SVM-SS4_08282014

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s &OOTBALL 'UIDE s 4HURSDAY !UGUST

HIGH SCHOOL HARD KNOCKS EXCLUSIVE BEHIND-THE-SCENES PEEK AT THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE SAUK VALLEY FOOTBALL PROGRAMS GO Complete resource guide: Team rosters, schedules s Player diaries s 2014 predictions s Preseason All-Area s Much, much more in this 56-page SVM special section!

PAGE 2

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s August 28, 2014

FB14 GUIDE

High School Hard Knocks | Table of Contents What’s Where Player essays

Sterling’s Joe Brouilette...................... 5 Dixon’s Samuel James....................... 7 Newman’s James Nelson................... 9 Amboy’s Hunter Varga....................... 10 Morrison’s Noah Blacklock................. 11 Rock Falls’ Brady Lenox..................... 11

Helping hands

Amboy’s Trio of Line Stripers.............. 14 AFC’s Duane Harvey.......................... 15 Bureau Valley’s Doug Koch................. 16 Dixon’s Jamie Anderson..................... 19 EPC’s Joe Bastian............................. 20 Erie-Prophetstown’s Sheryl VonHolten... 23 Fulton’s Dave Curley.......................... 24 Milledgeville’s Melissa Woessner........ 33 Morrison’s Bob Stone........................ 34 Newman’s Tim Nelson..................... 37 Oregon’s Junior Tackle Administrators 38 Polo’s Press Box Crew...................... 41 Rock Falls’ Jacob Seidel................... 42 Sterling’s Radio Crew....................... 43 West Carroll’s Cory Harrison............. 52

Conference previews

This and that

Northern Illinois Big 12 West............... 4 Big Northern West.............................. 6 Three Rivers North................................ 8 NUIC Northwest................................. 12 NUIC Upstate..................................... 13

Dan Woessner column................

3 Ultimate Special Team...............

27-30 SVM Wall of Fame.......................

47 Preseason All-Area......................... 48-49 SVM Predictions................................. 50 2013 Stat Leaders.............................. 51 Sauk Valley Travel Log....................... 53 Week-by-week area schedule.............. 54 Illinois state champions....................... 55

Team capsule pages

Amboy..............................................

Ashton-Franklin Center......................

Bureau Valley.....................................

Dixon.................................................

Eastland-Pearl City.............................

Erie-Prophetstown.............................

Fulton.................................................

Milledgeville........................................

Morrison.............................................

Newman............................................

Oregon...............................................

Polo...................................................

Rock Falls..........................................

Sterling..............................................

West Carroll.......................................

17 18 21 22 25 26 31 32 35 36 39 40 44 45 46

SVM Honors > Sauk Valley Media’s Football Guide has won Top 10 awards in the Associated Press Sports Editors’ last seven national competitions.

Best Special Section, under 40,000 circulation s s Best Special Section, under 30,000 circulation s s s

Section Credits Editor, Designer Dan Woessner

Reporters

Cody Cutter Ty Reynolds

Patrick Mason Brian Weidman

Photography

Alex T. Paschal Michael Krabbenhoeft

Philip Marruffo Ryan Gaines

Cover design Alex T. Paschal

KSB Physical Therapy new location next to

1672 South Galena t Dixon, IL t 815-285-5591

!UGUST s Sauk Valley Media

PAGE 3

FB14 GUIDE

Hey Clipper Fans…

The Game’s on us!

Follow the entire season of Amboy High School Football with Steve Marco and Paul Smith Catch the first game of 2014 Friday, August 29 Amboy Clippers away vs Peru St. Bede STREAMING LIVE ON WWW.RIVERCOUNTRY1017.COM

Follow The Hawks!

Follow the entire season of Oregon High School Football with Sam Ramirez and Mark Herman Catch the first game of 2014 Friday, August 29 Oregon Hawks at home vs Johnsburg

’Tis the season for helping

F

or the last month, social media sites have been littered with people of all ages and walks of life pouring cold water over their heads to raise money and awareness for ALS. The brief instant of shock and, probably, the equally brief feeling of satisfaction from helping others are equal to the brief moments of entertainment provided by each clip.

Taking nothing away from the Ice Bucket Challenge and its benefits in fighting a deadly disease, it’s time to turn our attention to much more strenuous, time-consuming, and, likely, genuine acts of generosity.

Over the next 53 pages, we celebrate football. We are also recognzing those seeking everything but glory.

Around every team in the Sauk Valley, there are dozens of people – often Sports Editor the same ones each and Reach him at dwoessner@ every year – who take saukvalley. time out of their lives to com, or make this fall as special 800-7984085, ext. as possibile for the boys 555. wearing shoulder pads.

We also take time to point out players who go out of the way to help others in the community.

These pages are filled It’s this sense of givewith folks that show up and-take that makes early – often for no money football great. It’s part of – to paint lines on football the reason that stands are fields. It’s about the moth- full every Friday night. er of a former player who It’s why cheers grow loud still takes photos of her on touchdowns, and eyes hometown team, and then become moist after losses. makes special collages for It’s a culture of caring the seniors at the end of around these programs the season. and these players that’s There are people who special, and represents volunteer to coach, or go altruistic intentions. the extra mile to run youth And the ice baths are programs that feed into reserved for coaches after the high school teams. really big wins.

danWOESSNER

SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS Through Academics & Athletics FOR EXCELLENCE ALL AROUND

STREAMING LIVE ON WWW.KOOLFM957.COM

Catch The Dukes!

Follow the entire season of Dixon High School Football with Jake Hubbell and John Kutz Catch the first game of 2014 Friday, August 29 Dixon Dukes at home vs Monmouth/Roseville STREAMING LIVE ON WWW.AM1460WIXN.COM

NEWMAN TOUCHDOWN CLUB Here’s To A Great Season Roll On Big Blue Machine!

PAGE 4

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s August 28, 2014

FB14 GUIDE

Conference Preview 2014

Northern Illinois Big 12 West Geneseo Maple Leafs 2014 enrollment: 832 Class: !

2013: ST SVM predicted: Coach: ,ARRY *OHNSEN *R TH YEAR Playoff record: ST IN

FYI: 2ETURN ALL CONFERENCE DEFENSIVE PLAYERS

LaSalle-Peru Cavaliers 2014 enrollment:

Class: !

2013: TH SVM predicted: Coach: *AMES "RAGG ST YEAR Playoff record: ND IN

FYI: (AVE FOUR STRAIGHT LOSING SEASONS

Rochelle s

s

Sterling

2014 SVM prediction Conf.

All Geneseo 3-1 8-1 Rochelle 3-1 6-3 Sterling 3-1 6-3 Ottawa 1-3 3-6 LaSalle-Peru 0-4 0-9 Game of the Week Friday, Aug. 29 s -ETAMORA AT 3TERLING Friday, Sept. 5 s /TTAWA AT -ARMION Friday, Sept. 12 s 0AYTON AT 'ENESEO Friday, Sept. 19 s /TTAWA AT 2OCHELLE Friday, Sept. 26 s 'ENESEO AT 2OCHELLE Friday, Oct. 3 s /TTAWA AT 3TERLING Friday, Oct. 10 s 3TERLING AT 'ENESEO Friday, Oct. 17 s 2OCHELLE AT 3TERLING Friday, Oct. 24 s 2OCHELLE AT +ANELAND

2013 standings

Geneseo s

LaSallePeru s

s

Ottawa Ottawa Pirates Enrollment: Class: !

2013: TIED FOR ND SVM predicted: Coach: 4RENT 3WORDS

TH YEAR Playoff record: 8-12 FYI: Won NIB-12 West in 2012.

Rochelle Hubs Enrollment: 895 Class: !

2013: .)" %AST SVM predicted: None Coach: +EVIN #RANDALL

ST YEAR Playoff record: 20-20 FYI: &IRST YEAR IN .)" 7EST

Sterling Golden Warriors Enrollment: Class: !

2013: TIED FOR ND SVM predicted: Coach: *ON 3CHLEMMER

RD YEAR Playoff record: 16-26 FYI: -ADE QUARTERS FIVE TIMES

Conf.

All Geneseo 5-0 12-2 Sterling 3-2 5-4 Ottawa 3-2 3-6 Dixon 2-3 3-6 Streator 2-3 2-7 LaSalle-Peru 0-5 1-8 Playoff results First round s !

'ENESEO

'ENOA +INGSTON s !

2OCHELLE

0AYTON Second round s !

'ENESEO 0LANO s !

2OCKFORD ,UTHERAN

2OCHELLE Quarterfinals s !

'ENESEO 0HILLIPS Semifinals s !

'ENESEO

2OCKFORD ,UTHERAN Championship s !

2OCHESTER

Geneseo 8

!UGUST s Sauk Valley Media

PAGE 5

FB14 GUIDE

Who taught to me to play ... by Joe Brouilette, Sterling senior

My football education started in stands

G

rowing up in a sportscrazed family in a sportscrazed town, I was introduced to the wonderful game of football at a young age.

I noticed from the beginning that once Friday hit, everyone’s worries were swept aside in anticipation for that night’s game.

I was lucky enough to

have one of my cousins, Casey Carbaugh, play for the Golden Warriors as I began to attend elementary school, and was first introduced to the pride that this community puts in its football program.

I remember trekking throughout the state, attending his football games with his parents, Laura and Kerry Carbaugh, collecting memories that I will cherish for a lifetime.

I recall being joyous at the fact that I was able to leave my kindergarten class an hour early in order to board a fan bus and drive 2.5 hours

to inner-city Chicago to watch the Golden Warriors battle Chicago Dunbar with my aunt, uncle, and decorated Sterling athlete Devon Carbaugh.

I also remember Casey’s senior night, when he caught the game-winning touchdown in the back of the end zone from nowfreshman coach Adam Gee, in a soaking rain, three-overtime thriller against United Township.

I was definitely up later than I should have been, but the blue, the gold, the drums, the lights, the fans, and the Warrior Pride that my cousin and his teammates embodied

enchanted my 7-year-old mind.

It was thrilling for me to see one of my role models achieve glory donning the blue and gold. Luckily, it was commonplace, as the Carbaugh trio of Taylor, Casey, and Devon collected many team and individual accolades under my studious, watchful young eyes.

To them, the success was great, but little did I know they taught me a lesson that was bigger than sports: studies first, sports second. The three were all as impressive in the classroom as they were on the playing field, and I have tried to live by that same lesson during my time in high school.

As a captain on this year’s team, and with my younger brother’s (freshman Chris Brouilette) watchful eyes upon me, I hope to instill the same qualities within the younger players of the program.

This fall, I’ll be lining up right next to some of the same friends who I lined up next to in fourth grade when I first tried football.

Those countless hours of practice behind Challand Middle School during my junior tackle days were rewarded with the honor of wearing my jersey to the game on Friday nights and being “cool” enough to sit in the middle school section with my teammates.

At the time, we weren’t aware that those moments were creating something special as we entered high school and started our journey within the football program.

It may be cliché, but the bonds that I have created with my fellow seniors during our journey are truly something special.

Every rep in the weight room, injury, defeat, and victory that I have encountered within my high school career has been shared with the same group of guys that hopefully will create the same golden memories that I experienced as a child for the future Golden Warriors that will be watching in the stands.

CGH Sports Injury Clinic Same Day Care

Call (815) 625-4790 for an appointment Michael DeFranco, MD Orthopaedic Surgeon

Sports Medicine and Shoulder Specialist Board Certified z Fellowship Trained Shoulder Service:

Complete Shoulder Replacement & Surgeries Rotator Cuff Tears Arthritis & Cartilage Injuries Instability

Sports Medicine Service:

Sports Injury Prevention Sports Injury Treatment Sports Concussion Clinic Physical Therapy & Training Sports Nutrition Michael DeFranco, MD Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com

MAIN CLINIC

101 E. Miller Road z Sterling, IL 61081 z (815) 625-4790 z www.cghmc.com

PAGE 6

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s August 28, 2014

FB14 GUIDE

Conference Preview 2014

Big Northern West Byron Tigers

Dixon Dukes

Enrollment: Class: 3A 2013: 2-7 (2-4, 5th) SVM predicted: 7-3 (5-1) Coach: *EFF "OYER

RD YEAR Playoff record: ST IN FYI: Tigers won the 2012 BNC West title. ... Have had 3 head coaches in last 10 years.

Mendota Trojans

Enrollment: 783 Class: 4A 2013: 3-6 (2-3, NIB-12 West) SVM predicted: 2-7 (2-3) Coach: Dave Smith (5-22, 4th year) Playoff record: 3-5 FYI: First year in BNC West. ... ,AST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE CAME IN 4HREE RETURNING PLAYERS THAT MADE ALL CONFERENCE TEAM

Enrollment: 626 Class: 4A 2013: 3-6 (1-5, 6th) SVM predicted: 2-7 (0-6) Coach: Brock Sondgeroth (5-13, 3rd year) Playoff record: 14-15 3EMIFINALS IN FYI: 2-10 BNC West record since joining in 2012. ... Return ALL ".# 7EST FIRST TEAMERS

Winnebago

s

s

Oregon Hawks Enrollment: 467 Class: 3A 2013: 6-5 (3-3, 4th) SVM predicted: 6-3 (4-2) Coach: *OHN "OTHE (101-67, 17th year) Playoff record: 14-13 (2nd in 2000) FYI: 3IX OF GAMES WERE DECIDED BY OR FEWER POINTS during 2013 season.

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

Game of the Week Friday, Aug. 29 s Quincy N.D. at Lutheran Friday, Sept. 5 s Harvard at Winnebago Friday, Sept. 12 s Winnebago at Stillman Friday, Sept. 19

Rockford Lutheran

s Oregon at Dixon Friday, Sept. 26 Friday, Oct. 3

s Byron at Oregon

Stillman Valley

s

s

Oregon

Friday, Oct. 10

s $IXON AT 3TILLMAN Friday, Oct. 17

s 2OCK &ALLS AT $IXON Friday, Oct. 25

s /REGON AT 3TILLMAN

2013 standings

s

Rock Falls

Conf.

Lutheran 6-1 Stillman Valley 6-1 Winnebago 5-2 Dixon 4-3 Mendota 3-4 Oregon 3-4 Rock Falls 1-6 Byron 0-7

s Lutheran at Oregon

Byron s

s

2014 SVM prediction

Conf. All Winnebago 6-0 11-1 Lutheran 5-1 11-2 Stillman Valley 4-2 12-2 Oregon 3-3 6-5 Byron 2-4 2-7 Mendota 1-5 3-6 Rock Falls 0-6 1-8

Dixon s

Mendota Rock Falls Rockets

Lutheran Crusaders

Stillman Valley Cardinals

Winnebago Indians

Enrollment: 656 Class: 4A 2013: 1-8 (0-6, 7th) SVM predicted: 3-6 (1-5) Coach: Scott Berge (1-8, 2nd year) Playoff record: 1-2 FYI: 2ETURNING 1" *ACOB -AMMOSSER THREW FOR YARDS last season as a junior. ... Last PLAYOFF APPEARANCE IN

Enrollment: 665.05 Class: 4A 2013: 11-2 (5-1, 2nd) SVM predicted: 8-1 (5-1) Coach: Bruce Bazsali

TH YEAR Playoff record: 5-7 FYI: 2UNNING BACK *AMES 2OBINSON RUSHED FOR

yards and 43 touchdowns last SEASON AS A SOPHOMORE

Enrollment: 583 Class: 3A 2013: 12-2 (4-2, 3rd) SVM predicted: 8-1 (6-0) Coach: Mike Lalor

TH YEAR Playoff record: ST IN

FYI: /NLY THREE PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE MORE STATE TITLES IN FOOTBALL than the Cardinals.

Enrollment: 518 Class: 3A 2013: 11-1 (6-0, 1st) SVM predicted: 4-5 (2-4) Coach: Mark Helm (50-26, 8th year) Playoff record: FYI: (AVE QUALIFIED FOR PLAYOFFS IN FIVE CONSECUTIVE SEASONS AND six times in last 7 years. Made it ONCE BETWEEN AND

Playoff results First round s A, Lutheran 58, N. Lawndale 12 s !

7INNEBAGO 3T "EDE s ! /REGON 7ILMINGTON s !

3TILLMAN "LOOMINGTON Central Catholic 8 Second round s 4A, Lutheran 27, Rochelle 22 s !

7INNEBAGO +ANKAKEE McNamara 12 s !

3TILLMAN %RIE 0 TOWN s ! !URORA #HR /REGon 20 Quarterfinals s 4A, Lutheran 28, Harvard 24 s !

3TILLMAN 7INNEBAGO Semifinals s !

'Eneseo 35, Lutheran 7 s !

3TILLMAN !URORA #HR 6 Championship s !

3TILLMAN 3T *OSEPH Ogden 41, OT

!UGUST s Sauk Valley Media

PAGE 7

FB14 GUIDE

Who taught to me to play ... by Samuel James, Dixon senior

My teammates teach, motivate me most

T

he greatest and most difficult competition a person will come against in their life is him or herself. One must break their mental barriers before they can succeed anywhere: the class room, the weight room, or even the field.

teammates. We trust each other, and we have for a long time. We have grown to be more than just a team; we have grown to be a family.

As a family off of the field, we are also a family on the field. We have been tried and tested, but when we get knocked down, we get back up. We improve ourselves so that we improve the team.

It is hard not to get excited – motivated – to play my hardest when I walk onto the practice and game field with the team.

Our collected belief that we will get better, that we But before one can will perform at the top, and blast through the walls that we will win as a famin their head, they need ily drives me to be the best fuel, ammunition – they at my positions that I can need motivation. Motiva- possibly be. tion is the key ingredient Individuals on the team, to success, and through especially my senior motivation, all is possible, brothers, inspire me even because there are no lim- further, so when times get its. My motivation is my tough, I am still motivatteam ... my brothers. My ed both for my team and team drives me to be my with my team. best on and off the field, Cody [Mighell], one of the because they rely on me toughest kids on the team, just as I rely on them. inspires me to never let up A true test of character and always keep pushing, and motivation is when whether it is the defensive an individual is off of the opponent or myself. field. Their decisions may Alex [Helander], one of be solo, but their impact is the strongest and smarta part of a larger scope. A est, inspires me to strive low grade might not be the for excellence both on end-all, but it injures the and off of the field. integrity of a team. A team Jacob [Harrison], the that cannot hold together smartest of the senior off of the field cannot hold class, especially inspires together on the field. me to focus hard on acaBesides my personal demia. motivations, that is why I Matt [Coffey] and JD am motivated to perform [Gieson], the fastest on my best in academia, and the team, both inspire me in the weight room. A to give it my all so that person should not have they can too, and when to question whether they we all work together, can or cannot rely on amazing things happen. their teammate, and I It is hard not to continue believe that that is what elaborating on how much is so great about my each individual teammate

motivates me to be at my peak, but they all assuredly do.

My motivation does not just stem from my teammates, but also from the coaching staff. They have helped develop me into the athlete and person I am today. They are all inspirations, not just to me, but also the team.

Their hard work and dedication to us is phenomenal and irreplaceable; they are as much a part of the football family as any single player.

I believe I am a part of one of the greatest football teams ever, not by win and loss count, but by the relationship our team has formed. This is my eighth season with them – and my last before we go on to different paths – and I owe all of them my thanks and appreciation, because they have been my brothers for so long.

My motivation is my team ... my brothers.

Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com

MORE THAN JUST TIRES! * * * * * * *

GIVE ROGER A CALL TODAY! Dixon Freeport Geneseo Mendota Princeton

Holland & Sons 908 Bloody Gulch Rd. Dixon

815-288-4441 800-554-3109 www.hollandandsons.com

Dixon Tire Center 1110 E. River Rd., Dixon 815-284-3324

M-F 8am-5pm, Sat 8am-Noon

PAGE 8

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s August 28, 2014

FB14 GUIDE

Conference Preview 2014

Three Rivers North Amboy Clippers

Bureau Valley Storm

Erie-P’town Panthers

Fulton Steamers

Enrollment: 325 Class: 2A 2013: TIED FOR TH SVM predicted: Coach: Gary Jones

ST YEAR Playoff record: 26-17 ST IN FYI: (AVE NOT MISSED PLAYOFFS IN consecutive seasons since 1997 and 1998.

Enrollment: 319 Class: 2A 2013: TIED FOR TH SVM predicted: Coach: 3PENCER $AVIS

ST YEAR Playoff record: ST IN FYI: $AVIS IS FOURTH HEAD COACH since 2001. ... Won 39 games BETWEEN .O PLAYOFF BERTHS SINCE

Enrollment: 490 Class: 3A 2013: ND SVM predicted: Coach: #HUCK -ILEM

TH YEAR Playoff record: 1-3 FYI: 7ON FIRST PLAYOFF GAME AS A CO OP LAST YEAR (AVE MADE PLAYOFFS IN EACH OF LAST YEARS AFTER YEAR DROUGHT

Enrollment: 292 Class: 1A 2013: RD SVM predicted: Coach: Patrick Lower

TH YEAR Playoff record: 20-14 ST IN

FYI: 7ERE ONE OF TEAMS NOT TO MAKE PLAYOFF FIELD IN WAS LAST PLAYOFF BERTH

2014 SVM prediction Newman Bureau Valley Morrison Erie-P’town Amboy Fulton Riverdale

Conf.

All

6-0 5-1 4-2 3-3 2-4 1-5 0-6

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

Game of the Week Friday, Aug. 29

s Newman at Rockridge Friday, Sept. 5

Fulton

s Hall at Erie-P’town Friday, Sept. 12

Morrison

s

s

s Morrison at Fulton

Newman

Friday, Sept. 19

s Newman at Morrison

s

Friday, Sept. 26

s Bureau Valley at Erie-P’town

Riverdale s

Friday, Oct. 3

s

s

ErieProphetstown

s

Amboy

s Amboy at Erie-P’town Friday, Oct. 10

s Erie-P’town at Newman Friday, Oct. 17

s Morrison at Erie-P’town Friday, Oct. 24

s Amboy at Newman

2013 standings

s

Newman Erie-P’town Fulton Bureau Valley Amboy Riverdale Morrison

Bureau Valley

Conf.

6-0 5-1 3-3 2-4 2-4 2-4 1-5

All

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

Playoff results First round

Morrison Mustangs Enrollment: 324 Class: 2A 2013: TH SVM predicted: Coach: Cory Bielema

TH YEAR Playoff record: 29-22 ST IN

FYI: On six-game losing streak.

Newman Comets Enrollment: 396 Class: 2A 2013: ST SVM predicted: Coach: -IKE 0APOCCIA

TH YEAR Playoff record: 55-20 (1st in

FYI: 7ON CONFERENCE LAST YEARS

Riverdale Rams Enrollment: 313 Class: 2A 2013: TIED FOR TH SVM predicted: Coach: Mike Goodwin

ND YEAR Playoff record: 2-4 FYI: (AVE NEVER MADE IT PAST SECOND ROUND OF PLAYOFFS

s ! %RIE 0ROPHETSTOWN

River Valley 28 s ! .EWMAN

Fieldcrest 0 Second round

s !

3TILLMAN 6ALLEY

Erie-P’town 14 s ! .EWMAN

Eastland-Pearl City 12 Quarterfinals

s ! .EWMAN

Momence 33 Semifinals

s ! .EWMAN

Mercer County 0 Championship

s ! .EWMAN

3TAUNTON

!UGUST s Sauk Valley Media

PAGE 9

FB14 GUIDE

Who taught to me to play ... by James Nelson, Newman senior

Dad fostered love of game, Blue Machine

S

ince I was just a little tyke, football has been in my blood. I go back to the glory days, where my day consisted of waking up, eating, spilling orange juice on my mom, and then tossing the pigskin around the rest of the day.

lesson ... for the year. a dad is hard, because But just the fact that sometimes they don’t he wanted me to be out know when to stop being there with him to experi- a coach. Not in this case. ence what it was like to be My dad knows that once part of the Blue Machine we hit the Nelson housealways warmed my heart. hold, he’s Dad, not Coach I started tackle football Nelson. That’s what I love when I was just 6 years about my dad. He knows old. I could not wait to to be a dad all the time, put on those pads, and and a coach some of the show my dad that I was time. just like him. My dream Here are some statistics was to be just like him. about good ol’ Tim. He Twelve years later, the was a 3-year starter at dream hasn’t changed, Newman. He was a 4-year besides the fact that starter at Aurora, 2 of I can’t be a linemen those being captain. like him due to being He has seven visits to 6-foot-5 and merely 200 state under his belt, From playing backyard pounds, turning me into five of those being pickup games with R.J. an end. championships.

Troye and Luke LeMay, to On the field, it’s like one He’s been a coach for playing Madden with the big happy family. I’ve got more than 20 years for the neighbor gang, or even my teammates as brothers, Blue Machine, with more just a quick game of 500, my coaches as my uncles, to come. And most imporeverything I endured had my head coach as the big tantly, he has one son that to do with football. grandpa that started it all, thinks he’s an inspiration, But why have I loved it? and my dad as my dad on a champion, and one heck Why has it been a part of and off the field. of a father. I love my coach, my whole life? How could Now, everyone knows but most importantly, I such a simple game make that having a coach as love my dad. me so crazed for it? Turns out that the answer was holding me in his arms the whole time.

All kids that enjoy football, including myself, Newman Comets love a game of catch with Rock Falls Rockets their dad. However, not all kids got the experience Sterling Warriors I got from that simple Dixon Dukes game of catch. and all other Most kids played catch surrounding area in their backyard. My football teams! backyard was the gridiron of Newman. I loved it when my dad would take me to practice to watch the Blue Machine.

I always loved it when he let me drive the golf carts all around Newman, even when Coach Papoccia told me to not touch the darn things! I would later than crash a cart into the fence, and my dad and I would learn our

Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com

Luck Of The Irish

To All Area High School Football Teams!

218 Locust St. Sterling www.kellysinc.com 625-7969 (for carryout)

“The Friendly Place to Eat & Drink”

Featuring Fine Mexican Food And American Favorites!

PAGE 10

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s August 28, 2014

FB14 GUIDE

Who taught to me to play ... by Hunter Varga, Amboy senior

It took a village to raise this Clipper W

ho has helped me become the athlete I am today cannot be limited to just one person.

Many people throughout my life have had a part in my development as an athlete. From my parents to junior tackle coaches, my high school coaches now, my longsnapping coach Chris Rubio, baseball coaches, present and former teammates, and the community I grew up in.

All of those people have had a helping hand in

why I’m the athlete I am today.

These people have all contributed in a different way.

My parents instilled a great work ethic in me at a young age. They told me that I have to bust my butt for everything; nothing is given, it is earned.

My junior tackle coaches taught me the fundamentals of football, and prepared me for high school football.

Chris Rubio has made me into the long snapper I am today. Without him, I wouldn’t be half as good as I am.

My high school coaches, from freshmen year to my senior year, have pushed

me to be the very best I can be, whether that be on the field, or in the weight room. They have always pushed me to give it my all.

My teammates, present and past, have helped me immensely. They have been by my side since grade school, and have gone through all the tough practices and games with me.

We all know how to push each other to get the best out of each other. My freshman year, I had great upperclassmen leadership to help guide the way, and show me what the Clipper tradition is all about.

When we came in, we were a part of the Clipper

family, so they took us under their wings, and helped out as much as they possibly could.

The community has helped out by being there to support us on Friday nights.

In my opinion, we have some of the best fans in Illinois. Through good times and bad, you can always count on the stands being full at The Harbor on a Friday night!

Being an athlete is more than just showing up to the football field on a Friday night. There is so much more that goes into the weeks leading up to gameday.

There is the offseason, where we put in time

lifting weights, or agility training leading up to the season. Then you have the week to prepare for the upcoming opponent.

The coaches put everything they have into making sure we are as ready as we can be. Whether that is by watching the opponents’ film to see

what offense and defense they run, or how many times they run a play.

These people have helped me in some sort of way to make sure I can perform my best. Without these people, I wouldn’t be half the athlete I am today, much less half the man I am.

Count On Us

For All Your Equipment Needs!

815-857-2513 800-957-2513 340 N. Metcalf Ave., Amboy wgleffelman.com

LOCALLY OWNED FOR MORE THAN 70 YEARS!

Go Amboy Clippers!

We Have the Vehicle For You! “Great Deals, Great Service, Since 1926”

Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com

Rt. 52 N. Sublette, IL., Ph. 815/849-5232 or 1-800-227-5203 After 6, 849-5251

!UGUST s Sauk Valley Media

PAGE 11

FB14 GUIDE

Who taught to me to play ...

by Brady Lenox, Rock Falls senior

Who taught to me to play ...

by Noah Blacklock, Morrison senior

Former teammates set tone

F

ootball has been an enormous part of my life throughout my high school career.

Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com

Football all about family

A

s I begin my final season of high school football, I look back on the major impact my dad has had on my football career. My dad is the person who inspired me to play football.

about what I needed to work on for next game, what part of my playing I did well, and how my team did as a whole.

I always wanted to do everything right, so I could impress my dad, and show him how much he taught me.

Now that it’s my last year in high school, my dad has been there for me once again. We’ve been going to camps and college visits all summer, in the hopes that I can continue to play football in college.

Football has always I remember my dad and meant more to me than I watching the Chicago just winning and losing.

Bears on TV when I was Football has also been 5, and we would play about having fun and catch in the front yard building a brotherhood afterward. with my teammates.

My dad never had the I have been playing chance to play high school football, because his mom football with Jake and Matt Mammosser since didn’t want him to get we were in the pee-wee hurt, so he has always league in first grade. done whatever he could Jake has always taken to encourage me to play. on a leadership role with Whether that be coachthe team, whereas Matt’s ing my team, driving me goofy personality has to games that were hours always made playing next away, or cheering me on to him on the line fun. from the stands.

Even though Jake Most importantly, though, are the rides always gets the glory, home after the games. because he’s the quarHe and I would talk terback, Matt and I have

had a blast blocking for him the last 4 years.

Along with Matt and Jake, their dad, Jay Mammosser, has had a major impact on my football career. He has helped make me mentally tougher by pushing me to my limits.

He has been like a father figure to me growing up.

Jay always knew how to explain things to me.

One play he would be yelling so loud, his face would turn bright red, but the next play he would have a big smile, explaining how I did the right thing on that play.

Scott Berge is a good coach and great guy.

He will joke around with our team at practice, but when it’s time to focus and work hard, he transitions well. Scott has taught me a lot throughout my high school career, from showing me how to perfect my footwork, or showing me a different way to block.

I have had some amazing people help me through my football career, and I hope to meet many more along the road.

From the early morning two-a-days of my freshman year, to the sweaty afternoons in the weight room, and 7-on-7 tournaments this past summer, I’ve spent countless hours in preparation for my favorite sport.

Along the way, I’ve encountered a lot of obstacles, and many rewards. None of my progress would have been possible, however, had it not been for the generous help of some of the people I met on my way.

First and foremost, I would not have my love of football had it not been for my father.

Ever since I was a little kid, autumn was filled with watching and talking about football, my Saturdays and Sundays devoted to college and professional ball. Little else could be talked about in the fall besides the Cornhuskers, and their chances of winning the conference, or making a bowl game. And I loved every minute of it.

One of the best days of my life was seeing the University of Nebraska win on a comeback drive at Northwestern.

But beyond just enjoying the sport, my father made clear how much work was required to play the game to the best of my ability. The mental and physical toughness that football demands

Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com

is something many who have not played do not understand.

Before I took my first snap, my dad made sure I understood how necessary this toughness was. My dad instilled an appreciation for the resilience required to play the game, the amount of fun that could be had watching it, and especially the rewards that could be reaped playing it.

Once I started playing football at Morrison High School, the coaching staff immediately made an impact on me as a player.

One coach in particular, Brian Onken, helped everyone tremendously.

Coach Onken put in an incredible effort to help me, and the whole team, become stronger by coaching in the weight room during the offseason. He opened the weight room, sometimes up to 6 hours a day this past summer, to make sure everyone could have time to work out, and created a lifting team during the winter for all those not involved in a sport.

With all the time he helped with lifting, Coach Onken also

imparted the discipline needed to be a better football player and athlete. By helping me get bigger, stronger, and more focused, he ensured that I would be better on Friday nights.

Another great influence on me as a player was not a singular person, but an entire team.

In 2011, I was a freshman with a foundation of what I thought it took to be a football player.

Over the course of that one season, I was shown probably one of the best examples of how to be a better football player.

The extra 5 weeks I got in the playoffs, because of the 2011 team’s hard work,did for me what maybe an entire season does for most players, and then some.

Many people, including myself, have professional athletes they look up to because of their work ethic. The 2011 team let me experience firsthand how immensely great determination can pay off. Both the coaches and players gave me the season of a lifetime, and it is something I have wanted to achieve again ever since.

PAGE 12

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s August 28, 2014

FB14 GUIDE

Conference Preview 2014

Northwest Upstate Illini Northwest Dakota Indians Enrollment: 258 Class: 1A 2013: TH SVM predicted: Coach: Jerry Lano

TH YEAR Playoff record: 23-16 ST IN

FYI: (AVE NOT MADE PLAYOFFS since winning 1A state CHAMPIONSHIP IN

Durand Bulldogs

Eastland-P.C. Wildcatz

Enrollment: 195 Class: 1A 2013: TH SVM predicted: Coach: Dennis Schwab

ND YEAR Playoff record: 10-19 ND IN FYI: Bulldogs scored only 78 POINTS A YEAR AGO WHILE ALLOWING POINTS

Enrollment: 345 Class: 2A 2013: ST SVM predicted: Coach: Randy Asche

TH YEAR Playoff record: 7-10 FYI: Wildcatz have won 15 STRAIGHT .5)# .ORTHWEST GAMES %LIMINATED BY 4HREE 2IVERS TEAM IN EACH OF LAST YEARS

LenaWinslow

Galena

s

s

s

Forreston Cardinals Enrollment: 261 Class: 1A 2013: TIED FOR ND SVM predicted: Coach: Denny Diduch

TH YEAR Playoff record: 13-19 3EMIFINALS IN FYI: (AVE WON CONFERENCE TITLE twice in last 10 years. ... Made PLAYOFFS STRAIGHT YEARS

s

South Durand Beloit

Dakota

s

s

Pecatonica

s

West Carroll

Galena Pirates Enrollment: 232 Class: 1A 2013: TIED ND SVM predicted: Coach: Ed Freed

TH YEAR Playoff record: 46-24 ST IN

FYI: (AVE QUALIFIED FOR PLAYOFFS TIMES IN LAST SEASONS INCLUDING every season between 2006-2011. ... Have only had two losing seasons since 1975.

s

s

EastlandPearl City

s

Forreston

2014 SVM prediction Eastland-P.C. Galena Lena-Winslow Forreston Dakota West Carroll South Beloit Durand Pecatonica

Conf.

7-1 7-1 6-2 5-3 5-3 3-5 2-6 1-7 0-8

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

Game of the Week Friday, Aug. 29 s Galena at Forreston Friday, Sept. 5 s Dakota at Le-Win Friday, Sept. 12 s Eastland-P.C. at Dakota Friday, Sept. 19 s Eastland-P.C. at Galena Friday, Sept. 26 s Le-Win at Eastland-P.C. Friday, Oct. 3 s Forreston at Le-Win Friday, Oct. 10 s Galena at Le-Win Friday, Oct. 17 s Le-Win at Aquin Friday, Oct. 24 s Forreston at Eastland-P.C.

2013 standings

Lena-Winslow Panthers

Pecatonica Indians

South Beloit SoBos

West Carroll Thunder

Enrollment: 260 Class: 1A 2013: TIED ND SVM predicted: Coach: Ric Arand

TH YEAR Playoff record: 25-18 ST IN

FYI: (AVE MADE PLAYOFFS 15 straight seasons. ...

3CORED MORE THAN POINTS IN SIX GAMES ALL WINS DURING LAST YEAR S state title run.

Enrollment: 282 Class: 1A 2013: SVM predicted: .!

Coach: Eric Bergin

ST YEAR Playoff record: 1-7 FYI: $ID NOT FIELD A VARSITY TEAM IN BECAUSE OF A LACK OF PLAYERS IN PROGRAM ,AST VARSITY FOOTBALL WIN CAME IN 7EEK OF SEASON over Polo.

Enrollment: 274 Class: 1A 2013: TH SVM predicted: Coach: *USTIN 'UMM

ST YEAR Playoff record: 6-4 ST IN FYI: (AVE NOT MADE PLAYOFFS SINCE WINNING 1A state title in 2002. ...

-OST WINS IN THAT SPAN WAS FOUR DURING season.

Enrollment: 382 Class: 2A 2013: TH SVM predicted: Coach: Mike Bicksler

TH YEAR Playoff record: 1-3 FYI: Have never won MORE THAN SIX GAMES IN A SEASON SINCE COMMUNITIES OF -OUNT #ARROLL

3AVANNA AND 4HOMSON FORMED SCHOOL BEFORE 2003-04 school year.

Eastland-P.C. Lena-Winslow Galena Forreston Dakota West Carroll South Beloit Durand

Conf. All

7-0 10-1 5-2 11-3 5-2 8-3 5-2 7-3 3-4 3-6 2-5 3-6 1-6 2-7 0-7 0-9

Playoff results First round

s ! %0# ,UTHER .ORTH s !

'ALENA %AST Dubuque 0 s ! ,E 7IN &ORRESTON Second round

s ! .EWMAN %0# s ! ,E 7IN !QUIN s !

3TOCKTON 'ALENA Quarterfinals

s ! ,E 7IN 3TOCKTON Semifinals

s ! ,E 7IN ,EO Championship

s ! ,E 7IN

Tri-Valley 21

!UGUST s Sauk Valley Media

PAGE 13

FB14 GUIDE

Conference Preview 2014

Northwest Upstate Illini Upstate Aquin Bulldogs

AFC Raiders

East Dubuque Warriors

Enrollment: 184.80 Class: 1A 2013: 7-4 (6-2, tied for 2nd) SVM predicted: 4-5 (4-4) Coach: Todd Kramer (48-16, 7th year) Playoff record: 33-20 (1st in 1981, ’86, 2005) FYI: Only team in division to score more than 300 points and allow more than 300 in 2013.

Enrollment: 172 Class: 1A 2013: 1-8 (1-7, tied for 8th) SVM predicted: 4-5 (3-5) Coach: Brad Winterland (10-17, 3rd year) Playoff record: 3-2 FYI: The Raiders’ lone playoff appearances came in 2004 and 2005. ... Have .250 winning percentage in Upstate since 2006.

Enrollment: 203 Class: 1A 2013: 7-3 (6-2, tied for 2nd) SVM predicted: 9-0 (8-0) Coach: Terry Breitbach (52-29, 9th year) Playoff record: 7-7 (Semifinals in 2000) FYI: Made playoffs 5 straight years after qualifying twice between 1974-2008.

Milledgeville Missiles Enrollment: 162 Class: 1A 2013: 3-6 (3-5, tied for 6th) SVM predicted: 3-6 (3-5) Coach: Jason Wroble (6-39, 6th year) Playoff record: 16-19 (Semifinals in 1998, ’99, 2008) FYI: Wroble is fourth coach since 'ARY (ARTJE COACHED Missiles from 1979-2008.

2014 SVM prediction East Dubuque Stockton Polo Aquin AFC River Ridge Milledgeville Warren Orangeville

Conf. All 8-0 7-1 6-2 5-3 3-5 3-5 3-5 1-7 0-8

9-0 8-1 6-3 5-4 4-5 4-5 3-6 1-8 1-8

Game of the Week Saturday, Aug. 29

s

s East

s Orangeville East s Dubuque Warren

River s Ridge

s

Friday, Sept. 5 s Aquin at Stockton Friday, Sept. 12 s Polo at Stockton Friday, Sept. 19

s Milledgeville at Polo

s

Stockton

Dubuque at Polo

Friday, Sept. 26

Aquin

s East Dubuque at

Stockton

Friday, Oct. 3

s River Ridge at East

Dubuque

Friday, Oct. 10

Milledgeville

s

s !QUIN AT -ILLEDGEVILLE

Polo s

Friday, Oct. 17

s Lena-Winslow at Aquin Friday, Oct. 24

s AFC at Milledgeville

2013 standings

s

AFC Orangeville Broncos Enrollment: 125 Class: 1A 2013: 2-7 (1-7, tied 8th) SVM predicted: 0-9 (0-8) Coach: Jay Doyle (3-15, 3rd year) Playoff record: 13-10 (1st in 1989) FYI: The 1989 1A championship season is the only year that the Broncos have finished with doubledigit total in victories, with 12.

Polo Marcos Enrollment: 216 Class: 1A 2013: 4-5 (4-4, tied 4th) SVM predicted: 4-5 (4-4) Coach: Andrew Hofer (8-19, 4th year) Playoff record: 6-18 (Quaters in 1983, 2008) FYI: Marcos’ record has improved each year under Hofer. ... Dwight Sellers coached team to a 11860 record during his tenure from 1965-85. ... No playoffs since 2009.

River Ridge Wildcats

Stockton Blackhawks

Enrollment: 155 Class: 1A 2013: 4-5 (4-4, tied 4th) SVM predicted: 1-8 (1-7) Coach: Bill Johnson (4-5, 2nd year) Playoff record: 0-0 FYI: Playing fourth varsity season after splitting from Warren in football. ... Have a 9-20 record over that time. ... Won all four games in September last year.

Enrollment: 168 Class: 1A 2013: 11-1 (8-0, 7th) SVM predicted: 6-3 (6-2) Coach: Chris Thornton (58-28, 9th year) Playoff record: 41-25 (1st in 1978, ’91) FYI: Blackhawks have finished second four times, in 1975, ’77, 2004, & ’12. ... John O’Boyle had 279-74 record in 35 years as head coach.

Warren Warriors Enrollment: 145 Class: 1A 2013: 3-6 (3-5, tied 6th) SVM predicted: 7-2 (7-1) Coach: Shawn Teske (8-11, 3rd year) Playoff record: 0-7 FYI: Have 9-19 record with one playoff appearance since splitting from River Ridge 4 years ago. ... Closest they have come to winning a playoff game was a 7-0 loss to Amboy in 1994.

Stockton East Dubuque Aquin Polo River Ridge Milledgeville Warren Orangeville AFC

Conf.

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

All

11-1 7-3 7-4 4-5 4-5 3-6 3-6 2-7 1-8

Playoff results First round

s 1A, Stockton 40, Alden-Hebron 20 s !

'ALENA %AST Dubuque 0 1A, Aquin 44, Rockford Christian Life 26 Second round

s !

3TOCKTON 'ALENA s ! ,ENA 7INSLOW

Aquin 20 Quarterfinals

s Lena-Winslow 24, Stockton 14

PAGE 14

FB14 GUIDE

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s August 28, 2014

HelpingHands

Reading between Harbor lines Amboy trio makes sure Clippers’ field is ready for Friday nights

W

BY TY REYNOLDS | treynolds@saukvalley.com | 800-798-4085, ext. 5554

ith all the other things on his plate, Amboy head football coach Gary Jones knows there’s one thing he doesn’t have to worry about leading up to an important Three Rivers North contest: The Harbor will always be ready.

Thanks to a dedicated trio of volunteers, the Clippers’ home field is always in perfect condition for those Friday night lights.

“It’s a luxury to have those guys,” Jones said of field workers Darrin Barlow, Don Behrends, and Dan Koch.

“They know what they’re doing, they don’t need my input, and they just go and do it … and I never have to worry about it being done right, because it always is.”

Behrends and Koch have been striping football fields for years. Both originally started on the junior tackle field behind Amboy Junior High School about 15 years ago, and moved over to the field behind the high school several seasons ago.

“The guy who was lining the high school field, his striper broke and he asked if we could help him out,” Behrends recalled. “That was a Thursday night, with the game in less than 24 hours, and we got it done. That’s how we got started.”

Barlow joined the crew a few years ago, when his neighbor, Behrends, told him they were shorthanded. Barlow, who works in his family’s construction

They start with the sidelines, then move on to the yard markers. They’ll begin at the back line in one of the end zones and march down the field from there; the next week, they’ll start at the opposite end line and go the other direction. They keep things straight by laying down string, then painting over it.

“Changing it up helps the paint even out,” Koch explained. “There’s an art to it, a rhythm; once you learn how to focus on the string, the whole thing becomes easier.

“It takes a lot of work, but it’s fun, and the three of us just enjoy our time together.”

The striper they use was built by Behrends and a buddy 10 years ago. Behrends made sure it met with his exacting specifications, using an old liquid propane tank to make it twice as big as the old one. When filled to the brim with paint, the striper will do the entire field without having to be refilled.

Barlow said it usually takes a couple of hours to do the job, maybe an hour and a half on a good night. The attention to detail is second to none, and that’s usually due to Behrends being very particular about every little thing.

“We take pride in it, knowing that the lines are straight and the field looks good,” Behrends said. “It always feels good when the officials move the [firstMichael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com down] chains along the sideline and Dan Koch (left), Darrin Barlow and Don Behrends (right) volunteer their time to comment on how straight it is.”

But the best part is that the Clippers stripe the field at Amboy High School. can take the field on a Friday night without having given The Harbor a secbusiness, was eager to lend a hand.

I’m happy to be out here doing someond thought during the week leading up All three men have seen their kids go thing to support the program.” to the game. through the Amboy system; Barlow has The trio has been together long a son on the varsity team this year, and enough now that they have developed “The biggest reward is not having the another starting junior tackle. a system to make things run smoothly. coaches and players have to do it,” Koch “Volunteering my time to do this is They’ll start by mowing the field the said. “They have enough on their plate just my donation to the Amboy football Wednesday evening before that Friday’s preparing for the game, and it feels program,” Barlow said. “It means a lot home game, then paint the sidelines good to play a role in allowing them to to be able to help out the Clippers, and and yard markers on Thursdays. focus just on that.”

!UGUST s Sauk Valley Media

PAGE 15

FB14 GUIDE

HelpingHands

Driving Raiders toward victory Harvey drives bus, keeps stats, and lends support for AFC teams

F

BY TY REYNOLDS | treynolds@saukvalley.com | 800-798-4085, ext. 5554

or more than 2 decades, Duane Harvey has seen far more than his fair share of AFC Raider athletics.

And he wouldn’t trade it for the world.

As a bus driver and statistician for football, volleyball, basketball, and baseball teams at various times over the past 20-plus years, Harvey has had as good a view of AFC sports as anyone else.

“It’s a lot of fun being in on the action from the sidelines or benches or dugouts,” said Harvey, who serves on the AFC school district’s maintenance staff. “Just being around the programs, being involved with the teams, I just enjoy it so much.”

Harvey started his duties “20some years ago,” when his wife was the AFC volleyball coach.

Also a school bus driver on school days, Harvey drove the team bus and did stats for the squad.

After that, the 1980 Ashton High School grad got involved in doing the same things for the basketball, football, baseball, and wrestling programs.

“I’m just a big sports fan,” Harvey said, “and once it started with volleyball, the next thing I knew, all the other coaches were asking for my help, too.

Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com

Duane Harvey drives the bus for the Raiders sports teams, but he offers more support than that. He keeps stats for the Raiders, and provides opponent blitz and blocking tendencies at halftime.

“But the more I’m involved, the more I enjoy it.”

Fourth-year football coach Brad Winterland has found Harvey to be a huge asset, and has come to rely on the longtime high school football fan for more than just rushing yards and tackle stats.

“Duane’s like an extra set of eyes on Friday nights, which is always nice to have,” said Winterland, who eats lunch with Harvey almost every day. “We can rely on him to keep

accurate stats, but he also charts other random things he sees – like blitz tendencies or blocking patterns – and shares them with us at halftime.

“It’s just great to have a guy like Duane to support the program and help out wherever he’s needed.”

Harvey, who says he’s watched “a ton of football” over the years, downplays how much impact he really has on gameplans or play design – even when he and Winterland

are talking shop and doodling on napkins at lunchtime.

“I have a pretty good feel for the game,” Harvey said, “and I mostly just tell the coaches to have the refs watch for penalties and stuff like that.”

The fact that he gets to do it all for his hometown team makes it even more memorable. Harvey has seen many of the Raiders’ successes in his time, and also watched the age-old rivalry between Ashton and Franklin Grove turn into a

friendly, effective consolidated district.

“I’ve been here all my life, and I can’t imagine not being part of all this,” Harvey said. “It was kind of weird at first when the huge rivalry turned into cooperation, but it was a good move, and it’s worked.

“It’s just great to see the Raiders headed in the right direction, and have athletes and coaches who work hard and really care about the school and the communities.”

PAGE 16

FB14 GUIDE

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s August 28, 2014

HelpingHands

Strong foundation for Storm Koch oversees youth program that teaches game to players

F

BY TY REYNOLDS | treynolds@saukvalley.com | 800-798-4085, ext. 5554 or any successful high school football program, the foundation must be laid long before the players reach the varsity level.

style of offense Davis would be running at BV, in order to implement it at the lower levels.

“We’re making sure the kids get up to speed, and feel comfortable with the way they’re going to play when they get to high school,” Koch said. “We try and run the same drills as the high schoolers, get them used to what they’re going to go through as they move up through the system.”

The Bureau Valley Storm rely on their JFL It’s just one of the reasons that Davis has junior tackle program to do that, under appreciated Koch’s efforts, even though the purview of longtime coach and curthe Storm varsity coach has been with the rent president Doug Koch. program for only a few months.

Koch has been coaching young, aspiring Davis has also gotten a firsthand look future Storm players for 10 years, and has at what the JFL players are up to, as the spent the past 3 overseeing all the league’s younger kids practiced immediately preins and outs. ceding the varsity and fresh-soph groups “Our job is to prepare the kids for what behind the old Manlius school during the will come later,” said Koch, who has first week of preseason practice. coached every level from fifth- through “He’s helped make the transition here eighth-grade at some point during the pretty nice,” Davis said of Koch. “He conpast decade. “I feel proud all the time, not tacted me right away, asked to go over only when I see them play as kids, but also my system and get it implemented as when they get to high school and have soon as possible. That’s what it takes to success there.” build a successful program, and our youth Koch’s duties as JFL president range program is definitely in good hands with from arranging volunteers to take tickets Doug.” and work the concession stand, to lining Koch took over the JFL presidency when up the referees, to handing out equipthe previous president’s kids moved on to ment, to aiding any injured players. He is high school. His oldest grandson, Adam, one of a five-member board which overwas a fifth-grader at the time; this fall, sees the entire program, leaving him with his younger grandson, Zachary, is in fifth less time to coach and watch the games as grade. he had previously.

And he’ll be just as excited to see his But that hasn’t stopped him from lendgrandsons go through the BV football proing a helping hand with whichever level gram as he has been with the groups that needs it the most the past few seasons. have come before them.

This year, he’s serving as one of the coach“Watching those excited young kids es for the fifth-grade team. become strong Bureau Valley athletes is “Being president is a lot more than I was something special,” Koch said, “and it’s doing as a coach,” Koch said, “but the going to be great to see my grandsons go other board members do a fantastic job, through the next few years. and I’m happy to be playing my part.”

“We just want to make sure every kid One of Koch’s duties this summer was to who wants to play football has the opporMichael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com contact new Storm head coach Spencer tunity to do it … and have fun doing it. I Doug Koch has been president of Bureau Valley JFL football for 3 years, and Davis, and talk football with the Manlius just love it; it’s so rewarding at the end of has been coaching in the district’s junior tackle program for 10 years. native. The idea there was to find out what the day.”

!UGUST s Sauk Valley Media

PAGE 17

FB14 GUIDE

AmboyClippers Head Coach

Gary Jones s ST SEASON AT !MBOY s s PLAYOFF APPEARANCES

2013

s OVERALL s 42!# .ORTH TIED FOR TH PLACE

2014

Enrollment: Probable class: !

Helpful trends 15: (OW MANY YEARS IT HAS BEEN SINCE !MBOY HAD BACK TO BACK LOSING SEA SONS 4HE #LIPPERS WENT IN AND 2: 4HAT S LONGEST WINNING STREAK !MBOY HAS OVER ANY 42!# .ORTH TEAMS )T HAS BEATEN -ORRISON AND 2IVER DALE GAMES IN A ROW 5: 4HE #LIPPERS HAVE LOST FIVE STRAIGHT GAMES TO THE .EWMAN #OMETS 4HE LAST WIN CAME IN .568: 4HAT S THE #LIPPERS WINNING PERCENTAGE SINCE !T THEY ARE SEVENTH BEST IN 3AUK 6ALLEY

Players to watch Offense

2013 results

Defense

Drake Barlow

Dallas Appleman

Running back s *UNIOR MAY ALSO SEE SOME TIME AT QUARTERBACK

s *UNIOR IS EAGER TO BOUNCE BACK FROM INJURY

Linebacker

Returning PASSING: ,IAM /HLENDORF s RECEIVING: .! leaders: RUSHING: .! s TACKLES: .!

Schedule Game time &RI !UG

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

Opponent 2013 AT 3T "EDE

3HERRARD

(ALL

2IVERDALE

AT -ORRISON

AT %RIE 0 TOWN

"UREAU 6ALLEY

&ULTON

AT .EWMAN

* Three Rivers North game Homecoming: Week 4

14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

ss

s sss

ss

Hwy. 52 - Amboy, Illinois

800-216-0008

www.gerdessales.com

www.fnbamboy.com

Sr. 3R *R Jr. *R *R 3R Sr. Sr. *R *R 3R Sr. Sr. *R Sr. 3O Sr. 3R 3O *R Sr. *R 3R 3R 3R

WR/LB 2" $" 2" $" FB/LB 72 ," 2" ," 4% ," RB/LB QB/DB 72 $" 4% $% 2" $" WR/DB RB/LB 2" $" TE/DE /' ," C/DL /' $, /' $, /' $, OT/DE /4 $, /4 $, 4% $, 4% $%

&OLLOW !MBOY (IGH 3CHOOL !(3#LIPPERS

s

k c u L Good boy Am ers! p p i l C Hours 4VU -YP à ® :H[

145

205

170 160

150 140

190

230

205

’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13

4 Locations to serve you in Amboy and Dixon

Returning starters in bold 1 Walker Howell 5-9 4IM #LARK

2YON 2ICHARDSON

7 Dallas Appleman 5-11 #ARTER 3HAW

$RAKE "ARLOW

3KYELAR :IMMERLY

22 Chris Jones 5-7 23 Liam Ohlendorf 6-0 +OTY #ONDERMAN

#OLE /LSON

#ALEB -ORRIS

32 Will Crownhart 6-0 34 Dristin Beetz 6-0 $AMION 5LLRICH

48 Ryan Leffelman 6-0 #OLE 3TEWART

52 Hunter Varga 6-0 ,EVI -C#OY

!LEXIS 'UTIERREZ

#ALVIN .ICKEL

66 Kyle Kemmerer 5-11 #LAY 3TUEPFERT

#OLTON 0OHL

.ATE +ING

"RANDON *ACOBS

Tweet, tweet

The First National Bank in Amboy

Roster

s

…in football and in banking.

Inc.

2013 by numbers Points scored: Points allowed: Playoff teams faced:

Team Win Report

Experience matters

Good Luck Amboy Clippers

3T "EDE #LIPPERS 3HERRARD #LIPPERS (ALL #LIPPERS #LIPPERS 2IVERDALE #LIPPERS -ORRISON %RIE 0 TOWN #LIPPERS "UREAU 6ALLEY #LIPPERS &ULTON #LIPPERS .EWMAN #LIPPERS

On the radio 72#6 &-

Remember when 1984: #OACH Don Wyzgowski LEADS #LIPPERS TO ! STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

PAGE 18

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s August 28, 2014

FB14 GUIDE

AshtonFranklinCenter Raiders Head Coach

Brad Winterland s TH SEASON AT !&# s s PLAYOFF APPEARANCES

2013

s OVERALL s .5)# 5PSTATE TIED FOR TH PLACE

2014

Enrollment: Probable class: !

Helpful trends 3: 4HE 2AIDERS QUALIFIED FOR THE PLAYOFFS YEARS IN A ROW FROM 2006: !&# JOINED THE .5)# IN 4HE 2AIDERS PREVIOUSLY PLAYED IN THE &OUR 2IVERS 3: 4HE 2AIDERS HAVE BEATEN /RANGEVILLE THAT MANY TIMES IN A ROW 10: %AST $UBUQUE HAS BEATEN THE 2AIDERS STRAIGHT TIMES .371: 4HAT S THE 2AIDERS WINNING PERCENTAGE SINCE !T THEY ARE TH BEST IN 3AUK 6ALLEY

Players to watch Offense

2013 results

Defense

Jacob Hilliker

Kevin Kurz

Quarterback s ND YEAR STARTER LOOKING TO LEAD 2AIDERS TO PLAYOFFS

Linebacker s &UTURE -ARINE WILL LEAD FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE !&# DEFENSE

!QUIN 2AIDERS 0OLO 2AIDERS 2IVER 2IDGE 2AIDERS 3TOCKTON 2AIDERS %L 0ASO 'RIDLEY 2AIDERS 2AIDERS /RANGEVILLE %AST $UBUQUE 2AIDERS 7ARREN 2AIDERS -ILLEDGEVILLE 2AIDERS

Returning PASSING: *ACOB (ILLIKER s RECEIVING: 4REVOR 2AMSEY

leaders: RUSHING: $AVID :INKE s TACKLES: +EVIN +URZ s SACKS: +URZ

Schedule Game time &RI !UG

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

* NUIC Upstate game Homecoming: Week 7

Opponent 2013 AT !QUIN

0OLO

AT 2IVER 2IDGE

3TOCKTON

0ECATONICA

AT /RANGEVILLE

%AST $UBUQUE

7ARREN

AT -ILLEDGEVILLE

14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Team Win Report 11-1

s

s 7-4

5-4

s s s ss s s s 1-8

3-6

2-7

3-6

1-8 4-5

Roster Returning starters in bold #ALEB $REW

6 Jacob Hilliker 6-0 $AVID !TKINSON

$ILLON ,ANNING

10 David Zinke 6-0 #ODY 0ENICK

+EVIN / $OWD

*AKE -UNDELL

!DAM (ART

-ICHAEL 4HOMPSON

4YLER 3TACEY

#ALVIN "ERKELY

21 Luke Hageman 5-10 $ALTON )BARRA

23 Jake Hageman 5-11 'LEN -UNDELL

'ARRETT 3ANFORD

*AMES 4ALLEY

3TEPHEN "ROOKE

$EMETRI ,AHMAN

*OE 5PHOFF

+YLE -C"RIDE

3AM (AHN

50 Brandon Jahn 5-8 !NDREW $AVIS

53 Kevin Kurz 6-5 *ONAH !WALT

55 Asan Rushiti 5-11 .ATHAN 0AGE

57 Bryan Dewey 5-8 'ARRETT $REW

"RYAN %LLSHOFF

"RENDYN 7ILLIAMS

76 Bobby Larke 6-4 +OLIN +AECKER

$YLAN 0ITZER

88 Trevor Ramsey 6-6

140

149

153

165

192

185

211

188

289

181

&R Jr. 3O 3O Jr. &R *R &R &R &R 3R &R Jr. *R Jr. *R 3O *R 3O 3O 3O 3O &R Jr. 3R Sr. &R Jr. &R Jr. &R &R 3O Sr. &R *R Sr.

1" $" QB/DB (" $" 1" $% HB/DB 72 $" 72 $% 72 $" (" ," &" ," (" $" 72 $" HB/DB 72 ," FB/DB 72 $" 72 $" &" $% (" $% &" $, 72 $% (" ," (" $" OL/LB /, ," OL/LB /, $, OL/DL /, $, OL/DL /, $, /, $, /, $, OL/DL /, $, 72 ," WR/DE

1-8

’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13

Tweet, tweet !&# COACH Brad Winterland !&#?(#

Look for our weekly football pull out section every Saturday! publishers of

daily Gazette, Telegraph & Sauk Valley Weekend

!UGUST s Sauk Valley Media

PAGE 19

FB14 GUIDE

HelpingHands

Doing his part to help Dukes win Dixon alum makes sure A.C. Bowers is perfect for Friday night lights

W

BY TY REYNOLDS | treynolds@saukvalley.com | 800-798-4085, ext. 5554

hen Jamie Anderson hurt his back working construction, the Dixon native was looking for something else to do to occupy his time.

What he found helped him give back to his beloved Dukes.

A 1977 DHS graduate, Anderson took over as the field maintenance guy for A.C. Bowers Field. A day janitor at the high school, Anderson is responsible for making sure the Dukes’ home field is ready when the lights pop on every Friday night.

“If the team plays on a good-looking field, maybe it will help them play a little better,” Anderson said. “The footing is better, the grass is a consistent length, all that little stuff makes a difference.

“It’s just great to make sure that’s one thing they don’t have to worry about during the week leading up to the game.”

Anderson has been taking care of A.C. Bowers’ natural-grass turf for 3 years, taking on that role the same time the Dukes hired another alum, Dave Smith, to coach the football team.

Smith is one of Anderson’s biggest supporters, and knows how big a deal it is to the program to have such dedicated helpers.

“The field is something a lot of people probably take for granted when they come to games,” Smith said, “but it takes a lot of work. It’s an integral part of the program, and we really appreciate what Jamie does week in and week out with the field.”

Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com

Jamie Anderson, a 1977 graduate of Dixon High School, makes sure that A.C. Bowers Field is in pristine condition for the Dukes every Friday night in the fall. Anderson was not available for a photo.

Anderson has his craft down to a science. With the assistance of Rick Beck and Aaron Wolber, the field gets mowed twice a week, and it’s watered every night, depending on rain conditions.

They make sure it’s fertilized and aerated properly, make sure all the yard lines and sidelines are straight and very visible, and make sure that the wear and tear from so many activities on it doesn’t cause problems.

In fact, one of the hardest things about the whole process is working around everybody else’s schedule.

“It’s hard to get on the field sometimes,” Anderson said, “because there

is so much activity on it. There are PE classes, and marching band practice, and cheerleader and dance practices, and soccer games, just a lot of kids using it at all hours.

“It’s kind of hit and miss when it’s available, but we just get on it whenever we can. We try to have it done every week by Thursday afternoon, so the football team can do their walk-through on it during Thursday practices.”

And Anderson does it all with a metaphorical spring in his step and a whistle on his lips.

“He always has a smile on his face, and he’s always so friendly when he sees

you,” Smith said. “He’s a high-octane guy, someone who will always say hi in the hallway and take the time to talk to you. He’s a Dixon alum, and he takes a lot of pride in this school and the team, and he always makes sure the field is perfect for us.”

Anderson says that’s all the reward he needs: Appreciation for a job well done … and maybe a few Dixon Duke victories.

“I graduated from Dixon, and I’m a Dixon fan, so anything I can do to help them win – and make the field look better while they’re doing it – I’m happy to help out.”

PAGE 20

FB14 GUIDE

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s August 28, 2014

HelpingHands

This cat goes wild for stats Bastian has found home running numbers for EPC coaching staff

T

here is very little Joe Bastian would rather do during an Eastland-Pearl City football game than keep stats. But 6 years ago, it wasn’t even something anywhere remotely close to the front of his mind.

BY TY REYNOLDS | treynolds@saukvalley.com | 800-798-4085, ext. 5554

and it’s such a burden off me,” Asche said. “It allows me more time to do what I really love to do, which is work with the kids and just coach the game. He has a great attitude, is very supportive, and he’s one of those great guys who just loves their community and their school and the kids who participate in sports.”

The best part for Bastian has been the view of EPC’s recent run of success. He said he’s been doing the job long enough now that it’s all become somewhat second nature, and he can actually sit back and enjoy watching the game while still Every Friday night in the fall fulfilling his duties. for the past half-decade, BasAnd the Wildcatz’s games tian has stood on the Wildcatz have been something to behold sideline, meticulously charting during Bastian’s tenure. EPC every run, pass, kick, tackle, has won nine games in three and touchdown. Regular seaof the past four seasons, has son or playoffs, rain or shine, claimed back-to-back NUIC humid heat or bone-chilling Northwest titles, and has won a cold, Bastian never misses an playoff game in each of the past EPC game from his favorite 4 years. perch.

But it’s not just the team’s suc“I just really enjoy the atmocess that has provided memories sphere from the sideline,” BasPhilip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com and experiences that Bastian, tian said. “It’s totally different Joe Bastian took over stat-keeping duties for Eastland-Pearl City 6 years ago. Even with his son who said he has no intention than the more social aspect of stopping anytime soon, out of high school, Bastian has no intention of giving up the duties anytime soon. of sitting in the stands, and wouldn’t trade for anything.

I enjoy it tremendously. The “During my son’s senior year, of compiling and collecting all “Coach Asche had a need to something I love to do.” kids, the coaches, everybody Coach Asche told me he was Bastian gets help from Jeff around this program, they’re all the stats from both EPC and its fill, and I felt obliged to help,” sorry that I couldn’t just watch Thomas, as well as Thomas’ great people, and make my job opponent, and sending it out to Bastian said. “At the time, he my son more closely,” Bastian various media outlets and the was still farming in addition son Tyler and his own son really fun.” recalled. “But I told him that IHSA. to coaching, and I felt I had no Colton, at times. He relies on Funny thing is, before a few But 6 years ago, with his son right to say no to something his wife, Mary, to get the emails the chance to stand shoulder years ago, Bastian had no idea to shoulder with my son on the that would take some responsi- of the stats he puts together that one of his favorite parts of having graduated high school, sideline and share in the team’s Talbert was also interested in bility off his plate. after every game out to wherfootball season even existed. success as a member of the moving on. So Asche turned to “It kind of dropped into my ever they need to go.

When coach Randy Asche group was exhilarating.

Bastian, who had helped out by lap, and I appreciated the chalIt’s a well-oiled machine, took over the EPC program in “I can’t believe how great that doing the opponents’ stats for a lenge … and now something something that isn’t lost on the 2007, Doug Talbert was the was, and how great this whole few years, and asked if he’d be that I just stepped up to help Wildcatz’s head coach.

Wildcatz’s main statistician. opportunity has been for me.” willing to take on a larger role. out with has turned into “I know I can count on him, He took on the responsibility-

!UGUST s Sauk Valley Media

PAGE 21

FB14 GUIDE

BureauValleyStorm Head Coach

Spencer Davis s ST SEASON AT "6 s s PLAYOFF APPEARANCES

2013

s OVERALL s 42!# .ORTH TIED FOR TH PLACE

2014

Enrollment: 319 Probable class: !

Helpful trends 6: $AVIS IS THE SIXTH COACH TO GUIDE THE 3TORM SINCE THE SCHOOL FORMED IN 5: 4HAT S THE NUMBER OF CONFERENCE TITLES WON BY THE 3TORM BETWEEN 2008.

7-7: 4HAT S THE RECORD THE 3TORM HAVE AGAINST !MBOY AND -ORRISON IN THE LAST MEETINGS WITH THE TWO 42!# .ORTH POWERS .631: 4HAT S THE 3TORM S WINNING PERCENTAGE SINCE !T THEY ARE FIFTH BEST IN 3AUK 6ALLEY

Players to watch Offense

2013 results 3TORM (ALL 3T "EDE 3TORM .EWMAN 3TORM +EWANEE 3TORM %RIE 0 TOWN 3TORM 3TORM -ORRISON 3TORM !MBOY 2IVERDALE 3TORM &ULTON 3TORM

Defense

Parker Neuhalfen

Josh Mead

Quarterback s ND YEAR STARTER CAN DO DAMAGE WITH ARM LEGS

Linebacker s ND YEAR STARTER CAN READ REACT WITH THE BEST OF THEM

Returning PASSING: 0ARKER .EUHALFEN s RECEIVING: 4OMMY *OHNSTON

leaders: RUSHING: .EUHALFEN s TACKLES: *OHNSTON INTS: .EUHALFEN

Schedule Game time &RI !UG

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

Opponent 2013 AT (ALL

3T "EDE

.EWMAN

+EWANEE

AT %RIE 0 TOWN

-ORRISON

AT !MBOY

2IVERDALE

AT &ULTON

* Three Rivers North game Homecoming: Week 6

Team Win Report

sss

14 13 14-0 12 11 10 13-1 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

12-1 10-2

s

ss 7-3

s 3-6

6-4

s

ss 4-5

3-6

2-7

’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13

WEATHER ALERTS ANYWHERE YOU GO

txtALERTS SIGN UP FOR FREE ON WWW.SAUKVALLEY.COM

On the radio WZOE-FM (98.1)

Roster Returning starters in bold "RYAN (ERR

%RROLD (UMPHRIES

$REW "AKER

$RAKE $AVIS

7 Parker Neuhalfen 6-2 #AJE 0ETERSON

0ATRICK / $ONOHUE

(UNTER 3CHOFF

22 Will Konneck 5-9 !LEX *OHNSON

25 Dalton Kepner 5-10 32 Tommy Johnston 6-3 *AKOB 4RANSEAU

3 &ELIX 4ROXELS

"LAINE 0ETERSON

(UNTER 3EBBY

44 Josh Mead 5-10 3HAWN #HRISTIANSEN

$YLAN -ARTIN

2ICK ,OOTENS

55 Chase Pierce 5-10 4OMMY "RUMMEL

2IZA -IRTOSKI

$REW &ORDHAM

4YLER 'ONIGAM

65 Garrett Jackson 6-0 #ALE "UYSE

!LEX 0ECK

!USTIN "OWER

.EVIN *OHNSON

*OHN (ERR

#HRIS 3HYNK

,EE %SHLEMEN

#HASE 'RIPP

*AY %DLEFSON

4REY $ALE

"LAKE "ALENSIEFEN

2USTY &ARGHER

175

175

165 210

180

170

210

&R 3R &R &R Sr. 3O 3R 3O Jr. 3R Sr. Sr. *R *R 3R 3O Sr. *R 3R *R Sr. *R 3R *R 3R Sr. &R &R 3O *R *R 3R 3O 3O 3O *R 3R *R

72 $" 72 $" 2" $" 1" $" QB/DB 2" ," 2" ," 72 $" RB/DB 72 $" RB/LB RB/DE 72 $" 72 $" 72 $" 2" ," RB/LB /, $, /, $, /, ," OL/LB /, $, /, $, /, $, /, $, OL/DL /, $, /, $, /, $, /, $, /, $, /, $, /, $, /, $, 72 $" 72 $" 72 ," 72 $"

PAGE 22

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s August 28, 2014

FB14 GUIDE

DixonDukes Players to watch

Head Coach

Dave Smith s TH SEASON AT $IXON s OVERALL s PLAYOFF APPEARANCES

Offense

2013

s OVERALL s .)" 7EST TIED FOR TH PLACE

2014

Enrollment: 783 Probable class: 4A

Helpful trends 1: 4HIS IS THE $UKES FIRST SEASON IN THE "IG .ORTHERN 7EST 4HEY HAVE PREVIOUSLY PLAYED IN .)" 7EST AND .#)# 2EAGAN 4: 4HAT S HOW MANY OPPONENTS THE $UKES HAVE NEVER PLAYED IN YEARS OF PLAYING FOOTBALL 42: 4HAT S HOW MANY TIMES THE $UKES HAVE BEATEN 2OCK &ALLS IN MEETINGS 4HE TWO TEAMS HAVE NOT PLAYED SINCE .419: 4HAT S THE $UKES WINNING PERCENTAGE SINCE 4HEY ARE ALL TIME

TO ALL AREA

Wide receiver s RD YEAR STARTER WILL BE TOP TARGET DOWNFIELD

Safety

815-288-9403

s ,AST LINE OF $UKES $ WAS ALL CONFERENCE LAST YEAR

Returning PASSING: *$ 'IESON

s RECEIVING: -ATT #OFFEY

leaders: RUSHING: 'IESON s TACKLES: #ODY -IGHELL s INTs: "EN -AYES

Schedule Game time &RI !UG

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

Opponent 2013 -ONMOUTH 2OSEVILLE 3-6 "URLINGTON #ENTRAL AT ,UTHERAN

/REGON

AT -ENDOTA

7INNEBAGO

AT 3TILLMAN 6ALLEY

2OCK &ALLS

AT "YRON

* Big Northern West game Homecoming: Week 6

Towing

Collision Repair

Dixon, IL

$UKES -ON 2OSEVILLE 2OCHELLE $UKES 9ORKVILLE $UKES -ORRIS $UKES 'ENESEO $UKES $UKES ,A3ALLE 0ERU /TTAWA $UKES 3TERLING $UKES $UKES 3TREATOR

Defense Quinton Douglas

TEAMS!

1317 North Galena Ave.

2013 results

Matt Coffey

Our Quality Shows We Care GOOD LUCK

On the radio WIXN-AM (1460)

Dixon Autobody Clinic 1104 E. River Road, Dixon 815-288-2722

14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Team Win Report

8-4

s s

1-8 4-5

s

ss s ss s s 1-8

2-7

3-6

2-7

3-6

2-7

’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13

Newman Comets Rock Falls Rockets Sterling Warriors Dixon Dukes and all other surrounding area football teams!

Roster Returning starters in bold 2AHEEM *ACOBS

"RYCE 3TANLEY

"RADEN *ACOBS

.ATHAN 'ASCOIGNE

15 JD Gieson 5-9 20 Benny Mayes 5-6 *OSH 7ISEMAN

23 Jakob Johnson 5-6 27 Matt Coffey 5-9 30 Kyle LeBlanc 6-0 32 Quinton Douglas 5-8 #ONNOR 3PERLING

46 Cody Mighell 5-8 2ICARDO 3ORESIE

"RADY .EWMAN

3AM -C#ULLOUGH

55 Jacob Harrison 5-11 *AVIER 'OMEZ

58/34 Shane Emry 5-10 *AIME 3CHAEFFER

60 Samuel James 5-11 "ARON 2AUCH

-ICHAEL 3TOCKSDALE

2YAN 4ROUTMAN

66 Dan Troutman 6-2 *ORDAN "IVINS

70 Alex Helander 6-0 -ICHAEL 0AUL 4ABERS

75/33 Diante Sanders 6-0 #ALEB -OTON

"RET 2EYNOLDS

!LEX "ECKER

*ERRECK "URDICK 'AITHER 88 Ryan Webb 6-0

160 155

140 156 182 174

202

179

164

194

209

282

257

165

*R *R *R *R Sr. Jr. *R Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. *R Sr. *R *R *R Sr. *R Sr. *R Sr. *R *R 3O Sr. *R Sr. *R Jr. *R *R *R *R Sr.

2" ," 72 $" 72 $" 1" $" QB/DB RB/DB 72 $" WR/DB WR/DB WR/LB RB/DB 4% $, RB/LB /, $, 2" ," /, ," OL/LB /, $, TE/LB /, ," OL/DL /, $, /, $, /, $, OL/DL /, $, OL/DL /, $, OL/DL /, $, /, $, 72 $, 72 $" WR/DL

Tweet, tweet &OLLOW THE $IXON $UKES ALL SEASON LONG DUKESDUCHESSES

Good Luck Dixon Dukes and All Area Football Teams!

Insurance Agency 355 W Everett St. Dixon

815.284.7737

!UGUST s Sauk Valley Media

PAGE 23

FB14 GUIDE

HelpingHands

Putting Panthers in focus VonHolten’s camera captures every good side of Erie-Prophetstown football

N

BY PATRICK MASON | pmason@saukvalley.com | 800-798-4085, ext. 5550

ineteen years ago, Sheryl VonHolten’s family got a lot bigger. It grew by the hundreds.

She is known to the ErieProphetstown football team as Momma Sheryl, and it’s because VonHolten is at every game, whether it is played at home or on the road. She also attends nearly every practice. It’s a routine she has done for 19 years.

“These are my babies,” VonHolten said. “I love football, and I love the kids. It’s why I do this.”

VonHolten, who has worked at the Milledgeville Vet Clinic for the past 30 years, is the team’s photographer and biggest fan. Her photography lessons started 19 years ago, when she had a son play on the team.

She wanted pictures of him, and what started out as a normal mother thing to do, eventually evolved into a love for the game and Panthers football.

She has a firsthand look at what goes on on a daily basis for a Panthers football player, and she sees it all with one eye squinted, and the other peering through a focused lens.

dedication came in 2011 during a game. As usual, VonHolten was on the sidelines taking pictures and cheering on the Panthers when a big play happened. She raced down the sideline to follow the play and happened to step in a hole, tearing the meniscus in one knee.

Even that didn’t stop her from finishing the season.

“I waited to get surgery after the season,” she said. “I put off the rehab and everything. I just fought through it. I wouldn’t miss these guys for anything.”

Ryan Gaines/Special to SVM

For 19 years, Sheryl VonHolten has had Erie-Prophetstown football players in focus. She started taking photos when her son was playing, and continued to do so afterward.

“If I can be there to encourage any of these guys in a positive manner, I will do it,” VonHolten said. “I was a big emptynester when my son and daughter left for school, and this was a place for me to come and try to help out, and a way for me to feel wanted; and they answered that call.”

Each season, she makes posters scattered with action photos for all of the seniors, which are

displayed for the fans and players to see during their Senior Night game. She is active during the season as well, making photo collages for the locker room for players and coaches to look at throughout the season, as well as creating other projects through photos.

VonHolten compiles the photos she takes from every game and practice, and has 19 years’ worth of photos, thousands, on

her computer. A hobby that started when her son began playing didn’t end when he graduated in 2002. She became attached.

“I will do this as long as I can move up and down that sideline,” she said.

Any questions as to where her loyalties lie ended several years ago when E-P faced off against Orion on a chilly Friday night.

It would have been a

normal gameday, but she was torn. Her son coaches the Orion football team. While it was tough for her to stay on the Panthers’ sideline with emotional ties to both teams, VonHolten stuck with her football family, and acted as if nothing was different.

“She is probably the loudest person on the sideline,” Panthers coach Chuck Milem said.

Another test of her

Good Luck To All Area Teams! from your friends at…

www.rockriverag.com

PAGE 24

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s August 28, 2014

FB14 GUIDE

HelpingHands

Getting kicks from pitching in Curley loves time spent helping kids learn football every fall in Fulton

H

BY PATRICK MASON | pmason@saukvalley.com | 800-798-4085, ext. 5550

ere comes the manager. Dave Curley would have been yanked long ago in favor of a reliever, if he were pitching in a baseball game.

But there he was, still hurling the ball across the field.

Curley, a 13-year coach in his 11th season as an unpaid volunteer for the Fulton football team, tossed about 150 passes to practice-gear clad Steamers players during team drills last week.

“I just love the kids,” Curley said. “They keep me coming back each year, and I just want to help out anywhere I can.”

Curley primarily works with the quarterbacks and defensive backs as a position-specific coach, along with helping head coach Patrick Lower with the gameplanning before games.

On Friday nights, he also dons a headset during games, and relays information to Lower about things he sees from the press box.

“He is a great guy to have,” Lower said. “He does a great job with the kids. They respond well to him.”

Curley is a national sales manager at Agri-King in Fulton, and doubles as a volunteer coach for the Fulton football team.

It is his work with the Steamers that keeps Curley coming back

Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com

Dave Curley looks forward to every fall as a volunteer coach for the Fulton Steamers. Curley has worked as an unpaid volunteer coach with the Steamers for the last 11 years, and he has been with the program for 13 years. each year. His eyes light up, and his mind races during football season. He even adjusts his work schedule and family time in order to be around the team.

For Curley to make it to each practice and game during the season, he works long, and often odd, hours. He oversees around 200 people, and a typical day has him arriving to work by 6 a.m. so he can leave by 3 p.m. in order to make it to the Steamers’ practice. Sometimes he heads back to work after

practice, if he didn’t get enough done during the day.

His family – wife, three daughters, and a son – supports him and works around his hours.

As lifetime Fulton natives, they show up at the game to support the team, and Curley. They understand how important the team is to him.

“My family has always been there for me,” Curley said.

“Football is a stress reliever for me. I just love this game; the camaraderie, teamwork, there

is nothing like it in the world.”

His work in overseeing hundreds of employees, and his work in sales, gives him an upper hand at evaluating leadership. He also knows how to help players stay focused and in control during games.

But what keeps the Fulton native coming back each season are the players he gets to work with. His family demands most of his attention at home, though other kids have snuck in and seen Curley

as a father-figure.

On Father’s Day this year, he was reminded of that.

“One kid’s mom passed away, and he called me to talk and help him through it,” Curley said. “I had another kid say, ‘You are like a dad to me more than any dad I’ve ever had.’

“When you can really be part of someone’s life, that’s what I do it for. I just love being around the young kids and hope to make a difference in their lives.”

!UGUST s Sauk Valley Media

PAGE 25

FB14 GUIDE

EastlandPearlCityWildcatz Head Coach

Randy Asche s TH SEASON AT %0# s s PLAYOFF APPEARANCES

2013

s OVERALL s .5)# .ORTHWEST ST PLACE s ! PLAYOFFS ND ROUND

LOST VS .EWMAN

2014

Enrollment: Probable class: !

Players to watch Offense

2013 results

Defense

Deven Heeren

Chase Giedd

Quarterback s ND YEAR STARTER CAN PERFORM WELL UNDER DURESS

Linebacker

7ILDCATZ 7EST #ARROLL 7ILDCATZ -ON 2OSEVILLE 7ILDCATZ $AKOTA 7ILDCATZ 'ALENA 7ILDCATZ ,E 7IN 7ILDCATZ 0OLO 7ILDCATZ $URAND 7ILDCATZ 3OUTH "ELOIT 7ILDCATZ &ORRESTON 2A Playoffs 7ILDCATZ ,UTHER .ORTH .EWMAN 7ILDCATZ

s -ULTI SPORT ATHLETE LOOKS TO MAKE HIS MARK ON THE GRIDIRON

Returning RUSHING: %RIC 3CHANEY

s TACKLES: .! leaders: PASSING: $EVEN (EEREN

s RECEIVING: $ONNY 'ROEZINGER

Helpful trends 15: 4HE 7ILDCATZ HAVE WON .5)# .ORTHWEST GAMES IN A ROW INCLUDING LAST TWO DIVISION TITLES 36.5: 4HAT S WAS THE AVER AGE MARGIN OF VICTORY FOR THE 7ILDCATZ IN 8: 4HE 7ILDCATZ HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED FROM THE PLAYOFFS BY CURRENT 4HREE 2IVERS TEAMS THAT MANY TIMES SINCE .688: 4HAT S THE 7ILDCATZ S WINNING PERCENTAGE SINCE !T THEY ARE THIRD BEST IN 3AUK 6ALLEY

Schedule Game time &RI !UG

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

Opponent 2013 AT 7EST #ARROLL

0ECATONICA

AT $AKOTA

AT 'ALENA

,ENA 7INSLOW

0OLO

AT $URAND

AT 3OUTH "ELOIT

&ORRESTON

* NUIC Northwest game Homecoming: Week 9 Week 2 and 5 at Pearl City; Week 6 and 9 at Lanark

14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Team Win Report

s

s

s s s s s ss

s

’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13

CARS815.com

Roster Returning starters in bold 2 Deven Heeren 6-4 6 Walter Ollie 6-0 3AM &ERGUSON

"RIGHTON (AVERLAND

3ILAS *ACOBS

20 Cody Kluck 5-8 +EEGAN 3CHUBERT

23 Donny Groezinger 5-8 0AYTON #LOUSE

4IM (ARRINGTON

*OHN 3LIGAR

43 Eric Schaney 6-0 *ACOB 2EUSCHER

*AKE #LINE

-ICHAEL 3HERIFF

'AVIN #ARTER

0EYTON !SCHE

70 Austin Fischer 5-10 3TEVEN -URPHY

75 Jared Gaughan 6-0 (AYDEN +ELTNER

$ILLON "ALDAUF

2OY 9ENNEY

"RENT "ARKLOW

84 Chase Giedd 6-2

200 155

150

185

210

270

235

195

Sr. Sr. *R 3O 3R Sr. 3O Sr. 3O 3O *R Sr. 3R *R 3R 3R &R Sr. *R Sr. *R *R *R 3R Sr.

QB/LB WR/DB 2" $" 4% ," + WR/FS 2" #" RB/CB 2" ," 72 $" 4% ," RB/LB 4% ," /4 $4 /4 ," /' $4 /4 $4 OG/NG /4 $4 OG/DT /4 .' # $4 /, $, 72 $" OT/LB

Tweet, tweet &OLLOW ALONG WITH 7ILDCATZ PLAYERS THROUGHOUT THE SEASON n CHECK OUT 1" Deven Heeren DHEEREN

72 $" Walter Ollie 7ALLY /LLIE

2" ," Eric Schaney %RIC3CHANEY

/, ," Chase Giedd 'IEDD

PAGE 26

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s August 28, 2014

FB14 GUIDE

ErieProphetstownPanthers Head Coach

Chuck Milem s TH SEASON AT % 0 s s PLAYOFF APPEARANCES

2013

s OVERALL s 42!# .ORTH ND PLACE s ! PLAYOFFS ND ROUND

LOST TO 3TILLMAN 6ALLEY

2014

Enrollment: Probable class: !

Players to watch Offense

2013 results 0ANTHERS +EWANEE (ALL 0ANTHERS 0ANTHERS 2IVERDALE 0ANTHERS &ULTON 0ANTHERS "UREAU 6ALLEY 0ANTHERS !MBOY .EWMAN 0ANTHERS 0ANTHERS -ORRISON 0ANTHERS /RION 3A Playoffs 0ANTHERS 2IVER 6ALLEY 3TILLMAN 6ALLEY 0ANTHERS

Defense Dylan Binion

Jordan Chandler Quarterback

Linebacker

s %XPLOSIVE ATHLETE AND STRONG PASSER WHO IS A THREAT TO RUN

s 4HIRD YEAR STARTER LED TEAM IN TACKLES LAST SEASON

Returning PASSING: .! s RECEIVING: *ORDAN #HANDLER

leaders: RUSHING: #HANDLER s TACKLES: $YLAN "INION s

Helpful trends 7: 4HE WIN TOTAL OF THE SEASONS BETWEEN EQUALS THE WINS OF LAST TWO SEASONS 11: 4HAT S THE NUMBER OF LOSSES IN A ROW TO THE .EWMAN #OMETS INCLUDING TWO LOSSES IN THE SEASON 2: 4HE 0ANTHERS HAVE TWO GAME WINNING STREAKS OVER FOUR TEAMS ON THEIR SCHEDULE .355: 4HAT S THE 0ANTHERS WINNING PERCENTAGE SINCE 4HAT IS WHEN THE TWO SCHOOLS FORMED CO OP

Schedule Game time &RI !UG

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

Opponent 2013 AT +EWANEE

(ALL

AT 2IVERDALE

AT &ULTON

"UREAU 6ALLEY

!MBOY

AT .EWMAN

-ORRISON

AT /RION

* Three Rivers North game Homecoming: Week 6 Weeks 5 and 6 at P’town, Weeks 2, 8 at Erie

Look for our weekly football pull out section every Saturday!

14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

daily Gazette, Telegraph & Sauk Valley Weekend

ss 3-6 3-6

1-8

1-8

1-8

sss

ss 3-6

3-6

s 1-8

s

s 8-3

5-5

’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13

When You’re Worth More, It Shows.

Returning starters in bold 4RAVIS 3HIPP

3 Phillip Coers 6-1 5 Noah Eads 6-5 6 Sean Maloney 5-9 7 Kallen Jepson 6-0 4YLER .AFTZGER

10 Jordan Chandler 5-10 (UNTER -ITCHELL

:AYNE .AFTZGER

$VAREE 4HOMPSON

2YLEE 'ALLENTINE

+OLTON :AAGMAN

*ACK "AUER

25 Dylan Binion 6-0 3ETH #AMERON

*ARED &ORWARD

#HRIS 3CHEMPF

$UKE #ARBER

4REVON -C+ENNA

51 Jack Heflin 6-3 ,OGAN -ARSHANG

54 Tanner Shipp 5-10 %VAN #OOPER

"RAD (UFMAN

"RETT %MERY

#ALEB -C2AE

)AN 7IRT

!USTIN 3HOUP

#ODY $E7ITTE

69 Pedro Herrera 6-0 *IMMY "IBA

2YNE *AQUET

*ONAH 'REEN

$ONALD (AYES

!LEX 2ASER

180 200 160 165

175

175

235

190

280

3R (" $" Jr. QB/LB Jr. SE/DE Sr. HB/DB Sr. P *R (" $" Jr. QB/DB *R 3% $" *R 2" $, 3R 3% $% *R (" ," *R 3% ," *R (" $" Jr. FB/LB *R (" $" *R &" ," *R 4% ," *R /, $, *R /, $, Jr. OL/DE *R /, $, Sr. OL/LB 3R /, $, *R /, $, *R /, $, 3R /, $, *R /, $, 3R /, $, 3R /, $, Jr. OL/DL *R /, $, 3O /, $, *R 4% ," 3R 4% $% *R 3% $"

Tweet, tweet &OLLOW THE 0ANTHERS SEASON ON 4WITTER FROM COACH Chuck Milem #-ILEM

www.birkeys.com

Federally insured by NCUA (800) 722-0333 | ihmvcu.org

DRUMMET’S

HARDWARE publishers of

Team Win Report

Roster

HANK

Paint — Plumbing Electrical — Tools Lawn & Garden — Much More!

317 Washington St., Prophetstown 815-537-2881 Dan and Dave Drummet

Prophetstown 200 North St. 815-537-2304

Your Local Case IH Dealer!

!UGUST s Sauk Valley Media

PAGE 27

FB14 GUIDE

ULTIMATE SPECIAL TEAM PLAYERS THAT TAKE GAME SERIOUSLY, BUT NOT AS MUCH AS HELPING OTHERS

LIAM OHLENDORF AMBOY SR. QB/DB

s 4HE #LIPPERS SIGNAL CALLER MAKES SURE HIS TEAMATES LINE UP IN THE RIGHT PLACE /FF THE FIELD

HE PUTS HIMSELF IN THE RIGHT SPOT VOLUNTEERING FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS THROUGH .ATIONAL (ONOR 3OCIETY AND THE 3PANISH (ONOR 3OCIETY

Service provided

KEVIN KURZ AFC SR. OL/LB

s 4HIS FUTURE -ARINE SERVES AS THE SCHOOL S &&!

PRESIDENT WHICH ALLOWS HIM TO MENTOR YOUNGER &&! MEMBERS (E EARNED AN &&! STATE DEGREE FOR WORKING HOURS IN HIS JOB AND KEEPING RECORDS OF HIS EARNINGS AND EXPENDITURES FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR

CHRIS SHYNK BUREAU VALLEY SR. OL/DL

s 4HIS 3TORM LINEMAN SERVES AS "UREAU 6ALLEY S &&! TREASURER (E HELPS YOUNGER MEMBERS LEARN THE ROPES OF THE CLUB (E ALSO HELPS OUT AT SUM MER YOUTH FOOTBALL CAMPS AND VOLUNTEERS AT THE ANNUAL PANCAKE BREAKFAST

Service provided

JACOB HARRISON DIXON SR. C/LB

s 4HIS $UKE IS AN ACCOMPLISHED MUSICIAN PLAYING PIANO IN LOCAL SHOWCASES TRUMPET IN PEP BAND

AND HORN IN CONCERT BANDS (E S IN )MMANUEL ,UTHERAN S YOUTH GROUP (E S ON THE STUDENT ADVI SORY COMMITTEE AND HAS A '0! OF

Service provided

Service provided

PAGE 28

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s August 28, 2014

FB14 GUIDE

ULTIMATE SPECIAL TEAM PLAYERS THAT TAKE GAME SERIOUSLY, BUT NOT AS MUCH AS HELPING OTHERS

AUSTIN FISCHER EPC SR. OG/NG

s (ELPED THE %NDRESS CHILDREN PREPARE PRIZE STEERS FOR 3TEPHENSON #OUNTY &AIR AFTER THEIR FATHER ,YN DEN WAS ELECTROCUTED IN A FARM ACCIDENT 3ALE OF ONE STEER RAISED

AND &ISCHER HELPED GET MONEY INTO EDUCATION FUND FOR THE CHILDREN

BREVIN MASON FULTON SR. WR/DB

s )S A VOLUNTEER MEMBER OF THE GROUNDS CREW FOR THE &ULTON ,ITTLE ,EAGUE AND UMPIRES GAMES DUR ING THE SUMMER (E HELPS COACH KIDS IN SUMMER LEAGUES !S A MEMBER OF THE STUDENT COUNCIL HE ORGANIZES BLOOD DRIVES

Service provided

Service provided

SEAN MALONEY ERIE-PROPHETSTOWN

SR. HB/DB

JOSH WALKER MILLEDGEVILLE JR. RB/LB

Service provided

s -EMBER OF 9OUNG ,IFE YOUTH GROUP THAT PROVIDES A WELCOMING PLACE FOR TEENAGERS (E ALSO MENTORS FRESHMEN ON HOW TO DEAL WITH HIGH SCHOOL LIFE AND VOLUNTEERS AT A FOOD PANTRY WEEKLY ORGANIZING FOOD AND CARRYING GROCERIES TO CARS AND HOMES

Service provided

s -EMBER OF YOUTH GROUP h#HAOS v AT (OPE &EL LOWSHIP #HURCH IN $IXON THAT DOES REPAIRS FOR STRUCTURES IN NEED EACH *ULY 4HIS SUMMER HE HELPED REFURBISH BATHROOMS AND BLEACHERS AT &AITH #HRISTIAN 3CHOOL IN 'RAND $ETOUR

!UGUST s Sauk Valley Media

PAGE 29

FB14 GUIDE

ULTIMATE SPECIAL TEAM PLAYERS THAT TAKE GAME SERIOUSLY, BUT NOT AS MUCH AS HELPING OTHERS

NOAH BLACKLOCK MORRISON SR. RB/LB

s -EMBER OF " , ) . $ "UILDING ,ASTING )MPRES SIONS THAT .EVER $IE A PROGRAM THAT HELPS INCOM ING FRESHMEN ADJUST TO HIGH SCHOOL LIFE 3TUDENTS HELP OTHERS LEARN TIME MANAGEMENT AND BALANCE HOMEWORK ATHLETICS AND MEETING NEW PEOPLE

Service provided

LOREN NEWBERRY NEWMAN SR. OL/DL

s 4HIS #OMET IS SOME COMPLETED PAPERWORK AWAY FROM BEING AN %AGLE SCOUT AND HAS HELPED WITH SEVERAL ROADSIDE CLEANUPS (IS FATHER -ILES IS DIRECTOR OF 3TERLING S 0!$S SHELTER AND ,OREN VOL UNTEERS THERE SERVING MEALS AND WASHING DISHES

LUCAS CARR OREGON SR. OL/DL

s -EMBER OF +EY #LUB FOR YEARS THROUGH WHICH HE SHOVELS SNOW FOR THE ELDERLY AND VISITS RESI DENTS OF A NURSING HOME (E IS ALSO ACTIVE WITH /REGON 4RAIL $AYS GIVING VOYAGER CANOE TOURS ON THE 2OCK 2IVER

Service provided

POLO SENIOR CLASS FOOTBALL PLAYERS

s &OR THE SECOND YEAR SENIOR 0OLO FOOTBALLERS WILL HEAD TO #ENTENNIAL 'RADE 3CHOOL DAY A WEEK TO READ CHILDREN S BOOKS TO STUDENTS 7EARING THEIR -ARCOS JERSEYS THEY WILL SPLIT UP HEADING TO CLASS ES TO READ ALOUD THE YOUNG STUDENTS FAVORITES

Service provided

Service provided

PAGE 30

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s August 28, 2014

FB14 GUIDE

ULTIMATE SPECIAL TEAM PLAYERS THAT TAKE GAME SERIOUSLY, BUT NOT AS MUCH AS HELPING OTHERS

MATT MAMMOSSER ROCK FALLS SR. OL/DL

Service provided

s 4HIS 2OCKET LINEMAN PARTICIPATES IN THEATRE PRO DUCTIONS AND IS A MEMBER OF THE SCHOOL BAND AND CHORUS (E PERFORMS AT VENUES IN THE COM MUNITY AND HELPS ORGANIZE FOOD DRIVES FOR THE FOOD PANTRY

TANNER MASSEY STERLING SR. OL/DT

Service provided

s 0ARTICIPATES IN MENTOR PROGRAM THROUGH WHICH HE COUNSELS FIVE OR SIX FRESHMEN ON NAVIGATING HIGH SCHOOL LIFE (E ALSO VOLUNTEERED AT A HOMELESS SHEL TER FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN 2OCKFORD (E BOUGHT #HRISTMAS PRESENTS FOR 0!$S SHELTER RESIDENTS

SVM PORTRAITS BY ALEX T. PASCHAL/APASCHAL@SAUKVALLEY.COM PHILIP MARRUFFO/PMARRUFFO@SAUKVALLEY.COM MICHAEL KRABBENHOEFT/ MKRABBENHOEFT@SAUKVALLEY.COM RYAN GAINES MASON VANHOOK WEST CARROLL SR. QB/DL

Service provided

s 6OLUNTEERS TIME WITH YOUNG KIDS AT 9-#! #AMP "ENSON IN -OUNT #ARROLL (E HELPS KIDS LEARN LEAD ERSHIP SKILLS ALONG WITH TEACHING CAMPERS TO GET ALONG WITH KIDS FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS (E IS A GROUP LEADER DURING VARIOUS SESSIONS

FOR PHOTO REPRINTS VISIT SAUKVALLEY.COM

!UGUST s Sauk Valley Media

PAGE 31

FB14 GUIDE

FultonSteamers Head Coach

Patrick Lower s TH SEASON AT &ULTON s s PLAYOFF APPEARANCE

2013

s OVERALL s 4HREE 2IVERS .ORTH RD PLACE s $ID NOT QUALIFY FOR PLAYOFFS

2014

Enrollment: 292 Probable class: 2A

Players to watch Offense

2013 results 3TEAMERS /RION +EWANEE 3TEAMERS -ORRISON 3TEAMERS %RIE 0 TOWN 3TEAMERS .EWMAN 3TEAMERS 3TEAMERS 0RINCETON 3TEAMERS 2IVERDALE 3TEAMERS !MBOY 3TEAMERS "UREAU 6ALLEY

Defense

Jason Osborn

Kegan North

Wide receiver

Linebacker

s 'OT FASTER IN OFFSEASON WILL STEP INTO .O RECEIVER ROLE

s /NLY RETURNING STARTER ON $ WILL LEAD YOUNG GROUP

Returning PASSING: *ACK ,EMKE s RECEIVING: *ASON /SBORN

leaders: RUSHING: 4RISTAN 3MITH s TACKLES: +EGAN .ORTH

Helpful trends 34: 4HAT S HOW MANY PLAYOFF POINTS THE 3TEAMERS HAD IN 4HE PLAYOFF CUTOFF ENDED UP BEING 4: 4HE 3TEAMERS WON THE LAST FOUR GAMES OF THE SEASON 10: 4HE 3TEAMERS HAVE LOST THE 7OODEN 3HOE "OWL TO -ORRISON THE LAST YEARS .569: 4HAT S THE 3TEAMERS WINNING PERCENTAGE SINCE !T THEY ARE SIXTH BEST IN 3AUK 6ALLEY

Schedule Game time &RI !UG

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

Opponent 2013 AT /RION

+EWANEE

-ORRISON

%RIE 0 TOWN

AT .EWMAN

0RINCETON

AT 2IVERDALE

AT !MBOY

"UREAU 6ALLEY

* Three Rivers North game Homecoming: Week 6

14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Team Win Report

ss 3-6

ss 5-5

3-6

6-4

s s ss s s 5-4

4-5

4-5

4-5

2-7

2-7

’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13

WEATHER ALERTS ANYWHERE YOU GO

txtALERTS SIGN UP FOR FREE ON WWW.SAUKVALLEY.COM

On the radio KCLN-AM (1390)

Roster Returning starters in bold 4YLER 3WEENIE

*ACK ,EMKE

4 Brevin Mason 5-9 5 Jason Osborn 6-2 6 Seth Sanderson 5-10 7 Kenny Ramig 5-9 4REY 3IMMONS

$EVON "ALLARD

-ICHAEL $IXON

-ICHAEL 0IDDE

$EVIN "LY

2ODNEY 'OSSARD ))

44 Tristan Smith 5-9 45 Kegan North 6-1 #OLE -C#LARY

51 Jake Vanzuiden 5-9 3TORM (OOVER

3AM 'RANT

*AMES 2UMFELT

+YLE -C,UCKIE

#OLLIN 'RISER

67 Steven Balk 5-11 70 Justin Shaffer 6-3 "LAKE $ORNBUSH

+ORBIN 'EERTS

4AYLOR 2UBBS

!LEX 'ILLIS

*AKE (OFFMAN

88 Tanner Huisenga 6-2

150 170 140 145

150 200

200

285 265

185

3O *R Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. *R *R *R 3O *R *R Sr. Jr. 3O Sr. *R *R *R 3O *R Sr. Sr. 3O 3O 3O *R 3R Sr.

1" ," 1" $" WR/DB RB/DB WR/DB RB/LB 2" $" 2" ," 72 $" 2" $, 72 $" 2" $" RB/LB TE/LB 2" ," OL/DL /, ," /, $, /, $, /, $, /, $, OL/DL OL/DL /, $, /, $, /, $, /, $, 72 $" TE/DL

Remember when 1976, 1991: 4HE 3TEAMERS WON THEIR FIRST STATE TITLE IN BEHIND A SEASON UNDER COACH $ALE 'IESLER &ULTON WON ITS SECOND STATE TITLE IN WITH COACH *IM 0ROUD GOING

PAGE 32

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s August 28, 2014

FB14 GUIDE

MilledgevilleMissiles Head Coach

Jason Wroble s TH SEASON AT - VILLE s s PLAYOFF APPEARANCES

2013

s OVERALL s .5)# 5PSTATE TIED FOR TH PLACE

2014

Enrollment: Probable class: !

Helpful trends 2008: 4HAT S THE LAST TIME THAT THE -ISSILES HAVE WON TWO GAMES IN A ROW 8: 4HAT S HOW MANY TIMES THE -ISSILES HAVE BEATEN RIVAL 0OLO IN THE LAST GAMES BUT THEY HAVE LOST THE LAST FIVE MEETINGS 3: 4HAT S HOW MANY TIMES -ILLEDGEVILLE HAS MADE THE SEMIFINAL ROUND 4HEY REACHED IT IN

AND .467: 4HAT S THE -ISSILES WINNING PERCENTAGE SINCE !T THEY ARE NINTH BEST IN 3AUK 6ALLEY

Players to watch Offense

2013 results -ISSILES 7ARREN /RANGEVILLE -ISSILES 'ALENA -ISSILES 0OLO -ISSILES 2IVER 2IDGE -ISSILES 3TOCKTON -ISSILES -ISSILES !QUIN %AST $UBUQUE -ISSILES -ISSILES !&#

Defense

Jordan Harris

Blake Kappes

Quarterback

Cornerback

s 3ECOND YEAR STARTER HAS STRONG RECEIVING CORPS

s 3PEEDY $" OFFERS STRONG RUN SUPPORT AND COVERAGE SKILLS

Returning PASSING: *ORDAN (ARRIS s RECEIVING: "LAKE +APPES

leaders: RUSHING: (ARRIS s TACKLES: +APPES s INTS: (ARRIS

Schedule Game time &RI !UG

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

Opponent 2013 7ARREN

AT /RANGEVILLE

'ALENA

AT 0OLO

2IVER 2IDGE

AT 3TOCKTON

!QUIN

AT %AST $UBUQUE

!&#

* NUIC Upstate game Homecoming: Week 7

14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Team Win Report

s

s s s s

s

s

BUILDING REMODELING

FREE ESTIMATES FREE DELIVERY FREE MEASURING

815-225-7677 Mon-Fri 7-5, Sat 7-3

Returning starters in bold

9

12

50

63

71

77

81

88

*ASON "RUBAKER Troy Litwiller "REXTON &LYNN Jordan Harris "UDDY "IBLER "RYCE &REDERICKS (ARRISON *AKOBS *OE 'ENNARO $YLAN *ANSSEN !NDREW -C!ULIFFE %ZRA 7ALKER $RAKE $UBLO #ADE 3CHAVE %VAN 3KOOG .ICK $E6ITO -ATTHEW "ILLER +YLE &ORGES *OSH 7ALKER Collin Leddy !LEX +ERSTEN !LEX "RALL !DAM "RALL 4ANNER 7ILK Colton Judd :ACH (OOK +YLE +ENDALL #HASE (UTCHISON 3HAWN 'EISON Payton Harris "AILY 1UECKBOERNER $AKOTA 'EARY Carson Leif *OHN $YSON $AMEN #UMMINGS Zach Schmidt $YLAN !LEXANDER Blake Kappes

M

’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13

Milledgeville Do-It-Best Home Center

CARS815.com

sss

Roster

6-1

6-2

6-2

6-1

6-1

6-0

6-2

6-0

150

175

215

205

200

200

160

170

*R Jr. 3O Sr. 3O 3O 3R 3R &R &R 3O 3O &R *R *R &R 3O *R Sr. 3O &R &R 3O Jr. 3O 3O 3O 3O So. 3R *R Sr. 3O 3R Sr. 3O Sr.

72 #" QB/CB 1" ," QB/CB 2" ," 72 #" 2" ," 72 #" /, $, 72 #" 2" #" 4% ," 1" ," 2" ," 2" ," 2" #" 2" ," 2" ," OL/DL /, $, /, $, /, $, /, $, OL/DL /, $, /, $, /, $, /, $, OL/DL /, $, /, $, OL/DL /, $, 72 $, WR/CB

4% ," WR/CB

Go Missiles!

451 N. Main Ave., Milledgeville 815.225.7171 www.milledgevillebank.com

!UGUST s Sauk Valley Media

PAGE 33

FB14 GUIDE

HelpingHands

Chipping in to help program Woessner organizes successful golf outing that raises funds for Missiles

M

BY BRIAN WEIDMAN | bweidman@saukvalley.com | 800-798-4085, ext. 5551

elissa Woessner isn’t much of a golfer, but for 1 day each summer, she takes a keen interest in the sport.

That’s the day of the Milledgeville Missile Alumni golf outing, held each June at Oakville Country Club near Mount Carroll. Ex-Missiles, fans, and friends of the program take to the links for a scramble, with the goal of raising money for Milledgeville football.

This year, in the 18th annual outing, $8,000 was raised, bringing the grand total to about $160,000 to benefit the football program. Woessner is the chief organizer of the event.

“Football is not a cheap sport, with all of the equipment you need, fixing and buying new helmets, and repairing jerseys,” Woessner said. “It takes a lot of money to do those things, and this helps the school out.”

“It’s huge,” Milledgeville football coach Jason Wroble said. “The benefit of the golf outing for the football team monetarily is huge, and the support we get from the community is great. There’s not even words to describe how important it is to our team and our program.”

Long-time Milledgeville football coach Gary Hartje came up with the idea for the outing, and Woessner was part of a committee to hammer out the details.

Nowadays, she pretty much handles everything by herself.

“Now I just kind of take the ball and roll with it,” Woessner said, “because it does most of the work itself.”

Woessner noted she didn’t really have to do much legwork in lining up sponsors. The company she works for, Wahl

Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com

Melisssa Woessner organizes a golf outing to support the Milledgeville football program. Woessner also was part of the group that started Milledgeville junior tackle football.

Clipper, was on board, as was the local Country Companies insurance agency.

A host of area businesses donate either money or door prizes.

This year, 22 foursomes played in the event, and there have been as many as 32, resulting in a jam-packed Oakville Country Club – a 9-hole golf course.

“I would say most people jumped right on board with it,” Woessner said, “and

it snowballed after that. For quite a few years, we had a waiting list, people wanted to play in it that bad.”

The tournament is full of former Missiles, who either still live in the area, or travel in from Iowa, Wisconsin, or the Chicago suburbs.

“It’s almost like a class reunion, with all of the players getting together and telling old stories,” Woessner said.

Wroble wouldn’t miss it, as it also serves as a bit of a reunion for himself.

Plus, it’s just a lot of fun.

“Typically for a lot of community members, that’s a highlight of the year,” Wroble said. “I have college friends that come down for it. Every year, there’s something different and fun that happens. There’s always a memorable moment.”

PAGE 34

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s August 28, 2014

FB14 GUIDE

HelpingHands

What happens on the bus...

Stone active listener at wheel, and active part of Mustangs’ gameday sideline

B

BY PATRICK MASON | pmason@saukvalley.com | 800-798-4085, ext. 5550

ob Stone, the driver of bus No. 414 that ferries the Morrison football and basketball teams to away games, treats his bus like it’s Las Vegas.

“Everything you hear stays on the bus,” said Stone, who is entering his 20th season as a bus driver and 15th as the Mustangs’ personal chauffeur. “It’s just like Vegas. Whatever happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, and whatever happens on the bus, stays on the bus.”

Stone, 55, has been driving kids to and from school for nearly 20 years, and has driven bus No. 419 for nearly all of them. This season, he was given a new bus. No. 414, a 2007 model, is an upgrade from No. 419.

But while captaining No. 414, which features knobs and dials that will be new to him, the gig remains the same. Stone loves his job of driving the players to and from away games, one that allows him to eavesdrop on the many conversations happening around him. Stone thinks of himself as a fly on the wall of a “very cool room.”

Over the years, Stone has heard pregame pump-up speeches, and post-game rants from angry coaches.

He has heard players talking

Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com

Bob Stone, 55, has driven a bus in Morrison for the past 20 years. He also holds positions as ball boy, water boy and equipment manager for the Mustangs football team. on their cell phones to their girlfriends before and after games, and coaches and players going over the specifics of new plays.

“Coaches are always interesting,” Stone said. “They’re good about throwing in different plays for teams they’ve already played in the season. It’s kind of cool to hear that stuff.

“A lot of times, until you get to the playoffs, everyone is doing their own thing. Though once playoffs roll around, things get serious.”

Stone specifically remembers the 2009 Mustangs team that went undefeated en route to a state championship. That was

one of his most memorable seasons.

“It was really cool,” he said.

“That was all serious. It was a quiet ride every time. Each and every time they got on the bus, it was about the game.

“The offensive guys would talk about their gameplan, and the defensive guys would go over plays. It was cool listening to such a focused and determined group.”

Stone also acted as the team’s ball boy during that championship season, and has since stayed on the sidelines doing many jobs. He is the water boy, making sure bottles are always full, equipment manager, and

still holds the job as ball boy.

“He does a lot for us,” Mustangs coach Cory Bielema said.

“It’s nice to have someone around the program like that.”

His time around the team over the years has given him a knowledge about the sport that he hopes one day can turn into a coaching position.

He was so motivated after the 2009 season, that he got his coaching certificate from the IHSA in 2010. Since, he has put his name in the mix of several coaching openings at Morrison, in sports like football, baseball, softball, and basketball.

He said he wants to start out at the lower levels of the sport

and “earn my lumps.”

Stone, a 1977 graduate of Morrison, moved away to Wisconsin after graduation and had two daughters, then moved back to his hometown to raise his kids where he grew up.

He hopes to stay in Morrison, and won’t put his name in for a coaching position at another district. If that fails, he plans on driving the bus until he turns 70, which is the age cut-off in Illinois.

“It’s pretty neat being able to do what I do,” he said. “They have always found room for me to be a part of what they do. It’s great.”

!UGUST s Sauk Valley Media

PAGE 35

FB14 GUIDE

MorrisonMustangs Players to watch

Head Coach

Cory Bielema s TH SEASON AT -ORRISON s s PLAYOFF APPEARANCES s STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Offense

2013

s OVERALL s 42!# .ORTH TH PLACE

2014

Enrollment: Probable class: !

Helpful trends 9: (OW MANY YEARS IT HAS BEEN SINCE -ORRISON HAD BACK TO BACK LOSING SEASONS 4HEY WENT BOTH IN AND 24: 4HAT S HOW MANY TIMES THAT -ORRISON HAS QUALIFIED FOR THE PLAYOFFS

INCLUDING SEASONS IN A ROW FROM TO 3: -ORRISON HAS BEATEN .EWMAN IN THREE OF FOUR PLAYOFF MEETINGS .692: 4HAT S THE -USTANGS WINNING PERCENTAGE SINCE !T THEY ARE SECOND BEST IN 3AUK 6ALLEY

2013 results

Defense

Andy Bird

Mason Sitzmore

QB-RB s %XPLOSIVE BACK WILL SPEARHEAD HEADED RUSHING ATTACK

Defensive back s -OST EXPERIENCED DEFENDER WILL LEAD DEFENSE

-USTANGS 0RINCETON /RION -USTANGS -USTANGS &ULTON .EWMAN -USTANGS !MBOY -USTANGS "UREAU 6ALLEY -USTANGS 2OCKRIDGE -USTANGS %RIE 0 TOWN -USTANGS 2IVERDALE -USTANGS

Returning PASSING: -ASON 3ITZMORE s RECEIVING: .OAH "LACKLOCK

leaders: RUSHING: !NDY "IRD s TACKLES: "LACKLOCK

Schedule Game time &RI !UG

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

Opponent 2013 AT 0RINCETON

/RION

AT &ULTON

.EWMAN

!MBOY

AT "UREAU 6ALLEY

AT 2OCKRIDGE

AT %RIE 0 TOWN

2IVERDALE

* Three Rivers North game Homecoming: Week 5

14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Team Win Report

s s ss s s s 14-0

11-2 11-1

s

8-3

s 2-7

’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13

See me for all your insurance needs!

Ruth Gundlach CPCU, Agent 619 East Lincolnway Lincolnway,, Morrison

815.772.2101

www.insurancemorrison.com www .insurancemorrison.com

*R 3R *R Sr. *R Jr. Sr. Jr. *R *R Sr. *R 3R *R 3R Jr. Sr. *R 3R

1" $" 3% $" 1" $" QB/DB 3% $" SE/DB RB/LB RB/LB 2" ," 2" ," SE/LB /, $, /, $, /, $, /, $, OL/DL OL/DL /, $, /, $,

Tweet, tweet &OLLOW -ORRISON HEAD COACH Cory Bielema ON 4WITTER #OACH"IELEMA# DURING THE SEASON

WORKMAN HEATING & COOLING

SERVING THE SAUK VALLEY AREA SINCE 1949!

/P ,MÄJPLUJ` -\YUHJLZ (PY *VUKP[PVULYZ

FREE ESTIMATES 815-772-2010 15825 Lincoln Road, Morrison

815-772-2196 815-772-2196

www.schulermotors.com

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®

Morrison Auto Supply, Inc. 615 E Lincolnway Morrison, IL

s 6-4

165

140 185 160

180

280 180

2009, 2011: 4HE -USTANGS WON STATE TITLES IN EACH OF THOSE SEASONS INCLUDING A RECORD IN -ORRISON LOST A TOTAL OF THREE GAMES DURING THAT YEAR STRETCH

13-1

5-5

Returning starters in bold *OEY "RACKEMYER

4RISTON (OUSENGA

*USTIN *ENSEN

7 Mason Sitzmore 6-3 -ASON -UUR

11 Justin Rodriguez 5-11 15 Noah Blacklock 6-2 20 Andy Bird 5-10 -ERIK +ENNEDY

2YAN 6AN :UIDEN

24 Austin Keller 6-2 $YLON 0OTHOFF

-ARCUS -AXFIELD

+ELBY *OHANSSEN

*AKE 0RUIS

74 Adam Deter 6-1 77 Bennett Klima 6-1 %MMIT 3HEPPARD

#HRISTIAN 'ARCIA

Remember when

10-2

8-3

Roster

GOOD LUCK MUSTANGS!

502 E. Lincolnway, Morrison, IL

815-772-7451

www.morrisonautosupply.com Great People, Great Products, Great Prices!

YOUR COMFORT IS OUR CALLING

Truly People Helping People The Credit Union Difference Advantage One Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative offering a full range of products and services to meet your financial needs. Call us or stop in today!

ADVANTAGE ONE CREDIT UNION

Serving our members for over 50 years!

204 N. Jackson St., Morrison, IL 61270 www.adonecu.org

PAGE 36

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s August 28, 2014

FB14 GUIDE

NewmanComets Players to watch

Head Coach

Mike Papoccia s TH SEASON AT .EWMAN s s PLAYOFF APPEARANCES s STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Offense

2013

s OVERALL s 4HREE 2IVERS .ORTH ST s ! CHAMPIONSHIP WON VS 3TAUNTON

2014

Enrollment: MULT Probable class: !

2013 results

Defense

Brady Rude

Jacob Barnes

Running back s *UNIOR BLESSED WITH GREAT COMBO OF POWER SPEED

Defensive line s #AN BE UNSTOPPABLE WHEN IN THE MOOD

Returning PASSING: .ONE s RECEIVING: 3HAYNE !LLEN

leaders: RUSHING: $ILLAN (EFFELFINGER

Helpful trends

1245 N. Galena Ave., Dixon, IL

815-284-2052

Game time &RI !UG

3AT 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

3AT /CT

&RI /CT

Opponent 2013 AT 2OCKRIDGE

0RINCETON

AT "UREAU 6ALLEY

AT -ORRISON

&ULTON

AT 2IVERDALE

%RIE 0 TOWN

3HERRARD

!MBOY

414 W. 1st St., Dixon 815-288-3000

* Three Rivers North game Homecoming: Week 5

C O M P A N Y

GOOD LUCK TEAMS!

Schedule

Dixon Glass

20: (AVE WON STRAIGHT 4HREE 2IVERS .ORTH "IG 2IV ERS GAMES .EWMAN HAS WON AT LEAST A SHARE OF LAST FOUR CONFERENCE TITLES 8: .EWMAN S FIVE STATE TITLES TIES IT FOR EIGHTH ALL TIME WITH -ONTINI -AINE 3OUTH AND 3TILLMAN 6ALLEY 12: 4HAT S HOW MANY TIMES .EWMAN HAS BEATEN 2IVERDALE IN A ROW .809: 4HAT S THE #OMETS WINNING PERCENTAGE SINCE !T THEY ARE THE BEST IN 3AUK 6ALLEY

Good Luck Newman!

On the radio WZZT-FM (102.7)

s

14 13 12 13-1 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

2OCKRIDGE #OMETS #OMETS 0RINCETON #OMETS "UREAU 6ALLEY #OMETS -ORRISON #OMETS &ULTON #OMETS 2IVERDALE #OMETS %RIE 0 TOWN #OMETS 3HERRARD #OMETS !MBOY 2A Playoffs #OMETS &IELDCREST #OMETS %ASTLAND 0 # #OMETS -OMENCE #OMETS -ERCER #OUNTY #OMETS 3TAUNTON

Team Win Report

s

s sss s s 14-0

ss

12-1

13-1

10-2

9-2

8-3

8-3

Roster Returning starters in bold

14 17

22

25 31 35

60 61

77

82

,OGAN 7HITMAN Trevor Bolin Regan Todhunter (UNTER 7EBB *AMES .ELSON Brandon Ahlgrim 'ARRETT 3TRINGER %LI -ONIER Dillan Heffelfinger Nolan McGinn Brady Rude "RAYDON $ELGADO +YLE $ECKER *ARED "RAUMAN 6ICTOR &RANCQUE 2HETT 3CROGGINS David Rowzee Noah Leffelman -AX /SWALT ,OREN .EWBERRY #AMERON -C+INLEY -AXWELL 'ROVE Jacob Barnes #HRIS 7ILSON Shayne Allen (UNTER 3CHULTZ !ARON 3CHOAF

6-0 5-10

6-1

5-11 6-3 5-8

5-11 6-0

6-4

6-3

185 180

175

200 195 170

230 230

250

205

*R Sr. Sr. *R 3R Sr. *R *R Sr. Sr. Jr. *R *R *R *R *R Sr. Sr. *R 3R 3R *R Sr. 3R Sr. *R 3R

"ACK QB Back "ACK %ND Back %ND "ACK Back Back Back %ND "ACK ,INE ,INE ,INE Line Line ,INE ,INE ,INE ,INE Line %ND End %ND %ND

8-4

Remember when

6-4

’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13

PROUD SUPPORTER OF OUR AREA HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS!

Quality Customer Service Since 1962

1990: .EWMAN WON THE FIRST OF ITS FIVE STATE TITLES WITH A OVERTIME DECISION AGAINST "LOOMINGTON #ENTRAL #ATHOLIC IN THE #LASS ! CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

WISHING THE BEST TO ALL OUR AREA TEAMS!

Family Owned & Operated for 50 Years!

1409 W. 4th St. Sterling, IL 815-625-1851

720 N. Galena Dixon, IL 815-288-3211

801 1st Ave Rock Falls

!UGUST s Sauk Valley Media

PAGE 37

FB14 GUIDE

HelpingHands

Motor running the Blue Machine Nelson’s duties extend well beyond role as defensive coordinator

BY BRIAN WEIDMAN | bweidman@saukvalley.com | 800-798-4085, ext. 5551

N

ewman athletic director and football coach Mike Papoccia was tied up with meetings on Aug. 15, so he couldn’t be part of the Comets’ picture day.

Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com

Tim Nelson (right) is known as the Newman Comets’ defensive coordinator, but his duties extend far beyond that. He’s the staff computer whiz. He organizes camps, and keeps track of equipment. He’s also a father to a current player, James Nelson (left).

Whatever the task, he wants to be on-point with it.

“That’s just my personality,” Nelson said. “If something needs to be done, I like to make sure it’s done. It’s probably a little obsessive-compulsive, but I want to make sure it’s done, and it’s done right.”

Papoccia, who coached Nelson during his high school days in the early 1980s, is highly appreciative of what Nelson brings to the football program.

“He’s like Radar O’Reilly,” Papoccia said. “I’ll ask, ‘Did No problem. Get Tim Nelson to you get this done or that done?’ do it. He got the players, varsity He’s like, ‘Oh, yeah, I did all that and fresh-soph, lined up for a yesterday.’ He does a little bit team photo, in numerical order; of everything for the program. made sure each athlete got his Honestly, I think I’d be lost mug shot taken; instructed a team without him.” manager to discard a water bottle Nelson’s influence extends he was holding; and did it all with beyond football. He’s on the a smile on his face.

Newman Parent Association “I usually take a day off from board, one of the school’s fundwork during 2-a-days anyway,” raising arms. He attends a host Nelson said, “and what better day of other sporting events, meeting to take off than Friday?” with officials before games to see It’s not unusual for Nelson to whether they need anything, or to step up to the plate when needed. simply root on the Comets.

Many know him merely as the “I’m kind of the extra body,” defensive coordinator for the Nelson said. “If Ray Sharp needs football team, a position he’s held something for basketball, I’ll help since 1991, but that only scratch- him out. I do some announcing es the surface. when he needs it. I guess I’m just He’s the coaching staff’s coma Newman guy, and whatever puter expert, and pieces together the school needs, I try to help out each day’s practice in a printout. with.”

He coordinates summer football Nelson’s day job is national sales camp activities, making sure all of manager for MCR Technologies the Comets know what opportuGroup Inc. During the winter, he nities are out there. fills some nights refereeing freshNelson inventories the football soph and junior high basketball equipment on a regular basis, and games. Most days or nights, however, he’s doing something to checks in on Newman’s numerbenefit his school. ous weightlifting sessions. He is “I just like to be involved,” Nelthe contact person for the team’s son said. father-son campout each year.

PAGE 38

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s August 28, 2014

FB14 GUIDE

HelpingHands

Trio protecting Hawks’ nest Barringer, Snyder, Wehmhoefer go extra mile for Oregon’s junior tackle program

J

BY BRIAN WEIDMAN | bweidman@saukvalley.com | 800-798-4085, ext. 5551

ust north of where the Oregon varsity football team practiced on Wednesday, Aug. 13, a flock of future Hawks were doing their thing.

Three separate groups of fifth/sixth graders, seventh graders, and eighth graders ran the same plays, wore the same pads and helmets, and had the same aspirations for success that the varsity did. Taking it all in were Roy Snyder, Kevin Barringer, and Lou Wehmhoefer.

The trio put in their time as coaches in the Oregon Junior Tackle program. They all coached their sons at various levels in the early and mid-2000s, as many of the current coaches are doing. When their boys graduated from junior tackle to high school football, however, they stuck with the program.

“I just love being a part of it, seeing these boys turn into young men and high school players,” Wehmhoefer said.

“When I go to games on Friday night, I think about when they were junior tackle players. I like to see how they’ve improved over the years.”

They are junior tackle management now, if that is the correct term. Barringer is the president, Wehmhoefer the secretary, and Snyder the treasurer. It is not their job to draw up X’s and O’s, or to confer

Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com

Roy Snyder (left), Kevin Barringer (middle) and Lou Wehmhoefer manage the Oregon junior tackle program. Each started helping when they had sons in the program, but continued volunteering after their sons graduated. with varsity coach John Bothe to make sure on-the-field strategy is being adhered to in a proper fashion.

Rather, they make sure the whole program runs smoothly, and a good portion of that is making sure financial needs are met. It costs $75 for fifth/ sixth- and seventh-grade players to play in a season, and $100 for eighth-graders. That initial fee covers a lot of the start-up costs for equipment, paying game officials, and other basic expenses.

Players’ parents are expected to work the concession stand for at least one game during

the season. Concession sales are another key part of raising the money to keep the program afloat, and a crew is set in place for each game – something that Snyder, Barringer and Wehmhoefer make sure of.

“It’s important to have the parents on board,” Barringer said, “and we’ve had tremendous support from them as long as I’ve been involved with the junior tackle program.”

Occasionally, a special situation arises. For instance, fifthgraders who are small in stature, might need different-sized pads than the other boys. If

they don’t have it in stock, they will buy it.

Snyder is the unofficial “equipment guy” of the group, continually taking stock of what they have, or what is needed. If something needs to be fixed, he fixes it.

“I’ve made a lot of trips to our equipment shed over the years,” he said with a smile.

Something all three men stressed is they remain involved because it helps the youths in their community.

None of them receive money for their efforts, just the satisfaction of knowing they’re

doing their part to help out Oregon football.

It’s something that is appreciated by Bothe, who is entering his 17th season as head coach.

“We’ve had a lot of parents coach their kids in junior tackle, and that’s been great,” Bothe said, “but these three guys stuck with the program even though their sons are no longer playing. They do so much to keep our junior tackle program going. I don’t have to worry about that, because I know they’re doing things the right way. They’re instrumental in the success we’ve had.”

!UGUST s Sauk Valley Media

PAGE 39

FB14 GUIDE

OregonHawks Head Coach

John Bothe s TH SEASON AT /REGON s s PLAYOFF APPEARANCES

2013

s OVERALL s "IG .ORTHERN 7EST TH PLACE s ! SECOND ROUND LOST TO !URORA #HRISTIAN

2014

Enrollment: 467 Probable class: 3A

Players to watch Offense

2013 results

Defense

Garrett Rude

Matthew Crandall

Running back s 4OP NOTCH WRESTLER GRINDS OUT TOUGH yards.

Defensive tackle s POUNDER MAKES IT TOUGH TO RUN ON Hawks’ D.

(AWKS -OMENCE (ARVARD (AWKS 3TILLMAN 6ALLEY (AWKS (AWKS .ORTH "OONE ,UTHERAN (AWKS (AWKS "YRON 7INNEBAGO (AWKS (AWKS -ENDOTA (AWKS 2OCK &ALLS 3A Playoffs (AWKS 7ILMINGTON !URORA #HRISTIAN (AWKS

Returning PASSING: .ONE s RECEIVING: #HRIS *ORDAN

leaders: RUSHING: 'ARRETT 2UDE s TACKLES: -ATTHEW #RANDALL

Helpful trends 11: 4HE (AWKS HAVE WON OF THE MEETINGS WITH CLOSEST RIVAL "YRON 1942: 4HAT S THE LAST TIME THAT THE (AWKS PLAYED $IXON 4HE ALL TIME SERIES IS tied 2-2.

13: /REGON HAS QUALIFIED FOR THE PLAYOFFS TIMES

WITH ITS BEST FINISH BEING SECOND IN .551: That’s the Hawks’ winning percentage since !T THEY ARE EIGHTH BEST IN 3AUK 6ALLEY

Schedule Game time &RI !UG

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

Opponent 2013 *OHNSBURG

AT .ORTH "OONE 2OCK &ALLS

AT $IXON

,UTHERAN

"YRON

7INNEBAGO

AT -ENDOTA

AT 3TILLMAN 6ALLEY

* Big Northern West game Homecoming: Week 5

14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 3-6 1 0

Team Win Report 12-1

s

ss

ss 4-5

8-3 8-3

On the radio WSEY-FM (95.7)

Roster Returning starters in bold 12 Garrett Rude 6-0 *ERRICK /RSTED

3KYLAR 3HORT

25 Josh Cook 6-0 26 Chris Jordan 5-10 -AVERIK 'OOD

"RAYTON &INCH

*OHN 'HIBELLINI

4YLER "RUKE

"AILEY "RIGHT

-ATTHEW 3TEVENS

"RYCE .OON

3HAYNE 7HEAT

#OLE "URKE

$AVID ,ABASH

58 Lucas Carr 5-8 .ESTOR !NAYA

75 Frank Lung 6-0 77 Matt Crandall 6-0 *ENSEN -ELVILLE

*ORDAN 2OGERS

180

210 165

200

215 300

Sr. *R 3R Sr. Sr. *R *R *R *R 3R *R 3R *R *R 3R Sr. 3R Sr. Jr. *R *R

RB/FS 1" #" 4% $" TE/LB RB/DB 2" ," 2" ," 2" ," 4% $% 4% ," /, $, /, $, 4% $% /, $, /, $, OL/DL /, $, OL/DE OL/DL 4% $" 4% $"

Remember when

ss s s s 6-5 6-4

7-4

6-5

2-7

’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13

CARS815.com

2000: Oregon made its deepest penETRATION IN THE PLAYOFFS BY REACHING THE #LASS ! TITLE GAME 4HERE THE (AWKS LOST TO (ARRISBURG

Did you know? s Oregon coach John Bothe was a tight end on Amboy’s state championship team in 1984.

PAGE 40

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s August 28, 2014

FB14 GUIDE

PoloMarcos Players to watch

Head Coach

Andrew Hofer s TH SEASON AT 0OLO s s PLAYOFF APPEARANCES

Offense

2013

s OVERALL s .5)# 5PSTATE TIED FOR TH PLACE

2014

Enrollment: Probable class: !

2: 4HIS WILL BE THE SECOND SEASON IN THE 5PSTATE $IVISION AFTER YEARS IN .ORTHWEST $IVISION 5: -ARCOS HAVE WON FIVE GAMES IN A ROW OVER RIVAL -ILLEDGEVILLE AND AVERAGED POINTS IN THOSE FIVE GAMES 4: 4HAT S THE LONGEST LOSING STREAK THE -ARCOS HAVE TO ANY TEAM ON SCHEDULE LOS ING TO %AST $UBUQUE AND !QUIN FOUR TIMES IN A ROW .456: 4HAT S THE -ARCOS WINNING PERCENTAGE SINCE !T THEY ARE NINTH BEST IN 3AUK 6ALLEY

Brad Cavanaugh

Richie Bartnick

Running back s /NE OF A STABLE OF BACKS THE -ARCOS WILL EMPLOY

Defensive back

Schedule Game time &RI !UG

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

Opponent 2013 %AST $UBUQUE

AT !&#

AT 3TOCKTON

-ILLEDGEVILLE

!QUIN

AT %ASTLAND 0 # AT /RANGEVILLE

2IVER 2IDGE

AT 7ARREN

* NUIC Upstate game Homecoming: Week 4

s /NE OF A HOST OF DEFENDERS WITH SPEED TO BURN

%AST $UBUQUE -ARCOS -ARCOS !&# 3TOCKTON -ARCOS -ARCOS -ILLEDGEVILLE !QUIN -ARCOS %ASTLAND 0 # -ARCOS -ARCOS /RANGEVILLE -ARCOS 2IVER 2IDGE 7ARREN -ARCOS

14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Team Win Report

s

s

ss s s

s ss s

’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13

Roster Returning starters in bold

3

10

23

25

34

51

54 55

74

0RESTON 3TAPLETON 2ICHIE "ARTNICK Austin Webb "RAD #AVANAUGH Brody Grobe 3PENCER ,EDDY -ATHEW #HEESEMAN 7YATT 0ATTERSON *AKE 3IMPSON 3KYLAR "OLEN -ICHAEL &ULTON 0AUL 3MITH Brooks Grobe *ESSE $ITZLER Kevin Cheeseman "RAXTON 3TAMM Dylan Beers 2ICKY -ARTINEZ *AKE 0HILLIPS Ethan Cain &ABIAN #ALDERON -ITCH "OOTHE Jake Hanlon Juan Dominguez 3PENCER -C#ONNELL +EEGAN 'ARMAN .OAH 0REROST -ATTHEW "INKLEY "EN 0ETERSON ** "ARDELL "RODIE #ROMER Jacob Cain .IC *ACOBSON #LINT -ERLAK "RODIE 3HUMAN -ARCUS !LMASY

5-10

5-11

5-10

6-2

5-10

5-9

5-10 6-0

6-0

155

185

170

185

190

175

180 210

195

*R *R Sr. *R Jr. 3R 3O *R 3O 3O 3O 3R Jr. *R Sr. *R Jr. 3R 3R Jr. 3O *R Sr. Jr. 3R *R *R 3O 3O 3O 3O Sr. 3R *R *R 3O

4% $" 4% $" TE/DB 2" $" QB/LB 4% $" 2" $" 4% $, 4% ," 2" $" 2" $" 2" $" RB/DB 2" ," RB/DL 2" ," RB/DL 2" $" /, $, OL/DL /, ," /, $, OL/LB OL/LB /, $, /, $, /, $, /, $, /, $, /, $, /, $, OL/DL /, $, /, $, 4% $" 4% $,

BEST OF LUCK MARCOS & LADY MARCOS THIS FALL 2014 SPORTS SEASON!

We’re Behind You! Good Luck Marcos & All Area Teams!

MARCOS

POLO

Defense

Returning PASSING: "RODY 'ROBE s RECEIVING: "ROOKS 'ROBE

leaders: RUSHING: "RODY 'ROBE s TACKLES: %THAN #AIN

Helpful trends

Proud Supporters of the

2013 results

Jeff’s Refs SHANNON POLO LAKE CARROLL

(815) 864-2111 Shannon (815) 946-2777 Polo (815) 864-2125 Lake Carroll www.fsbshannon-polo.com

113 W. Mason Polo, IL 815-946-2860

:MJC9J<L K JC9J<L DH ?9K

BERGYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S AUTOMOTIVE

Bill and Bev Burkardt, Owners 24 HOUR SERVICE 7 DAYS A WEEK

12420 W. Penn Road â&#x20AC;¢ Polo, IL

815-946-3081 Year-Round Fair & Honest Pricing!

Mark Bergstrom, Owner

GOOD LUCK THIS SEASON! 610 N. Division Avenue Polo 815-946-3033 fax: 815-946-3923

!UGUST s Sauk Valley Media

PAGE 41

FB14 GUIDE

HelpingHands

Right at home in press box Announcer, clock operator going strong heading into 25th season

F

BY BRIAN WEIDMAN | bweidman@saukvalley.com | 800-798-4085, ext. 5551

or a quarter of a century, Joel Gorzny and Bill Saunders have had the best seats in the house at Polo football games.

Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com

good ballplayers over the years.”

Saunders, an outside sales representative for Holland & Sons the past 4 years, concentrates his efforts on managing the game clock. Another person, in recent seasons Gene Schmidt, changes the score, and down and distance.

“I watch the head referee, the guy with the white hat,” Saunders said, “and he waves his arms if he wants the clock stopped, and he’ll wind it if he wants it going again.”

Most nights, it’s as simple as paying attention and manipulating a

few buttons. Others, not so much.

In a game last season, Saunders had nothing to do the entire night except watch the game.

“The clock ran down to start the game,” Saunders said, “and when I went to start the clock for the kickoff, no clock. The referee had to keep time on the field.”

Saunders pulls double clock duty, as he’s also worked boys and girls basketball games since 1990. He receives “a pittance,” in his words – $12 a night, which usually works out to $6 a game.

“We don’t do this for the money,” he said. “It’s about the kids.”

Saunders also serves as one of a host of spotters for Gorzny, who relays that information to the crowd. Sometimes, however, the spotters will try to trip up the fun-loving announcer, saying “Butkus” or “Singletary” just made a tackle, or the ball carrier was “brought down at the 51-yard line.”

“They just like messing with me sometimes,” said Gorzny, a driver for Bocker Grain the past 34 years.

The duo started their press box jobs back in

AND AREA TEAMS

Joel Gorzny (left) and Bill Saunders have been fixtures in the Polo press box since 1990. Gorzny does the announcing, while Saunders runs the clock.

GOOD LUCK POLO MARCOS

Some might call what they do work. They don’t, as their office is the press box.

Gorzny, 58, is the public address announcer, while Saunders, 66, runs the clock. They’ve worked almost every Polo home game since 1990, with Gorzny missing one because of an illness, and Saunders less than a handful for the same reason.

They are not paid.

Instead, they are furnished with an NUIC all-sports pass, meaning their admission is waived for any league sporting event, excluding tournaments.

For the duo, it’s their golden ticket, and has taken them all across northwest Illinois for prep sports of all kinds.

“It gets me to the games,” Saunders said.

“I’ve gotten to see a lot of

1990. Polo’s Athletic Director at the time, Gene Curran, initially asked Saunders if he would be interested in announcing.

Saunders declined that offer, but accepted the clock job.

Meanwhile, down at the Little League baseball field, Gorzny was announcing those games, and Curran happened to hear some of his work. Another longtime Polo football announcer, Jim Cavanaugh, was hanging up the microphone that season, so Curran offered the job. Gorzny said yes, “and they haven’t kicked me out of the booth yet.”

928 South Division, Polo 815-946-2393 www.birkeys.com

One of the main challenges for Gorzny is getting names pronounced right. He laments that there aren’t more names like Smith, Jones or Vock (his three examples) to say.

“Sometimes you get these names that are a mile long,” Gorzny said, “and I’m terrible with my phonics. It gets interesting. Sometimes they’ll come up and say, ‘This is how you pronounce this name.’

“I’ll write it out the way it sounds to me, and then, of course, I’ll pronounce it wrong the next time. It’s an adventure up there.”

GOOD LUCK ALL AREA TEAMS!

SHOP

ONLINE

24/7

ShopKnies.com

& INC.

PAGE 42

FB14 GUIDE

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s August 28, 2014

HelpingHands

Heart not an issue for Seidel Condition doesn’t stop Rock Falls senior from being big part of Rockets team

I

t’s just after 3:30 p.m. on a Tuesday, and Jacob Seidel is working on a helmet underneath the bleachers at Rock Falls’ football stadium.

BY PATRICK MASON | pmason@saukvalley.com | 800-798-4085, ext. 5550

practice, I stay here till 9, organize the locker room, and clean it all up. First one here, last to leave.”

Seidel comes prepared and looks the part. He has more keys dangling from his neck than two hands can count. The keys jingle when he walks.

“This one is for the locker room,” said the Rock Falls senior, holding up a bronzed key. “This one is for the gate, The pads inside the hard shell the locker room, coach’s car.” need to be pumped up, and Seidel keeps the Rockets’ a screw is loose. Thankfully, football program running Seidel is the perfect man for the smoothly. He knows how to fix job. equipment problems, and can “I can do it all now,” the repair a helmet in 1 minute on 17-year-old Rock Falls senior the sideline. It’s something he said. “I picked up a lot of things has taken the time to learn. from the kid doing it before “Since I gave him the keys,” me, but I learned a lot more by Rockets coach Scott Berge said, myself, actually.” “he never leaves.”

Seidel has loved sports since What Seidel also learned he was a young kid, and played is the intricacies of the Rock football and basketball, but Falls playbook. He has a goal heart problems don’t allow of majoring in sports managehim to play competitive sports ment. His mother wants him to anymore. He was born with go to Sauk Valley Community three holes in his heart, and College, but he has dreams of his childhood was spent going attending Wichita State. to countless medical appointThe major, he said, can hopements over the years. fully lead to a position in the Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com When he graduated eighth front office of a professional After eighth grade, Jacob Seidel learned that he couldn’t play sports anymore because of a heart sports team. He already has the grade, he was told to visit a condition. That doesn’t mean he isn’t part of the Rockets’ team. He’s the first to arrive and last to eye for it. He has been carefully heart specialist in Chicago. It leave as the team’s equipment manager. was there he was told that his watching the football practices, sports playing days were over. and has a good sense of whethThe doctor said his heart simer a player is doing the right Even though he couldn’t com- program running smoothly. an hour and a half. ply wasn’t strong enough to things on the field. pete, his passion for the game A given day during football “I get stuff done in the back pump enough blood to keep up of football and basketball was season is like a full day’s work “I have been watching closely, right away,” Seidel said. “Some with the demands of athletics, strong as ever. Seidel wanted for most people. Not even the guys come in early and get their and I know where they should and he was diagnosed with car- to be around the games, so he athletes or coaches spend as helmets pumped up, they need be, and where they should go, diomyopothy. joined the Rockets’ equipment much time around the facilishoulder pads, they need gear. and who should be where,” he “I broke down when I heard staff during the first game of ties as Seidel. Football practice Then I get the gear out and fill said. “I know all the ins and that,” Seidel said. “Right in the the season in his sophomore begins at 5 p.m., but by that outs on offense, especially. up the water. year, and now he keeps the time, Seidel has already logged doctor’s office. It was tough.”

“I live and breathe sports.”

“When we’re done with

!UGUST s Sauk Valley Media

FB14 GUIDE

PAGE 43

HelpingHands

Always prepared to make call Sterling crew spends week preparing for next Golden Warrior broadcast

M

BY BRIAN WEIDMAN | bweidman@saukvalley.com | 800-798-4085, ext. 5551

uch like a high school football team uses the work week to get ready for a Friday night game, so does a broadcast team.

tion for the crew.

Once everything is hooked up, for the radio broadcast, as well as video webcast that is entering its fourth year, the crew has a chance for last-minute preparations – get one more injury update, grab a pork chop from the concession stand, and hope everything works.

Sometimes, it doesn’t. Despite going through the usual routine, Spencer was faced with dead air just before the WarTake, for instance, the Sterling radio riors were to play Moline a few years trio of Jim Spencer, Jerry Binder, and back.

Matt Gingrich. They go through a “The Internet failed,” Spencer said, lengthy process during the week before “and we couldn’t get a cell signal to call going on the air at about 7:15 p.m. each the radio station. Finally, we were able football Friday. to at least do a radio broadcast, but Monday is the main information gathwe could not do a video webcast at all ering day. Spencer sends out emails to because all of that failed.” whatever school the Golden Warriors Most weeks, however, go off without a are playing that particular week, seeking hitch, and the trio has built a loyal fola roster, starting lineup, and statistics. lowing. Spencer, in his 20th year of callHe also does some preliminary work on ing the Warriors’ games, considers the the Golden Warriors. broadcast to be of college-level quality, If that information-gathering proif not professional. cess proves fruitless, Tuesday is the “We care about it that much,” Spencer backup plan. Spencer, the play-byMichael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com said, “and we think that our listeners, play man, can call newspapers, or Jim Spencer (right), Jerry Binder (middle) and Matt Gingrich believe the key to a our viewers, and our sponsors demand perhaps troll the Internet, looking good radio broadcast begins with preparation. The trio spends each week studythat from us.” for information. ing opponents, gathering stats, and meeting with coaches.

Spencer also pointed out money Tuesday is also the deadline day for raised from broadcasting Sterling Golden Warrior Gameday Magazine, out, and bring it to life.” tape pregame material. Gingrich, a side- games is donated to the Sterling Athhanded out to fans at each Sterling letic Booster Club – a unique setup for Wednesday, in Binder’s words, is line reporter, also uses that day to find home game. Spencer, the executive radio.

“What-is-our-chance Wednesday?” out additional information about that director of the Sterling Schools FounThe group’s broadcasts are as imparBy then, the broadcasters have viewed week’s opponent. dation, has a wealth of information at at least one film of that week’s oppo“I just try to dig something up,” Gintial as possible, but with an unmistakehis fingertips, thanks in large part to nent, to gauge what the Golden Wargrich said, “something that I think is able Sterling slant. a group of students in the early 1990s riors will be facing that week. interesting, and, hopefully, our listeners “We’re Golden Warriors, and we want who, as part of an internship, tracked “Usually by then, we start questionwill think is interesting as well.” the Golden Warriors to win,” Binder down scores from every SHS football ing each other,” said Binder, the color For Friday home games, Spencer said. “I know there’s times that we get game ever played. In more recent hiscommentator. “Are we good enough to meets early in the afternoon with a frustrated doing broadcasts, but there’s tory, player statistics are also available. stop that back? How good is that quarsmall crew of students who help him only one thing we want – we want the “You can go back on a given day, get team to do really well. I know that’s the score of a game that was played that terback? Is our defense able to stop that haul the equipment to the press box. offense? We kind of decide pretty much They set everything up, and make sure hard on some people, but that’s why day, and what athletes had great perby Wednesday what our chances are everything is in working order. we do this. We love the school, we love formances on that day,” Spencer said, For road games, the equipment is doing the kids’ games, and we enjoy the “all with a couple of presses of a button. going into this thing.”

On Thursday, the broadcasters meet hauled in an SUV, courtesy of Sterling wins as much as they enjoy the wins.

There was a lot of work that went into Chevrolet, which provides transportaAnd we suffer in the losses.” making that happen, and I get to pull it with Sterling coach Jon Schlemmer to

PAGE 44

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s August 28, 2014

FB14 GUIDE

RockFallsRockets Head Coach

Scott Berge s ND SEASON AT 2& s s PLAYOFF APPEARANCES

2013

s OVERALL s ".# 7EST TH PLACE

2014

Enrollment: 656 Probable class: 4A

Helpful trends 2: 4HAT S HOW MANY TIMES 2OCK &ALLS HAS QUALIFIED FOR THE PLAYOFFS 4HE 2OCKETS MADE IT IN AND 2: 4HE 2OCKETS HAVE BEATEN 7EEK OPPONENT -ARENGO IN EACH OF THE LAST TWO SEASONS 1: 4HAT S HOW MANY "IG .ORTHERN 7EST WINS THE 2OCKETS HAVE SINCE JOINING THE CONFERENCE IN 4HEY ARE WITH LONE WIN COMING OVER /REGON .229: 4HAT S THE 2OCKETS WINNING PERCENTAGE SINCE !T THEY ARE TH BEST IN 3AUK 6ALLEY

Players to watch Offense

youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll get all day.

(ARVARD 2OCKETS 2OCKETS -ARENGO ,UTHERAN 2OCKETS "YRON 2OCKETS 7INNEBAGO 2OCKETS 3TILLMAN 6ALLEY 2OCKETS -ENDOTA 2OCKETS "URLINGTON #ENT 2OCKETS /REGON 2OCKETS

Defense

Jacob Mammosser

Matt Mammosser

Quarterback s ,ED THE AREA IN YARDS AND TOUCHDOWNS LAST YEAR

Linebacker s 2ETURNS AFTER A SEASON ENDING INJURY ONE YEAR AGO

Returning PASSING: *ACOB -AMMOSSER

s RECEIVING: #ONNOR #AIN

leaders: RUSHING: -AMMOSSER s TACKLES: #AIN s INTS: #AIN

Schedule Game time &RI !UG

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

Opponent AT (ARVARD AT -ARENGO AT /REGON

"YRON

AT 7INNEBAGO

3TILLMAN 6ALLEY

-ENDOTA

AT $IXON

,UTHERAN

2013

* Big Northern West game Homecoming: Week 7

14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Team Win Report

GOOD LUCK TO ALL AREA

TEAMS!

s

ssss s ss s s 5-4

0-9

1-8

3-6

2-7

2-7 2-7

Subscribe today!

1901 Harley Drive Rock Falls, IL

Quality Customer Service Since 1962

Family Owned & Operated for 50 Years!

815-535-9401

1409 W. 4th St. Sterling, IL 815-625-1851

Returning starters in bold "RONSON 2USSELL

.OAH *UNIS

!NTONIO -OLINA

)SIAH (ARRIS

7 Connor Cain 5-11 *ORDEN 3TARKS

13 Jacob Mammosser 6-0 *EROMEY 4RUMP

#AYDEN 2OBERTS

"RADEN 7ESTFALL

+EEGAN $OERING

4ANNER $EAN

$ * 'ORDON

"AILIE 2OSALEZ

*ORDAN 2EYNOLDS

,UKAS 0OUNDERS

51 Dylan Abrams 5-11 $E*UAN 2EYES

.ICK %LDER

57 Matt Mammosser 6-0 61 Brady Lenox 6-2 'AIGE &ORTUNE

&RANCISCO !RRELLANO

:ACH *ONES

.ICK #ONKLEN

(UNTER 3ATHOFF

175

190

210

200 255

3R 72 #" *R 72 ," *R 72 3 3O 2" ," Sr. WR/CB 3R 72 #" Sr. QB/S 3R 72 3O 72 ," *R 2" ," *R 72 ," 3R 72 ," 3R 72 #" 3R 2" ," 3R 72 3R /, $, Sr. OL/DL *R /, 3O /, 3 Sr. OL/LB Sr. OL/DL *R /, ," *R $, /, 3R /, $, *R /, $, *R 72 ,"

0-9

1-8

3-6

2013: $URING 7EEK THE 2OCKETS BURNED THE MIDNIGHT OIL PLAYING WELL INTO EARLY 3ATURDAY MORNING AGAINST VISITING (ARVARD 0OOR WEATHER CAUSED A LONG DELAY 0LAYERS ATE PIZZA AND WATCHED MOVIES IN THE LOCKER ROOM WHILE WAITING OUT THE STORM

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;04 â&#x20AC;&#x2122;05 â&#x20AC;&#x2122;06 â&#x20AC;&#x2122;07 â&#x20AC;&#x2122;08 â&#x20AC;&#x2122;09 â&#x20AC;&#x2122;10 â&#x20AC;&#x2122;11 â&#x20AC;&#x2122;12 â&#x20AC;&#x2122;13

815-625-3600 815-284-2222

Roster

Remember when

PROUD SUPPORTER OF OUR AREA HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS!

The best

news

2013 results

On the radio WSDR-AM (1240)

720 N. Galena Dixon, IL 815-288-3211

Newman Comets Rock Falls Rockets Sterling Warriors Dixon Dukes and all other surrounding area football teams!

!UGUST s Sauk Valley Media

PAGE 45

FB14 GUIDE

SterlingGoldenWarriors Head Coach

Jon Schlemmer s RD SEASON AT 3TERLING s s PLAYOFF APPEARANCE

2013

s OVERALL s .)" 7EST TIED FOR ND PLACE

2014

Enrollment:

Probable class: !

Helpful trends 26: 3TERLING HAS MADE THE PLAYOFFS TIMES BUT HAS NOT WON A STATE TITLE 11: 4HE 7ARRIORS MISSED THE PLAYOFFS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SEASONS IN 6: 4HE 7ARRIORS HAVE WON SIX OF THE LAST NINE MEETINGS WITH .)" RIVAL 'ENESEO 4HEY LOST NINE IN A ROW FROM

1914: )T S THE FIRST SEASON SINCE 3TERLING WILL NOT PLAY $IXON .672: 4HAT S THE 7ARRIORS WINNING PERCENTAGE SINCE !T THEY ARE FOURTH BEST IN 3AUK 6ALLEY

Players to watch Offense

2013 results

Defense

Sterling Thornton

Joe Brouilette

Quarterback s &IRST YEAR STARTER GIVES 7ARRIORS POTENT PASS RUN THREAT

Defensive end s YEAR STARTER KNOWS HOW TO GET TO THE QUARTERBACK

7ARRIORS -ETAMORA 7ARRIORS *OHNSBURG +ANELAND 7ARRIORS 2OCHELLE 7ARRIORS 7ARRIORS ,A3ALLE 0ERU 3TREATOR 7ARRIORS 'ENESEO 7ARRIORS 7ARRIORS $IXON 7ARRIORS /TTAWA

Returning PASSING: 3TERLING 4HORNTON s RECEIVING: ,OGAN #HESHIRE

leaders: RUSHING: "RANDON $ENNIS s INTS: $ENNIS

Schedule Game time &RI !UG

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Opponent 2013 AT -ETAMORA

7HITNEY 9OUNG 2ICH 3OUTH

-ORRIS

AT ,A3ALLE 0ERU

/TTAWA

AT 'ENESEO

2OCHELLE

AT 3YCAMORE

* NIB-12 West game Homecoming: Week 6

HEREâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TO A Look for GREAT our weekly SEASON! football pull out section every Saturday!

Team Win Report

ss s s s s s ss s 9-3

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;04 â&#x20AC;&#x2122;05 â&#x20AC;&#x2122;06 â&#x20AC;&#x2122;07 â&#x20AC;&#x2122;08 â&#x20AC;&#x2122;09 â&#x20AC;&#x2122;10 â&#x20AC;&#x2122;11 â&#x20AC;&#x2122;12 â&#x20AC;&#x2122;13

On the radio WSSQ-FM (94.3)

Roster Returning starters in bold

3

5

7 8 9

11

23

30

54

61

65

74

*ORDAN !SBURY 3TERLING 4HORNTON Jacob Heffelfinger 'RANT *ACOBY Ty Shetter $IMITRI "RUCE Antonio Diaz Brandon Dennis Brian Folsom +EEGAN +AYE Rafael Escalante 4URNER -ORSE 2EID "LACKBURN 4REVOR +ING 4ERRANCE "RUCE *AVIER 1UIROZ Logan Cheshire 7ILLIAM (ENDLEY *AMIE "RISENO -IKAY 'REENWALT Joe Brouilette !NDREW 3PAULDING 4REAY -ARTIN "RAYDEN 'ARZA !NDREW )NGRAM 'ARCIA "RETT 'OULD -ICHAEL +OSTER +URT !NDERSON 4ANNER -ASSEY ,EON 2AMOS 4ANNER *ENSEN Kyle Beer 3AM 7IKE ,ANE -ARTELLS "RADY (ALL *ACOB -ARTINEZ Kyler Beck %STEBAN 3OSA Cariel Beasley .OAH .EIMANN )SSAC +INNICUTT -AX 'OSS Jason Wolber #RISTIAN 2OSAS .AYKAHIL %DWARDS +ALEB +APROILION %DUARDO #ORTES

5-9

6-0

5-8 6-0 5-9

5-8

6-1

6-0

5-8

6-5

6-3

6-2

160

170

165 165 195

160

170

220

200

270

240

210

*R *R Jr. *R Sr. 3R So. Sr. Sr. 3O Sr. 3O 3O 3O *R 3R Sr. 3R *R *R Sr. 3O 3O *R *R 3R 3R *R 3R *R 3R Jr. *R 3R 3O *R Sr. *R Jr. *R 3R 3O Sr. *R *R *R *R

72 $" 1" WR/LB 2" $" WR/DB 72 $" K RB/DB RB/LB 2" ," RB/DB 1" $" 72 $" 72 $" 2" $" 4% ," WR/DB 72 $" 2" ," 72 ," TE/DE 2" ," 2" ," 2" ," 2" ," 4% $% 4% $% 4% ," /, $4 /, $% /, $4 OL/LB /, ," /, ," /, $4 /, $% OL/DT /, $4 OL/DT /, $4 /, $4 /, $% /, $% /, $4 72 $" 4% $" 72 $"

Good Luck Area Teams!

LIQUOR STORE HOURS:

MONDAY - THURSDAY â&#x20AC;¢ 9AM-10PM FRIDAY - SUNDAY â&#x20AC;¢ 9AM - 1AM SUNDAY 12PM - 10PM

RELAX... WE USE

Carryout in Bar til 1 am

815-625-9600

Serving Lunch Monday - Friday â&#x20AC;¢ 11am - 2pm

Daily Drink Specials Mini Pizzas â&#x20AC;¢ Snacks (when not serving lunch)

1707 East 4th St., Sterling

Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 9am-7pm, Friday 9am-6pm, Saturday 8:30am-4pm

Greg Majeski Owner

Roy Sargent Sales

Dan Danreiter Sales

Kraig Flosi Sales

Open 7 Days A Week Serving Lunch Monday - Friday 11AM - 2 PM Dine-In or Carry-Out

STERLING publishers of

daily Gazette, Telegraph & Sauk Valley Weekend

1203 W. 4th St. 815-626-1313

No Gimmicks â&#x20AC;&#x201D; No Games â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Just Great Cars At Great Prices!

Daily Drink Specials!

113 E. 3rd Street Sterling 815-622-4078 Credit Cards Accepted

PAGE 46

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s August 28, 2014

FB14 GUIDE

WestCarrollThunder Head Coach

Michael Bicksler s TH SEASON AT 7# s s PLAYOFF APPEARANCES

2013

s OVERALL s .5)# .ORTHWEST TH PLACE

2014

Enrollment: Probable class: ! !

Helpful trends 63: 4HAT S HOW MANY GAMES 3AVANNA LOST IN A ROW FROM

BEFORE COMBINING WITH -T #ARROLL AND 4HOMSON 35: 4HAT S THE COMBINED NUMBER WINS OF THE FIRST FOUR OPPONENTS ON THE 4HUNDER S SCHEDULE 2: 4HE 4HUNDER HAVE NEVER BEATEN .5)# .ORTHWEST TEAMS $AKOTA OR 'ALENA .369: 4HAT S THE 4HUNDER S WINNING PERCENTAGE SINCE

WHEN 7EST #ARROLL FORMED FROM THREE INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITIES

Players to watch Offense

2013 results

Defense

Mason VanHook

Aaron Ritenour

Quarterback s YEAR VARSITY PLAYER WILL LEAD THE 4HUNDER ON OFFENSE

Defensive back s 7ILL BE LEADER FOR DEFENSES IN FIRST STARTING ROLE

%ASTLAND 0 # 4HUNDER %AST $UBUQUE 4HUNDER &ORRESTON 4HUNDER ,ENA 7INSLOW 4HUNDER $AKOTA 4HUNDER 4HUNDER 3OUTH "ELOIT 4HUNDER ,EXINGTON 'ALENA 4HUNDER 4HUNDER $URAND

Returning PASSING: .ONE s RECEIVING: 3TEPHEN 3ANTERAMO

leaders: RUSHING: -ASON 6AN(OOK s TACKLES: .!

Schedule Game time &RI !UG

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI 3EPT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

&RI /CT

Opponent 2013 %ASTLAND 0EARL #ITY

AT %AST $UBUQUE &ORRESTON

,ENA 7INSLOW

AT $AKOTA

AT 3OUTH "ELOIT

0ECATONICA

AT 'ALENA

$URAND

* Three Rivers North game Homecoming: Week 7

14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 1-8 2 1 0

s

Team Win Report

sss 5-5

5-5

6-5

Roster Returning starters in bold !USTIN -ALLOW

,OGAN "ARKER

%THAN -ANGLER

,OGAN ,OMAS

6 Mason VanHook 6-0 7 Stephen Santeramo 5-8 +ODY 0LATTENBERGER

+ALEB 0LATTENBERGER

18 Brandon Bumphrey 5-8 *AKE -ILLER

22 Aaron Ritenour 6-1 3ALVADOR -AGANA

*ACOB #ASEY

+ALEB (ARTMAN

*USTIN !PPEL

3TONE #URBOY

"RANDON +AUFMAN

+IEGAN 2ICE

66 Anthony Barr 5-9 #ODY 3TURTEVANT

!LEX (ARING

70 Brentlee Davidson 6-3 ,IVTAR $ANDONA

*OSH !NDERSON

+YLE "EHRENS

88 Luke Jones 6-1 %RIC ,A3HELLE

185 140

150

195

254

180

185

3O 72 $" 3O 2" $" *R 1" ," 3O (" ," Sr. QB/DL Jr. WR/DB &R 1" $" &R 72 $" Sr. WR/DB *R 2" $" Sr. RB/DB *R 72 $" 3O 4% $, &R 2" ," 3O /, $, 3R /, $, 3O /, $, *R /, $, Jr. OL/DL *R /, $, *R /, $, Sr. OL/DL *R /, $, 3O /, $, *R 72 $" So. TE/DL *R 5TL

Remember when

sssss s 4-5

3-6 3-6

2-7

3-6

3-6

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;04 â&#x20AC;&#x2122;05 â&#x20AC;&#x2122;06 â&#x20AC;&#x2122;07 â&#x20AC;&#x2122;08 â&#x20AC;&#x2122;09 â&#x20AC;&#x2122;10 â&#x20AC;&#x2122;11 â&#x20AC;&#x2122;12 â&#x20AC;&#x2122;13

2005-07: 5NDER COACH Brandon Farrell

THE 4HUNDER QUALIFIED FOR THE PLAYOFFS IN EACH OF THOSE THREE SEASONS AND HAD A COMBINED RECORD OF 7EST #ARROLL WON ITS FIRST PLAYOFF GAME IN BEFORE LOSING IN THE SECOND ROUND

Look for our weekly football pull out section every Saturday! publishers of

daily Gazette, Telegraph & Sauk Valley Weekend

!UGUST s Sauk Valley Media

PAGE 47

FB14 GUIDE

SVM Wall of Fame Celebrating the past accomplishments of local players, coaches and teams SVM PLAYERS AND COACHES OF YEAR

Top 100 team records in Illinois history School

1. East St. Louis 2. Chicago Mount Carmel 3. Wheaton-Warrenville South 4. Tuscola 5. Arcola 6. Carthage Illini West 7. Champaign Central 8. Rock Island 9. Chicago Wilmette Loyola 10. Geneseo 11. Joliet Catholic 12. Oak Park-River Forest 13. Bloomington 14. Moline 15. Normal Community 16. Peoria 17. Naperville Central 18. Morris 19. Mt. Carmel 20. Chicago Lane 21. Carlinville 22. Casey-Westfield 23. Auburn 24. Danville 25. Greenfield-Northwestern T25. St. Rita 27. Sterling 28. DuQuoin 29. Stockton T29. Sacred Heart-Griffin 31. Mercer County 32. Pontiac T32. Harrisburg 34. Springfield T34. Boylan 36. LaSalle-Peru 37. Robinson 38. Pittsfield-Griggsville-Perry 39. Newman 40. Ottawa 41. Monticello T41. Evanston 43. New Trier 44. Pekin 45. Rochelle 46. Aurora West T46. Georgetown-Ridge-FC 48. Elgin 49. Marshall T49. Lyons T49. Fenwick 52. Morrison 53. Belleville West 54. Stark County T54. Murphysboro 56. Aurora East T56. Staunton 58. Peoria Manual 59. Taylorville 60. Hall 61. E.P.-Gridley 62. Carbondale 63. Hillsboro T63. Benton 65. Pana T65. Washington 67. Alton 68. Metamora 69. Belvidere T69. Flora T69. Bloomington 72. Glenbard West T72. Kankakee McNamara 74. Rockford West T74. Johnston City 76. Macomb T76. Leroy 78. Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley T78. Tolono Unity 80 Harvey Thornton 81. Monmouth-Roseville 82. Urbana T82. Bureau Valley* 84. Jacksonville T84. Chicago Robeson T84. Virden North Mac 87. Galesburg (H.S.) 88. Hinsdale Central 89. Geneva T89. Chicago Morgan Park T89. Harvard 92. Carmi White County 93. Hononegah 94. West Hancock Co-op 95. Jacksonville Routt T95. Lake Forest (H.S.) 97. Chenoa T97. St. Teresa 99. Barrington 100. Newton

Years

1925-2013 1924-2013 1912-2013 1895-2013 1894-2013 1895-2013 1894-2013 1899-2013 1909-2013 1915-2013 1920-2013 1891-2013 1897-2013 1893-2013 1897-2013 1890-2013 1910-2013 1900-2013 1920-2013 1925-2013 1913-2013 1921-2013 1909-2013 1904-2013 1899-2013 1908-2013 1899-2013 1928-2013 1919-2013 1930-2013 1910-2013 1895-2013 1902-2013 1897-2013 1911-2013 1898-2013 1897-2013 1896-2013 1925-2013 1893-2013 1914-2013 1925-2013 1915-2013 1893-2013 1907-2013 1893-2013 1909-2013 1890-2013 1910-2013 1917-2013 1932-2013 1900-2013 1916-2013 1912-2013 1914-2013 1893-2013 1911-2013 1911-2013 1912-2013 1920-2013 1915-2013 1921-2013 1898-2013 1915-2013 1909-2013 1923-2013 1904-2013 1946-2013 1911-2013 1913-2013 1925-2013 1923-2013 1932-2013 1891-1988 1921-2013 1902-2013 1915-2013 1910-2013 1942-2013 1926-2013 1893-2013 1908-2013 1925-2013 1899-2013 1925-2013 1925-2013 1906-2013 1919-2013 1921-2013 1925-2013 1922-2013 1899-2013 1922-2013 1922-2013 1922-2013 1935-2013 1920-2003 1930-2013 1924-2013 1920-2013

2013

W-L-T

737-188-36 708-227-31 673-259-28 672-323-43 669-332-39 658-299-54 657-341-42 642-385-46 641-346-42 640-294-19 624-291-23 630-381-38 620-401-51 618-392-43 610-338-33 604-425-60 603-310-19 598-351-31 594-281-31 591-262-29 585-311-42 584-291-21 582-319-26 579-439-35 577-401-40 577-287-34 571-351-44 561-291-30 562-271-34 562-243-23 552-303-26 548-374-45 548-393-28 546-428-45 546-301-25 542-407-35 539-379-39 538-351-32 531-295-31 529-403-43 527-347-32 527-247-20 526-289-19 525-421-39 524-372-36 522-485-59 522-357-50 517-490-62 513-328-33 513-309-30 513-291-11 511-369-25 510-390-33 505-388-35 505-312-33 501-526-58 501-380-41 500-416-44 499-374-39 497-353-24 494-347-36 493-356-18 492-383-34 492-412-27 488-412-41 488-329-33 487-449-38 486-185-14 485-415-31 485-371-22 485-332-34 483-309-39 483-255-24 482-313-51 482-372-28 481-396-29 481-401-23 480-386-33 480-202-8 479-288-19 476-518-28 475-423-46 475-296-18 473-488-41 473-311-29 473-310-31 472-456-40 469-324-25 468-339-27 468-328-33 468-306-29 461-446-54 460-305-20 458-333-15 457-262-18 457-244-15 455-267-21 455-312-28 454-302-30 449-377-24

Credit: Ken Varney, Illinois High School Glory Days illinoishsglorydays.com * Includes season records from school prior to consolidation.

2012

Player: Nick Williams, Erie-Prophetstown sr. FB

Player: Brian Bahrs, Newman sr. FB/LB

Coach: Mike Papoccia, Newman

Coach: Chuck Milem, Erie-P’town

2011

2010

Player: Alejandro Rivera, Sterling sr. RB/LB

Player: Joe Blessman, Newman sr. FB/LB

Coach: Cory Bielema, Morrison

Coach: Mike Papoccia, Newman

2009

2008

Player: Josh Vos, Morrison sr. FB/LB

Player: Nick Snyder, Oregon sr. RB/LB

Coach: Cory Bielema, Morrison

Coach: Gary Hartje, Milledgeville

2007

2006

Player: Jake Hermes, Sterling sr. RB/DB

Player: Garrett Barnas, Bureau Valley, sr. QB/S

Coach: Gary Jones, Amboy

Coach: Ryan Reade, Dixon

Sauk Valley single-season stat leaders | 2005-2013 Rushing Year 2009 2013 2006 2008 2013 2006 2008 2006 2010 2009 2009 2009 2006 2010 2005 2007 2008

Player Josh Vos Nick Williams Daniel Saunders Cody Richardson Jake Snow Nick Vandermyde Matt Scholl Garrett Barnas Joe Blessman Alex Maurer Michael Weidner Cody Richardson Mike Ridgway Tim Wilson Chaz Josephsen Matt Scholl Nick Snyder

School Morrison Erie-P’town Amboy Amboy Newman Morrison Polo Bureau Valley Newman EPC Bureau Valley Amboy Dixon Newman AFC Polo Oregon

Att. 262 262 289 252 185 215 250 148 189 219 186 238 216 193 114 175 162

Yds. 2,115 2,097 1,994 1,905 1,756 1,715 1,647 1,644 1,561 1,552 1,519 1,436 1,423 1,396 1,380 1,378 1,373

TD 31 24 23 22 30 22 20 20 21 17 20 14 12 23 X 17 18

Passing (Minimum 1,000 yards passing) Year 2012 2013 2010 2010 2008 2011 2005 2009 2006 2010 2006 2013 2012 2005 2012 2008

Player Jacob Mammosser Jacob Mammosser Justin Pitzer Danny Dennehey Carson Walker Danny Dennehey Garrett Barnas Tyler Renkes Jared Shellhause Dylan Koeppen Garrett Barnas JD Gieson Kameron DawTyne Darin Schneider JD Gieson Tyler Renkes

School Rock Falls Rock Falls AFC Morrison EPC Morrison Bureau Valley Fulton EPC Rock Falls Bureau Valley Dixon Milledgeville West Carroll Dixon Fulton

C-A-I 180-268-8 227-385-9 127-286-23 91-186-4 115-208-131 96-168-7 75-125-11 140-251-13 108-205-10 114-209-10 67-127-6 113-231-13 114-208-16 79-159-4 122-240-17 102-200-9

Receptions Yds. 2,485 2,226 1,773 1,734 1,694 1,679 1,657 1,580 1,480 1,458 1,444 1,425 1,378 1,334 1,326 1,263

TD 23 21 18 21 21 14 15 13 12 15 15 8 13 X 11 7

Year 2013 2012 2012 2013 2012 2012 2007 2007 2005 2008 2007 2013 2010 2013 2005 2009 2008

Player Austin Donoho Jordan Harris Alex Leaf Daegan Wharff Steven Armoska Austin Babcock Randy Whitmore Tim Jacobs Teddy Swan Cole Miller Anthony Wells Matt Coffey Nate Fahs Connor Cain Patrick Smith Alex Wherry Tony Dunlap

School Rec. Rock Falls 87 Milledgeville 56 Rock Falls 52 Rock Falls 52 Rock Falls 51 Rock Falls 50 Fulton 50 Rock Falls 47 West Carroll 44 EPC 44 Amboy 43 Dixon 38 AFC 37 Rock Falls 37 Bureau Valley 36 Fulton 35 EPC 34

Yds. 887 695 628 599 792 622 593 600 831 493 959 462 470 384 798 474 550

TD 8 4 6 6 10 3 7 2 X 4 16 2 3 4 X 4 9

PAGE 48

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s August 28, 2014

FB14 GUIDE

Preseason All-Area Team Sauk Valley Media picks 24 players to watch this fall Jacob Barnes

Dylan Binion

Joe Brouilette

Newman 3ENIOR s /, $,

Erie-Prophetstown *UNIOR s &" ,"

Sterling 3ENIOR s 4% $,

No player in the area enters the season with a bigger target on his back, as Barnes has had a ton of Division I interest. On defense, he had two sacks last year, and he was dominant in the playoffs. Not much should get by him on offense.

Binion is charged with the task of replacing 2,000-yard rusher and SVM player of the year Nick Williams,at fullback. He carried the ball only seven times for 30 yards last year. On defense, he led the team with 97 tackles.

Brouilette made the difficult transition from linebacker to the defensive line last season. It didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop him from becoming a Northern Illinois Big 12 West first-team selection. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be a key anchor for the Warriorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; defense again in 2014.

Jordan Chandler

Matt Coffey

Erie-Prophetstown *UNIOR s 1" $"

$IXON 3ENIOR s 72 $"

Chandler has seen some fill-in time at QB the last couple years. His speed makes him dangerous for a big play at any point. As he gets more comfortable under center, he should force teams to stop keying on fullback Dylan Binion.

The speedy 5-foot-10 receiver was the favorite target of QB JD Gieson last season. He caught 38 passes for 462 yards and two touchdowns.

The production earned him firstteam NIB-12 West honors. He also made 23.5 tackles on defense.

Brandon Dennis

Austin Fischer

Sterling 3ENIOR s 2" ,"

Eastland-Pearl City 3ENIOR s /, $,

A versatile and intense player, Dennis will likely have a bigger role on offense this season, after rushing for 157 yards and two TDs in 2013.

Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll also be counted on to step up and make tackles. Dennis was a NIB-12 West first-team punter, also.

The Wildcatz have a lot of skill position players returning, but Fischer will be the returning leader along the offensive and defensive lines.

He was a first-team NUIC Northwest selection on the offensive line, and honorable mention on â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Donny Groezinger

Jordan Harris

Matthew Crandall /REGON *UNIOR s /, $, The Hawks have been a perennial playoff team because of hosses on the line like Crandall. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll push around the tough competition in the Big Northern on both sides of the ball. Last year, he was second on the team with 83 tackles.

JD Gieson $IXON 3ENIOR s 1" $" Gieson starts his third season as the Dukesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; signal caller, with an experienced batch of skill position comrades and a new conference slate to face. He completed 113 passes last year for 1,425 yards and eight touchdowns.

Deven Heeren

Eastland-Pearl City 3ENIOR s 2" $"

Milledgeville 3ENIOR s 1" $"

Eastland-Pearl City 3ENIOR s 1" $"

Opposing defenses donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like it when Donny Football gets the ball.

He can make big plays out of the backfield, and as a receiver. He rushed for 882 yards and 15 TDs last year, and led the team with 28 receptions for 494 yards and 10 TDs.

In his sophomore year, Harris was the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading receiver. Last year, he moved to quarterback after Kameron DawTyne was injured. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be the full-time QB this year with DawTyne graduated.

He threw for 697 yards last year.

The 6-foot-5 gunslinger completed 67 of 100 passes last year for 1,077 yards and 20 TDs. He returns with plenty of targets, which should lead to another efficient season ... and probably another NUIC Northwest first-team selection.

!UGUST s Sauk Valley Media

PAGE 49

FB14 GUIDE

Preseason All-Area Team Sauk Valley Media picks 24 players to watch this fall Dillan Heffelfinger

Alex Helander

Tommy Johnston

Newman 3ENIOR s &" ,"

$IXON 3ENIOR s /, $,

"UREAU 6ALLEY 3ENIOR s 2" $"

Heffelfinger was second only to Jake Snow last year in rushing yards for the Comets, with 756. He also scored 16 touchdowns, and had nine receptions for 164 yards.

He had 31 tackles and two interceptions on defense.

There are a ton of skill position stars in the making in Dixon, but they wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t reach great heights without this guy pushing people around. He earned Northern Illinois Big 12 first-team honors last year, and is plenty hungry for more.

Johnston, a Three Rivers North second-team running back in 2013, does a little bit of everything for the Storm. He rushed 99 times for 634 yards and nine touchdowns.

He also caught 17 passes for 354 yards, and is a contributor on â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Jacob Mammosser

Nolan McGinn

Cody Mighell

2OCK &ALLS 3ENIOR s 1" $"

Newman 3ENIOR s 2" 3

$IXON 3ENIOR s 2" ,"

Mammosserâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s numbers are eyepopping, but heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be the first to trade them in for more wins. He threw 385 times last season, completing 227 passes for 2,226 yards and 21 TDs. He should pass for big yards again this year.

McGinn was a ballhawk in the Cometsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; defensive backfield last year, tying Trevor Bolin with a team-high 4 interceptions. McGinn, who had 24 tackles, also rushed for 111 yards on just 17 carries, for an average of 6.5 yards per carry.

Mighell will be the guy sniffing out plays for the Dukes on defense.

Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top returning tackler with 63 a year ago. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll also carry the ball some in Dixonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spread system. He was second in rushing yards a year ago with 287.

Parker Neuhalfen "UREAU 6ALLEY 3ENIOR s 1" $" Entering his third year as starter, Neuhalfen will be counted on to lead the Storm back into the playoffs for the first time since 2010. He led the team in rushing and passing last year. He rushed for 835 yards, and passed for 800 more.

Garrett Rude

David Rowzee Newman 3ENIOR s /, $, While Jacob Barnes gets a lot of the attention on the Cometsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; line, Rowzee is returning for his third season starting in the trenches for the defending 2A state champs.

Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be a big reason why Newmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s offense continues to roll.

Eric Schaney

Brady Rude Newman *UNIOR s 2" ," Big-play Brady led the team in tackles last year, and was the third-leading rusher on the team.

On defense, he had 109 tackles, four sacks, and an interception.

He rushed for 674 yards and nine touchdowns.

Mason Sitzmore

Oregon 3ENIOR s 2" ,"

%ASTLAND 0EARL #ITY 3ENIOR s 2" ,"

-ORRISON 3ENIOR s 1" $"

Rude was a Big Northern West honorable mention player a year ago, and his role on the team will grow this season. He rushed 80 times in 2013 for 515 yards and five touchdowns. He also made 79 tackles for the Hawks.

Schaney runs like a bowling ball, and the defense acts like pins falling down when he hits them. The first-team NUIC Northwest selection is the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top returning rusher, after racking up 1,171 yards and 18 TDS in 2013.

The Mustangsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; captain split time with Joey Brackemyer last year, but should get the bulk of the snaps this season. Morrison is plenty talented, just lacks the numbers.

Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;lll need Sitzmoreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leadership to return to the playoffs.

PAGE 50

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s August 28, 2014

FB14 GUIDE

Record Forecast Sauk Valley Media’s sports staff picks how all 15 local teams will finish the regular season Amboy

AFC

BV

Dixon

EPC

E-P

Fulton

M’ville

Morr.

Newman

Oregon

Polo

RF

Sterling

WC

Cody Cutter

4-5

4-5

4-5

5-4

8-1

7-2

5-4

3-6

5-4

8-1

3-6

5-4

3-6

5-4

3-6

Patrick Mason

3-6

3-6

4-5

6-3

7-2

7-2

4-5

4-5

4-5

7-2

5-4

5-4

3-6

5-4

3-6

Ty Reynolds

5-4

5-4

6-3

5-4

7-2

7-2

4-5

3-6

4-5

9-0

5-4

6-3

2-7

5-4

2-7

Brian Weidman

5-4

3-6

7-2

6-3

8-1

7-2

4-5

1-8

4-5

9-0

5-4

6-3

2-7

6-3

3-6

Dan Woessner

4-5

4-5

7-2

6-3

8-1

4-5

3-6

3-6

6-3

8-1

5-4

6-3

3-6

6-3

3-6

Staff Average

4-5

4-5

6-3

6-3

8-1

6-3

5--4

3-6

5-4

8-1

5-4

6-3

3-6

5-4

3-6

3: The most teams picked right in 2013 by Brian Weidman and Dan Woessner

Look for our weekly football pull out section every Saturday!

10 Franchises 1 Location

Newman Comets Rock Falls Rockets Sterling Warriors Dixon Dukes

Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, GMC, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Jeep,

and all other surrounding area football teams!

Dixon, Dix on, IL 928-1100 928-1 100 N N.. Galen Galena a Ave. Ave.

815-288-4455

publishers of

daily Gazette, Telegraph & Sauk Valley Weekend

SHOP

24/7

@ www.KenNelsonAuto.com

!UGUST s Sauk Valley Media

PAGE 51

FB14 GUIDE

By the numbers: 2013 final leaders

Eric Schaney EPC senior

Parker Neuhalfen Bureau Valley senior

Jacob Mammosser

Rock Falls senior

JD Gieson Dixon senior

Matt Coffey Dixon senior

Connor Cain Rock Falls senior

Donny

Brady Rude Newman junior

Groezinger

EPC senior

Kevin Kurz AFC senior

Dylan Binion Erie-P’town junior

Noah Blacklock Morrison senior

Garrett Rude Oregon senior

RETURNING PLAYERS IN BOLD RUSHING YARDS Att. Nick Williams, Erie-P’town 262 Jake Snow, Newman 185 Austin Regenwether, Fulton 198 Eric Schaney, EPC 133 Nick Newman, Oregon 158 Donny Groezinger, EPC 91 Ethan Howard, Erie-P’town 110 Parker Neuhalfen, BV 140 Daniel Walker, Milledgeville 100 Draque Penaflor-Heier, Sterling 94 Jason Bontz, Amboy 123 Dillan Heffelfinger, Newman 149 Brady Rude, Newman 86 Jordan Chandler, Erie-P’town 69 Tommy Johnston, BV 99 Devin Kuehl, Fulton 81 Sawyer Reynolds, Oregon 135 Brandon Sturtevant, WC 71 Chris Bauer, Erie-P’town 65 Jake Chapman, AFC 143 Brendon LeBarron, Rock Falls 124 Garrett Rude, Oregon 80 Jacob Mammosser, Rock Falls 103 Ethan Ditzler, Polo 65

PASSING YARDS Yds. 2,097 1,756 1,233 1,171 1,002 882 858 835 827 789 780 756 674 654 634 610 571 567 550 547 535 515 508 493

TD 24 30 18 18 8 15 6 12 9 12 9 16 9 11 9 5 8 7 13 5 2 4 7 2

C-A-I Jacob Mammosser, Rock Falls 227-385-9 JD Gieson, Dixon 113-231-13 Deven Heeren, EPC 67-100-3 Shaun Magill, WC 63-138-6 Bryant Lilly, Sterling 57-138-12 A.J. Sharp, Newman 46-76-4 Parker Neuhalfen, BV 58-90-4 Jordan Harris, Milledgeville 75-159-10 Ethan Jones, Fulton 37-53-1 Brody Grobe, Polo 23-54-2 Tyler Blume, Oregon 23-58-6 Liam Ohlendorf, Amboy 34-66-6 Mason Sitzmore, Morrison 32-72-4 Jacob Hilliker, AFC 16-47-5 Tanner Mortonson, Rock Falls 29-54-3 Joey Brackemyer, Morrison 17-25-0 Ethan Howard, Erie-P’town 9-39-4 Kameron DawTyne, Milledgeville 14-30-1 Sterling Thornton, Sterling 7-19-1 Bret Gittleson, AFC 4-16-0 Brooks Grobe, Polo 4-8-0 Jack Lemke, Fulton 5-15-1 Devin Keuhl, Fulton 1-4-2

RECEPTIONS Yds. TD 2,226 21 1,425 8 1,077 20 1,038 11 856 7 829 4 800 9 697 6 628 9 545 9 535 7 513 7 477 5 377 2 353 2 258 2 231 3 125 2 93 0 61 0 47 1 37 0 36 0

Rec. Austin Donoho, Rock Falls 87 Daegan Wharff, Rock Falls 52 Matt Coffey, Dixon 38 Connor Cain, Rock Falls 37 Trevor Jones, WC 34 Donny Groezinger, EPC 28 Quinton Douglas, Dixon 28 Kyle LeBlanc, Dixon 25 Ryan Mayberry, Morrison 25 Logan Wharff, Sterling 24 Tanner Mortonson, Rock Falls 24 Blake Kappes, Milledgeville 21 Kolton Morgan, Milledgeville 21 Caleb Skoog, Milledgeville 20 Damon Quest, Amboy 19 Ryan Webb, Dixon 18 Dustin Huycke, Rock Falls 18 Troy Mairs, AFC 17 Tommy Johnston, BV 17 Cory McCallister, Rock Falls 16 Zachary Schmidt, Milledgeville 16 Skylar Paulson, EPC 15 Jake Smith, BV 15 Brian Cavanaugh, Polo 14

TACKLES Yds. 887 599 462 384 547 494 353 361 356 443 175 221 193 221 352 211 164 413 354 151 102 275 252 403

TD 8 6 2 4 4 10 2 3 4 5 3 2 1 3 4 1 1 2 3 0 0 6 3 7

Solo Nick Yates, Rock Falls 86 Sawyer Reynolds, Oregon 31 Austin Regenwether, Fulton 58 Brady Rude, Newman 60 Kevin Kurz, AFC – Mac Olson, Newman 43 Dylan Binion, Erie-P’town 20 Noah Blacklock, Morrison 68 Bryce Holesinger, Fulton 49 Daniel Walker, Milledgeville 70 Matthew Crandall, Oregon 16 JP Neisewander, Newman 48 Kenneth Cole, Erie-P’town 17 Michael Ely, Newman 43 Zach Jenkins, Fulton 45 Garrett Rude, Oregon 23 Austin Donoho, Rock Falls 53 Owen McConnell, Erie-P’town 8 Matia Facio, Fulton 38 Mason Sitzmore, Morrison 49 Jake Willging, Fulton 35 Pierce Dhaese, Oregon 22 Dane Schielein, Dixon 9 Kegan North, Fulton 31

SACKS Ast. 41 89 60 49 – 59 77 27 44 17 67 35 65 39 36 56 23 66 34 23 35 47 57.5 35

Total 127 120 118 109 107 102 97 95 93 87 83 83 82 82 81 79 76 74 72 72 70 69 66.5 66

Jeff Kimpel, Polo JP Neisewander, Newman Michael Ely, Newman Emmitt Hicks, Amboy Garrett Leibing, Amboy Brady Rude, Newman Regan Todhunter, Newman Paul Velasco, Fulton Kyle LeBlanc, Dixon Cody Mighell, Dixon Diante Sanders, Dixon Dane Schielein, Dixon Jake Willging, Fulton

INTERCEPTIONS Trevor Bolin, Newman Kollin Burn, Morrison Jordan Harris, Milledgeville Nolan McGinn, Newman Chris Bauer, Erie-P’town Connor Cain, Rock Falls Matt Gendusa, AFC Ivan Grogan, Polo JP Neisewander, Newman Parker Neuhalfen, BV

1514 W. 4th Street Sterling (815) 625-5949 Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com

Erie-Prophetstown’s Jordan Chandler (10) rushed for 654 yards and 11 touchdowns last season as a sophomore. Chandler’s big-play speed will make him a threat once again in the Panthers’ backfield.

5 5 4 4 4 4 4 3.5 3 3 2.5 2.5 2.5 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 3

PAGE 52

FB14 GUIDE

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s August 28, 2014

HelpingHands

Equipment, check Harrison handles team’s gear in West Carroll to help Thunder lower boom

C

oaches like to be in contact with their players, especially before games. But for some time at West Carroll, a trailer full of miscellaneous football gear got in the way of that happening.

Before Cory Harrison volunteered four summers ago, the freshman football coach was tasked with the job of driving the team’s equipment to away football games, meaning he couldn’t be with his players on the bus before or after games.

“That was a really wacky way to do it,” Harrison said. “I told Coach [Michael] Bicksler, I said if I can be of some help, let me know. So that started the relationship.”

Harrison, the father of Thunder starting quarterback Mason VanHook, is used to helping others, and does so almost daily as the executive director at YMCA Camp Benson in Mount Carroll. His role is to help kids get along with one another, and he focuses on making sure the kids understand the importance of helping.

So when VanHook joined the varsity team his freshman year, Harrison jumped at the chance to help out any way he could.

Bicksler, a first-year coach at

BY PATRICK MASON | pmason@saukvalley.com | 800-798-4085, ext. 5550 jersey,’ or, ‘I’m wearing white instead of gray.’ Sometimes they will forget their pads, or maybe they will have a cracked helmet. So with all of that, I make sure I have extras of everything.”

Harrison keeps the equipment stocked, and in working condition in case of emergency situations when such equipment is needed. For each home game, he is on the sidelines to work with the team before and after games. For away games, he drives the equipment trailer, so the Thunder can be stocked on the road as well.

“It’s really invaluable to have someone like that around the program,” Bicksler said. “It helps keep the team running smoothly, and it’s another thing off our coaches’ plates.”

Harrison will enter his fourth season helping out the team with the equipment, and it will start a little differently than ones in previous years. He has a bad history of strep throat, and had his tonsils removed Aug. 18, to be ready for the start of the season. He was told the recovery process is nearly 2 weeks for adults.

He also opens up Camp BenPhilip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com Cory Harrison volunteered 4 years ago to manage the equipment for the West Carroll Thunder. His son for the Thunder football efforts have allowed the freshman football coach to focus on his team, and it has allowed Harrison team for a few days to work on team-bonding exercises. The to bond with players in the program. time there acts as a way for the players to get to know one the time, jumped at the chance High school kids can be forshoes,” Harrison said. “We for extra help, and Harrison getful, and few know that better were checking helmets and another away from the football became the equipment manthan Harrison, who works with jerseys, and one player walked field, where they are constantly ager. Quickly, he took the job kids every day. Some bring the up wearing just his socks. I was smashing into each other. to another level. He organizes wrong equipment to school for there to help him with that, too.

“It has turned out to be a helmets, pads, water bottles games, and some don’t bring “We’re dealing with high really nice way to connect with and even shoes, making sure to any at all. school students here. So often the kids and help out,” Harrihave extras of each.

“One time a player forgot his you’ll get the, ‘I forgot my son said.

!UGUST s Sauk Valley Media

PAGE 53

FB14 GUIDE

Sauk Valley Travel Log Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how many miles Sauk Valleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bus drivers will be putting on their rides this fall

Road weary

Homebodies

Rock Falls Rockets Road trips: 5 Week/town 1. Harvard 2. Marengo 3. Oregon 5. Winnebago 8. Dixon Total miles

Oregon Hawks Road trips: 4 Week/town 2. Poplar Grove 4. Dixon 8. Mendota 9. Stillman Valley Total miles

Miles 186 194 64 154 26 624

Erie-Prophetstown Panthers (from Erie)

Sterling Golden Warriors Road trips: 4 Week/town 1. Metamora 4. Peru 7. Geneseo 9. Sycamore Total miles

Miles 108 32 78 30 248

Road trips: 5 Week/town 1. Kewanee 3. Port Byron 4. Fulton 7. Sterling 9. Orion Total miles

Miles 192 128 100 126 546

Miles 74 22 38 58 70 262

Distances in miles, estimated by randmcnally.com EPC Wildcatz (from Lanark) Road trips: 5 Week/town 1. Savanna 3. Dakota 4. Galena 7. Durand 8. South Beloit Total miles

Miles 34 72 96 96 168 466

AFC Raiders Road trips: 4 Week/town 1. Freeport 3. Hanover 6. Orangeville 9. Milledgeville Total miles

Fulton Steamers

W. Carroll Thunder Road trips: 5

Road trips: 4 Week/town 2. East Dubuque 5. Dakota 6. South Beloit 8. Galena Total miles

Miles 94 102 200 66 462

Miles 90 146 154 62 452

Week/town 1. Orion 5. Sterling 6. Princeton 7. Port Byron 8. Amboy Total miles

Miles 90 54 134 44 98 420

Morrison Mustangs Road trips: 5 Week/town 1. Princeton 3. Fulton 6. Manlius 7. Taylor Ridge 8. Erie Total miles

Miles 112 24 96 134 30 396

Polo Marcos Road trips: 5 Week/town 2. Franklin Grove 3. Stockton 6. Lanark 7. Orangeville 9. Warren Total miles

Miles 52 92 38 78 108 368

Newman Comets Road trips: 4 Week/town 1. Taylor Ridge 3. Manlius 4. Morrison 6. Port Byron Total miles

Miles 160 62 32 80 334

Milledgeville Missiles Road trips: 4 Week/town 2. Orangeville 4. Polo 6. Stockton 8. East Dubuque Total miles

Miles 84 24 74 142 324

Bureau Valley Storm Road trips: 4 Week/town 1. Spring Valley 5. Prophetstown 7. Amboy 9. Fulton Total miles

Miles 60 66 84 108 318

Dixon Dukes Road trips: 4 Week/town 3. Rockford 5. Mendota 7. Stillman Valley 9. Byron Total miles

Miles 124 58 62 56 300

Amboy Clippers Road trips: 4 Week/town 1. Peru 5. Morrison 6. Prophetstown 9. Sterling Total miles

Miles 68 86 86 48 288

PAGE 54

FB14 GUIDE

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s August 28, 2014

2014 Master Schedule When and where to see or hear your favorite team each week Week 1

Friday, Aug. 29 s *OHNSBURG AT /REGON &- s 2OCK &ALLS AT (ARVARD !- s 3TERLING AT -ETAMORA &- s -ONMOUTH 2OSEVILLE AT $IXON !- s !MBOY AT 3T "EDE &- s "UREAU 6ALLEY AT (ALL &- s &ULTON AT /RION !- s -ORRISON AT 0RINCETON

s .EWMAN AT 2OCKRIDGE &- s !&# AT !QUIN

s %AST $UBUQUE AT 0OLO

s 7ARREN AT -ILLEDGEVILLE

s %ASTLAND 0EARL #ITY AT 7EST #ARROLL &- s %RIE 0ROPHETSTOWN AT +EWANEE

Week 4

Friday, Sept. 19 s 3TERLING AT -ORRIS &- s "YRON AT 2OCK &ALLS !- s /REGON AT $IXON &- !- s ,ENA 7INSLOW AT 7EST #ARROLL &-

DELAY s %RIE 0ROPHETSTOWN AT &ULTON !- s .EWMAN AT -ORRISON &- s 2IVERDALE AT !MBOY &- s -ILLEDGEVILLE AT 0OLO

s 3TOCKTON AT !&#

s %ASTLAND 0EARL #ITY AT 'ALENA &- s +EWANEE AT "UREAU 6ALLEY &-

Week 7

Friday, Oct. 10 s $IXON AT 3TILLMAN 6ALLEY !- s -ENDOTA AT 2OCK &ALLS !- s 7INNEBAGO AT /REGON &- s 3TERLING AT 'ENESEO &- s "UREAU 6ALLEY AT !MBOY &- &- s %RIE 0ROPHETSTOWN AT .EWMAN &- s &ULTON AT 2IVERDALE !- s -ORRISON AT 2OCKRIDGE

s !QUIN AT -ILLEDGEVILLE

s %AST $UBUQUE AT !&#

s 0OLO AT /RANGEVILLE

s %ASTLAND 0EARL #ITY AT $URAND

s 0ECATONICA AT 7EST #ARROLL &- DELAY

Week 2

Friday, Sept. 5 s 7HITNEY 9OUNG AT 3TERLING &- s "URLINGTON #ENTRAL AT $IXON !- s /REGON AT .ORTH "OONE &- s 3HERRARD AT !MBOY &- s 2OCK &ALLS AT -ARENGO !- s (ALL AT %RIE 0ROPHETSTOWN

s /RION AT -ORRISON

s 3T "EDE AT "UREAU 6ALLEY &- s 0OLO AT !&#

s -ILLEDGEVILLE AT /RANGEVILLE

s 0ECATONICA AT %ASTLAND 0EARL #ITY

s 7EST #ARROLL AT %AST $UBUQUE

s +EWANEE AT &ULTON !-

Saturday, Sept. 6

Week 3

Friday, Sept. 12 $IXON AT ,UTHERAN !- 2OCK &ALLS AT /REGON &- !- 2ICH 3OUTH AT 3TERLING &- %RIE 0ROPHETSTOWN AT 2IVERDALE

(ALL AT !MBOY &- -ORRISON AT &ULTON !- .EWMAN AT "UREAU 6ALLEY &-

&- !&# AT 2IVER 2IDGE

'ALENA AT -ILLEDGEVILLE &- 0OLO AT 3TOCKTON

%ASTLAND 0EARL #ITY AT $AKOTA

&ORRESTON AT 7EST #ARROLL

s 0RINCETON AT .EWMAN &-

Week 5

Friday, Sept. 26 s $IXON AT -ENDOTA !- s ,UTHERAN AT /REGON &- s 2OCK &ALLS AT 7INNEBAGO !- s ,ENA 7INSLOW AT %ASTLAND 0EARL #ITY

s 3TERLING AT ,A3ALLE 0ERU &- s !MBOY AT -ORRISON &- s "UREAU 6ALLEY AT %RIE 0ROPHETSTOWN &- s &ULTON AT .EWMAN &- !- s !QUIN AT 0OLO

s 0ECATONICA AT !&#

s 2IVER 2IDGE AT -ILLEDGEVILLE &- s 7EST #ARROLL AT $AKOTA

Week 8

Friday, Oct. 17 s 2OCHELLE AT 3TERLING &- s /REGON AT -ENDOTA &- s 2OCK &ALLS AT $IXON !- !- s &ULTON AT !MBOY &- !- s -ORRISON AT %RIE 0ROPHETSTOWN

s 2IVERDALE AT "UREAU 6ALLEY &- s -ILLEDGEVILLE AT %AST $UBUQUE

s 2IVER 2IDGE AT 0OLO

s 7ARREN AT !&#

s %ASTLAND 0EARL #ITY AT 3OUTH "ELOIT &-

DELAY s 7EST #ARROLL AT 'ALENA &-

Saturday, Oct. 18 s 3HERRARD AT .EWMAN &-

Week 6

Friday, Oct. 3 s "YRON AT /REGON &- s 7INNEBAGO AT $IXON !- s /TTAWA AT 3TERLING &- s 3TILLMAN 6ALLEY AT 2OCK &ALLS !- s !MBOY AT %RIE 0ROPHETSTOWN &- s &ULTON AT 0RINCETON !- s -ORRISON AT "UREAU 6ALLEY &- s .EWMAN AT 2IVERDALE &- s !&# AT /RANGEVILLE

s -ILLEDGEVILLE AT 3TOCKTON &- s 0OLO AT %ASTLAND 0EARL #ITY

s 7EST #ARROLL AT 3OUTH "ELOIT

Week 9

Friday, Oct. 24 s $IXON AT "YRON !- s /REGON AT 3TILLMAN 6ALLEY &- s !MBOY AT .EWMAN &- &- s 3TERLING AT 3YCAMORE &- s ,UTHERAN AT 2OCK &ALLS !- s "UREAU 6ALLEY AT &ULTON &- !- s %RIE 0ROPHETSTOWN AT /RION

s 2IVERDALE AT -ORRISON

s !&# AT -ILLEDGEVILLE

s 0OLO AT 7ARREN

s $URAND AT 7EST #ARROLL

s &ORRESTON AT %ASTLAND 0EARL #ITY &-

!UGUST s Sauk Valley Media

PAGE 55

FB14 GUIDE

Illinois state champions 1974-2013

Class 1A

1974 – Flanagan (12-0) 1975 – Triopia (13-0) 1976 – Hampshire (13-0) 1977 – Genoa-Kingston (13-0) 1978 – Arcola (11-1) 1979 – Hampshire (13-0) 1980 – Atwood (14-0) 1981 – Aquin (13-0) 1982 – Ziegler-Royalton (12-0) 1983 – Yorkwood (13-0) 1984 – Routt (13-0) 1985 – Arcola (14-0) 1986 – Aquin (12-2) 1987 – Bloomington C.C. (12-2) 1988 – Arcola (13-1) 1989 – Orangeville (12-2) 1990 – Newman (12-2) 1991 – Stockton (14-0) 1992 – Calhoun (14-0) 1993 – Calhoun (13-1) 1994 – Newman (14-0) 1995 – Carthage (14-0) 1996 – Chenoa (12-2) 1997 – Galena (14-0) 1998 – Carthage (14-0) 1999 – Carthage (14-0) 2000 – Carthage (14-0) 2001 – Wethersfield (13-1) 2002 – South Beloit (13-1) 2003 – Galena (11-3) 2004 – Alexis United (13-1) 2005 – Aquin (13-1) 2006 – Tuscola (14-0) 2007 – Galena (14-0) 2008 – Triopia (14-0) 2009 – Tuscola (11-3) 2010 – Lena-Winslow (13-1) 2011 – Dakota (12-2) 2012 – Maroa-Forsyth (13-1) 2013 – Lena-Winslow (11-3)

Class 2A

1974 – St. Teresa (13-0) 1975 – St. Teresa (13-0) 1976 – Fulton (13-0) 1977 – Mahomet-Seymour (12-1) 1978 – Stockton (12-1) 1979 – St. Teresa (12-1) 1980 – Schlarman (13-0) 1981 – Schlarman (12-1) 1982 – Bloomington C.C. (12-1) 1983 – Woodstock Marian (13-0) 1984 – Amboy (13-0) 1985 – Casey-Westfield (14-0) 1986 – Woodstock Marian (12-2) 1987 – Woodstock Marian (13-1) 1988 – Carlyle (14-0) 1989 – Woodstock Marian (14-0) 1990 – Seneca (14-0) 1991 – Fulton (14-0) 1992 – Richmond-Burton (11-3) 1993 – Coal City (14-0) 1994 – Rockridge (12-2) 1995 – Hampshire (12-2) 1996 – LeRoy (14-0) 1997 – Central A&M (14-0) 1998 – Aledo (12-2) 1999 – Stillman Valley (12-2) 2000 – Stillman Valley (14-0) 2001 – Aledo (13-1) 2002 – Aledo (14-0) 2003 – Iroquois West (13-1) 2004 – Newman (13-1) 2005 – Dakota (14-0) 2006 – Maroa-Forsyth (14-0) 2007 – Dakota (14-0) 2008 – Immaculate Conception (10-4) 2009 – Morrison (14-0) 2010 – Newman (14-0) 2011 – Morrison (13-1) 2012 – Mercer County (14-0) 2013 – Newman (13-1)

Class 3A

1974 – West Chicago (13-0) 1975 – Metamora (13-0) 1976 – Geneseo (13-0) 1977 – Geneseo (12-1) 1978 – Geneseo (13-0) 1979 – Mascoutah (13-0) 1980 – Morris (12-1) 1981 – Mount Carmel (13-0) 1982 – Bishop McNamara (12-0) 1983 – Monmouth (12-1) 1984 – Anna-Jonesboro (12-1) 1985 – Bishop McNamara (14-0) 1986 – Bishop McNamara (11-3) 1987 – Bishop McNamara (12-2) 1988 – DuQuoin (14-0) 1989 – Althoff (13-1) 1990 – Althoff (13-0) 1991 – Driscoll (14-0) 1992 – DuQuoin (14-0) 1993 – Pontiac (13-1) 1994 – Bloomington C.C. (13-1) 1995 – Hall (13-1) 1996 – Carterville (14-0) 1997 – Kaneland (14-0) 1998 – Kaneland (14-0) 1999 – Byron (14-0) 2000 – Harrisburg (14-0) 2001 – Hall (13-1) 2002 – Immaculate Conception (13-1) 2003 – Stillman Valley (13-1) 2004 – Driscoll (12-2) 2005 – Bureau Valley (14-0) 2006 – Plano (14-0) 2007 – Plano (13-1) 2008 – Illini West (14-0) 2009 – Stillman Valley (14-0) 2010 – Illini West (14-0) 2011 – Aurora Christian (13-1) 2012 – Aurora Christian (13-1) 2013 – Stillman Valley (12-2)

Class 4A

1974 – Rockford East (13-0) 1975 – Joliet Catholic (13-0) 1976 – Joliet Catholic (12-1) 1977 – Joliet Catholic (13-0) 1978 – Joliet Catholic (13-0) 1979 – Wheaton North (12-1) 1980 – Althoff (12-1) 1981 – Wheaton North (13-0) 1982 – Geneseo (12-1) 1983 – Woodstock (11-2) 1984 – Morris (13-0) 1985 – Washington (13-1) 1986 – Tinley Park (12-2) 1987 – Providence (13-1) 1988 – Richards (14-0) 1989 – Richards (14-0) 1990 – Joliet Catholic (14-0) 1991 – Providence (14-0) 1992 – Oswego (13-1) 1993 – Chicago Heights Marian (14-0) 1994 – Belvidere (12-2) 1995 – Providence (14-0) 1996 – Providence (14-0) 1997 – Providence (13-1) 1998 – Glenwood (14-0) 1999 – Joliet Catholic (14-0) 2000 – Joliet Catholic (14-0) 2001 – Driscoll (12-2) 2002 – Driscoll (13-1) 2003 – Driscoll (14-0) 2004 – Montini (13-1) 2005 – Driscoll (14-0) 2006 – Driscoll (13-1) 2007 – Driscoll (14-0) 2008 – Bloomington C.C. (14-0) 2009 – Metamora (13-1) 2010 – Rochester (14-0) 2011 – Rochester (12-2) 2012 – Rochester (13-1) 2013 – Rochester (13-1)

Class 5A

1974 – Glenbrook North (12-0) 1975 – Deerfield (13-0) 1976 – St. Laurence (13-0) 1977 – East Leyden (13-0) 1978 – St. Rita (13-0) 1979 – East St. Louis Sr. (12-0) 1980 – Chicago Mt. Carmel (13-1) 1981 – Joliet Catholic (13-0) 1982 – Guilford (13-0) 1983 – Glenbard West (13-0) 1984 – Richwoods (13-0) 1985 – Rockford East (11-3) 1986 – Wheaton North (13-1) 1987 – Joliet Catholic (12-2) 1988 – Richwoods (14-0) 1989 – Chicago Mt. Carmel (13-1) 1990 – Chicago Mt. Carmel (14-0) 1991 – Chicago Mt. Carmel (12-2) 1992 – Wheaton Warrenville South (14-0) 1993 – Belvidere (14-0) 1994 – Providence (14-0) 1995 – Maine South (12-2) 1996 – Chicago Mt. Carmel (14-0) 1997 – Woodstock (14-0) 1998 – Chicago Mt. Carmel (14-0) 1999 – Chicago Mt. Carmel (13-1) 2000 – Chicago Mt. Carmel (13-1) 2001 – Joliet Catholic (13-1) 2002 – Providence (14-0) 2003 – Joliet Catholic (13-1) 2004 – Joliet Catholic (14-0) 2005 – Sacred Heart-Griffin (14-0) 2006 – Sacred Heart-Griffin (14-0) 2007 – Metamora (14-0) 2008 – St. Francis (13-1) 2009 – Montini (10-4) 2010 – Montini (12-2) 2011 – Montini (12-2) 2012 – Montini (12-2) 2013 – Sacred Heart-Griffin (14-0)

Class 6A

1980 – Gordon Tech (12-1) 1981 – Brother Rice (11-2) 1982 – Reavis (12-1) 1983 – East St. Louis Sr. (13-0) 1984 – East St. Louis Sr. (13-0) 1985 – East St. Louis Sr. (14-0) 1986 – Buffalo Grove (14-0) 1987 – Hersey (12-2) 1988 – Chicago Mt. Carmel (14-0) 1989 – East St. Louis Sr. (14-0) 1990 – Thornton (12-2) 1991 – East St. Louis Sr. (13-1) 1992 – Naperville North (12-2) 1993 – Loyola (12-2) 1994 – Homewood-Flossmoor (13-1) 1995 – Wheaton Warrenville South (12-2) 1996 – Wheaton Warrenville South (13-1) 1997 – Lincoln-Way (14-0) 1998 – Wheaton Warrenville South (14-0) 1999 – Naperville Central (14-0) 2000 – Maine South (13-1) 2001 – Providence (14-0) 2002 – Chicago Mt. Carmel (13-1) 2003 – Carmel (14-0) 2004 – Providence (13-1) 2005 – Morris (14-0) 2006 – Normal (14-0) 2007 – Joliet Catholic (13-1) 2008 – Sacred Heart-Griffin (13-1) 2009 – Cary-Grove (14-0) 2010 – Boylan (14-0) 2011 – Prairie Ridge (13-1) 2012 – Crete-Monee (14-0) 2013 – Batavia (13-1)

Class 7A

2001 – Prospect (14-0) 2002 – Prospect (12-2) 2003 – Oswego (13-1) 2004 – Libertyville (14-0) 2005 – Prospect (13-1) 2006 – St. Rita (13-1) 2007 – Lake Zurich (13-1) 2008 – East St. Louis (13-1) 2009 – Wheaton Warrenville South (13-1) 2010 – Wheaton Warrenville South (14-0) 2011 – Boylan (14-0) 2012 – Glenbard West (14-0) 2013 – Chi. Mt. Carmel (13-1)

Class 8A

2001 – Downers Grove South (12-2) 2002 – Lockport (13-1) 2003 – Lockport (12-2) 2004 – Downers Grove North (12-2) 2005 – Lincoln-Way East (14-0) 2006 – Wheaton Warrenville South (14-0) 2007 – Naperville North (13-1) 2008 – Maine South (14-0) 2009 – Maine South (14-0) 2010 – Maine South (12-2) 2011 – Bolingbrook (13-1) 2012 – Chicago Mt. Carmel (13-1) 2013 – Naperville Central (11-3)

Most championships 1. Joliet Catholic 13 2. Chi. Mount Carmel 12 3. Providence 9 4. Driscoll 8 5. East St. Louis 7 5. Wheaton Warrenville So. 7 7. Carthage/Illini West 6 8. Montini 5 8. Maine South 5 8. Newman 5 8. Stillman Valley 5

2007 2013 2004 2007 2008 2010 2010 2012 2010 2013 2013

Follow the Golden Warriors, Rockets and Comets with your hometown radio stations...all season long!

Sterling Golden Warriors

Station: WSSQ 94.3 FM Announcers: Jim Spencer Jerry Binder, Matt Gingrich 8/29 7:30 A ............. Metamora 9/5 7:00 H ............ Chicago (Whitney Young) 9/12 7:30 H .......... ..Richton Park (Rich South) 9/19 7:00 H.............. Morris 9/26 7:30 A ............. Lasalle (L. - Peru) 10/3 7:15 H ............. Ottawa (Twp.) 10/10 7:15 A ............ Geneseo 10/17 7:00 H ............ Rochelle 10/24 7:15 A ............ Sycamore (H.S.)

Rock Falls Rockets

Station: AM 1240 WSDR Announcers: Charlie Bennett & Tim Galvan

8/29 7:00 A ..........

9/5 7:15 A ...........

9/12 7:00 A ..........

9/19 7:00 H ...........

9/26 7:15 A ...........

10/3 7:15 H ..........

10/10 7:00 H ..........

10/17 7:00 A ..........

10/24 7:15 H ..........

Harvard Marengo Oregon Byron Winnebago Stillman Valley Mendota Dixon (H.S.) Rockford (Lutheran)

Newman Comets

Station: WZZT 102.7 FM Announcers: Jason Taylor & Steve Davis 8/29 9/6 9/12 9/19 9/26 10/3 10/10 10/18 10/24

7:30 A ............. Taylor Ridge (Rockridge) 7:30 H ............. Princeton (Coop) 7:30 A ............. Manlius (Bureau Valley) 7:30 A.............. Morrison 7:30 H.............. Fulton (H.S.) 7:30 A ............. Port Byron (Riverdale) 7:30 H ............ Erie [E.-Prophetstown Coop] 2:00 H ............ Sherrard 7:00 H ............ Amboy [A.-LaMoille Coop]

Listen to Cathy Verhulst Sports Weekdays

Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s To A Great Season!