. 5-11/215 OL/DL 69 Denver Wyatt Jr. 5-11/200 OL/DL 74 Chaz Williams Jr. 6-3/200 OL/DL 75 Nicholas Borg Jr. 6-5/290 OL/DL 77 *Tyler Clark Sr. 6-1/240 OL/DL 78 Dillon Wetzel Jr. 5-9/185 OL/DL 84 Dustin Fultz Jr. 5-9/170 E/DL 88 Luke Hoffman Jr. 6-0/170 E/DB * Returning lettermen Fast Facts Home field: Bryant Field.

Head coach: Jesse Snyder (third year).

Staff: Dan Foes, Rob Jensen, Steve Amy, Tim Ciesielski, Brik Wedekind.

Last year: 0-9 (0-6 TRS).

Enrollment: 549.

Colors: Blue and white.

Jesse Snyder Class: 4A. Conference: 3 Rivers South.

Last playoff appearance: 2003, first round.

On the radio: WZOE 1490 AM. 2014 Schedule Date H/A Opponent (2013 record) Time Aug. 29 H Morrison (2-7) 7:30 Sept. 5 A Newman (13-1) 7:30 Sept. 12 A *Sherrard (4-5) 7:30 Sept. 19 A *St. Bede (5-5) 7:30 Sept. 26 H *Kewanee (6-4) 7:30 Oct. 3 A Fulton (5-4) 7:30 Oct. 10 H *Orion (4-5) 7:30 Oct. 17 H *Rockridge (10-1) 7:30 Oct. 24 H *Hall (7-4) 7:30 *TRAC South Division Conference game Must See Game Sept. 19 St. Bede (first time playing at SBA).

BCR photo/Kevin Hieronymus

Meet the Tigers The Princeton Tigers kicks off the season Friday at Bryant Field vs. Morrison. Team members are (front row, from left) Tanner Kuhne, Austin Nordstrom, Jake Reinhardt, Dillon Wetzel, Eric Bibula, Jett Wedekind, Skyler Spencer, Luke Marselle and Kai Tomaszewski; (second row) Dustin Fultz, Scott Neahring, Jack Bays, Jacob Tudor, Zach Friel, Vince Vergamini and Derek Debruhl; (third row) manager Jamie Kuhn, Austin Rossler, coach Tim Ciesielski, coach Jesse Snyder, coach Steve Amy, coach Dan Foes, coach Brik Wedekind and coach Rob Jensen, Kyle Odell and managers Erika Williams and Katherine Dalziel; and (back row) Levi Piper, Michael Camp, Tyler Clark, Luke Hoffman, Nick Borg, Chaz Williams, Griffin Orr, Levi Bates and Skye Behrends.

Tigers aim to ‘win the day’

By Kevin Hieronymus khieronymus@bcrnews.com

CLASS

PRINCETON — Jesse Snyder doesn’t look back, but rather chooses to look ahead.

His Princeton Tiger football team has not won a game in 20 games and he knows only one way to get the job done — look ahead and work hard.

“Our goal everyday is to Win the Day. That means to focus on the task at hand,” said the third-year head coach. “Win the individual drill, win the play in a team session, win the sprint, win in the meeting room, win in the classroom. If we focus on our task at that time and give full effort, then we will create success. One practice at a time, and Jake one game at a time.”

Reinhardt Putting those little wins together one at a time, can lead to success on game night, Snyder said. While he said the Tigers have potential to surprise some people this year, Snyder is quick to say, “potential is a difficult word to use.

“We have to show that effort on this field (practice) to make it hapZach pen at Bryant Field,” he said. “We Friel

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Have A Great Season!

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PRINCETON TIGERS Conference: Three Rivers South have our great TO days WATCH and our not PLAYERS so great days at times. It’s doing

Have a Great Season Tigers!

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NUMBER OF RETURNING LETTERMEN

the little things out here. I want a lot of effort. I say that to the kids a lot. If you can control your effort, control your assignment, your individual techniques we’re going to have success as a team.

That’s what we’re pushing for.”

Senior Tyler Clark (6-1/240), who returns for his second year on the line, said it’s going to take a team to turn things around.

“All the guys on every single play need to play their hearts out, because it could be one player missing an assignment and they

Tigers Page 7C

Just askingAT... A GLANCE PHS senior lineman, Tyler Clark Who’s the funniest guy on the team? Gotta be Michael Camp.

Who’s the strongest guy on the team? I’m going to have to give it to Nick Borg. He’s been in the weight room day and night.

Who’s the player no one knows about yet? Kai Tomaszewski; he’s fast.

What you do well as a team? I feel our openness as teammates. We’re not afraid to tell each other to step it up or push each other to do our best What does the team need to work on? Execution. I think we just need to finish through our drills and our tackles.

Who you can’t wait to play? Right now, it’s Morrison.

You’ve got to take the first step at a time and first week. We lost to them last year. Hopefully, we’ll get our revenge.

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4C • Thursday, August 28, 2014

Bureau County Republican • bcrnews.com

Bureau Valley HS Nickname: Storm 2014 Roster No. Player Yr. Ht./Wt. Pos. 1 Bryan Herr Fr. 5-9/155 WR/DB 2 Errold Humphries Sr. 5-8/145 WR/DB 6 Drake Davis Fr. 5-9/145 QB/DB 7 *Parker Neuhalfen Sr. 6-2/175 QB/DB 13 Patrick O’Donahue Sr. 5-9/170 RB/LB 16 Hunter Schoff So. 5-10/160 WR/DB 22 *Will Konneck Jr. 5-7/150 RB/DB 24 *Alex Johnson Sr. 5-10/160 E/DB 25 Dalton Kepner Sr. 5-10/165 RB/LB 32 *Tommy Johnston Sr. 6-2/205 RB/DB 33 Jakob Transou Jr. 5-8/155 WR/DB 34 *Blaine Peterson Sr. 6-0/175 WR/DB 42 Hunter Sebby So. 5-10/180 RB/LB 44 *Josh Mead Sr. 5-10/180 RB/LB 51 Shawn Christiansen Jr. 6-0/190 OL/DL 52 Dylan Martin Sr. 6-1/210 OL/DL 54 Rick Lootens Jr. 5-11/185 OL/LB 55 *Chase Pierce Sr. 5-9/165 OL/LB 56 Tommy Brummel Jr. 6-0/180 OL/DL 58 *Riza Mirtoski Sr. 6-0/200 OL/DL 62 *Drew Fordham Jr. 6-2/210 OL/DL 63 *Tyler Gonigam Sr. 6-0/170 OL/DL 65 Garrett Jackson Sr. 6-0/210 OL/DL 66 Cale Buysse Fr. 6-1/240 OL/DL 68 Alex Peck Fr. 6-0/230 OL/Dl 70 Austin Bowyer So. 5-11/200 OL/DL 72 Nevin Johnson Jr. 5-10/270 OL/DL 74 John Herr Jr. 5-7/230 OL/DL 75 *Chris Shynk Sr. 5-9/255 OL/DL 77 Lee Eshlemen So. 5-9/280 OL/DL 78 Chase Gripp So. 5-10/150 OL/DL 80 Jay Edlefson So. 5-10/150 WR/DB 82 Trey Dale Jr. 6-4/160 WR/DB 84 *Blake Balensiefen Sr. 6-0/180 WR/LB 88 Rusty Fargher Jr. 6-3/160 WR/DB NA Felix Trowels Jr. 6-2/165 WR/DB * Returning lettermen Fast Facts Home field: Storm Stadium.

Head coach: Spencer Davis (first year).

Staff: Craig Johnson, Aaron Jackson, Chris Linsley, Mike Tumbleson, Bob Uzumecki.

Last year: 3-6 (2-4).

School enrollment: 319.

Colors: Columbia and navy.

Class: 2-3A. Conference: 3 Rivers North.

Last playoff appearance: 2010, 3A first round.

Spencer Davis On the radio: WZOE 98.8 FM. 2014 Schedule Date H/A Opponent (2013 record) Time Aug. 29 A Hall (7-4) 7:30 Sept. 5 H St. Bede (5-5) 7:30 Sept. 12 H *Newman (13-1) 7:30 Sept. 19 H Kewanee (6-4) 7:30 Sept. 26 A *Erie/Prophetstown (8-3) 7:30 Oct. 4 H *Morrison (2-7) 7:30 Oct. 10 A *Amboy (2-7) 7:30 Oct. 17 H *Riverdale (2-7) 7:30 Oct. 24 H *Fulton (4-5) 7:30 *Three Rivers Conference North game Must See Game Aug. 29 vs. Hall: BV fans will no doubt want to see the Storm right away in season opener.

Photo contributed

Meet the 2014 Storm The Bureau Valley Storm will open the 2014 season Friday at Hall. Team members are (front row, from left) managers Abbey Howes and Khloe Koser, Jakob Transeau, Errold Humphries, Dalton Kepner and managers Bailey Russell and Corrine Wagenknecht and ball boy Alexander Tumbleson; (second row) Tyler Gonigam, Patrick O’Donahue, Will Konneck, Chris Shynk, Rick Lootens, Josh Mead, Nevin Johnson and Chase Pierce; (third row) Alex Johnson, Tommy Brummel, Dylan Martin, Riza Mirtoski, Garrett Jackson, Shawn Christiansen and Blake Balensiefen: (fourth row) coaches Michael Tumbleson, Aaron Jackson, Craig Johnson, Bob Uzumecki, Spencer Davis and Chris Lindsey; and (back row) Drew Fordham, Rusty Fargher, Felix Trowels, Trey Dale, Tommy Johnston, Parker Neuhalfen and Blaine Peterson.

Storm, Davis ready to air it out

By Dan Dwyer

BY THE NUMBERS

sports@bcrnews.com

NUMBER OF RETURNING LETTERMEN

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MANLIUS — A new season can be tricky to navigate for any coach, especially a head coach manning the helm to his first varsity football team.

After coaching on multiple levels and in different sports, Manlius native Spencer Davis will take the helm of the Bureau Valley Storm football program as team-high 800 yards. He should some playing time. TO I think the team opens the season PLAYERS WATCH AT A you’ll see us get a lot of kids put up bigger numbers in Davis’ Friday against county rival spread offense. involved early.” the Hall Red Devils Friday Johnston added 634 yards and With that being said, night.

Davis does expect major nine touchdowns on the ground Davis is impressed with production from returning while hauling in 354 yards and the work ethic of his team seniors Parker Neuhalfen three touchdowns through the air. but stresses that he hasn’t Mead rushed for 210 yards and (QB/DB), Tommy Johnston set aside a starting lineup (RB/P/DE), Josh Mead (RB/ two touchdowns last year and just yet because of the new Parker system being implanted Neuhalfen LB), Chris Shynk (OL/DL) will also share time in the backTyler Gonigam (OL/DL) and field. and the competitiveness Other seniors vying for playChase Pierce (OL/LB). amongst his team.

Neuhalfen and Johnston ing time are Errold Humphries “We have kind of look to be the heart of the (WR/DB), Patrick O’Donahue revamped the system BV program as both were (RB/LB), Alex Johnson (WR/DB), because our approach is a elected to First Team Three Dalton Kepner (RB/LB), Blaine little different than they’ve Rivers North All-Conference Peterson (WR/DB), Dylan Marhad in the past so we don’t honors and All-BCR honors tin (OL/DL), Riza Mirtoski (OL/ know where everyone fits,” DL), Garrett Jackson (OL/DL) as juniors.

Davis said. “We have a Tommy Last year, Neuhalfen led and Blake Balensiefen (WR/LB). lot of kids that have been Johnston BV will field a team with 15 the team offensively with practicing really well. We don’t just have 11 dominant 842 yards through the air for seniors but the 10 juniors on the kids, and a lot of kids have been 12 touchdowns while rushing working really hard and deserve for nine touchdowns and a Storm Page 5C

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BUREAU VALLEY STORM Conference: Three Rivers North

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GLANCE

Just asking ...

BV senior lineman, Dylan Martin Who’s the funniest guy on the team? Riza (Mirtoski).

Who’s the strongest guy on the team? Josh Mead.

Who’s the player no one knows about yet? Blain Peterson.

What you do well as a team?

Communicate.

What does the team need to work on? Blocking.

Who you can’t wait to play?

Newman.

Good Luck Bureau Valley!!

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Thursday, August 28, 2014 • 5C

Bureau County Republican • bcrnews.com

Hall High School Nickname: Red Devils 2014 Roster No Player Yr. Ht./Wt. Pos. 1 Patrick Einhaus Jr. 5-6/140 RB/DB 3 *Aaron Rybarck Sr. 6/0/170 E/DB 4 Drew Pullam Jr. 6-3/165 QB/DB 6 Chris Ballerini Jr. 6-0/195 E/DL 7 *Julian Barroso Sr. 5-11/145 SE/DB 9 *Chris Hammonds Jr. 5-7/162 RB/DB 10 Tony Keeney Jr. 5-9/140 RB/DB 15 Cody Boers Jr. 6-0/133 E/DB 20 *Brendan Bertrand Sr. 5-8/140 RB/DB 22 *Tyler Taber Sr. 5-9/155 RB/DB 23 *Jake Merkel Jr. 5-10/170 RB/DB 25 Brian Bernardoni Jr. 6-0/144 E/LB 28 *Christian Heiden Jr. 6-0/160 E/LB 30 Joe Alvarez Sr. 5-9/185 E/LB 32 *A.J. Gaeta Sr. 5-10/172 TE/DB 33 *Matt Krolak Jr. 5-10/195 RB/LB 34 *Lionel Perez Sr. 5-10/190 OL/LB 36 Grant Hill Sr. 5-8/150 RB/DB 40 Nick Manahan Sr. 5-11/133 RB/DB 42 Andrew Kerr Sr. 5-10/207 RB/DB 44 *Charlie Albert Sr. 5-6/145 RB/DB 45 Josh Garcia Jr. 5-7/150 RB/DB 50 Josh Nelson Jr. 6-1/176 OL/DL 51 Evan Kiphart Jr. 5-9/207 OL/DL 52 *Marcos Marroquin Sr. 5-5/192 OL/DL 54 Marcus Briddick Jr. 6-2/203 OL/DL 55 Jared Puenta Jr. 5-10/204 OL/DL 60 Matt Bruning Sr. 6-3/270 OL/DL 65 Joe Kobold Jr. 5-8.195 OL/DL 68 James Hall Sr. 5-9/195 OL/DL 72 *Trevor Case Sr. 6-1/228 T/DT 74 Alan Eshenbaum Sr. 5-10/240 OL/DL 77 Jim Rygh Jr. 6-8/293 OL/DL 78 *Brandon Simpson Sr. 5-7/189 OL/DL * Returning lettermen Fast Facts Home field: Nesti Stadium.

Head coach: Randy Tieman (third year, 8-12).

Staff: Mike Filippini, Joe Furlan, Nick Hanck, Steve Smith, Brian Green, Ryan Ferrari, Adam Meyer, Joe Rue. Last year: 7-4 (4-2).

Enrollment: 392.

Colors: Red and white.

Randy Tieman Class: 2-3A. Conference: Three Rivers South.

Last playoff appearance: 2013, second round.

On the radio: WAJK, 99.3 FM. 2014 Schedule Date H/A Opponent (2013 record) Time Aug. 29 H Bureau Valley (3-6) 7:30 Sept. 5 A E/P (8-3) 7:30 Sept. 12 H Amboy (2-7) 7:30 Sept. 19 H *Orion (4-5) 7:30 Sept. 26 A *Rockridge (10-1) 7:30 Oct. 3 H *Sherrard (4-5) 7:30 Oct. 10 A *St. Bede (5-5) 7:30 Oct. 17 A *Kewanee (6-4) 7:30 Oct. 24 A *Princeton (0-9) 7:30 *Three Rivers South Conference game

BCR photo/Dan Dwyer

Meet the 2014 Red Devils The Hall Red Devil football team will welcome Bureau Valley to Nesti Stadium Friday to kick off the 2014 season. Team members are (front row, from left) James Hall, Brandon Simpson, Charlie Albert, Joseph Kobold, Patrick Einhaus, Marcos Marroquin, Josh Garcia, Joe Alvarez and Chris Hammonds; (second row) Alan Eshenbaum, Jared Puenta, A.J. Gaeta, Jake Merkel, Christian Smith, Tony Keeney, Grant Hill, Tyler Taber, Matt Krolak and Brendan Bertrand; (third row) Evan Kiphart, Cody Boers, Aaron Rybarck, Christian Heiden, Brian Bernardoni, Matt Bruning, Trevor Case, Lionel Perez, Andrew Kerr; (fourth row) Nick Manahan, Marcus Briddick, Josh McConnell, Chris Ballerini, Josh Nelson, Julian Barroso and Andrew Pullam; and (back row) James Rygh.

Red Devils building off last year’s run

By Dan Dwyer

BY THE NUMBERS

sports@bcrnews.com

CLASS

NUMBER OF RETURNING LETTERMEN

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STARTERS SPRING VALLEY — The taste of the playoffs can drive a team to do great things.

After reaching the 2A second round last season and ending the season with a 7-4 record the Hall Red Devils are itching for the opportunity to play postseason football again this year.

“The kids have shown a lot of excitement; they got a little taste PLAYERS TO together, WATCH line is coming we’re a little of the playoffs last year and that’s young in that aspect but they’re comone of their goals is to get back there,” ing along and they’ll be ready; they’ve third-year head coach Randy Tieman gotten better and better each week and said. “It’s obvious by their passion that we’re real happy with that.” they want to win the conference and get The defensive backfield will look back into the playoffs.” exactly as it did last season with A.J. The Red Devils’ offense had their first Gaeta leading the way. opportunity to showcase their skills AJ “A.J. Gaeta will make an impact on the Gaeta during the Red-White Scrimmage Fridefensive side. He should be our leader. day night at Richard Nesti Field. The He was back there last year and our first team defense saw no action. whole defensive backfield returns, and The Red Devils’ offense will rely heavthey work together very well.” ily on a trio of running backs; senior Others expected to make an impact on Tyler Taber and juniors Chris Hamthe defensive side of the ball are senior monds and Jake Merkel with senior defensive back Grant Hill and two-way tight end Julian Barroso expected to lineman Case. head up the receiving core. Junior Drew “We’ll use some two-way starters, but Pullam steps in at quarterback, taking Drew we’ve got some guys from our second Pullam over for the departed Taggart Venegas, tier that have stepped up and proved the 2013 co-BCR Player of the Year.

The projected starting offensive line that they can play so we’ll plug those guys in includes Trevor Case and Matt Bruning at and they can play a spell when we need it,” tackle, Evan Kiphart at center and Marcos Tieman said.

Other seniors who will be utilized are James Marroquin and Jared Puenta at guard.

“Offensively, I expect our running backs to Hall (OL/DL), Alan Eshenbaum (OL/DL), step up, all three of them,” Tieman said. “Our Aaron Rybarck (END/DB), Josh McConnell

Storm From Page 4C team will have an opportunity to make an instant impact on the program.

“Our junior class is doing really well.

We’ll probably have 3-4 juniors on each side of the ball,” Davis said. “We have kids from that junior class really working hard to gain playing time.”

Two juniors who will be battling for significant playing time are Will Konneck

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4-2

HALL RED DEVILS

Conference: Three Rivers South

(RB/CB) and Drew Fordham (C/DT/DE), both are expected to see playing time on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball during the upcoming season.

“We’re trying to get used to the players we have. We have a lot of talented kids this year and a lot of kids that are having good summers,” Davis said. “We’d like to see a few more numbers, we have 45 in the program (grades 9-12), but the kids that we do have are working extremely hard. I think our coaching staff has done a good job and we’re really excited for the season.”

Good luck Hall!

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AT A GLANCE

Just asking ...

senior lineman, Trevor Case Who’s the funniest guy on the team? Chris Hammonds.

Who’s the strongest guy on the team? Andrew Kerr Who’s the player no one knows about yet? I’m not sure.

What you do well as a team?

We’re always here for each other and we work out.

What does the team need to work on?

Just work on getting better.

Who you can’t wait to play? Anyone. I’m ready to play.

(WR/LB) and Brendan Bertrand (RB/DB).

Tieman is wary going into the Week 1 matchup against Bureau Valley crediting the unpredictability of playing a first-year coach

Red Devils Page 6C

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Good Luck!

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Good Luck Hall Red Devils!!

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6C • Thursday, August 28, 2014

Bureau County Republican • bcrnews.com

St. Bede Academy

Nickname: Bruins 2014 Roster No. Player Yr. Ht./Wt. Pos. 2 *Braidy Shipp Jr. 5-11/175 End 3 *Justin Shaw Sr. 5-9/195 RB 4 *Jack Brady Sr. 5-11/180 QB 11 *Nick Needs Jr. 6-2/190 End 20 Nick Szczepaniak So. 5-8/150 Back 24 *Baylee Hopps Jr. 5-11/170 Back 25 *Sam Halm Sr. 6-2/195 Back 32 *Andre Hurr Sr. 5-6/175 Back 33 *Dexter Baker Sr. 5-10/160 Back 36 *Brady Booker So. 6-3/190 End 52 *Dakotah Baker Sr. 5-8/190 OL/DL 53 Mike Rosenberg Jr. 5-10/190 OL/DL 54 *Spencer Barnes Sr. 5-10/195 OL/DL 55 *Brandon Edens Sr. 5-10/260 OL/DL 66 *John Barnes Jr. 6-5/285 OL/DL 70 Cole Cameron Jr. 5-10/250 OL/DL 74 Michael Manning So. 6-1/245 OL/DL 75 Joel Caulfield Jr. 5-9/205 OL/DL 77 *Andrew Pyszka Jr. 6-7/240 OL/DL * Returning lettermen FAST FACTS Home field: Saint Bede Academy.

Head coach: John Bellino (35th year, 170-157).

Staff: Jim Eustice, Bill Booker, Nate Boudreau, Mike Bima, Ryan Milus.

Last year: 5-5 (2-4).

School Enrollment: 495.

Colors: Green and white.

Conference: Three Rivers South.

John Class: 2-3A. Bellino Last playoff appearance: 2013, 3A second round.

On the radio: WSOG 88.1 2014 Schedule Date H/A Opponent (2013 record) Aug. 29 H Amboy (2-7) Sept. 5 A Bureau Valley (3-6) Sept. 12 A *Kewanee (6-4) Sept. 19 H *Princeton (0-9) Sept. 27 H *Riverdale (2-7) Oct. 3 A *Rockridge (10-1) Oct. 10 H *Hall (7-4) Oct. 17 A *Orion (4-5) Oct. 24 A *Sherrard (4-5) *Three Rivers South Conference game

Time 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30 2:00 7:00 7:30 7:30

Must-See Game Oct. 10: Bruins host neighbor Hall for the first time in two decades.

Red Devils From Page 5C and the talent level of the Storm’s skilled positions.

“That’s a tough matchup for week one especially with a new coach in coach Spencer (Davis). He’ll have those kids ready to play I know that and he has some really skilled athletes,” Tieman said. “With coach Davis taking over there he’ll do a great job and we don’t know what to expect. We hear rumors and we saw them in 7-on-7 so we’re kind of preparing for everything and that’s tough to do.”

A year ago, Hall reached the playoffs for the first time in five years, winning their first game in seven.

Photo contributed

Meet the 2014 Bruins The St. Bede Bruins will open the 2014 football season at home Friday vs. Amboy. Team members are (front row, from left) Joey Acosta, Gavin Garcia, Justin Shaw, Joel Caulfield and Baylee Hopps; (second row) Andre Hurr, Braidy Shipp, Jack Brady, Spencer Barnes, Mike Rosenberg and Bryant Eustice; (third row) Sam Halm, Nick Szczepaniak, Jimmy Cameron, Dexter Baker, Dakotah Baker and Justin Darnell; and (back row) Brady Booker, John Barnes, Andrew Pyszka, Nick Needs, Michael Manning and Josh Sapp.

Bruins battling a numbers crunch

By Kevin Hieronymus

BY THE NUMBERS

khieronymus@bcrnews.com

CLASS

NUMBER OF RETURNING LETTERMEN

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STARTERS CONFERENCE RECORD PERU — Graduation losses and players not electing to come back out this season have left the St. Bede Bruins football team short on numbers.

The Bruins will go to battle with just 18 rostered varsity players, including three sophomore newcomers. pass as much as we sustained a shoulder sepVeteran coach AT A GLANCE in WATCH practice and did last year,PLAYERS but we arationTO John Bellino, who will be done for the year, will throw the ball enters his 35th and Bellino said. when we can.” possibly his final The line will be built There is other talsenior lineman, Spencer Barnes season as head around senior Spenent on the offensive coach at his alma side of the ball, giv- cer Barnes (5-10/195) at Who’s the funniest guy on the team? mater, said the Bruing Brady plenty of guard. He will be joined Jack Brady; he says some funny stuff ins will make do with Justin options to throw to by a pair of big newsometimes. what they have.

Shaw or hand off to. Senior comers on the line in Who’s the strongest guy on the team?

“We’re a little back Justin Shaw tal- his cousin, John Barnes Probably Justin Shaw. thin in spots, but lied more than 1,400 a 6-5, 286-pound junior, hopefully we’ll hold Who’s the player no one knows about yards of offense (802 and Andrew Pyszka, a together,” he said. yet? Not sure. rushing, 565 receiv- 6-1, 245-pound sopho“We did lose a couWhat you do well as a team? I feel our offense is ing) with 15 touch- more. ple players, not just greatly improved and doing good.

Also returning for downs, sophomore the seniors. A couple What does the team need to work on? Some blockBraidy Shipp had 23 the Bruins this year guys didn’t come out ing issues come up sometimes. are seniors Andre Hurr Jack catches for 379 yards here and there and Who you can’t wait to play? I’d have to say Hall. It’s Brady and four touch- (5-6/175, back), Dexter made us a little thin always a fun rivalry. downs receiving and in some spots. NumBruins Page 10C Sam Halm hauled in an bers now have become a big thing for us. I think area-high 39 catches for it’s big thing for a lot of 539 yards and five touchpeople. You hate to go downs.

Halm will be looked into football season when your numbers are a little upon as a wild card on offense for the Bruins, shy.”

Of the 18 rostered much like the graduated players, 14 are return- Michael Bellino was a ing lettermen. The most year ago.

“Sam’s the guy. He’s established of them all is senior quarterback got experience from last Jack Brady. He had such year, he’s got the physia great breakout junior calness and he’s an athcampaign, establishing a lete. Hopefully, he can single-season Academy do the same type of job,” record with 18 touch- Bellino sad.

The Bruins’ coach said downs, that Bellino doesn’t believe he can be he will be moving things around to utilize his talthat good again.

“You can’t expect ent the best he can.

“We’re a three-back Jack to have that kind of Checking Savings Money Markets CDs Loans oriented team, and we’ll year again. You expect a good year, but he had move people around an exceptional year last who’s hot,” Bellino said.

The St. Bede line took year. Of course, we’d like to see that again,” Bellino an unexpected hit with said. “We found we didn’t a loss of senior Brandon want to really rely on the Edens (5-10/260), who

2-3A

5-5

2-4

ST. BEDE BRUINS

Conference: Three Rivers South Just asking ...

BE A PART OF A GREAT TEAM...

Thursday, August 28, 2014 • 7C

Bureau County Republican • bcrnews.com

Amboy/LaMoille Co-op Nickname: Clippers 2014 Roster No. Player Yr. 1 Walker Howell Sr. 4 Tim Clark Sr. 6 Ryon Richardson Jr. 7 *Dallas Appleman Jr. 10 Carter Shaw Jr. 12 Drake Barlow Jr. 21 *Skyelar Zimmerly Sr. 22 *Chris Jones Sr. 23 *Liam Ohlendorf Sr. 24 Kody Conderman Jr. 28 Cole Olson Jr. 31 *Caleb Morris Sr. 32 *Will Crownhart Sr. 34 Dustin Beetz Jr. 36 Damion Ulrich Jr. 48 *Ryan Leffleman Sr 51 Cole Stewart So. 52 *Hunter Varga Sr. 54 *Levi McCoy Sr. 55 Alexis Gutierrez So. 60 Calvin Nickel Jr. 66 Cole Kemmerer Sr. 74 Clay Stuepfert Jr. 77 *Colton Pohl Sr. 80 *Nate King Sr. 82 Brandon Jacobs Sr. * Returning lettermen

Ht./Wt. Pos 5-9/145 NA 5-9/155 NA 5/9/160 NA 5-11/205 NA 5-10/155 NA 5-10/175 NA 5-9/165 NA 5-7/170 NA 6-0/160 NA 5-8/140 NA 6-1/155 NA 5-8/140 NA 6-0/150 NA 6-0140 NA 5-9/165 NA 6-0/190 NA 6-0/200 NA 6-0/220 NA 5-8/180 NA 5-11/220 NA 6-0/205 NA 5-11/205 NA 6-2/240 NA 6-2/330 NA 6-2/200 NA 6-2/150 NA

Fast Facts Home field: The Harbor, Amboy High School.

Head coach: Gary Jones (20th year, 121-94).

Staff: George Schwamberger, Jeramey Wittenauer, Dennis Nauman, Andrew Full, Scott Payne.

Last year: 2-7 (2-4).

Enrollment: 325.

Colors: Red and black.

Class: 2A. Gary Conference: Three Rivers Jones North.

Last playoff appearance: 2012, second round.

On the radio: WRCV 101.7 FM. 2014 Schedule Date H/A Opponent (2013 record) Time Aug. 29 A St. Bede (5-5) 7:30 Sept. 5 H Sherrard (4-5) 7:30 Sept. 12 A Hall (7-4) 7:30 Sept. 19 H *Riverdale (2-7) 7:30 Sept. 26 A *Morrison (2-7) 7:30 Oct. 3 A *E/P (8-3) 7:30 Oct. 10 H *Bureau Valley (3-6) 7:30 Oct. 17 H *Fulton (4-5) 7:30 Oct. 24 A *Newman (13-1) 7:30 *Three Rivers North Conference game Must See Game Aug. 29 vs. St. Bede: The season opener vs. the Bruins will give the Clippers a good early test to see where they stand after last year’s dip to 2-7.

Tigers From Page 3C break free and get a touchdown. We just need to play together better and collaborate better,” he said. “But I believe in my teammates, and they believe in me.”

Snyder welcomes back eight lettermen with five starters returning on offense and four on defense. He brings in a junior class that went 4-5 at the sophomore level, 3-3 in Three Rivers South play, with three of their players starting on varsity a year ago.

The backfield may slant to the junior class, but most have a year at the varsity level under their belts.

Shaw Media Service photo

Meet the 2014 Clippers Amboy/LaMoille will open the season at St. Bede Friday night. They are setting their sails to return to the playoffs after missing out in 2013.

Clippers set course for smoother waters

By Ty Reynolds

BY THE NUMBERS

Shaw Media Service

AMBOY — Heading into last season, the Amboy Clippers were coming off a trip to the Class 2A state quarterfinals, continuing their school-best run of 11 playoff berths in 13 seasons.

But graduation and a multitude of injuries took their toll on the 2013 team, and the Clippers finished with their worst record since 1998 at 2-7.

But both of those wins came against Three Rivers North foes, and despite the thinned ranks, Amboy managed to play competitively in two of its final four losses. That fact isn’t lost on the guys coming back.

“We wanted to go out strong,” senior fullback/linebacker Chris Jones said. “Us juniors wanted to build some momentum coming into this year, and the seniors wanted to end their final season on a good note.”

While the wins didn’t come down the stretch, the attitude never wavered. The players who were injured did their best to help out the team in any way possible, while the players on the field never used the injuries or inexperience as an excuse.

The biggest lesson the Clippers Jacob Reinhardt returns at quarterback and Jacob Smith and Jett Wedekind as running backs.

Reinhardt, who threw for 882 yards and seven touchdowns as a sophomore slinger, said that experience is going to help him and his teammates.

“I think it helps all the young guys because I have an idea what’s going on.

Everybody coming up is excited and it’s good to have excited people and to have experience to help them figure out what’s going on,” he said.

Snyder will build an offensive line around Clark and Chaz Williams at tackle, Griffin Orr and Derek DeBruhl at guard and Dillon Wetsel at center. Zach Friel will play

CLASS

NUMBER OF RETURNING LETTERMEN

2A

11

NUMBER OF RETURNING STARTERS

LAST SEASON'S RECORD

9 off 9 def

LAST SEASON'S CONFERENCE RECORD

2-7

2-4

AMBOY/LAMOILLE CLIPPERS Conference: Three Rivers North learned from last year’s rough PLAYERS TO waters: teamwork is just as vital as talent and effort.

“You have to stick together,” said senior tight end/defensive end Skyelar Zimmerly, who missed most of last season after knee surgery. “You have to become a group of guys who don’t want to let each other down, and who make things work no matter what happens throughout the season.”

As he has seen more than once in his four decades roaming the Amboy sideline – the last 20 seasons as head coach – Gary Jones wasn’t surprised by the reaction his players had to the down year: instead of pouting, there’s been a renewed vigor throughout offseason workouts and preseason practices.

“Usually that’s how it works,”

tight end with Michael Camp at split end.

Defensively, Smith returns as the leading tacker at linebacker, ranked second on the team as a sophomore with 61 takedowns. Other linebackers include Skye Behrends, DeBruhl and Luke Hoffman.

Zach Friel and Vince Vergamini will man the defensive end slots, backed by junior Griffin Orr. Interior D line consists of Clark, Chaz Williams, Austin Rossler, Dillon Wetsel and Skylar Spencer. Starters in the defensive backfield will be Wedekind, Jack Bays and Levi Bates.

The Tigers will prepare for their second-go around in the Three Rivers

coach Jones said. “There’s defi- dividends.

WATCH AT ABut GLANCE with defense nitely a revenge factor. We’d been to the playoffs a bunch of times in recent years, and you don’t want to be the team to end that streak.

“But it happened, and now these guys are ready to start another streak again. They’ve put in a lot of work and shown good effort, and they’re ready to get back out there and prove we can play better than we showed last year.”

The experience gained by last year’s juniors, who were thrust into some heavy lifting – many at positions they’d never played before – will be invaluable.

Despite some being in different spots on the field this fall, coach Jones knows that just being on the field and “getting a taste” of varsity football will provide big

with six conference games in the South Division and three cross-overs. It is the exact same schedule as last year in which PHS was outscored 43-688. Snyder knows it won’t come easy.

“I have the utmost respect for every program in our conference. Every team is very well coached and is very determined to

being the rock on which the Clippers are building, attitude is also going to play a major role … and Amboy’s main attitude is eagerness and a thirst to make last year a distant memory.

“We’ve been looking forward to getting back on the field since we stepped off it the last time last year,” Zimmerly said. “We’re definitely excited to put last year behind us.”

“It left a pretty bad taste in our mouths,” Chris Jones added, “and you can’t shake off something like that. You have to use it as motivation, and I think we’ve definitely done that.”

The Amboy/LaMoille co-op has not had back-to-back losing seasons, since going 3-6 in 2002 and 2003.

succeed not only in the conference, but also in the postseason,” he said.

Tiger tales: Longtime assistant coach Dan Foes steps up to the varsity as defensive coordinator, replacing Randy Swinford, who resigned after a two-year return to the sidelines. Rob Jensen takes over as the head

sophomore coach. Former PHS quarterback Brik Wedekind has joined the Tiger staff this year.

Another former PHS gridder, Curtis Odell, moves into the WZOE broadcast booth as the Tiger color man, replacing Norm Vandermoon, who moved over to the Bureau Valley broadcasts.

Go, LaMoile Lions, Go!!

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8C • Thursday, August 28, 2014

Bureau County Republican • bcrnews.com

Scouting the area

Three Rivers North

Erie/Prophetstown (8-3, 5-1): The Panthers seek their third straight playoff appearance, having reached the second round a year ago. Their lone conference loss in 2013 was to state champ Newman. They bring back seven starters on both sides of the ball, including thirdyear linebacker Dylan Binion, their leading tackler, and quarterback Jordan Chandler Fulton (4-5, 3-3): The Steamers must replace QB Ethan Jones and DE Jake Willging, who were threeyear starters. Kegan North (6-1/200 LB) is the lone returning starter on defense. Senior Jason Osborne (6-2/170) provides speed at wideout.

Fulton seeks its first playoff bid in seven years. The Steamers won their final four games of the season, but wound up being one of 10 5-4 teams not to make the playoffs.

They had 35 playoff points, and the cutoff was 36.

Morrison (2-7, 1-5): The Mustangs look to get back to the playoffs, after missing out for the first time in 10 years last year. They take a six-game losing streak into the new year, winning only once after defeating Princeton in the 2013 season opener.

The Mustangs return seven starters, including explosive back Andy Bird, who will spear-head a threeheaded rushing attack. Senior DB Mason Sitzmore (6-3, 165) leads the Mustangs’ defense.

Riverdale (2-7, 2-4): After a breakout year in 2011 at 6-4 to reach the playoffs, the Rams had a reversal of fortune, falling to 2-7 last year. Second-year coach Mike Goodwin looks to reverse the Rams fortune, having gone 3-15 since a playoff bid in 2011.

They have the numbers to make a run with 50 in camp, considerably more than the 17 the Rams had in 2012. They return seven starters on offense and eight on defense.

Sterling Newman (13-1, 6-0): Another year, another conference and state championship for the Comets. The Comets have won

at least a share of the last four conference champions and five State crowns under veteran coach Mike Pappocia. They will reload for another run, having won 20 straight Three Rivers/Big Rivers games.

Junior back Brady Rude (5-8/170) is blessed with a great combo of power and speed. He rushed for 674 yards and nine touchdowns last year. Senior Trevor Bolin takes over at quarterback for the graduated A.J. Sharp. Jacob Barnes (6-4, 250) provides a force on the defensive line.

Three Rivers South Kewanee (6-4, 4-2): The Boilers had a break-out season for firstyear head coach Tyler Nichols, posting a surprising six-win season.

They are hopeful to maintain that kind of success.

Orion (4-5, 3-3): Coach Chip Filler says the Chargers are looking to bounce back from what he called a “disappointing 2013” which saw the Chargers fall short one win of being playoff eligible. He says the Chargers have a “hungry group of young men that have worked extremely hard to get back to the postseason.” The Chargers return 24 lettermen, including eight starters on defense and six on offense.

Leading rusher Jacob Edmunds returns at running back.

Rockridge (10-1, 6-0): Secondyear head coach Sam Graves looks to replaced stalwarts Darren Southwell (QB) and Dalton McManus (FB/LB) to graduation. With six returning starters on both sides of ball, the Rockets will be worthy to defend their conference championship. Wideout Luke Johnson takes over at quarterback.

The defending Three Rivers South champions did not lose last year until falling to Aledo Mercer County 26-20 in double overtime in the second week of the playoffs.

Sherrard (4-5, 2-4): The Tigers have a new look with head coach Brian Adams, formerly an assistant at Mercer County, and quarterback Ben Swanson. They return five starters on both sides of the ball, four of them who play both way.

2013 Area Football Standings

Three Rivers South

Others

Annawan/Wethersfield (8-2, 8-1): While the Titans have a small senior class (8), coach Brandon Johnston said “they are good football players and have been excellent leaders for our program. Most of them have playing experience.” Johnston said if the juniors are able to adjust to varsity football, “we can have some success with this group.”

The Titans finished second in the Lincoln Trail behind Aledo Mercer County and ahead of Stark County, all three of whom finished 8-1 in league play. A/W beat Mercer County 9-0 in Week 9 only to fall to their conference rivals the very next week in the playoffs, 33-6.

LaSalle-Peru (1-8, 0-5): New Cavs coach James Braggs comes to L-P from Petersburg PORTA, where he had been an assistant.

He replaces Joe Sassano, who resigned after six years.

Braggs who inherits 10 lettermen from a 1-8 season, said the Cavs aim to play “smart and discipline football, with the understanding of playing to the whistle for 48 minutes.”

He wants to establish a run game and promises the Cavs will be a well-conditioned team.

The Cavs’ lone win last year came Week 4 via Yorkville. They have not reached the playoffs since 2009.

Mendota (3-6, 1-5): Third-year head coach Brock Sondgeroth, formerly at LaMoille, and the Trojans prepare for their third season in the Big Northern West. They build around the senior trio of RB Wyatt Martinson (1,242 yards, 15 TDs), WR Ryan Reeder and QB James Carroll.

“We feel that last season is a great stepping-stone for what we can do this season,” Sondergoth said. “We were able to compete, we played great second halves of games, but we didn’t tend to start games strong or finish the last couple minutes well. This year we have to start strong, finish strong and play the game disciplined in between.”

— Kevin Hieronymus

*Rockridge +Hall +Kewanee Orion +St. Bede Sherrard Princeton

Conf.

6-0

4-2

4-2

3-3

2-4

2-4

0-6

Total 10-1 7-4 6-4 4-5 5-5 4-5 0-9

PF 482 302 254 285 297 200 88

PA 177 291 216 213 235 275 436

Three Rivers North

Conf. *Newman

6-0 +Erie-Prophetstown 5-1 Fulton

3-3 Bureau Valley

2-4 Riverdale

2-4 Amboy-LaMoille 2-4 Morrison

1-5

Total 13-1 8-3 5-4 3-6 2-7 2-7 2-7

PF 576 393 288 265 138 168 119

PA 175 255 195 314 372 274 286

PF 399 274 489 284 162 157 155 153 61

PA 93 125 259 237 268 249 220 324 355

Lincoln Trail

Conf. *Mercer County 8-1 +Annawan/Wethersfield 8-1 +Stark County

8-1 +River Valley

6-3 Oneida Mid-County 4-5 Monmouth United 3-6 Biggsville West Central 3-6 Ridgewood

2-7 Sciota West Prairie 0-9

Total 11-2 8-2 9-2 6-4 4-5 3-6 3-6 2-7 0-9

Three Rivers South F/S

Orion Rockridge Hall Princeton Kewanee Sherrard St. Bede

Conf.

5-1

5-1

4-2

3-3

2-4

2-4

0-6

Total 8-1 8-1 6-3 4-5 3-6 2-7 1-8

Three Rivers North F/S

*Newman Amboy-LaMoille Fulton Erie-Prophetstown Riverdale Morrison Bureau Valley

Conf.

6-0

5-1

3-3

2-4

2-4

2-4

0-6

Total 9-0 8-1 5-4 4-5 3-6 2-7 2-7

2014 Master Football Schedule Keys: + Three Rivers South Conference game ++ Three Rivers North Conference game * Lincoln Trail Conference game ** Big Northern West Conference game & Northern Illinois Big 12 West game WEEK 1 Aug. 29 Amboy/LaMoille at St. Bede Bureau Valley at Hall Erie-Prophetstown at Kewanee Fulton at Orion Morrison at Princeton Riverdale at Sherrard Sterling Newman at Rockridge Farmington at Annawan/ Wethersfield Rich South at Mendota LaSalle-Peru at Lincoln Way North

WEEK 2 Sept. 5 Hall at Erie-Prophetstown St. Bede at Bureau Valley Kewanee at Fulton Orion at Morrison Rockridge at Riverdale Sherrard at Amboy/ LaMoille *Annawan/Wethersfield at Elmwood/Brimfield Johnsburg at Mendota Washington at LaSallePeru Sept. 6 Princeton at Sterling Newman WEEK 3 Sept. 12 ++ Erie-Prophetstown at Riverdale ++ Morrison at Fulton ++ Newman at Bureau Valley Amboy/LaMoille at Hall + Orion at Rockridge

+ Princeton at Sherrard + St. Bede at Kewanee * Biggsville West Central at Annawan/Wethersfield ** Mendota at Byron LaSalle-Peru at Bloomington WEEK 4 Sept. 19 ++ Erie-Prophetstown at Fulton ++ Newman at Morrison ++ Riverdale at Amboy/ LaMoille Kewanee at Bureau Valley + Orion at Hall + Rockridge at Sherrard + Princeton at St. Bede * Annawan/Wethersfield at Stark County ** Stillman Valley at Mendota & LaSalle-Peru at Geneseo WEEK 5 Sept. 26 ++ Amboy/LaMoille at

Morrison ++ Bureau Valley at Erie-Prophetstown ++ Fulton at Newman + Hall at Rockridge + Kewanee at Princeton + Sherrard at Orion * Monmouth United at Annawan/Wethersfield ** Dixon at Mendota & Sterling at LaSallePeru Sept. 27 Riverdale at St. Bede (2 p.m.)

WEEK 6 Oct. 3 ++ Amboy/LaMoille at Erie-Prophetstown ++ Morrison at Bureau Valley ++ Newman at Riverdale Princeton at Fulton + Kewanee at Orion + Sherrard at Hall + St. Bede at Rockridge * Annawan/Wethersfield at Aledo Mercer County

** Mendota at Rockford Lutheran & Rochelle at LaSallePeru WEEK 7 Oct. 10 ++ Erie-Prophetstown at Newman ++ Bureau Valley at Amboy/LaMoille ++ Fulton at Riverdale Morrison at Rockridge + Hall at St. Bede + Kewanee at Sherrard + Orion at Princeton * Princeville Annawan/ Wethersfield ** Rock Falls at Mendota & LaSalle-Peru at Ottawa WEEK 8 Oct. 17 ++ Fulton at Amboy/ LaMoille ++ Morrison at ErieProphetstown ++ Riverdale at Bureau

Valley Sherrard at Newman + Hall at Kewanee + Rockridge at Princeton + St. Bede at Orion * Cambridge Ridgewood at Annawan/Wethersfield ** Oregon at Mendota & Maple Park Kaneland at LaSalle-Peru WEEK 9 Oct. 24 ++ Amboy/LaMoille at Newman ++ Bureau Valley at Fulton ++ Riverdale at Morrison Erie/Prophetstown at Orion + Hall at Princeton + Kewanee at Rockridge + St. Bede at Sherrard * Mid County at Annawan/Wethersfield ** Mendota at Winnebago & LaSalle-Peru at Morris

Thursday, August 28, 2014 • 9C

Bureau County Republican • bcrnews.com

By the record book Here’s a look at some area school football records that were available.

St. Bede

Touchdowns passing in single season: Jack Brady - 18 (‘13).

Bureau Valley

Single-season rushing yards: Michael Weidner - 1,519 - (‘09); Todd Maynard - 1,501 (‘02) and 1,445 (‘01).

Career rushing yards: Todd Maynard - 4,011; Garrett Barnas - 3,263 (04’-06); Michael Weidner - 3,107.

Single-season passing yards: Garrett Barnas 3,101 (‘05-06).

Career touchdowns passing Garrett Barnas 30 (‘05-06).

Princeton

Single-season rushing yards: Cory Scott - 1,807 (‘00); Braden Norman - 1,643 (‘02); Pete Roth 1,588 (‘79).

Single-games rushing yards: Cory Scott - 355 (‘99).

Single-season touchdowns (total): Nathan Norman - 27 (‘97).

Career rushing yards: Cory Scott - 3,298; Nathan Norman - 2,751; Braden Norman - 2,436 (‘02); Pete Roth - not available.

Single-season passing yards: Brik Wedekind 1,732 (‘08).

Other numbers from the past of note

Walnut’s Ken Bourquin rushed for 1,788 yards and led the state with 175 points.

Hall’s Jim Troglio (195052) rushed for 2,476 yards, 36 TDs.

Good luck!!

You’ve got questions; we’ve got answers for the 2014 season

Five questions for ...

Spencer Davis, Bureau Valley coach

Kevin Hieronymus

There are always questions people want answers for as teams head into HIERONYMUS’ HYPOTHESIS the new football season. Here are some answers looking at the Magic 8 football.

Will Sterling Newman repeat as Three Rivers North champions?

Yes. Who would ever bet against the Comets? They are the defending 2A champions and winners of four of the past five conference championships. As long as Mike Papoccia remains as head coach, the Comets will always be the team to beat. They have been the most consistent, winning program around.

Will Princeton win a game this year?

Yes. Third-year coach Jesse Snyder continues to work hard to rebuild the Tiger program, and his team has bought in to his work ethic. They have just enough returning players to go with an incoming junior class that went 4-5 a year ago without its Top 3 players up on varsity to get the job done. If hard work is all it takes to win a game, the Tigers will get that win after 20 straight losses.

Will Parker Neuhalfen get a sore arm this season?

Maybe. The Bureau Valley quarterback is going to throw the football often this fall under new coach Spencer Davis’ spread offense. Davis was a quarterback for Manlius High School and maintains that throwing attitude.

Will area teams make the playoffs this year?

Most definitely. Last year saw the Hall Red Devils and St. Bede Bruins make the postseason ball, and both are primed to repeat. They very well could have company with Bureau Valley and Amboy/LaMoille.

Will this be longtime coach John Bellino’s final season at St. Bede Academy?

Most likely. Bellino has already resigned as the Bruins’ baseball coach, and indications are this will likely be his last on the gridiron. He said for now, he wants to just focus on the season at hand. He has won 170 games over 35 seasons coaching at his alma mater and would certainly like to go out a winner.

Kevin Hieronymus is the BCR Sports Editor. He has covered Bellino’s past 27 teams. Contact him at khieronymus@bcrnews.com

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BCR photos /Mike Vaughn (left), Kevin Hieronymus (right)

Spencer Davis then (right) playing quarterback for Manlius/Tampico (‘92) and now as Bureau Valley head coach (left).

Spencer Davis has returned to his hometown to coach the Bureau Valley Storm football team this fall. Here are five questions for the Storm coach over the course of his hire and the onset of the 2014 season.

BCR: What’s it like to return to coach your hometown team?

Davis: It’s where I come from. I’m going to go home, and I’m happy about that. A lot of good people there.

BCR: You have moved practices to Bourquin Field. What’s it like being there where you played at for Manlius High School?

Davis: I love it. It’s nice to go there.

Brings back some good memories.

BCR: What makes coaching football so exciting to you?

Davis: I’ve always wanted to be a head football coach. I love football, it’s a

passion of mine, it always has been.

BCR: Your oldest son, Drake, is a freshman this year and you have three more boys coming up. What would it be like to get to coach your kids?

Davis: When you get the chance to coach your kids, it’s a dad’s dream really.

BCR: What can BV fans look for from the Storm this year.

Davis: We have kind of revamped the system because our approach is a little different than they’ve had in the past so we don’t know where everyone fits.

We have a lot of kids that have been practicing really well. We don’t just have 11 dominant kids and a lot of kids have been working really hard and deserve some playing time. I think you’ll see us get a lot of kids involved early.

— Kevin Hieronymus

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Bureau County Republican • bcrnews.com

BCR file photo

John Bellino starts his 35th season as head coach at St. Bede Academy. It could be his last.

Bruins From Page 6C Baker (5-10/160, back) and Dakotah Baker (5-8/190, line), junior Joel Caulfield (5-9/205, lineman) and sophomores Brady Booker (6-3/190, end) and Michael Manning (6-1/245, lineman).

Despite the lack of the numbers, Bellino is hopeful for a return to the playoffs for the third straight year.

“That’s always our goal, is to at least get back to the playoffs and see what happens after that,” he said. “I think our conference has shown it’s a wide open conference and we know they’re are some big games ahead of us and some improved teams.

Bureau Valley, I think is loaded. Spring Valley has a lot of speed this year. We think Princeton will be better this year and of course Rockridge is notoriously a good team. You’re talking some big, big games right away.

“Of course, Amboy is looking for a lot of revenge.

They did not have a very good year last year and they look to be healthy this year. That’s our No. 1 opponent and we’re going worry about them first.”

While Bellino has talked about retirement after this year, he’s put such plans on hold, saying he’s only looking at the season ahead.

“It’s our season, it’s the kids season,” he said.

Comment on this story at www.bcrnews.com.

BCR photos/Kevin Hieronymus

Boys being boys When all the work was done, Princeton Tiger coach Jesse Snyder let the boys be boys on photo day. The Tigers will put their game faces back on Friday night when they welcome Morrison to Bryant Field.

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Princeton junior Jett Wedekind has a reflective moment taking a break from Friday’s Blue-White Scrimmage. He returns at running back and defensive back for the Tigers.

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Thursday, August 28, 2014 • 11C

Bureau County Republican • bcrnews.com

2014 All-BCR Preseason Football Team Quarterbacks Jack Brady, St. Bede (5-11/180, sr.): First team All-BCR, threw for SBA record 18 TD passes last year.

Parker Neuhalfen, BV (6-1/165, sr.): First team All-BCR and TRACN. Jake Reinhardt, Princeton (5-10/165, jr.): Threw for 882 yards, 7 TDs in 2013.

Running backs

Tommy Johnston, BV (6-2/205, sr.): First team All-BCR, TRACN, Storm leading rusher last year (634, 9 TDs).

Justin Shaw, St. Bede (5-9/195, sr.): First team All-BCR, TRACS, Bruins leading rusher last year (800, 8 TDs).

Chris Hammonds, Hall (5-7/162, jr.): Scored 6 TDs as a sophomore and has speed to burn.

Ends/receivers

BCR file photo

Senior quarterback Parker Neuhalfen should thrive in new coach Spencer Davis’ spread offense at BV and has the weapons to throw to.

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Sam Halm, St. Bede (6-2/195, sr.): Had 39 catches for 539 yards, 5 TDs last year.

Braidy Shipp, St. Bede (5-11/175, so.): Had 379 yards with 4 TDs last year.

A.J. Gaeta, Hall (5-10/172, sr.): The thirdyear varsity player will play tight end for Hall.

Linemen (offense & defense) Michael Manning, St. Bede (6-1/245, so.): Will anchor the O line for the Bruins at center.

Trevor Case, Hall (6-1/235, sr.): First team All-BCR, TRACS; will start both ways at tackle.

Tyler Clark, PHS (6-1/240, sr.): Will anchor the Tigers line at tackle.

John Barnes, St. Bede (6-5/285, jr.): Returns on the Bruins’ O line at the Academy.

Chris Shynk, BV (5-9/255, sr.): Will man a guard position on offense.

Zach Friel, PHS (6-0, 175, sr.): Will play defensive end for the Tigers.

Linebackers Josh Mead, Bureau Valley (5-10/180, jr.): Was honorable mention AllBCR. Chase Pierce, BV (5-9/165, jr.): A two-way starter at OL and LB. Jacob “Bubba” Smith, Princeton (5-10/175, jr.): Top returning tackler (61) for Tigers.

Matt Krolak (5-10/192, sr.): The Hall place-kicker steps in at linebacker.

Screen Printing & Monogramming

BCR file photo

St. Bede quarterback Jack Brady (4) and Justin Shaw (3) return in the Bruins backfield to give the Bruins two explosive offensive weapons. They combined for six TD passes last, Brady totaling a SBA season record of 18.

Defensive backs Parker Neuhalfen, BV (6-1/165, sr.): First team All-BCR, TRACN. Jake Merkel, Hall (5-11/175, jr.): Strong safety was honorable mention All-BCR. Tyler Taber, Hall (5-9/152, sr.): The twoyear lettermen will play cornerback for Red Devils.

Jett Wedekind, PHS (5-10/150, jr.): Secondyear varsity player returns.

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Punters A.J. Gaeta, Hall: Averaged 37.3 yards, First team All-BCR, TRACS. Tommy Johnston, BV: Averaged 37.4 yards, First team All-BCR, TRACN.

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S T O R M

12C • Thursday, August 28, 2014

Bureau County Republican • bcrnews.com

BCR file photo

Four for the fourth

A common practice to most teams, the Hall gridders raise up four fingers going into the fourth quarter of a game, and they’ve got to play hard to the end and give it everything they got.

BCR file photo

Who’s the King of Rock ‘n Roll?

After each Hall Red Devil score, the Hall lineman take a piece of sod and deposit it at the feet of line coach Steve Smith, who points at each one as they make their delivery.

The “Hog Soldiers” took their share of grass during the Red Devils’ magical run in the ‘90s. At the end of each Hall game, Smith leads the Red Devils in their “Who’s the King of Rock ‘n Roll” chant, a salute to the late and great Hall coach Richard Nesti.

BCR file photo

Strike up the band

The Princeton Tigers take the gridiron accompanied by the PHS pep band.

A look at some area football teams’ traditions: At Bureau Valley • AC/DC’s Thunder Struck is played over the PA to get the crowd/team fired up.

• When the Storm move the chains 10 yards, it’s referred to as, “And that’s another Bureau Valley first down.”

At St. Bede • All Academy teams huddle and pray (Hail Mary) and then sing the school song at the end of every practice and (football) game.

• All sports teams returning from a road game sing the school’s “Fight Song” written by alumnus John Comerouski in 1963 as the bus turns down the Academy lane.

At Princeton • Senior parents host team dinners once a week • Players wear uniforms to school on game day.

• On game nights, the PHS football team is escorted down the street by the pep band, the players grouped in twos hold hands.

At Amboy • At the Harbor, the Clippers walk out from the locker room hand in hand, the captains leading the team to battle. Former Clipper Mitch McCoy said walking “shoulder to shoulder with your brothers of the gridiron and listening to the National Anthem got the adrenaline flowing.”

— Kevin Hieronymus

Concussions aren’t something to take chances with.

Dr. David O’Donnell Nurse Practitioner Carolyn Sullivan

Head injuries can be scary – and tricky. You might feel fine other than a headache, but untreated concussions can have delayed, significant symptoms. If left untreated, concussions can cause long-lasting medical problems.

Let the trained professionals at the IVCH Concussion Management Clinic help you through your treatment and recovery.

www.ivch.org

Concussion Management Clinic Open Tuesday afternoons Call 815.780.3509 for an appointment today.

Located at the IVCH Center for Physical Rehabilitation and Aquatics, 310 Walnut St., Peru (next to the Illinois Valley YMCA)