2014 Iroquois County Fall Sports

Page 1

Iroquois County’s Fall Sports

August, 2014

2014 Iroquois County Fall Sports Preview

CONTENTS

A special supplement to the Iroquois County’s Times-Republic, August 2014

CROSS COUNTRY Central 2 PBL 2

Iroquois West St. Anne Watseka

8 9 9

FOOTBALL Central Iroquois West Milford PBL Watseka

3 3 4 4 5

TENNIS Watseka

10

GOLF Watseka Milford Donovan Iroquois West Cissna Park

5 6 6 7 7

VOLLEYBALL Christ Lutheran Central Cissna Park Donovan Iroquois West Milford PBL St. Anne Watseka

10 11 11 12 12 13 13 14 14

SOCCER Central

8

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Iroquois County’s Fall Sports

August, 2014

Central cross country

P

THE BASICS SCHEDULE Aug. 26 - St. Thomas More; Aug. 30 - Saber Corn Classic at St. Thomas More; Sept. 2 - Prairie Central; Sept. 3 - Bishop Mac; Sept.

16 - GSW Panther Invite; Sept. 23 - Hoopeston; Sept.

27 - Herscher County Invite at Limestone Park; Oct. 4 TWIN VALLEY CONFERENCE MEET; Oct. 6 - South Newton; Oct. 9 - All-Area at Kankakee Community College; Oct. 16 - PBL (road); Oct. 20 - ST. ANNE

Central’s cross country team. Team members are, from back row, left to right, Logan Cailteux, Jace Peters, Jacob Kaericher, Dylan Rieken; front row, left to right, Zoe Forquer, Katie Kleinert, Andrea Pace, Lauren Ladehoff and Joshua Cooper.

HOME GAMES IN ALL CAPS ROSTER Zoe Forquer, Katie Kleinert, Andrea Pace, Lauren Ladehoff, Joshua Cooper, Logan Cailteux, Jace Peters, Jacob Kaericher, Dylan Rieken

Photo by James Neveau

Low numbers has Comets seeking steady improvement

By JAMES NEVEAU For the Times-Republic

While sports like football and volleyball get the lion’s share of headlines and attention during the fall high school sports season, crosscountry teams have to put in just as much work and toil in the hot conditions of summer just as much as any other team.

The Central Comets are no exception to that rule, and even though the team has only just started meeting for full-on practices, they’ve put in a lot of work over the summer months.

“They’ve had a lot of offseason work on their own, so we haven’t tested much out yet,” head coach Dave Ladehoff said. “In the sumPBL’s cross country team. Team members are, from back row, left to right, Gavin Ogbern, Matt Harper, Lester Sander, Corbin Riecks, Nick Porter, Dalton Cowan; middle row, left to right, Austin Sanders, Aaron Santefort, Kody Harrison, Brendan Van Antwerp, Christian Rattcliff, Levi Garrett, Josh Brocatto; front row, left to right, Saul Vega, Makenzie Schroeder, Brittany Jarboe, Audrey Bloomquist and Brady Barfield.Not pictured is Kirk Vesely.

mer race we had around the Fourth of July, the boys had a second place finish, a fourth place finish, and a seventh place finish, which is alright but shows how tough it’s going to be to get through the early part of the season.”

The recent run of warm temperatures in the reason hasn’t slowed down the team’s practice schedule, but it certainly has been a wake-up call to any members of the team that thought that the relatively-cool summer pattern would hold.

“We went out Monday for a hot day run, and we were out there for 40 minutes. It felt like an hour and a half,” Ladehoff said. “If we can get out there for a good 40 minutes often

enough, we should be able to get a good 20 minute race out of everybody.”

Despite the hot conditions, Ladehoff still goes out with his team on a regular basis when they run, and his motivation for doing so is not only to encourage the team, but also for very practical reasons.

“I usually am out there running with the girls, so it gives me a good indication of how the climate is wearing on us as the run goes on,” he said. “We’ve been pretty consistent and getting consistently better over the last few years, so we’re getting more familiar with the style that we want to run in my system with the team.”

With a limited squad of runners this season, the Comets are going to need strong efforts from as many of their athletes as possible, and among the boys in the program, Ladehoff is looking at several to make a step forward to help the team succeed.

“We’ve got four returning seniors, so they need to take a major leadership role,” he said. “Jace Peters is way out front for us, and Logan Cailteux is nipping at his heels for the first spot with the boys.”

PAXTON-BUCKLEY-LODA CROSS COUNTRY THE BASICS SCHEDULE Aug. 27 - PRESEAON RUN; Sept. 2 - Prairie Central, Sept. 6 - Chrisman; Sept.

9 - Tri-Valley; Sept. 13 - PBL INVITE; Sept. 16 - Urbana; Sept .18 - Bismarck-Henning; Sept. 20 - Tuscola; Sept.

27 - St. Joseph-Ogden; Oct. 2 - Monticello; Oct. 4 - Twin Valley Conference Meet at Clifton; Oct. 7 - Normal; Oct. 14 - Heyworth; Oct. 16 - TRI MEET; Oct. 18 - Peoria Heights HOME GAMES IN ALL CAPS ROSTER Gavin Ogbern, Matt Harper, Lester Sander, Corbin Riecks, Nick Porter, Dalton Cowan, Austin Sanders, Aaron Santefort, Kody Harrison, Brendan Van Antwerp, Christian Ratcliff, Levi Garrett, Josh Brocato, Saul Vega, Makenzie Schroeder, Brittany Jarboe, Audrey Bloomquist, Brady Barfield, Kirk Vesely

Photo by Jordan Pottorff

State-ranked Panthers enter season with lofty goals

By JORDAN POTTORFF, Reporter Sports@intranix.com

Paxton-Buckley-Loda’s cross country team enters the 2014 season state ranked with expectations that back their preseason ranking.

“We have seen some of those polls and we think that we may have been a little underestimated,” PBL head coach Becky Kasten said. “We hope that’s the case. We have things to prove to ourselves and other people, but we think we have a good shot to do some really good things this year.”

PBL’s worth as a state-ranked cross country team is largely based on the crop of returning runners the Panthers will bring back this fall. Kasten said she boasts a strong junior class on both the boys and girls side and receives great leadership from Dalton Cowen as the boys’ only senior.

“We have very good returning runners,” Kasten said. “We have a couple really good young runners, too. We have some individuals on our girls’ side, especially Audrey Bloomquist, who have very high aspirations. Audrey was saying earlier that she would like to make it to state and we would love to see her make it there. We will see how she does, but she for sure has her sights set high and we are working toward that goal.”

Along with Bloomquist’s goal of qualifying for state, the aforementioned junior runners include Nick Porter, Josh Brocato, Corbin Riecks, and Lester Sander. Both Porter and Brocato turned in top 50 finishes at last year’s Decatur Sectional, with Porter finishing in 16 th place and Brocato taking home a 46 th place finish.

“Our junior class is really strong,” Kasten said.

“We have Nick Porter, Lester Sander, Corbin Riecks and Josh Brocato. All of them are really strong runners and I feel like the junior class is leading the way for us this season.”

Paired with the upperclassmen in place to guide the Panthers through a promising 2014 season, Kasten was complimentary of her team’s performance throughout the summer in spite of the increased workload.

“We had really strong attendance this summer,” she said. “We really bumped up the level of practice. We asked our kids to be doing some two-adays and have really focused on bucking up our endurance. A lot of our runners have really good miles under their belt and that is something we haven’t really had in the past. I think that will lead to a lot of benefits.”

Once the season gets underway, Kasten said the team would have the opportunity to ease into

things as PBL will host a parloff before traveling to Prairie Central and Chrisman for the first two runs of the season in early September.

Kasten said she hopes the early season workload and the work the runners put in throughout the offseason will translate to success late in the season.

“A lot of these kids, we have seen how they have done since they were in junior high,” Kasten said.

“We have seen them come up through the ranks and in high school with track and cross country.

We have a good idea where they are at as runners and we will increase things as the season progresses. This year we are asking more from them and we will see how that pans out. I think we have a lot of untapped potential, and we are hoping by asking more and building up through the season that we peak at the right time and hopefully that’s at state.”

PBL will open its season with its preseason run on Aug. 27 in Paxton.

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Page 3

Iroquois County’s Fall Sports

August, 2014

CENTRAL FOOTBALL

THE BASICS SCHEDULE Aug. 29 - Prairie Central; Sept. 5 - ST. JOSEPHOGDEN; Sept. 12 - MONTICELLO; Sept. 20 - OAKLAND; Sept. 26 - Dwight; Oct. 3 PBL; Oct. 10 - Iroquois West; Oct. 17 - WATSEKA; Oct. 24 - Momence HOME GAMES IN ALL CAPS ROSTER Brock Cailteux, Blake Willis, Kyle Grice, Trey Dowdy, Chris Garcia, Brandon Schoon, Wyatt Covi, Ben Schafer, Becca Woods, Luke Vaughn, Jeremiah Rasmussen, Nick Frey, Curtis Baikema, Nathan Schoon, Zack Birge, Hudson Long, Ben Toberman, Tommy Wellborn, Zack Kennell, Victor Harling, Adam Schoon, Ashton Roach, Dustin Sweet, Jacqueson Harris

Photo by James Neveau Central’s varsity football team. Team members are, from back row, left to right, Curtis Baikema, Nathan Schoon, Zack Birge, Hudson Long, Ben Toberman, Tommy Wellborn, Zack Kennell, Victor Harling, Adam Schoon, Ashton Roach, Dustin Sweet, Jacqueson Harris; front row, left to right, Brock Cailteux, Blake Willis, Kyle Grice, Trey Dowdy, Chris Garcia, Brandon Schoon, Wyatt Covi, Ben Schafer, Becca Woods, Luke Vaughn, Jeremiah Rasmussen and Nick Frey.

Comets enter season eyeing playoff berth

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By JAMES NEVEAU For the Times-Republic

The Central Comets romped to a 9-0 record in the 2013 season, but after a shocking playoff loss to the Momence Redskins, they were forced to deal with some new realities as they prepared for the 2014 campaign.

With the loss of several key players, including JR Caspary and Noah Frerichs, the team is trying to mold themselves into a runfirst offense, and head coach Brian Spooner has liked the way his team has adapted to the new challenges as they’ve practiced under the hot summer sun.

“I really like what I’ve seen so far,” he said.

“The kids have really dedicated themselves to buying into what we’re doing, and the attitude has been fantastic, so I hope that keeps up. I believe if it does, I see some good things happening for us.”

The pass-first offense of last season is a thing of the past, and despite the change in personnel and the strategic changes that the club has been forced to make, Spooner knows that his team can’t afford to feel sorry

for themselves.

“We aren’t the same team as we were last year, so we want to make sure we utilize our full potential on both sides of the ball,” he said. “We need to make sure we aren’t satisfied with where we are and to work hard to get to that next level. It’s not like anyone has new roles, but the philosophy has changed a little bit. We do this every year, and I feel we’ve been successful in doing that. We try to cater to our kids’ strengths so it translates to success on the field.”

One of the biggest changes is going to come at the quarterback position, where Caspary’s graduation has opened up a starting spot. Despite dealing with some shoulder issues that began during baseball season, Chris Garcia is still tabbed to be the starting quarterback, but Spooner also likes that his team has a couple of insurance policies if the senior’s arm issues become a concern.

“I think Chris is going to be our quarterback,” he said. “His shoulder feels better, and he’s looked pretty good. Even if he can’t play, I think we’d be fine with Brandon Schoon and Jacqueson Harris there. We were just try-

ing to let Chris heal up and be ready for the season, and we’re really thinking that even if he had to move we’d be confident that the other two guys can handle the offense.”

To help Garcia out in the backfield, the Comets will execute a run game with one of their key returning players, as Ben Toberman will get the majority of the carries. Even with that kind of workhorse, there is another player that Spooner hopes will lighten the load a bit and give the team a different look in the run game.

“I’ve been really impressed with Zack Birge in dog days,” he said. “He’s a fast kid and he’s very strong. He likes to use his physicality, so he’s going to get some carries.

If he continues to grow in the offense and learn the ins and outs, you could see him taking on a bigger role.”

On the defensive side of things, the Comets have several returning starters that are going to play a big role. Brandon Schoon is a mainstay at the cornerback spot, and Spooner cited him as one of the team’s most vocal leaders. Toberman and Garcia will also help out on that side of the ball, and Spooner

also pointed out Zack Kennell as a player to watch on the defensive line thanks to an aggressive workout program in the offseason.

Despite the disappointment of losing in the first round of the IHSA playoffs last season, Spooner knows that expectations are going to be high for his football team, and that pressure is something that he knows his team will have to prove capable of handling if they’re going to succeed in 2014.

“Our expectations are always really high, especially when we have a group like this coming back,” he said. “Our first three games are pretty tough, and they can go either way depending on how we respond to adversity. That’s going to determine a lot of how our season is going to go, because those three teams are going to expose our weaknesses, and as coaches we’re going to have to be able to adjust where players are. As players, it’s going to show them what they’re made of as well.”

IROQUOIS WEST FOOTBALL THE BASICS SCHEDULE Aug. 29 - Eureka; Sept.

5 - MILFORD; Sept. 12 - PBL (road); Sept. 19 - TREMONT; Sept. 26 - Westville; Oct. 3 - MOMENCE; Oct. 10 CENTRAL; Oct. 17 - DWIGHT; Oct. 24 - Watseka HOME GAMES IN ALL CAPS

Photo by Jordan Pottorff Iroquois West’s varsity football team. Team members are, from back row, left to right, Brandon Armstrong, Moises Galvan, Markese Gaytan, Angel Lopez, Corey Schunke, Alex Renehan, Austin Miller, Noah Price, Jake Clark, Kristian Sanchez, Mike Weaver, Dalton Reed, Riley Miller; middle row, left to right, Alex Frank, Brandon Maisonnueve, Sam Andrade, Max Price, Jacob Davis, Tyler Barnett, James Pangle, Jonah Carney, Colton Coffey, Braden Adams; front row, left to right, Malcolm McGee, Will Clark, Clayton Thorne, Anthony Bedwell, Lucas Martinez, Jacob Conner, Jeff McCurry, Ty Mueller and Dakota Hoffman.

ROSTER Malcolm McGee, Will Clark, Clayton Thorne, Anthony Bedwell, Lucas Martinez, Jacob Conner, Jeff McCurry, Ty Mueller, Dakota Hoffman, Alex Frank, Brandon Maisonnueve, Sam Andrade, Max Price, Jacob Davis, Tyler Barnett, James Pangle, Jonah Carney, Colton Coffey, Braden Adams, Brandon Armstrong, Moises Galvan, Markese Gaytan, Angel Lopez, Corey Schunke, Alex Renehan, Austin Miller, Noah Price, Jake Clark, Kristian Sanchez, Mike Weaver, Dalton Reed, Riley Miller

Raiders look to improve in Wasilewski’s second year

By JORDAN POTTORFF, Reporter Sports@intranix.com

In the weeks leading up to the season opener against Eureka, Iroquois West’s football team is aiming to right the ship after a 2-7 season in 2013.

Head coach Matt Wasilewski – now in his second year at the helm of the program – is focused on instilling toughness, aggressiveness, and leadership that will lead to a winning culture throughout the program.

“What we are looking for now is leadership,” Wasilewski said. “That will be the key. A big thing is do we have the aggressiveness we need. That’s the theme right now. We are looking to find guys who want to play with a sense of urgency, aggression, and in the best way possible, play violently.

We are looking for a clean, violent player that whenever he is on the football field he will leave a mark and let everyone

know he is out there.”

On top of developing a sense of toughness, Wasilewski and his staff said the remaining days of practice would be used to determine where players fit best in their system.

Wasilewski said he has a number of players that are near the same height and weight that play the same position, and that the biggest focus in the remainder of camp will be determining what position players will stick at following a season where impact players Austin Zirkle, TJ Foulks, Jake Carney and Bubba Miller all left the program through graduation.

Along with a solid crop of returning players that saw time on the gridiron last season, the Raiders will also be boosted by the return of Jacob Davis. Davis was in line to start under center for Iroquois West last season before suffering a seasonending injury that robbed him of his junior season.

Now healthy, Wasilewski is expecting big things from his

G O T E A M

senior quarterback.

In addition to increased depth and an experienced quarterback leading the team’s offense, Wasilewski also has a sense of comfort in his second year at Iroquois West. “(Our system) really started in the offseason in the weight room,” he said. “Coach Barkley and I sat down and looked at what we wanted to get done in the weight room. That’s where football season really starts. Kids playing in other sports were making their way to the weight room, and we really started to implement what we thought is our true system. It’s not so much X’s and O’s, it’s attitude and looking to improve every single day.”

Iroquois West will open its season on the road at 7 p.m.

Friday against Eureka.

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Page 15 14

Iroquois County’s Fall Sports

August, 2014

St. Anne volleyball

THE BASICS SCHEDULE Sept. 2 - IW (road); Sept.

4 - Milford; Sept. 8 - CISSNA PARK; Sept. 11 - Beecher; Sept.

13 - Lady Irish Invite; Sept.

15 - NORTH NEWTON; Sept.

16 - Donovan; - Sept. 18 - GSW (home); Sept. 23 - Tri-Point; Sept. 25 - GRANT PARK; - Sept.

30 - Illinois Lutheran; Oct. 2 - Grace Christian; Oct. 6 - WATSEKA; Oct. 7 - Beecher; Oct. 9 - DONOVAN; Oct. 14 - GSW (road); Oct. 16 - TRI-POINT; Oct. 18 - Beecher Invite; Oct. 21 - Grant Park; Oct. 23 - Illinois Lutheran

St. Anne’s varsity volleyball team. Team members are, from back row, left to right, Megan Moranz, Holly Lease, Jamie Greene, Amber Chase, Glenish Thomas; front row, left to right, Jasmine Klonowski, Rylee Thorson, Marina Pena and Alondra Cozart.

HOME GAMES IN ALL CAPS ROSTER Megan Moranz, Holly Lease, Jamie Greene, Amber Chase, Glenish Thomas, Jasmine Klonowski, Rylee Thorson, Marina Pena, Alondra Cozart.

St. Anne lacking experience, looking to build continuity

By JORDAN POTTORFF, Reporter Sports@intranix.com

After losing several key players to graduation and returning a roster with little experience at the varsity level St. Anne volleyball coach Zach Kirkland knows his team will have to earn everything the Cardinals receive this fall.

Although the Cardinals core crop of players over the last few seasons are no longer donning the red and yellow, Kirkland returns four players that contributed at the varsity level last year and has spent the last several weeks preparing for the season by building continuity amongst his team.

“Focus is basically building some team cohesion,” Kirkland said. “We have a lot of young kids who haven’t played together before. I only have four returning players that played at the varsity level. Three of them

were sophomores last year that had limited playing time. This year they will be asked to have larger roles, so the focus is making sure they understand their roles and know where to be on the court.”

In connection with building cohesion, St. Anne participated in the Kankakee Community College Summer League and exhausted all the contact days provided by the IHSA. Kirkland said the in-house training was beneficial but is still looking for one girl to step up and be the leader of the team.

“A lot of the girls are quiet,” he said. “I have one senior and she’s pretty quiet. She will be my setter this year, and I’m trying to get her to be the vocal leader for the team.”

“My other three juniors are very timid,” Kirkland added. “Someone will have to develop that, and right now I’m just leaning on everybody to build each other up. That

includes every player talking to each other after a good play or a bad play. I’m just hoping somebody steps up in a positive way for us.”

On the court, St. Anne played stiff competition at KCC and showed signs of growth over the course of the summer.

“We did the KCC Summer League because practice doesn’t equal game-like experience,” Kirkland said. “I want them to be able to play against someone and develop that experience. It worked well over the summer, and even though they are young, they came in with a higher volleyball IQ and knowledge than my last few teams have had. That’s a positive and it was good to have some time to work together and almost have a preseason tournament to get used to playing with one another.”

When the season begins for St. Anne on

Watseka volleyball

Sept. 2, Kirkland doesn’t see his team regressing despite the youth and inexperience up and down the team’s roster but made sure to add that a quick start is a must for a successful season.

“I don’t expect a huge drop off,” he said.

“I know our conference won’t be absolutely amazing because I know some teams are young. It will just be a matter of coming out in these first few weeks and playing hard.

That will decide how our season goes. In the last couple years we have had a couple opening week losses that shaped our season.

If we win these first couple matches we should be able to compete with most the teams in the conference. We just have to mature as the season goes on, but if we don’t do that it will be a very, very long season.”

Watseka’s varsity volleyball team. Team members are, from back row, left to right, assistant coach Emily Kingdon, McKensie Hagen, Taylor Bauer, Lexi Shoemaker, Emily Allhands, Katie Kidwell, head coach Krista Pufahl; middle row, left to right, Kara Dexter, Bailee Arseneau, Jenna Ripley, Tessah Downs; front row, left to right, Katie McTaggart, Maddie Pfingsten, Natalie Castonguay, Madison Bauer, Kira Lange.

THE BASICS SCHEDULE Aug. 25-30 - Timberwolf TipOff; Sept. 2 - Beecher; Sept. 4 Cissna Park; Sept. 6 - Manteno Classic; Sept. 9 - Hoopeston; Sept. 11 - MOMENCE; Sept.

13 - GCMS (home); Sept. 15 Milford; Sept. 18 - St. Thomas More; Sept. 22 - FISHER; Sept. 25 - IW (home); Sept. 27 - WATSEKA INVITE; Sept. 29 Donovan; Oct. 2 - Dwight; Oct. 6 - St. Anne; Oct. 9 - PBL (road); Oct. 16 - CENTRAL HOME GAMES IN ALL CAPS ROSTER McKensie Hagen, Taylor Bauer, Lexi Shoemaker, Emily Allhands, Katie Kidwell, Kara Dexter, Dailee Areseneau, Jenna Ripley, Tessah Downs, Katie McTaggart, Maddie Pfingsten, Natalie Castonguay, Madison Bauer, Kira Lange

Warriors poised for promising season in 2014

By JORDAN POTTORFF, Reporter Sports@intranix.com

Three consecutive 32-4 seasons for Watseka’s volleyball team has expectations high as ever.

With seven seniors returning to the hardwood and each of them having varsity experience for the better part of three years, head coach Krista Pufahl is confident her team can achieve the success that has become common for the Warriors on the volleyball court.

The veteran bunch of players includes Taylor Bauer, Lexi Shoemaker, Emily Allhands and Natalie Castonguay, among others. Bauer is the team’s top returning hitter, and Shoemaker and Allhands proved to be strong compliments to Bauer over the course of the 2013 season.

Castonguay also proved to be a key factor in Watseka’s successes last season, falling just six digs away from setting the program record for digs in a season.

“We have seven seniors and of those seniors, Bauer, Castonguay, Shoemaker and Allhands all started as sophomores,” Pufahl said. “They all have a lot of experience, and we have a really strong group coming back

and are confident at what we can do this year.”

To prepare for the promising 2014 season, Watseka participated in a number of tournaments against large schools that the Warriors rarely see on the court.

Pufahl said the team traveled to Williamsville, BradleyBourbonnais, Cissna Park and Parkland College over the course of the summer and turned in a record well above .500 in approximately 25 games.

“I think we were more successful in the summer this year than we have been in the past,” Pufahl said. “In the past, we have struggled in the summer and didn’t look the best but I thought we really looked good in our first tournament over at Williamsville playing against schools we don’t really see much of.”

Now that the team has begun practicing for the 2014 season, the Warriors are gearing up for the Timberwolf Tip-Off and the grind of the regular season.

“Right now we are breaking it down to skills and going pretty basic,” Pufahl said. “We are making sure we have our defense down and our serves down because that will fuel our offense. We have started from the bottom and worked our way to 6-on-6 drills.”

GOOD LUCK TEAMS

Another element to Watseka’s team in 2014 will be the emergence of sophomore Katie Kidwell. Pufahl said Kidwell has come on for the Warriors in the middle and will be a key piece amongst the Warriors’ veteran core.

“Katie has played really well for us all summer,” Pufahl said. “She has played middle for us all summer and has done a phenomenal job blocking. She fits in with that and is a nice piece for us. She has really nice timing on her block and we put up a pretty big front row with her in the mix.”

As far as the team’s expectations this fall, Pufahl is eyeing repeat success that extends a few more games than in years past.

“I have real high expectations for this group in general with all the experience and success they have had over the last three or four years playing for the varsity,” she said. “I’d like to get another 30-win season and be at the top of the conference. It’s a goal to win every tournament we play in and get to 30 wins. Hopefully we can win one or two more than we did last year and finally make it to state. It’s high expectations, but I would say they are doable.”

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Page 15

Aug. 25 Boys golf–IW at Blue Ridge, 4 p.m.; Watseka at Grant Park, 4 p.m.

Girls golf– IW at Blue Ridge, 4 p.m.; Watseka at Grant Park, 4 p.m.

Volleyball - Timberwolf Tip-Off Soccer - St. Anne at Crete-Monee, 4:05 p.m.; Watseka at Salt Fork, 4:30 p.m.

Aug. 26 Boys golf - Cissna Park and Donovan at South Shore, 4:15 p.m.; Watseka at Westville, 4:15 p.m.

Volleyball - Timberwolf Tip-Off; Soccer - Watseka at Oakwood, 4:30 p.m.; Central vs. Manteno, 4:30 p.m.; IW vs. Reed Custer, 5 p.m.

Cross Country - Central at St. Thomas More, 4:30 p.m.

Aug. 27 Boys golf - Donovan vs.

Manteno, 4:30 p.m.

Volleyball - Timberwolf Tip-Off Soccer - St. Anne vs.

Rich East, 4:05 p.m.; Cross Country - PBL preseason run, 4:30 p.m.

Aug. 28 Boys golf– Iroquois West vs. Donovan and Milford, 4 p.m.

Volleyball - Timberwolf Tip-Off Soccer - St. Anne at Rich South, 5:30 p.m.; Watseka vs. Bismarck-Henning, 4:30 p.m.; Central at Hoopeston; 4:30 p.m.; IW vs. Blue Ridge, 6 p.m.

Aug. 29 Volleyball - Timberwolf Tip-Off Football - Watseka at Salt Fork, 7 p.m.; PBL at St. Joe-Ogden, 7 p.m.; Central at Prairie Central, 7 p.m.; Iroquois West at Eureka, 7 p.m.

Aug. 30 Volleyball - Timberwolf Tip-Off Soccer - St. Anne at Rich Central, 11 a.m.; Central at Kankakee Trinity, 10 a.m.

Sept. 2 Boys golf - IW at Hoopeston, 4 p.m.; Donovan at Milford, Watseka at Dwight, 4:15 p.m.; Cissna Park at Bismarck-Henning, 4 p.m.; Girls golf - Milford vs.

Donovan, 4:15 p.m.; IW vs Hoopeston, 4 p.m.; Volleyball - Donovan at North Newton, 7:30 p.m.; PBL vs GCMS, 7:30 p.m.; St. Anne at Iroquois West, 7:30 p.m.; Watseka at Beecher, 7 p.m.; Central at Peotone, 7 p.m.

Soccer - Watseka at Illinois Lutheran, 4:30 p.m.; Central vs. Beecher, 4:30 p.m.; IW vs Grant Park, 4 p.m.

Cross Country - PBL and Central at Prairie Central, 4:30 p.m.

Tennis - Watseka vs. Rich South, 4:15 p.m.

Sept. 3 Cross Country– Clifton at Bishop Mac, 4 p.m.

Boys golf– IW at Momence, 4:30 p.m; Watseka vs Kankakee, 4:15 p.m.

Girls golf - Watseka vs.

Kankakee, 4:15 p.m.

Sept. 4 Soccer - Watseka vs.

IW, 4:30 p.m.; St. Anne at Beecher, 4:30 p.m.; Central at Grant Park, 4:30 p.m.

Volleyball - IW at Momence, 7 p.m.; Donovan vs GSW, 7:30 p.m.; PBL vs Central, 7:30 p.m.; St. Anne at Milford (Sheldon), 7 p.m.; Watseka at Cissna Park, 7 p.m.

Tennis - Watseka vs.

GCMS, 4:15 p.m.

Sept. 5 Boys golf - Iroquois West, Milford, Cissna Park, Watseka at Shagbark, 4 p.m.; Football - Milford at Iroquois West, 7 p.m.; Watseka vs Tri-Valley, 7 p.m.; PBL vs B-H, 7 p.m.; Central vs. St. Joseph-Ogden, 7 p.m.

Iroquois County’s Fall Sports

August, 2014

2014 Iroquois County fall sports schedule

Watseka’s McKensie Hagen blocks an attempted kill by Milford’s Elizabeth Duis in a match played last season.

Soccer - St. Anne vs. Illinois Lutheran, 4:30 p.m.; Sept. 6 Volleyball - Donovan at Blue Ridge Invite, TBD; Watseka and Central at Manteno Early Bird, 8 a.m.

Cross Country - PBL at Chrisman, 9 a.m.

Sept. 8 Boys golf - IW at Beecher, 4:15 p.m.; Donovan at Grant Park, 4:15 p.m.; Watseka at Kankakee, 4:15 p.m.

Girls golf - IW at Beecher, 4:15 p.m.

Soccer - St. Anne at Wilmington, 4:30 p.m.; Central vs. Rantoul, 4:30 p.m.

Volleyball - PBL at Oakwood, 6 p.m.; Cissna Park at St. Anne, 7 p.m.; Central vs Beecher, 7 p.m.

Sept. 9 Boys golf– Donovan vs.

Watseka, 4:15 p.m.; Girls golf - Watseka vs Prairie Central, Bishop Mac and Milford, 4:15 p.m.

Soccer - IW vs. St. Anne, 6 p.m.; Watseka vs. Grant Park, 4:30 p.m.

Volleyball - Milford vs. Oakwood, 7 p.m.; IW vs. Grace Baptist, 7 p.m.; Donovan vs. Grant Park, 7 p.m.; PBL vs. STM, 7 p.m.; Watseka at Hoopeston, 7 p.m.; Cross Country - PBL at Tri-Valley, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 10 Boys golf - Donovan vs.

Iroquois West/Milford, 4 p.m.; Girls golf - IW at Milford, 4:15 p.m.

Sept. 11 Boys golf– IW at Fisher, 4 p.m.; Girls golf- IW at Fisher, 4 p.m.; Watseka at Grant Park/Beecher, 4:15 p.m.

Soccer - IW at Beecher, 4:30 p.m.; St. Anne vs. Central, 4:30 p.m.

Volleyball - Donovan at Tri-Point, 7 p.m.; PBL at Cissna Park, 7 p.m.; St. Anne at Beecher, 7 p.m.; Watseka vs. Momence, 7 p.m.; Central vs. Dwight, 7 p.m.; Milford vs. A-P, 7 p.m.

Tennis - Watseka at Urbana, 4 p.m.

Sept. 12 Boys golf - Donovan at RVC Scramble, 4 p.m.; Watseka vs. Cissna Park Soccer - Watseka at Cornjerker Classic, TBA; Football - IW at PBL, 7 p.m.; Watseka at Dwight, 7 p.m.; Milford at Salt Fork, 7 p.m.; Central vs. Monticello, 7 p.m.

Sept. 13 Soccer - Watseka at

Cornjerker Classic, TBA; Volleyball - Milford at Attica Round Robin, TBA; St. Anne at Lady Irish Invite, 9 a.m.; Watseka vs. GCMS, 11 a.m.; Cross Country - PBL Invite, 9 a.m.

Tennis - Watseka at JCA Invite (Joliet) - 8 a.m.

Sept. 15 Boys golf - Cissna Park at GCMS/Fisher, 4 p.m.; Milford at Hoopeston, 4 p.m.; IW at Grant Park, 4 p.m.; Watseka vs. Prairie Central, 4:15 p.m.; Donovan at Hoopeston, 4 p.m.; Girls golf - IW at Grant Park, 4:15 p.m.; Milford at Hoopeston, 4 p.m.

Soccer - IW at Kankakee Trinity, 4:30 p.m.; St. Anne vs. Grace Christian, 4:30 p.m.; Watsekea vs. Kankakee, 4:15 p.m.

Volleyball - IW vs.

GCMS, 7 p.m.; Donovan vs. South Newton, 7 p.m.; PBL vs Tuscola, 7 p.m.; St. Anne vs. North Newton, 6:30 p.m.; Watseka at Milford (Sheldon), 7 p.m.; Central vs. Herscher, 7 p.m.; Tennis - Watseka vs.

Rantoul, 4:15 p.m.

Sept. 16 Boys golf - Cissna Park vs. Milford, 4 p.m.; Soccer - IW vs. Grace Baptist, 6 p.m.; St. Anne at Watseka, 4:30 p.m.; Central at Illinois Lutheran, 4:30 p.m.

Volleyball - Donovan vs.

St. Anne, 7 p.m.; PBL vs.

St. Joseph-Ogden, 7 p.m.; Milford vs. GTRF, 7 p.m.

Cross Country - PBL at Urbana, 4:30 p.m.; Central at GSW Invite, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 17 Boys golf– IW vs. GCMS, 4 p.m.; Watseka at Momence, 4:15 p.m.; Girls golf - IW vs.

GCMS, 4 p.m.

Tennis - Watseka vs.

Kankakee, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 18 Boys golf - Cissna Park at Fisher, 4 p.m.; IW vs Momence, Girls golf - IW at STM, 4:30 p.m.

Soccer - IW vs. IL Lutheran, 6 p.m.; St. Anne vs. Grant Park, 4:30 p.m.; Watseka at Central, 4:30 p.m.; Volleyball - Milford at B-H, 7 p.m.; IW vs. Dwight, 7 p.m.; PBL vs. Momence, 7 p.m.; St. Anne vs. GSW, 6:45 p.m.; Watseka at STM, 7 p.m.; Central vs. Cissna Park, 7 p.m.; Donovan at Beecher, 7 p.m.

Cross Country - PBL at B-H, 4:15 p.m.;

Sept. 19 Boys golf - Donovan at RVC Tournament, 3 p.m.; Football - Milford vs.

Westville, 7 p.m.; IW vs.

Tremont, 7 p.m.; Watseka vs. PBL (Homecoming), 7 p.m.; Sept. 20 Soccer – St. Anne at Reed Custer, 11 a.m.

Volleyball - Milford/IW/ PBL at PBL Classic, 10 a.m.

Football - Central vs.

Oakland, 7 p.m.

Sept. 22 Boys golf - Cissna Park at Indiana Creek, 4:15 p.m.; IW/Donovan/Milford at Shagbark, 4 p.m.; Girls golf - Milford at IW, 4 p.m.

Soccer - IW vs. Fisher, 6 p.m.; Central vs. Peotone, 4:30 p.m.

Volleyball - PBL at A-P, 7 p.m.; Watseka vs. Fisher, 7 p.m.; Central vs. GCMS, 7 p.m.

Tennis - Watseka at Bishop Mac, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 23 Boys golf - Milford vs.

Donovan, 4 p.m.; IW vs Fisher, 4 p.m.; Watseka vs.

STM, 4:30 p.m.

Girls golf - IW vs. Fisher, 4 p.m.; Watseka vs. STM, 4:30 p.m.

Soccer - IW at Central, 4:30 p.m.; St. Anne at Rich Central, 4:30 p.m.; Watseka vs. SJO, 4:30 p.m.

Volleyball - Milford vs.

Schlarman, 7 p.m.; IW vs.

PBL, 7 p.m.; St. Anne at TriPoint, 6:45 p.m.; Cross Country - Central at Hoopeston, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 24 Boys golf - Donovan at Watseka, 4:15 p.m.; IW at Railside CC, 4:15 p.m.

Girls golf - Watseka vs Grant Park, 4:15 p.m.; IW at Railside CC, 4:15 p.m.

Sept. 25 Boys golf– Cissna Park at Hubbard Trail, 4 p.m.

Girls golf - IW at Prairie Central, 4 p.m.

Soccer - Watseka at Blue Ridge, 4:30 p.m.; Central at Coal City, 4:30 p.m.

Volleyball - IW vs.

Watseka, 7 p.m.; Donovan vs. IL Lutheran, 7 p.m.; St. Anne vs. Grant Park, 6:45 p.m.; Central at Momence, 7 p.m.; Milford vs.

Hoopeston, 7 p.m.

Sept. 26 Golf - Watseka Invite, 3:30 p.m.

Soccer - St. Anne vs.

Kankakee Trinity, 4:30 p.m.

Football - Central at Dwight, 7 p.m.; Milford vs. GTRF, 7 p.m.; IW at Westville, 7 p.m.; Watseka vs. Momence, 7 p.m.; PBL

vs. GCMS (Homecoming) 7 p.m.

Sept. 27 Soccer - IW vs. Schlarman, 11 a.m.; St. Anne vs.

B-H, 11 a.m.; Watseka vs.

Fisher, 10 a.m.; Central vs.

Kankakee Trinity, 10 a.m.

Volleyball - Watseka Invite, 8 a.m.; Central at Reed Custer Classic, 9 a.m.

Cross Country - Central at Herscher Invite, 10 a.m.; PBL at SJO, 9 a.m.

Tennis - Watseka at Rantoul Quad, 9 a.m.

Sept. 29 Boys golf - Cissna Park/.

Watseka at Railside, 4 p.m.; Donovan/Milford at B-H, 3:30 p.m.; IW vs. Grant Park/Dwight, 4 p.m.; Girls golf - Watseka at Railside CC, 4 p.m.; Milford at B-H, 3:30 p.m.; IW vs.

Grant Park/Dwight, 4 p.m.

Soccer - Watseka vs.

GTRF, 4:30 p.m.

Volleyball - Milford at Cissna Park, 7 p.m.; IW at South Newton, 7 p.m.; Donovan vs. Watseka, 7 p.m.; PBL at Rantoul, 7 p.m.; Sept. 30 Boys golf - Twin Valley Conference at Shewami, 9 a.m.

Girls golf - Twin Valley Conference at Shewami, 9 a.m.

Soccer - Twin Valley Round Robin in Gilman, TBA; Volleyball - Donovan at GSW, 7 p.m.; Milford at Salt Fork, 7 p.m.; St. Anne vs. IL Lutheran 6:45 p.m.

Cross Country - PBL at Rantoul, 4:30 p.m.

Tennis - Watseka at Rantoul, 4:15 p.m.

Oct. 1 Boys golf - Iroquois County Tournament at Shewami, 2 p.m.

Girls golf - Iroquois County Tournament at Shewami, 2 p.m.

Soccer - TVC Round Robin in Gilma, TBA Volleyball - Donovan at Central, 7 p.m.; Oct. 2 Boys golf– Milford at VVC at Harrison Park, 9 a.m.; Cissna Park/IW at Lakeview CC, 4 p.m.; Soccer - TVC Round Robin in Gilman, TBA Volleyball - IW at Ridgeview, 7 p.m.; Donovan at Grant Park, 7 p.m.; St. Anne at Grace Christian, 6:45 p.m.; Watseka at Dwight, 7 p.m.; Central at Coal City, 6:45 p.m.

Cross Country - PBL at Monticello, 4:30 p.m.

Tennis - Watseka vs.

STM, 4:15 p.m.

Oct. 3 Boys golf - Donovan, Watseka at Grant Park Invite, 1 p.m.; Football - Milford vs Dwight (Homecoming), 7 p.m.; Watseka at LeRoy, 7 p.m.; Central vs. PBL, 7 p.m.

Oct. 4 Soccer - IW at Hoopeston, 10 a.m.

Volleyball - IW vs.

Hoopeston, 10 a.m.

Cross Country - Central and PBL at TVC Conferece in Clifton, 10 a.m.

Oct. 6 Soccer - Central vs.

Reed-Custer, 4:30 p.m.; Volleyball - Milford at South Newton, 6 p.m.; Donovan vs. Momence, 7 p.m.; PBL at Fisher, 7 p.m.; Watseka at St. Anne, 6:30 p.m.; Cross Country - Central at South Newton, 4:30 p.m.

Tennis - Watseka vs.

Danville, 4 p.m.

Oct. 7 Boys golf - Regionals begin Girls golf - Regionals begin Soccer - TVC Round Robin in Gilman, TBA; Volleyball - Milford at Chrisman, 7 p.m.; Donovan vs. Tri-Point, 7 p.m.; PBL at Tri-Valley, 7 p.m.; St. Anne vs. Beecher, 7 p.m.; Cross Country - PBL at Normal U-High, 4 p.m.

Tennis - Watseka at GCMS, 4:15 p.m.

Oct. 9 Soccer - Watseka at Beecher, 6 p.m.

Volleyball - Milford at A-P, 7 p.m.; IW at Central, 7 p.m.; Donovan at St. Anne, 7 p.m.; Watseka at PBL, 7 p.m.; Cross Country - Central at KCC, 4:30 p.m.

Tennis - Watseka at Pontiac, 4:15 p.m.

Oct. 10 Soccer - Regionals begin Football– Milford vs.

Oakwood, 7 p.m.; Watseka at Attica, IND., 7 p.m.; PBL at Dwight, 7 p.m.; Central at IW, 7 p.m.

Volleyball– Cissna Park at United Classic, 6:00 p.m.

Oct. 13 PBL at Schlarman, 7 p.m.

Oct. 14 Volleyball - Milford vs.

Westville, 7 p.m.; IW vs.

Tri-Point, 7 p.m.; Donovan vs. Beecher, 7 p.m.; St. Anne at GSW, 6:45 p.m.; Cross Country - PBL at Heyworth, 4:15 p.m.

Tennis - Watseka at Kankakee, 4:15 p.m.

Oct. 16 Volleyball - Milford vs.

B-H, 7 p.m.; PBL at Dwight, 7 p.m.; St. Anne vs. TriPoint, 6:45 p.m., Watseka vs. Central, 7:30 p.m.; IW vs. Cissna Park, 7 p.m.; Cross Country - Central at PBL; 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 17 Football - Milford at B-H, 7 p.m.; Watseka at Central, 7 p.m.; IW vs. Dwight, 7 p.m.; PBL vs. Momence, 7 p.m.

Oct. 18 Volleyball - St. Anne at Beecher Invite, 8 a.m.; IW at STM Invite, 9 a.m.

Cross Country - PBL at Peoria Heights, 1 p.m.

Oct. 20 Volleyball - SVC Tourney in PBL, TBA; Donovan at IL Lutheran, 7 p.m.; Cross Country - Central vs. St. Anne, 4:30 p.m. p.m.

Oct. 21 Volleyball - SVC Tourney in Paxton, TBA; St. Anne at Grant Park, 6:45 Oct. 23 Volleyball - SVC Tourney in Paxton, TBA; St. Anne at IL Lutheran, 6:45 pm.

Oct. 24 Football (RIVALRY WEEK) - Milford at Hoopeston, 7 p.m.; Central at Momence, 7 p.m.; PBL at St. Thomas More, 7 p.m.; Watseka vs. IW, 7 p.m.

Page 5 4

Iroquois County’s Fall Sports

August, 2014

MILFORD FOOTBALL

THE BASICS SCHEDULE Aug. 30 — Central A & M; Sep. 5 – IW, Sep. 12 – Salt Fork, Sep. 19 – Westville, Sep. 26 – GEORGETOWN RIDGE-FARM; Oct. 3 – DWIGHT; Oct. 10– ARMSTRONG-POTOMAC; Oct. 17 – Bismarck-Henning; Oct. 24 – Hoopeston HOME GAMES IN ALL CAPS ROSTER Ralph Taylor, Kaden Schroeder, Gunnar Gray, Cooper Egolf, Andrew Allen, Noah Anderson, Josh Bauer, Matt Birr, Shayne McNally, Andrew Mussard, Chaz Reetz, Corwin Allen, Jake Montgomery, Ben Jennings, Jacob Marquez, Jake Rogers, Joe Taylor, Jake Mitchell, Khylar Cann, Zach Tovey, Matt Laubscher, Devon Laubscher

Photos by Jordan Pottorff Milford’s varsity football team. Team members are, from back row, left to right, Ralph Taylor, Kaden Schroeder, Gunnar Gray, Cooper Egolf, Andrew Allen, Noah Anderson, Josh Bauer, Matt Birr; middle row, left to right, Shayne McNally, Andrew Mussard, Chaz Reetz, Corwin Allen, Jake Montgomery, Ben Jennings, Jacob Marquez, Jake Rogers; front row, left to right, Joe Taylor, Jake Mitchell, Khylar Cann, Zach Tovey, Matt Laubscher and Devon Laubscher.

Bearcats eyeing repeat trip to playoffs

By JORDAN POTTORFF, Reporter Sports@intranix.com

With Milford coming off a 5-4 regular season and a trip to the playoffs for the second consecutive year, head coach Clint Schwartz said high expectations surround Milford’s football team as they prepare for the upcoming season and the season opener against Central A&M on Aug 30.

The Bearcats return a host of players from the 2013 team that advanced to the first round of the IHSA Playoffs, and Schwartz said the expectations to repeat and surpass last year’s success starts with the players.

“There is a lot of expectations that the kids put on themselves for this season,” he said.

“We talked about how we made the playoffs the last two years and that our players have played there and seen what it takes to get there. It’s not just about settling for the first round. The playoffs aren’t exactly what we ultimately want, but we want to get there

before we can talk about anything else.”

Fueling Milford’s expectations to make a third straight trip to the postseason is a veteran group led by 10 seniors that started games in their junior campaigns. Schwartz said the Bearcats could potentially start nine seniors on the offensive side of the ball, with quarterback Jacob Marquez and running back Devon Laubscher leading the show.

“This summer we’ve gone two or three times a week,” Schwartz said about his team’s summer practices that began on July 1. “We went to a couple 7-on-7’s and played well. We have a really good group of seniors this year, and it’s really nice having that leadership out there on the field.”

Along with simulating game action in a pair of 7-on-7’s against Watseka and PaxtonBuckley-Loda, Schwartz has focused on the simple elements of the game over the course of the last month to ensure that his team is ready for the grind of the regular season.

“It’s been going back to the basics this summer with having so many returning starters,” Schwartz said. “We are just taking them back to some little details that we may have overlooked in the past.”

The amount of trust Schwartz and his coaching staff has given the players is a microcosm to what the overall message of camp has been: improve every day.

“The biggest focus the last month and for this season is winning the day,” Schwartz said. “We talk about getting better every day.

That’s kind of up to them as players and as coaches we strive to push them to it. It goes back to senior leadership. Our seniors are really great about getting on kids and teaching them. It’s about getting better on a daily basis and avoiding the injury bug.”

When the 2014 season begins, Milford will face a challenging schedule that has them opening the year with three straight road games before returning to Sam Fanning

Field for four games on the comfort of their home field.

The unbalanced schedule creates a scenario where Milford will have to get off to a strong start, and that’s exactly what the Bearcats will focus on in the weeks leading up to the season opener on Aug. 30.

“I think it’s absolutely huge that we get off to a quick start,” Schwartz said. “Our first three games are on the road, and we open with Central A&M, so we will get a nice bus ride on Labor Day weekend. That one is absolutely crucial to get us rolling. Getting to six wins in high school football is the main goal every single year, and those first three games are absolutely huge for us this season.”

Milford will travel to Moweaqua for a Saturday kickoff against Central A&M at 2 p.m.

Aug. 30.

Paxton-Buckley-Loda football THE BASICS SCHEDULE Aug. 29 – St. JosephOgden; Sep. 5 – BismarckHenning; Sep. 12– IW; Sep. 19– Watseka; Sep. 26– GIBSON CITY; Oct. 3 – Clifton; Oct. 10 – Dwight; Oct. 17 – MOMENCE, Oct. 24– ST. THOMAS MORE HOME GAMES IN ALL CAPS ROSTER Jake Stevenson, Andrew Zenner, Chris Neville, Hunter Johnson, Anthony Hoagland, Cole Griffet, Wyatt Kingery, Coleman Meece, Kyler Foellner, Wes Ricketts, Cooper Nuckles, Matt Poll, Tim Kehrer, Dalton Coplea, Ryley Foellner, Clayton Carleton, Talon Yaden, Kirk Vesely, Paul Bigham, Hunter Weber, Austin Flessner, Stephen Scott, Brock Swanstrom, Jordan Kietzman, Conrad Powell, Isaac Tabor, Caleb Goodson, Corbin Snyder, Luis Rodriguez, Tyson Snyder, Colin Sullivan, Jordan Anderson, Josiah Martin and Amos Haskins.

The Paxton-Buckley-Loda varsity football team. Team members are, from back row, left to right, Jake Stevenson, Andrew Zenner, Chris Neville, Hunter Johnson, Anthony Hoagland, Cole Griffet, Wyatt Kingery, Coleman Meece, Kyler Foellner, Wes Ricketts, Cooper Nuckles, Matt Poll; middle row, left to right, Tim Kehrer, Dalton Coplea, Ryley Foellner, Clayton Carleton, Talon Yaden, Kirk Vesely, Paul Bigham, Hunter Weber, Austin Flessner, Stephen Scott, Brock Swanstrom, Jordan Kietzman; front row, left to right, Conrad Powell, Isaac Tabor, Caleb Goodson, Corbin Snyder, Luis Rodriguez, Tyson Snyder, Colin Sullivan, Jordan Anderson, Josiah Martin and Amos Haskins.

PBL looking for consistent play in 2014

By JORDAN POTTORFF, Reporter Sports@intranix.com

Paxton-Buckley-Loda’s football team opens the regular season against perennial powerhouse St. Joseph-Ogden on Aug. 29 with big shoes to fill.

PBL graduated its starting quarterback and running back but return a veteran bunch that head coach Jeff Graham believes can make some noise this fall.

Leading the way for the Panthers in 2014 will be a host of seniors that Graham said is the largest group he’s had since he returned to coaching. Graham said he returns an experienced offensive and defensive line that will pave the way for the Panthers’ potential success this season.

PBL’s front line should provide the protection the Panthers need as they work through practice to determine the starting quarterback and who will fill in at running back after the departure of Drew Schrodt through graduation.

Graham said Brock Swanstrom would enter the season as the starting quarterback after playing tight end for the

Panthers in the past.

Joining Swanstrom as one of many returning players from last year’s team is Jordan Kietzman, Jordan Anderson, Tyson Snyder, Matt Poll and Paul Bigham. Graham said he is expecting big things from these upperclassmen this fall.

In preparation for the upcoming season, PBL played a number of 7-on-7’s. The Panthers traveled to Monticello and Maroa-Forsyth and hosted a 7-on-7 round-robin tournament against some area teams.

“There are some people that put a lot of clout in those 7-on-7’s,” Graham said. “To me it’s a chance to get out for our quarterback and wide receiver’s to get their reps in. It especially helps with our running patterns and our quarterback throwing the ball. These kids know, and I said the first time I was coaching, you can’t base anything on 7-on-7’s. You just want to go out and have fun and work on fundamentals. Eleven-man football is about putting the pads on, and blocking and tackling is what wins football

Good Luck to Area Teams

games.”

Graham said the focus for the remainder of practice before taking on former conference rival St. JosephOgden on Aug. 29 is about improving every day as they make their way through a rigorous schedule that includes former Sangamon Valley Conference rivals St. JosephOgden and St. Thomas More to go along with the current powers in the SVC. “I think it’s important we improve every week,” he said. “Obviously last year we had a great start and I don’t want to dwell on it, but in areas of each game I think we regressed a little bit. We challenged the kids to get better and to improve each and every week this season. I think that’s what a good football team does. We will prepare for St. Joseph-Ogden that first week, but one of our goals is to go game to game and improve each and every week.”

PBL will open its season on the road against St. JosephOgden at 7 p.m. on Aug. 29.

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Iroquois County’s Fall Sports

August, 2014

DONOVAN GOLF THE BASICS SCHEDULE Aug. 26 - Momence; Aug. 27 - MANTENO; Aug. 28 Hoopeston; Sept. 2 - MILFORD; Sept. 8 - Grant Park; Sept.

9 - WATSEKA; Sept. 10 - IROQUOIS WEST; Sept. 12 - River Valley Conference Scramble; Sept. 15 - Hoopeston; Sept.

19 - River Valley Conference Tournament; Sept. 22 - Iroquois West; Sept. 24 - Watseka; Sept.

26 - Watseka Invite; Sept. 29 - Bismarck-Henning; Sept. 30 Twin Valley Conference Tournament; Oct. 1 - Iroquois County Tournament; Oct. 3 - Grant Park Invite HOME GAMES IN ALL CAPS

Donovan’s golf team. Team members are, from left to right, Kylie A. Clyden, Alex Storm, Eric Lattimer, David Miller, Tristan Hann and Adrienne Adams.

ROSTER Kylie A. Clyden, Alex Storm, Eric Lattimer, David Miller, Tristan Hann, Adrienne Adams

Photo by James Neveau

New coach brings new outlook to Wildcats

By JAMES NEVEAU For the Times-Republic

Golf is not only a tough sport to manage when it comes to swinging the club and making the shots necessary to be successful, but its nuances are tough to pick up for even the most experienced golfer.

In the case of the Donovan Wildcats golf team, they are having to play catch-up on both counts, as several players hadn’t touched a golf club before practice began for the new season.

“Tristan Hann hasn’t played golf before

last week, and Kylie Clyden and Adrienne Adams haven’t either,” head coach Andrew Lindo said during a practice session at Shewami Golf Club. “We’ve literally had to start from the beginning with those three in terms of green etiquette, tee box etiquette, who shoots when, and it’s been a challenge.”

As the group of golfers made their way around the hazard-laden course, it was pretty obvious that the group has already developed a good deal of chemistry. Lindo, who is also the school’s athletic director,

chalked that up to the fact that several of the team’s players are also friends on the school basketball team.

“The top three guys are all really good friends outside of golf, and they’re also going to be starting for us in boys’ basketball,” he said of Eric Lattimer, Hann, and David Miller. “The friendships have already been established before the season has started, and that chemistry is nice to have.”

With the team jumping into a series of tough tournaments and matches early, the players are soaking up every opportunity

MILFORD GOLF

THE BASICS SCHEDULE Aug. 28 - DONOVAN/ HOOPESTON; Sept. 2 - DONOVAN; Sept. 9 - PRAIRIE CENTRAL; Sept. 10 - IW/DONOVAN; Sept 15 - Hoopeston; Sept. 15 - Cissna Park; Sept. 22 - Donovan/IW; Sept. 23 - DONOVAN; Sept. 26 - Watseka Invite; Sept.

29 - Bismarck-Henning; Oct. 1 - Iroquois County; Oct. 2 - Vermilion Valley Conference Meet HOME GAMES IN ALL CAPS ROSTER Zach Luecke, Brad Letiz, Wade Fox, Alex Portwood, Tyler Buhrmester, Andrew Rice, Dane Gaffield, Austin Price, Ben Leitz, Ethan Morts, Andrew Ailey, Gabriel Davenport, Christopher Whiteman, Dylan Payne, Nathaniel Borgers, Hunter Fox, Monica Van Hoveln, Taylor Simpson, Charlee Mowrey, Emma Harris, Jake McKinley, Kyle Bennett, Ty Clark

that they can get to learn the fundamentals of the game, and that willingness to learn on the fly has made Lindo’s job a lot easier.

“All three of them love the game so far, and they’re very open to instruction and coaching,” he said. “They ask for advice and tidbits all the time. Frankly all the kids at the school that I’ve dealt with are great.

They’re all respectful, and their parents are all great influences in their life, which helps out a lot when you’re new to a team and getting to know how things work.”

Milford’s varsity golf team. Team members are, from back row, left to right, Zach Luecke, Brad Leitz, Wade Fox, Alex Portwood, Tyler Buhrmester, Andrew Rice, Dane Gaffield, middle row, left to right, Austin Price, Ben Letiz, Ethan Morts, Andrew Ailey, Gabriel Davenport, Christopher Whiteman, Dylan Payne, Nathaniel Borgers, front row, left to right, Hunter Fox, Monica Van Hoveln and Taylor Simpson.

Photo by Jordan Pottorff

Returning experience bodes well for Bearcats

By JORDAN POTTORFF, Reporter Sports@intranix.com

Milford’s golf team heads into the 2014 season with a balance of veteran golfers and those looking to make their mark on the course for the first time in their high school golfing careers.

Head coach Sharon Glasgow said the Bearcats return a sectional qualifier in Alex Portwood and that he, along with fellow senior Wade Fox, would lead the boys golf team this fall.

“I’ve got a good nucleus of boys coming back,” Glasgow said. “Alex Portwood and Wade Fox definitely will be the top two on the varsity team. Alex went to sectionals last year in his first year playing golf, so I am expecting good things out of him and Wade this year.”

Joining Portwood and Fox as major play-

ers on Milford’s roster this fall is Ben and Brad Leitz, Ty Clark, Dane Gaffield, Zach Luecke, Dylan Payne and Andrew Rice.

Glasgow said each of those golfers would compete for the eight varsity spots in the matches that allow eight competitors.

“Ben and Brad have worked their butts off this summer playing a lot of golf,” Glasgow said. “They played on the varsity last year, too, so that could be our top four.”

“In a lot of matched I will play eight at the varsity level even though they only take the top four scores,” Glasgow added. “I want to give some of the kids that are close, golfers like Austin Price, Dylan Payne, Andrew Rice, Dane Gafflield, Ty Clark and Zach Luecke, a chance to play. I’d like to do some rotating between those guys.”

On the girls’ side, Glasgow fields a roster of five golfers with four of them having

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Glasgow said the returning girls still need to work on their game and are still learning but have seen significant strides of improvement over the course of the summer and the weeks of practice leading up to the start of the season.

“Four of the give girls played on the team last year,” she said. “They were all new last year, so they are still learning how to play.

Monica Van Hoveln is the new one and she has worked really hard. She has improved massively. They all have a lot of improvement to do but you can tell they enjoy the game.”

Leading the Lady Bearcats will be Hunter Fox and Emma Harris. Glasgow said Fox has a strong skill set and could be a surprise this season. She also said Harris has put in a lot of time on the course this summer, and that Taylor Simpson and Charlee Mowrey have

taken significant strides to this point in the season.

“It’s an open competition for the varsity slots on the girls’ side,” Glasgow said. “That’s my coaching strategy. It’s whoever is on one day. We will look at their scores on a daily basis as they come in and continue to switch things up over the course of the season.”

As far as Glasgow’s expectations for her well-balanced group of golfers, she knows there is a lot of work to do but is confident the Bearcats can compete this fall.

“I’m hoping for good things from Alex Portwood and Wade Fox in their senior seasons,” she said. “They are hitting the ball well, and I hope they can both advance to sectionals. I am just hoping to be real competitive this year. I have a lot of kids that have a lot of heart and have worked really hard.

Hopefully that translates to a good season.”

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Page 11 10

Iroquois County’s Fall Sports

August, 2014

Watseka tennis

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THE BASICS SCHEDULE Sept. 2 - RICH SOUTH; Sept. 4 - GCMS; Sept.

11 - Urbana; Sept.

13 - JCA Invite; Sept.

15 - RANTOUL; Sept.

17 - KANKAKEE; - Sept.

22 - Bishop Mac; - Sept.

27 - Rantoul Quad; - Sept.

30 - Rantoul; - Oct. 2 - ST. THOMAS MORE; - Oct. 6 - DANVILLE; Oct. 7 - GCMS (Away); Oct. 9 - Pontiac; - Oct. 14 Kankakee HOME GAMES IN ALL CAPS

ROSTER Morgan Depatis, Ali Zack, Abby Fischer, Anne Johnson, Samantha Milar, Ami Patel, Paris Patrick, Haley Loeffler, LiPing Zhao, Grace Pavlak, Cara Butler

Photos by Jordan Pottorff Watseka’s varsity tennis team. Team members are, from back row, left to right, head coach Tom Franklin, Morgan Depatis, Ali Zack, Abby Fischer, Anne Johnson, Samantha Milar, Ami Patel; front row, left to right, Paris Patrick, Haley Loeffler, LiPing Zhao, Grace Pavlak, Carla Butler.

Warriors look for continued success under new coach

By JORDAN POTTORFF, Reporter Sports@intranix.com

Watseka’s tennis team is coming off one of the most successful seasons in program history and is poised for another successful season with seven seniors returning to the court this fall.

One major change facing the Warriors is a new head coach following the departure of Olivia Harms at the head of the program. Tom Franklin has filled the coaching void for the Warriors and is focused on picking up where the Warriors left off in 2013.

To lay the foundation for the Warriors’ new-look program, Franklin had his team going through open courts in the middle of the summer, something he said turned out to be a great starting point for the regular season.

“About the second or third week of

June we started doing open courts,” Franklin said. “It’s pretty much an informal practice where the girls could come out if they had the time to work on their game. It turned out that we had nearly every player show up for pretty much all of the summer. We had great sessions and I think it gave them a great head start to the season.”

Franklin said he had the girls working on technique and making improvements on their stroke and aggressiveness throughout the summer.

As far as what the Warriors will look like on the court this fall, Franklin returns an experienced group led by seven seniors that have all seen experience at the varsity level.

“We have seven seniors returning and all have pretty solid, consistent games,” Franklin said. “It’s just a mat-

ter of becoming a little more aggressive with their ground strokes. They are consistent but we have to be a little more aggressive going for winners instead of just hitting the ball back to the opponent. That’s what we have been working on the last couple practices, trying to put a little more pace on the ball. If we can do that I think we will have a good outcome this season.”

From a personnel standpoint, Watseka will rely heavily on Anne Johnson, Abby Fischer and Grace Pavlak to lead the Warriors this season.

Johnson and Fischer combined to be a formidable doubles tandem and finished one win shy of qualifying for the state tournament, something they both said has motivated them to take the next step in their senior seasons.

As for Pavlak, she played at the varsity level as a freshman and has the ability to be a mainstay on the court for the Warriors in her sophomore campaign.

With Watseka boasting the talent to prove that last year’s 9-3 season was no fluke, Franklin is focused on improving as a coach on a daily basis and turning in another successful season in his first year as a head coach.

“I’ve already had some trial and error, but that’s great and I expect that,” Franklin said. “My goal is to do the best job I can and learn as the season progresses. The first year will be a learning experience for me but my plan is to stick with coaching tennis.

This will be a great foundation year for me and should be a great year (for the team).”

CHRIST LUTHERAN VOLLEYBALL THE BASICS SCHEDULE Sept 3— Trinity; Sept 5 — Normal Calvary; Sept.

9 — MILFORD; Sept. 12 — DELAND-WELDON; Sept. 17; CORNERSTONE; Sept 21— PBL Invite; Sept. 24 — DECATUR LSA; Sept 28 — Reed Custer Tournament; Oct. 1 — JUDAH CHRISTIAN; Oct. 3 — TRINITY; Oct. 8 — NORMAL CALVARY; Oct. 10 — Cornerstone; Oct. 14 — TRI-POINT; Oct. 15 — Deland-Weldon; Oct. 18 — UNIVERSITY HIGH; Oct. 22 — Decatur Christian; Oct. 25-Oct. 26 — ECIC Tournament.

HOME GAMES IN ALL CAPS

Christ Lutheran’s varsity volleyball team. Team members are, from left to right, head coach Sue Luhrsen, Jessica De Bella, Shelby Spitz, Samantha De Bella, and assistant coach Aubrey Kaufman.

ROSTER Sadie Koschnick,Jessica DeBella, Hallie Lancaster, Haley McCormick, Shelby Spitz, Samantha De Bella, Shelby Scheurich

New coach brings experience to Christ Lutheran Following the departure of former head coach Michelle Lancaster, Christ Lutheran finds itself in a familiar position as it opens the season with another head coach roaming the sidelines.

This year, Sue Luhrsen will be tasked with the job of guiding the Crusaders through the 2014 season. Luhrsen – a longtime Buckley resident – returns for her second tenure as a coach at Christ Lutheran and also gained valuable experience coaching under Mary Cowan at St. John’s Lutheran School for eight years.

That experience coaching under Cowan led to repeat trips to the state tournament and also has several players from those teams now donning the purple and white at Christ

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Lutheran.

“We have seven girls, and I think they have all played volleyball before,” Luhrsen said. “Most of them came from St. Johns and have real good volleyball backgrounds. I have one girl who just started playing volleyball last year, and she did really, really well for not playing before. I’m looking forward to coaching her. I hope we have a real good season, play together and try to win.”

Although Luhrsen believes the volleyball foundation is in place, a common hindrance for Christ Luthern athletics is small numbers. Luhrsen fields a team of only seven players and will have to alter her preferred coaching style in 2014.

“You have to be very careful coaching such a small team,” Luhrsen said. “You want to get the most out of them but not hurt them. You don’t have the opportunity to pull them out and talk to them to calm them down as much as I’d like to. I

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hope they keep each other up and work together really well.”

From a personnel standpoint, Luhrsen is keying on Shelby Spitz and Shelby Scheurich to guide the Crusaders this season.

“Shelby Spitz will be my leader and big hitter this season,” she said. “We have Shelby Scheurich and we will rely on her for quite a bit of setting. Most of the girls are pretty good passers, so I’m looking forward to seeing the girls play together.”

As far as team goals for the 2014 campaign, Luhrsen is aiming to be competitive in the East Central Illinois Conference and pick up a postseason win.

“I’m hoping we get to win our first regional match,” Luhrsen said. “That’s what I’m really hoping for.”

Christ Lutheran will open its season against Momence at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 25 in Watseka.

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Page 11

Iroquois County’s Fall Sports

August, 2014

CENTRAL VOLLEYBALL

THE BASICS

Central’s volleyball team. Team members are, from back row, left to right, Jenna Offerman, Jade Raines, Alexa Wood, Brooke Whybrew, Alie Hull, Erika Grider, front row, left to right, Emery Podowicz, Morgan James, Eilish Alexander, Abbey O’Hara, Madyson Duby and Jenna Lemenager.

SCHEDULE Aug. 25-30 - Timberwolf TipOff, Sept. 2 - Peotone, Sept. 4 - PBL (road), Sept. 5 - Manteno Early Bird Classic, Sept. 8 BEECHER, Sept. 11 - DWIGHT, Sept. 15 - HERSCHER, Sept.

18 - CISSNA PARK, Sept. 22 GCMS, Sept. 25 - Momence, Sept. 27 - Reed Custer Comet Classic, Sept. 29 - Tri-Point, Oct. 1 - DONOVAN, Oct. 2 - Coal City, Oct. 9 - IW (home), Oct. 16 - Watseka, Oct. 20-23 - SVC TOURNAMENT HOME GAMES IN ALL CAPS ROSTER Emery Podowicz, Morgan James, Eilish Alexander, Abbey O’Hara, Madyson Duby, Jenna Lemenager, Jenna Offerman, Jade Raines, Alexa Wood, Brooke Whybrew, Alie Hull, Erika Grider

Central enters 2014 season with optimistic approach

By JAMES NEVEAU For the Times-Republic

With a mix of veteran talent and fresh faces, the Clifton Central volleyball team is looking ahead to the 2014 season with a sense of optimism. Part of that upbeat attitude comes from first-year coach Lauren Benoit, who is looking to blend the team’s disciplined defensive style with an upbeat offensive attack that emphasizes speed and quick passing.

“I don’t want to de-emphasize the defense, but I think we already have the

skills on defense,” Benoit said. “I want to speed our tempo up on offense and to take advantage of the different plays we can use.

Since we don’t have that height, we can use our speed to our advantage to keep teams on their toes and score points.”

That ability to mix speed and defense requires not only an athletic team, but also one that is willing to work hard in both offensive and defensive situations. The Comets are a team that is willing to do that, and Benoit has been impressed in the early going by her team’s aggressive approach to preparing for the season.

“This group of girls is willing to be in here working hard every day,” she said. “I’m very happy to start with this group as my first team. Having experienced girls to build off of is going to benefit not only them but also to the newer girls to work hard and keep improving every day.”

Another key component to the strategy for the Comets is the team’s chemistry, which is helped out by the large number of returning starters from last year’s team. With seniors like Alexa Wood, Alie Hull, and Brooke Whybrew, the team has plenty of experience to draw from, but Benoit will also be trying to

CISSNA PARK VOLLEYBALL

include youngsters like Emery Podowicz and Morgan James in her plans as well.

While making sure to get the mix of players right is definitely a big part of the equation, in Benoit’s eyes there is one thing that will dictate whether or not she will view the season as a success: how hard they’re willing to work to win games.

“I want them to work their hardest, and be the best that they can,” she said. “If they’re playing their best, then we’re going to be achieving our goals this season.”

THE BASICS

Cissna Park’s varsity volleyball team. Team members are, from back row, left to right, Karli Boyle, Lexi Knake, Addison Stoller, Samantha Muehling, Samantha Hasselbring, Emily Walder, Gabby Wessels, front row, left to right, Mattie Duits, Taylor Hasselbring, Anna Kaeb, Ashley Holm, Lyndsey Neukomm and Kali Hines.

SCHEDULE Aug. 25-30 - Timberwolf TipOff, Sept. 2 - Hoopeston, Sept.4 - WATSEKA, Sept. 8 - St. Anne, Sept. 9 - Judah Christian, Sept.

11 - PBL, Sept 15 - Bismarck-Henning, Sept. 18 - Central, Sept. 25 - Dwight, Sept. 27 - Reed Custer Invite, Sept. 29 - MILFORD, Oct. 2 - Momence, Oct. 6 - TRI-POINT, Oct. 7 - Ridgeview, Oct. 9 - South Newton, Oct. 11 - United Classic, Oct. 16 - IW, Oct. 20-23 - SVC Tourney HOME GAMES IN ALL CAPS ROSTER Mattie Duits, Taylor Hasselbring, Anna Kaeb, Ashley Holm, Lyndsey Neukomm, Kali Hines, Karli Boyle, Lexi Knake, Addison Stoller, Samantha Muehling, Samantha Hasselbring, Emily Walder, Gabby Wessels

High expectations surround Timberwolves

By JORDAN POTTORFF, Reporter Sporst@intranix.com

Coming off a successful 2013 campaign that had Cissna Park’s volleyball team finishing runner-up in the regional tournament, head coach Josh Landon has his sights set high in the days leading up to the season opening tournament on Aug. 25.

Landon’s reason for optimism is based on a strong returning core of players and a successful summer slate, which had Cissna Park traveling to Kankakee to compete in Kankakee Community College’s summer league as well as hosting a varsity showcase with stiff area competition.

“We participated in the KCC Summer League for the first time on Monday evenings,” Landon said. “We lost to Manteno as our only loss in that, but we hosted our own varsity showcase with 12 teams, finishing second to St. JosephOgden. We played them in a tough one losing 25-23, 25-22.

We were satisfied with that – you don’t want to say you are

satisfied with a loss – but it gave us a real good point to focus on to where we need to get to by the start of the year.”

As for the experience Cissna Park does have returning to the hardwood, Landon said he is expecting big things from Anna Kaeb, Lexi Knake, Addison Stoller and Ashley Holm.

Outside of that, the Timberwolves boast a youthful roster with minimal varsity experience.

“There are still some starting spots up for grab,” Landon said when talking about the team’s current build. “The best part of it is that we have competition heading into the season this year. In the last couple years the spots have almost been solidified, so it will be nice to have the girls compete on a daily basis.”

Combined with the Timberwolves’ strong summer performance and a continuous battle for playing time amongst the team, Cissna Park will be competing in a new-look Sangamon Valley Conferece after perennial contenders St. Thomas More and St. Joseph-Ogden jettisoned the SVC for the Okaw

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Valley Conference.

“I think we will be right there with them,” Landon said about contending in the SVC. “We have some solid weapons returning, We aren’t going to sit back and say now that St. Thomas More and St. Joe are out of the league we can finish fourth. Our goal is to be one of the top teams in the league.

We know it’s likely that Watseka, Cissna Park and PBL will be battling out, and it should make for an exciting conference chase.”

To get a first-hand look at what the Timberwolves’ may fit in the landscape of the SVC, Cissna Park will pair with Watseka to host the Tip-Off Classic with play beginning tonight.

“It’s very important to play well (in the Tip-Off Classic),” Landon said. “Our goal is to always play in the championship bracket, and with 12 teams it comes down to three teams playing for the championship at the end. We are hoping to put ourselves in a position to do that. Our goal is to obviously win the tournament and be 5-0 after the first week.”

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Page 13 12

Iroquois County’s Fall Sports

August, 2014

DONOVAN VOLLEYBALL

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THE BASICS SCHEDULE Aug. 25-30 - Timberwolf Tip-Off,, Sept. 2 - North Newton, Sept. 4 - GSW, Sept. 6 - Blue Ridge, Sept. 9 - GRANT PARK, Sept. 11 - Tri-Point, Sept. 15 - SOUTH NEWTON, Sept. 16 - ST. ANNE, Sept. 18 - Beecher, Sept. 25 - ILLINOIS LUTHERAN, Sept. 29 - WATSEKA, Sept. 30 - GSW (road), Oct. 1 - Central, Oct. 2 - Grant Park, Oct. 6 - MOMENCE, Oct. 7 - TRI-POINT, Oct. 9 - St. Anne, Oct. 14 - BEECHER, Oct. 20 Illinois Lutheran, HOME GAMES IN ALL CAPS

The Donovan varsity volleyball team. Team members are, from back row, left to right, Kylie Budreau, Jacalyn Wingerter, Kayleigh Holman, Brooke-Lynn Smith, Casey Arseneau, middle row, left to right, Krystal Davidson, Melinda Thompson, Jamie McCullough, Danielle Wendt, front row, left to right, Anna Storm, Rebecca Martell and Nicole Schuldt.

ROSTER Anna Storm, Rebecca Martell, Nicole Schuldt, Krystal Davidson, Melinda Thompson, Jamie McCullough, Danielle Wendt, Kylie Budreau, Jacalyn Wingerter, Kayleigh Holman, Brooke-Lynn Smith, Casey Arseneau

New coach, returning experience bodes well for Wildcats

By JAMES NEVEAU For the Times-Republic

The Donovan Wildcats volleyball team is undergoing some changes for the upcoming season, with new head coach Jennifer Stevenson taking over the varsity duties after coaching the JV team last year. The team also has several players with a good amount of varsity experience, and both of those factors are helping the team adjust to the new system they will be employing.

“I was the JV coach last year, so I kind of knew what was happening,” Stevenson said. “I know the girls, which helps, but we’re just taking it a step at a

time. Just about everyone has played, so they’re familiar with what needs to be done.”

That familiarity with the system is going to be a benefit early on, but the players aren’t resting on their laurels when it comes to letting experience carry them through. Stevenson says that the group is a hard-working one, and their eagerness to play over the summer has been a great asset.

“A lot of them came to camp over the summer and played in some tournaments together, and a lot of them have played together for years already,” she said.

“They’re familiar with each other and

the skills that each player has, so they’re adjusting to tweaks and changes really well.”

With seniors like Kylie Budreau and Krystal Davidson leading the way, Stevenson is hopeful that there will be a strong leadership component to her roster as the team begins the campaign.

“We have six seniors this year, so we’re really hoping that they step up in a leadership role,” she said. “A lot of the juniors that are finally on varsity for good have experience, so they can definitely lead for us also.”

Despite those positives, there are always some challenges that the Dono-

IROQUOIS WEST VOLLEYBALL

van team has to overcome. Their lack of size on the front line is always a question mark, but with the team’s dedication to defense and a disciplined approach, Stevenson isn’t concerned that this limitation will come back to haunt them.

“We’re looking to keep our expectations realistic. We’re not the tallest team out there or the most experienced, but we’re fully intent on winning some games and try to set goals and achieve them. We’re a reaction team. We react to what other teams throw at us, and we make sure that we’re able to match the other team’s pace when they set up their offense.”

THE BASICS SCHEDULE Aug. 30 - Ridgeview Tournament, Sept. 2 - ST. ANNE, Sept 4 - Momence, Sept. 9 - GRACE BAPTIST, Sept. 15 - GCMS, Sept 18 - DWIGHT, Sept. 20 PBL Classic, Sept. 23 - PBL, Sept. 25 - Watseka, Sept.

29 - South Newton, Oct. 2 - Ridgeview, Oct. 4 - HOOPESTON, Oct. 9 - Central, Oct. 14 - TRIPOINT, Oct. 16 - CISSNA PARK, Oct. 18 - STM Tourney, Oct. 20-23 - SVC Tourney HOME GAMES IN ALL CAPS

The Iroquois West varsity volleyball team. Team members are, from back row, left to right, Cecilia Canizela, Taylor Cultra, Grace Schroeder, Adrianna Longwell, front row, left to right, Skylar Small, Elena Sanchez, Grace Ahlden and Elizabeth Albrecht.

Not pictured is Bryana Nambo.

ROSTER Skylar Small, Elena Sanchez, Grace Ahlden, Elizabeth Albrecht, Cecilia Canizela, Taylor Cultra, Grace Schroeder, Adrianna Longwell, Bryana Nambo

Raiders return promising group, aim to compete

By JORDAN POTTORFF, Reporter Sports@intranix.com

Iroquois West’s volleyball team is focused on improvement and competing as they prepare for the upcoming season.

After turning in a less-than-stellar season in 2013, head coach Kim Askew had her team playing in the Kankakee Community College Summer League to get a first-hand look at what her team may look like when the team’s season begins in the Ridgeview Tournament. Askew said her team showed signs of improvement and also played area competition at a tournament in Cissna Park.

“We played about 15 games this summer, and I think we have grown a lot as a team with hitting,” Askew said. “I think we have come a long way as a team from last year to this year. I think hitting will be our main strength this season.”

In the days and weeks leading up to the season opener,

Askew said her team has been keeping it simple to find the formula that best suits the Raiders.

“Right now we are working on a lot of fundamentals and getting back in to the thick of things,” Askew said. “We had a couple weeks off (after the summer), so a lot of our focus is on hitting, passing, serving and some one-on-one stuff.”

From a personnel standpoint, Iroquois West returns several players who were fixtures on the volleyball court last season. Askew pointed to Taylor Cultra, Elena Sanchez, Skylar Small and Grace Schroeder to be key contributors this season.

As far as how Askew sees the Raiders fitting into the landscape of the Sangamon Valley Conference, she is focused on consistent play and maintaining a level of competitiveness.

“I think we will be pretty competitive this year,” she said.

“I’m excited to see our girls against the other teams. I think we have a stronger team this year than we have had in the

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past. I think our girls are committed and I think they are excited to be here. I’m excited to play some of the teams and see how it goes. Last year I thought when we brought our A-game we were competitive, so I’m excited to see how that will play out.”

Iroquois West will open its season at the Ridgeview Tournament and will take the necessary steps to prove the 2014 season will be a step in the right direction for the Raiders.

“We just have to put it all together,” Askew said. “We haven’t played much together with our starters on the floor.

We are just working on the fundamentals right now, so I think putting it all together by the start of the season is key. I think right now we are shooting to go out there and surprise some teams. Last year wasn’t our most competitive year in the SVC, so right now we are looking to go about .500 and see where that takes us.”

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Page 5

Iroquois County’s Fall Sports

August, 2014

Watseka football

THE BASICS SCHEDULE Aug. 29 - Salt Fork, Sept. 5 TRI-VALLEY, Sept. 12 - Dwight, Sept. 19 - PBL (home), Sept.

26 - MOMENCE, Oct. 3 - LeRoy, Oct. 10 - Attica, Ind., Oct. 17 - Central, Oct. 24 - IROQUOIS WEST HOME GAMES IN ALL CAPS

Photos by Jordan Pottorff Watseka’s varsity football team, team members are, from back row, left to right, assistant coaches John Anderson, BJ Arvin, Jim Styck, Jon Punke, Greyson Schunke, Nate Nasers, Cam Eades, Zach Mathes, Drew Hagen, Austin Baker, Hunter Lee, Shane Clyden, Luke Thomas, Trevor Berry, Aaron Hilgendorf, head coach Steve Lucas and Drew Parsons; third row, left to right, Joey Jaskula, Christian Garcia, Matthew Hodolitz, Jerron Caldwell, Trenton Davis, Hayden Schaumburg, Wyatt Claire, Dalton Grimes, Jaden Downs, second row, left to right, Robert Marion, Teddy Bethel, Kris Gamino, Brendan Fletcher, Matthew Stichnoth, Doug Dlouhy, Cole Davenport, Johnny Tiffany, Dillon Carley, Dalton Schladenhauffen; front row, left to right, team manager, Alec Massey, Tony Villalva, Dalton Thomas, Drew Stone, Bobby Netzband, Mason Berry, Skyler Rayburn, Drew Hartman and Jakob Milar.

ROSTER Greyson Schunke, Nate Nasers, Cam Eades, Zach Mathes, Drew Hagen, Austin Baker, Hunter Lee, Shane Clyden, Luke Thomas, Trevor Berry, Joey Jaskula, Christian Garcia, Matthew Hodolitz, Jerron Caldwell, Trenton Davis, Hayden Schaumburg, Wyatt Claire, Dalton Grimes, Jaden Downs, Robert Marion, Teddy Bethel, Kris Gamino, Brendan Fletcher, Matthew Stichnoth, Dough Dlouhy, Cole Davenport, Johnny Tiffany, Dillon Carley, Dalton Schladenhauffen, Tony Villalva, Dalton Thomas, Drew Stone, Bobby Netzband, Mason Berry, Skyler Rayburn, Drew Hartman, Jakob Milar

Warriors look to make their mark on the gridiron

By JORDAN POTTORFF, Repor ter Spor ts@intranix.com

In 2013 Watseka’s football team was full of youth and stumbled through a 1-8 season. The Warriors will still boast a youthful roster in 2014, but the experience gained last season has the Warriors poised for success this fall.

“I’m really happy with how camp has gone,” Watseka head coach Steve Lucas said on Tuesday. “The young kids, I’ve got most of them back, as you well know. Their enthusiasm is real good and they have a year under their belts. They are understanding what ‘team’ means and they are understanding what hard work produces.”

The focus around Watseka’s football team prior to the start of the regular season on Aug. 29 is development and maturation. Junior quarterback Cole Davenport will be the man under center this fall and will carry a years worth of experience playing in a loaded Sangamon Valley Conference as the Warriors try to erase the bad memories left from last season.

To ease in his development in his second year starting for the Warriors, Davenport has taken the next step in his game.

“I attended two summer camps so far that was with really good coaches from down south,” Davenport said.

“They have been working with my game, and I feel they have given me more aspects to work with at the quarterback position.”

“Now I feel like I have taken over because I’m not the young guy anymore,” Davenport added. “I feel like I have to be a leader and be positive to every player on this field no matter if we are down 20 or up 20. I just have to keep pushing and leading all the time.”

With their quarterback understanding his increased role on the team, Lucas lauded his young signal caller for the work he’s put in during the offseason.

“His maturity is number one,” Lucas said. “At the quarterback position that may be the most valuable piece of intel we can have with that kid.

Not only is his maturity level better, but his understanding of the game is

better and his throwing technique is better. His patience is a little better, and he is grasping everything we throw at him because he knows what his role is on this team.”

Along with growth at the quarterback position, Watseka has shown dramatic signs of improvement on both sides of the ball.

Leading the way on the defensive side of the ball in linebacker Greyson Schunke. Schunke missed last season and believes the Warriors can be much improved with his added presence along with several upperclassmen on the defensive side of the ball.

“We have seen a lot of improvements from last year,” Schunke said.

“There has been tremendous improvement. You can tell the younger kids are already stepping up. We usually nominate three stars for camp and a freshman just won one. We have been doing pretty good, that’s all I can say.

It’s excellent improvement from last year.”

Paired with the improvement Watseka has shown throughout training camp and the early stages of practice a main focus has been instilling a

winning attitude amongst the team.

“I feel like we will be way better than last year,” Davenport said. “We are already up there. You look out there and everybody is hustling and everybody is in to it. I think we will be pretty good this season.”

Watseka will open the regular season on the road against Salt Fork on Aug. 29.

“It seemed like it just ended and here we are right back at it,” Lucas said. “The coaching staff is fired up, I’m fired up, the community is fired up, and I have a great group of kids. They get along, they want to help each other out and this is not a superstar-based team. This is the true definition of team. It’s going to be a fun year.”

Watseka GOLF The Watseka varsity golf team.

Team members are, from back row, left to right, Nathan Schroeder, Daison Harris, Evan Thompsen, Kyle Giroux, Justin Hasselbring, Joe Trudeau, Cody Carley, Joe Hebert, front row, left to right, Kara Crabtree, Shelby Naese, Madi Hebert, Simran Keur, Samantha Delfierro, Kristyn Long and Skyler Miller. Not pictured is Emma Germann, Taylor Bruner and Jordan Smith.

THE BASICS SCHEDULE Aug. 25 - Grant Park, BEECHER (girls), Aug. 26 Westville,Sept. 2 - Dwight, Sept.

3 - KANKAKEE, Sept. 5 - IW (road), Sept. 8 - Kankakee, Sept. 9 - WESTVILLE (boys), PRAIRIE CENTRAL (girls), Sept. 11 - Grant Park, Sept. 12 Cissna Park, Sept. 15 - Prairie Central, Sept. 17 - Momence, Sept. 23 - STM (home), Sept.

24 - DONOVAN/GRANT PARK, Sept. 26 - WATSEKA INVITE, Sept. 29 - GCMS (home), Sept.

30 - TVC TOURNEY, Oct. 1 - IC INVITE, Oct. 3 - Grant Park Invite HOME GAMES IN ALL CAPS ROSTER Nathan Schroeder, Daison Harris, Evan Thompsen, Kyle Giroux, Justin Hasselbring, Joe Trudeau, Cody Carley, Joe Hebert, Kara Crabtree, Shelby Naese, Madi Hebert, Simran Keur, Samantha Delfierro, Kristyn Long, Skyler Miller, Emma Germann, Taylor Bruner, Jordan Smith

Youthful Warriors ready to improve, compete

By JORDAN POTTORFF, Repor ter Spor ts@intranix.com

Watseka’s golf team was hit hard by graduation last spring but return the necessary pieces to turn in a successful season in 2014.

Leading the way on the boys’ side is Nathan Schroeder and Joe Hebert. Head coach Darin Hartman envisions Schroeder and Hebert holding down the No. 1 and No. 2 spots on the team and leading a youthful roster that has the potential to be a contender in the Twin Valley Conference and in the county meet this season.

“It’s all about consistency,” Hartman said. “Joe and Nathan, Nathan especially, they should be at the top of every single match. They will rise to that challenge.”

After Schroeder and Hebert, Hartman said things get interesting. He said its an open competition for the No. 3-8 spots and will be a matter of consistency as the Warriors make their way through the season.

One factor that will be key for the Warriors’ potential success this fall will be keyed on what Hartman has been pounding home to his team: the ability to score well near the green.

Hartman said his players have responded to his coaching and have put in extra work on and near

the green as they enter the second week of the regular season.

As far as expectations on the boys’ side this fall, Hartman hopes for consistent play and to be contenders in the conference and county meet.

“There is no reason we can’t compete in the conference and the county,” Hartman said. “Iroquois West is always a team to be reckoned with, but I think the boys have a shot at winning the county as long as we are consistent. The Twin Valley Conference will be tough. We will have Beecher and Dwight, but I want to show well in that tournament because it leads up to the regional.

On the girls’ side, Hartman returns one veteran golfer in Kara Crabtree. Crabtree is the teams lone senior and will lead a large group of underclassmen through the 2014 season.

The Lady Warriors got a firsthand look at what they can do in live competition in a scramble format, which led to Hartman being pleased by the progression the girls have shown since beginning practice.

“Outside of Kara as a senior everyone is a sophomore or younger,” Hartman said. “It is a learning experience and the younger girls will get better and better. What is going on right now is the foundation for the program. That’s how you learn

and that breeds for the future.”

With a largely inexperienced team, Hartman said the focus on practice and throughout the season will be on learning the game and taking strides in the right direction.

“It’s all about making sure we take it slow,” Hartman said. “When you are learning this game you can’t get frustrated. We stress that this will take time and won’t happen over night. There will be days where you go out and it’s like you’ve never played before. The only way we can get better is to play and play and play.”

To demonstrate his patient coaching approach, Hartman has taken the stance of a fan.

“I’m taking more of a cheerleader approach right now,” Hartman said. “I am keeping them motivated, keeping them smiling, and making sure they are having fun playing the game. I try to teach them what they did wrong and make sure they are having fun with it. I know I’m having fun with it.”

Page 13

Iroquois County’s Fall Sports

August, 2014

Milford volleyball

Milford’s varsity volleyball team.

Team members are, from back row, left to right, Kara Vaughn, Sierra Fanning, Cheyenne Wilken, Allison Suchor, Alissa Totheroh, Gosie Thrush; front row, left to right, Baylee Estes, Elizabeth Duis, McKenzie Reiners, Abby Mussard, Katelyn Gaffield and Madisyn Rose.

THE BASICS SCHEDULE Aug. 25-29 - Timberwolf Tip-Off; Sept. 4 - ST. ANNE; Sept. 9 - OAKWOOD; Sept.

11 - ARMSTRONG-POTOMAC; Sept. 13 - Attica; Sept. 15 WATSEKA; Sept. 16 - GEORGETOWN RIDGE FARM; Sept.

18 - Bismarck-Henning; Sept.

20 - PBL Classic; Sept. 23 - SCHLARMAN; Sept. 29 - Cissna Park; Sept. 30 - Salt Fork; Oct. 6 - South Newton; Oct. 7 - Chrisman; Oct. 9 - ArmstrongPotomac; Oct. 14 - WESTVILLE; Oct. 16 - BISMARCK-HENNING; Oct. 23 - Hoopeston Area HOME GAMES IN ALL CAPS ROSTER Kara Vaughn, Sierra Fanning, Cheyenne Wilken, Allison Suchor, Alissa Totheroh, Gosie Thrush, Baylee Estes, Elizabeth Duis, McKenzie Reiners, Abby Mussard, Katelyn Gaffield, Madisyn Rose

Photos by Jordan Pottorff

Experienced Bearcats ready to compete in 2014

By JORDAN POTTORFF, Reporter Sports@intranix.com

Coming off a season in which Milford’s volleyball team won 12 games there is reason for optimism as the Bearcats return a veteran bunch with high expectations in 2014.

The Bearcats prepped for the upcoming season by participating in a number of tournaments and a volleyball league at Kankakee Community College. Head coach Cara Tweedy said the tournaments and league play gave her team the opportunity to play bigger schools and see how volleyball is played at the next level, something she believes will only benefit her team this season.

“We spent all of July playing in tourna-

ments and in camps,” Tweedy said. “We did the Cissna Park tournament with our jv and our varsity. We did four nights of the KCC league against teams we don’t normally see.

It was nice to see some different competition, and we did a camp at Olivet (Nazarene University) and their tournament to follow that up. That was a big highlight for the girls that went because they were able to see volleyball at a high level and from a different prospective. From that point to the end of the summer we saw a huge increase from our communication and skill level.”

The summer slate of games also benefited the Bearcats in terms of playing together.

Tweedy said the girls took significant strides and have a good feel for each other when it comes to communication, floor spacing and

individual style of play.

Leading Milford’s core of returning players in Alissa Totheroh, McKenzie Reiners, Elizabeth Duis and Katelyn Gaffield. Tweedy said Reiners and Gaffield would be the team’s major hitters, with Totheroh set to transition to the outside hitter position after playing various positions in her first three years at the high school level.

Tweedy also added that Duis should show an increased comfort level being the team’s setter for the second consecutive season.

“We will be a strong team this year,” Tweedy said. “I think we will be a strong defensive team. We know how to spread the court and how to communicate with each other. Our defense will be very strong. We have strong blockers this year, and in the

PBL volleyball

summer we registered quite a few blocks in our league play.”

As the Bearcats put in the final preparation leading up to the Timberwolf Tip-Off, Tweedy said she feels confident where her team is at compared to recent years and added her girls have the expectation of turning in a winning record this fall.

“It’s absolutely our goal to come out on top in the Timberwolf Tip-Off,” Tweedy said.

“Seeing the pool we are in we are really excited that it will be competitive. The girls have the expectations of coming out every week and giving it 100 percent for every single game. The goal is to have an over .500 season and win more than 12 games. We will see what we can come up with based off that.”

THE BASICS SCHEDULE Aug. 25-29 - Timberwolf Tip-Off; Sept. 2 - GCMS (home); Sept. 4 - CENTRAL; Sept. 8 - Oakwood; Sept.

9 - ST. THOMAS MORE; Sept. 11 - Cissna Park; Sept.

15 - TUSCOLA; Sept. 16 - ST. JOSEPH-OGDEN; Sept. 18 - MOMENCE; Sept. 20 - PBL CLASSIC; Sept. 22 - Armstrong-Potomac; Sept. 23 - IW (road); Sept. 29 - Rantoul; Oct. 6 - Fisher; Oct. 7 - TriValley; Oct. 9 - WATSEKA; Oct. 13 - Schlarman; Oct. 16 - Dwight

PaxtonBuckley-Loda’s varsity volleyball team. Team members are, from back row, left to right, McKenzie Pierce, Sarah Watts, Sydney Porter, Courtney Johnson, Kellyn Maynard, Jessi Bergman; front row, left to right, Abby Hofer, Skylar Harris, Eve Bahler, Emily Pankey, Tamra Kuester and Kiley Anglin.

HOME GAMES IN ALL CAPS ROSTER McKenzie Pierce, Sarah Watts, Sydney Porter, Courtney Johnson, Kellyn Maynard, Jessi Bergman, Abby Hofer, Skylar Harris, Eve Bahler, Emily Pankey, Tamra Kuester, Kiley Anglin

Despite key losses, expectations remain high at PBL

By JORDAN POTTORFF, Repor ter Spor ts@intranix.com

Despite seeing key players such as Jori Maynard and Kailey Kleinert leave the program through graduation as all-conference players, PaxtonBuckley-Loda’s expectations remain high as they prepare for the upcoming season.

In preparation for the 2014 campaign, head coach Kristin Oyer had the Panthers competing in several tournaments that included area competition and larger schools to gear up for the regular season.

“We started off with summer league at Mahomet, which let us go against some bigger teams like Champaign Centennial, Tolono Unity and Monticello,” Oyer said. “That was good and gave us some good matches and good experience. We also played in a Parkland tournament and a tournament at Cissna Park. We also did in-house workouts over the summer with weight lifting, conditioning and core training. That was pretty much our summer workouts.”

The summer slate of tournament competition gave Oyer a firsthand look at what the Panthers strengths and weaknesses are. Oyer said the team

has different strengths compared to last year’s team that turned in a record of 17-12-1 and will key on the outside hitters to lead the Panthers this fall.

“This year will be a little different because last year we were really strong in the middle with Kailey Kleinert,” Oyer said. “We are really strong on the outside this year. We are still solid but in a differnet way. Jori (Maynard) was our big passer last year and we are trying to get Skylar Harris to fill that position. She has some big shoes to fill but is getting there. I think we are at the same level we were at last year but in a different way.”

With PBL set to lean on the play of its outside hitters, Oyer noted the players in the middle will fuel the Panthers’ defense. She said her middle players have proven to be strong blockers and have the ability to fill the void left by Kleinert even if they do not possess her hitting ability.

In the days leading up to the Panthers’ seasonopening match in the Timberwolf Tip-Off, Oyer said the focus will be turned to getting off to a fast start to build confidence and momentum in the early stages of the season.

“It’s very important to get off to a fast start,” Oyer said. “We have very few practices left, so we

GOOD LUCK AREA TEAMS!

are fine tuning our defense and working on our serves and hitting patterns. We are trying to get that all ready for our Friday scrimmage, which will then help us prepare for Monday. We are getting there, but we still have a lot to work on.”

Along with the hopes of getting off to a strong start in the Timberwolf Tip-Off, which will be hosted by rival schools Cissna Park and Watseka, Oyer said the team has their sights on surpassing last year’s win total and competiting for a championship in every tournament.

“We are looking to win our tournaments,” she said. “The first we were in the Tip-Off we took it but last year we didn’t fair as well. We want to get back on track with that, and in the SVC Tournament we want to place in that and maybe even win it. The girls always have the goal to win all the tournaments they are in and to compete in the conference and get past regionals. That’s consistent goals we have every year.”

PBL will open its season at 6 p.m. Monday against Tri-Point in Cissna Park.

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Iroquois County’s Fall Sports

August, 2014

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Page 9 8

Iroquois County’s Fall Sports

August, 2014

CENTRAL SOCCER THE BASICS SCHEDULE

Aug. 26 - MANTENO; Aug. 28 - Hoopeston; Aug. 30 - Kankakee Trinity; Sept.

2 - BEECHER; Sept. 4 - Grant Park; Sept. 8 - RANTOUL; Sept.

11 - St. Anne; Sept. 16 - Illinois Lutheran; Sept. 18 - WATSEKA; Sept. 22 - PEOTONE; Sept. 23 - IW; Sept. 25 - Coal City; Sept.

27 - KANKAKEE TRINITY; Sept.

30 - Twin Valley Conference Tournament; Oct. 2 - Twin Valley Conference Tournament; Oct. 6 - REED-CUSTER; Oct. 7 - Twin Valley Conference Tournament

HOME GAMES IN ALL CAPS ROSTER Linsey Bailey, Katie Peters, Samantha Vaughn, Shannon Grider, Dylan Miller, Jeff Gifford, Brandon Luhrsen, Nick Blasey, Kasey Adams, Mason Tryban, Tyler Robison, Demetrios Kokinkas, Brayden Bailey, Rodrigo Munoz, Kory Kohler, Jeff Peters, Joel Toberman

Photo by James Neveau Central’s varsity soccer team. Team members are, from back row, left to right, head coach Drew Granzow, Brayden Bailey, Rodrigo Munoz, Kory Kohler, Jeff Peters, Joel Toberman; middle row, left to right, Brandon Luhrsen, Nick Blasey, Kasey Adams, Mason Tryban, Tyler Robison, Demetrios Kokinkas; front row, left to right, Linsey Bailey, Katie Peters, Samantha Vaughn, Shannon Grider, Dylan Miller and Jeff Gifford.

Comets aim to compete under new head coach

By JAMES NEVEAU For the Times-Republic

There is little glamour involved with coming out for summer workouts, especially when those workouts involve as much running and conditioning as the Central Comets soccer team performs.

Despite that lack of glitz however, head coach Drew Graznow says that his team has been busting their tails at every turn while they’ve been out of school.

“I’m very excited, mainly because during the summer the kids have been putting in hard work and giving 100 percent every single day,” he said. “It hasn’t been where they come in for a day and then the next

day I only have five kids. They’re here every day ready to work and learn.

That enthusiasm for grueling work on the pitch isn’t limited to just a few select players either. With a turnout of nearly 30 players, the Comets are going to be able to field both a varsity and a junior varsity team this season, and the process of deciding which players would suit up with which team has been a tough one for Central’s first year coach.

“With having so many kids coming out this year, to get to pick between varsity and JV was extremely difficult because of the talent and the hard work that each and every player puts in,” Graznow said.

Even with that level of participation, there is still a select group of players that Graznow will be leaning on in his rookie season, and two players in particular stood out not only for their skill, but for their selflessness as well.

“Kasey Adams is an explosive player.

He’s great all-around, his dedication is 100%, and we made him a captain because of it,” he said. “Rodrigo Munoz actually came up to me and asked what he could do to make the team better, and he offered to play on defense. He’s been practicing a lot back there and hold things down, and he’s doing really well adjusting so far.

IROQUOIS WEST SOCCER

“That was really cool for him to make that offer, and I’m grateful that he wants to help the team out like that,” he added.

With that kind of talent and dedication, the Comets are looking to make a big jump forward this season, but Graznow is trying to keep his expectations reasonable as the team prepares for their first game against Manteno on August 26.

“I don’t want to put a record out there and jinx myself,” he said with a laugh. “My goal is to be above .500 this season. I think that’s definitely achievable with this group, if not more. Of course you want more, but I’d be happy to get above .500 for the year.”

THE BASICS SCHEDULE Aug. 26 - REED-CUSTER; Aug. 28 - BLUE RIDGE; Sept.

2 - GRANT PARK; Sept. 4 - Watseka; Sept. 9 - ST. ANNE; Sept.

11 - Beecher; Sept. 15 - Kankakee Trinity; Sept. 16 - GRACE BAPTIST; Sept. 18 - ILLINOIS LUTHERAN; Sept. 22 - FISHER; Sept. 23 - CENTRAL; Sept.

27 - SCHLARMAN ACADEMY; Sept. 30-Oct. 7 - TWIN VALLEY CONFERENCE TOURNAMNET

HOME GAMES IN ALL CAPS ROSTER Joe Martinez, Jonathan Vargas, Yasmin Andrade, Amber Bradfield , Andrew Medina, Chris Benz, Roberto Valdez, Austin Martinez, Jose “Poptart” Lopez, Luis Reyes, Brandon Alvarez, Alexis Ramirez, Tyler Brenner, Juan Ramirez, Lisandro Garcia, Alan Barajas, Ivan Ramirez

Photo by Jordan Pottorff Iroquois West’s varsity soccer team. Team members are, from back row, left to right, assistant coach Rich Alvarez, Alexis Ramirez, Tyler Brenner, Juan Ramirez, Lisandro Garcia, Alan Barajas, Ivan Ramirez, head coach Breanna Creek, assistant coach Hector Reyes; middle row, left to right, Andrew Medina, Chris Benz, Roberto Valdez, Austin Martinez, Jose “Poptart” Lopez, Luis Reyes, Brandon Alvarez; front row, left to right, Joe Martinez, Jonathan Vargas, Yasmin Andrade, Abrain Bell, Jon Andrade, Jon Blumberg and Amber Bradfield.

New coach, experienced roster brings optimism to IW

By JORDAN POTTORFF, Reporter Sports@intranix.com

Expectations surrounding Iroquois West’s soccer team is high with a new coach, a new playing style and a talented core of players manning the field this fall.

Highlighting the changes within Iroquois West’s soccer program is first-year head coach Breanna Creek. Creek played collegiate soccer at Heartland College in Normal and brings with her years of experience despite not having coached a game.

“I’ve never coached before,” she said. “I played in college and wanted to coach because I missed soccer so much. I’ve officiated for eight years, and I found out Iroquois West needed a coach when I was out looking for officiating assignments. I applied and got an interview and landed this job. I’m really looking forward to getting started.”

Creek’s experience as an official and a player will only

bode well for the Raiders as she has the team preparing for the upcoming season by working on fundamentals and conditioning to ensure the team is ready when the ball is put in play in late August.

Joining Creek on her staff is assistant coaches Hector Reyes and Rich Alvarez. Creek said she will rely on her assistant coaches to help her through her first season on the sidelines but believes the team has the talent in place to make Creek’s first year as a coach a smooth one.

“Coach Reyes has been here for 12 years and did a lot with them over the summer,” Creek said. “They had scrimmages against other teams and worked as a team pretty much every Tuesday and Thursday playing together.

“I ask a lot for (Reyes’ and Alvarez’s) input and ask what they think before I do certain things, but I try to make a plan before I get to practice so we don’t hang around and do nothing. I ask them a lot for advice and

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I’m sure it will be a bit of trial and error, but we have a talented team and will work hard.”

From a personnel standpoint, Creek said she believes she has everything in place despite fielding a team with only four seniors. She said the Raiders will switch their defensive scheme to a flat-four set and will have a senior goalkeeper in between the posts to solidify the team’s defense.

Creek also said the middle of the field and the strikers are set with continued work on finishing being the focus leading up to the start of the season.

Although Creek is unfamiliar of the area competition and is reworking Iroquois West’s playing style, she said she is confident the team will turn in a successful season this fall. “I probably have high expectations for them,” she said. “I think they will do really well. I think we could win a regional game, if not win a regional tournament. I think we will do really well this season.”

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Iroquois County’s Fall Sports

August, 2014

IROQUOIS WEST GOLF The Iroquois West varsity golf team.

Team members are, from back row, left to right, Brandon Olson, Gwen Orr, Hannah Fink, Savannah Mims, Kameron Wilken, Andrea Fuoss, Ariel Medina, Kaleigh Wilken, Matt Anderson, front row, left to right, Alec Small, Stephanie Orr, Ashly Mueller, Maya Sanchez, Taylor McTaggart and Eli Fink. Not pictured is Jayden Barney and Peyton Stiers.

THE BASICS SCHEDULE Aug. 25 - Blue Ridge, Aug. 28 - Donovan, Sept. 2 Hoopeston, Sept. 3 - Momence, Sept. 5 - CISSNA PARK/WATSEKA, Sept. 8 - Beecher, Sept.

10 - Donovan/Milford, Sept.

11 - Fisher, Sept. 15 - Grant Park, Sept. 17 - GCMS, Sept.

18 - STM (road), Sept. 22 DONOVAN/MILFORD, Sept.

23 - FISHER, Sept. 24 - GCMS (road), Sept. 26 - Watseka Invite, Sept. 29 - Dwight invite, Sept. 30 - TVC Meet, Oct. 1 - Iroquois County Meet, Oct. 2 Cissna Park HOME GAMES IN ALL CAPS ROSTER Brandon Olson, Gwen Orr, Hannah Fink, Savannah Mims, Kameron Wilken, Andrea Fuoss, Ariel Medina, Kaleigh Wilken, Matt Anderson, Alec Small, Stephanie Orr, Ashly Mueller, Maya Sanchez, Taylor McTaggart, Eli Fink, Jayden Barney, Peyton Stiers

Experienced Raiders ready to contend

By JORDAN POTTORFF, Reporter Sports@intranix.com

Iroquois West’s golf team returns four of its top six golfers on both the boys’ and girls’ team from last season and has the expectations to match the veteran group of returners this fall.

Head coach Kevin White said the girls’ team looks particularly strong with Kaleigh Wilken, Gwen Orr, Savannah Mims and Stephanie Orr all returning after lettering at the varsity level last season. He said he envisioned Wilken and Gwen Orr being the teams top two golfers with the possibility of qualifying for the sectional tournament, something Iroquois West did as a team in 2013.

The large group of returning golfers has White eyeing a competitive season in the

Twin Valley Conference and strong showings in the county tournament and the regional tournament.

“I think number one we want to be competitive in the conference,” White said.

“We would like to win the county tournament, which is a tournament we have won a couple years in a row. Every team lost some good golfers, so our biggest goal will be to improve as the year goes on and by regional time be playing our best golf. Hopefully that will lead to us qualifying for the sectional as a team again. I think we are capable of that if we improve as the year goes on.”

On the boys’ side, Iroquois West is led by returning sectional qualifier Kameron Wilken. Wilken enters the 2014 season as a junior and two-year letter winner for the Raiders. White said he is expecting a strong

season from Wilken and also noted fellow junior Peyton Stiers has the potential to turn in a successful season.

“Like the girls, we return four of the top six that played last year at regionals,” White said. “Cam Wilken is back after individually qualifying for sectionals last season. He actually missed out qualifying for state by a stroke or two, so I expect big things from him this season.”

White said Stiers has shown significant progress since joining the team in his freshman season but is currently battling an eye issue that kept him out of the season-opening match against Cissna Park last Thursday.

White said he also views Jaden Barney and Alex Small as players who will make an impact at the varsity level after holding down the No. 5 and No. 6 spots last season.

“We have a good nucleus back and our five and six spots are pretty much wide open,” White said. “We have a few sophomores and another junior in Matt Anderson who will be competing for that spot.”

White added that Anna Fink, Ashly Mueller, Andrea Fuoss and Ariel Medina would compete for the No. 5 and No. 6 spot on the girls’ side.

In the weeks leading up to the conference and county tournament, White is anticipating steady improvement to ensure his team is hitting their stride at the right time of the season.

“I don’t put a lot of emphasis on scores in the early part of the season,” White said. “We just want to see improvement as the year goes on, and hopefully towards the latter part of September we are focusing on getting our scores down to where they should be.”

CISSNA PARK GOLF THE BASICS SCHEDULE Aug. 26 - Momence, Kankakee, Donovan at South Shore, Sept. 2 - Bismarck-Henning, Sept. 5 - IROQUOIS WEST AND MILFORD, Sept. 15 - GCMS and Fisher, Sept.

16 - MILFORD, Sept. 18 - FISHER, Sept. 22 - Ridgeview and Prairie Central, Sept. 25 - Hoopeston and GCMS, Sept.

26 - Watseka Invite, Sept. 29 - Watseka and GCMS, Sept.

30 - TVC Meet, Oct. 1 - Iroquois County Meet, Oct. 2 - IROQUOIS WEST AND HOOPESTON HOME GAMES IN ALL CAPS

The Cissna Park golf team.

Team members are, from left to right, Nathan Walder, Trevor Hurt, Connor Kaeb and Drew Purdy.

ROSTER Nathan Walder, Trevor Hurt, Connor Kaeb, Drew Purdy

Photos by Jordan Pottorff

Small numbers impact Cissna Park in 2014

By JORDAN POTTORFF, Reporter Sports@intranix.com

Numbers remain low on Cissna Park’s golf team but head coach Dallas Meyer believes the Timberwolves can still make their mark on the course this fall.

After graduating five of the team’s nine players from last year the Timberwolves will only field a team of four golfers this year. Senior Trevor Hurt will be the team’s strongest player, with sophomores Nathan Walder, Drew Purdy and Connor Kaeb rounding out the Timberwolves’ roster.

Although numbers are as low as Meyer can remember in recent years, he said he has seen dedication out of every player and has turned his focus to the greens in the weeks leading up to the season.

“Short game has been the major focus for us,” Meyer said.

“My three sophomores didn’t get to play a whole lot last year,

so we have been working on the short game. That’s how you score well in golf. You can always hit the fairway but chipping and putting is the main focus for us.”

With Meyer increasing the emphasis of scoring well on and near the green, Meyer said he has been impressed with the progression he has seen from Purdy.

“The one who has improved the most over the summer is Drew Purdy,” Meyer said. “He played a lot this summer, so that always helps. If you can go out and play you will undoubtedly get better. I know he was saying the other day how he had played 18 rounds of golf this summer and all of them were 18-hole rounds with his grandpa. That’s good, and that is something that has made a world of difference for his game.”

Along with Purdy’s growth on the golf course, Meyer was complimentary of what he’s seen from Hurt as he begins his

senior season.

“Trevor Hurt got to play quite a bit this summer and last year,” Meyer said. “He’s improved quite a bit. I don’t think he played a whole lot last summer and by getting two or three rounds a week in this summer he definitely got better.”

Meyer said Hurt narrowly missed qualifying for sectionals in his junior season despite having one of his worst days on the course of the season. Meyer added he believes Hurt will qualify for sectionals in 2014 and also said Purdy could reach that achievement as well.

As far as expectations go for the Timberwolves, Meyer set his sights high despite having only four golfers on the team.

“I was telling them that if we can win four matches I’d be tickled to death,” Meyer said. “They think I set the expectations pretty high but I think it’s something we can reach.”

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Page 9

Iroquois County’s Fall Sports

August, 2014

St. Anne soccer

THE BASICS SCHEDULE Aug. 25 - Crete-Monee; Aug. 27 - Rich East; Aug. 28 - Rich South; Aug. 30 - Rich Central; Sept. 4 - Beecher; Sept. 5 - ILLIONIS LUTHERAN; Sept. 8 Wilmington; Sept. 9 - IW (road); Sept. 11 - CENTRAL; Sept.

15 - GRACE CHRISTIAN; Sept.

16 - Watseka; Sept. 18 - GRANT PARK; Sept. 20 - Reed-Custer; Sept. 23 - Rich Central; Sept. 26 - KANKAKEE TRINITY; Sept. 27 - BISMARCK-HENNING; Sept.

30 - Central; Oct. 1 - Grant Park; Oct. 2 - IW (road); Oct. 7 - Watseka; Oct. 9 - FISHER

HOME GAMES IN ALL CAPS ROSTER Gil Martinez, Alec Blanchette, Travis Kibbons, Michael Emerson, Alex Chagoya, Omar Perez, Nico Guardiola, Frank Ward, Jalen Burse, Jared Pomaranski, Jonah Adams, Eric Venegas, Dakota Meyer, Zach Cowsert, Jake Nicholson, Caleb Robinson, Esai Rios, Maurice Wyatt, Terron Shaw, Patrick Rios

Photos by Jordan Pottorff The St. Anne varsity soccer team. Team members are, from back row, left to right, Gil Martinez, Alec Blanchette, Travis Kibbons, Michael Emerson, Alex Chagoya, Omar Perez; from middle row, left to right, Nico Guardiola, Frank Ward, Jalen Burse, Jared Pomaranski, Jonah Adams, Eric Venegas, Dakota Meyer; front row, left to right, Zach Cowsert, Jake Nicholson, Caleb Robinson, Esai Rios, Maurice Wyatt, Terron Shaw and Patrick Rios.

Bigger numbers brings bigger expectations for St. Anne

By JORDAN POTTORFF, Repor ter Spor ts@intranix.com

St. Anne’s soccer team returns two all-conference players and a core of players that has head coach Andy Stembridge eyeing a successful season in 2014.

Stembridge said the experience the Cardinals return is centered around Omar Perez – an all-conference forward – and Jonah Adams – an allconference defensive player. He said Perez and Adams will be the focal point of the team and will be leaned on to provide leadership to the team’s underclassmen.

“We have a nice mix of veterans

and newcomers,” Stembridge said.

“We are probably more on the young side, but we do have some seniors returning that were all-conference players as juniors. I think they will provide big time leadership for us throughout the season.”

In preparation for the fall slate, Stembridge has been preaching commitment after a one-win season in 2013. Stembridge said his team has bought in on his system and are currently fighting to become one cohesive unit, something he believes will lead to brighter days on the soccer field.

“I think we are far ahead of where

we were at this point last year,” Stembridge said. “We have a lot of returners who have bought in on what we are trying to do as a team. Our numbers haven’t been huge but it’s bigger this year than it was last. They are getting it and starting to believe.”

Paired with building a chemistry on the field, St. Anne got a firsthand look at what the product on the field will look like with a pair of exhibition games over the summer. Stembridge said the Cardinals played area teams in friendlies and saw positive things that could translate to success this fall.

Once the season begins, which will

Watseka soccer

have St. Anne opening the season with six consecutive road matches, Stembridge said the focus is built around consistency and competing no matter the result.

“It’s very important to get off to a good start,” he said. “Even if we aren’t getting the quality results we are looking at fighting and keeping these guys earning every goal we get or every goal we give up. The teams have to prove they can beat us this year because they weren’t earning it last year.

We just want to compete and make everyone earn everything. We want to fight from the opening whistle to the last.”

THE BASICS SCHEDULE Aug. 25 - Salt Fork, Aug. 26 - Oakwood, Aug. 28 BISMARCK-HENNING, Sept. 1 - BISHOP MAC, Sept. 2 - Illinois Lutheran, Sept. 4 - IROQUOIS WEST, Sept. 9 - GRANT PARK, Sept. 12-13 - Cornjerker Classic, Sept. 15 - KANKAKEE, Sept. 16 -ST. ANNE, Sept.

18 - Central, Sept. 23 - SJO, Sept. 25 - Blue Ridge, Sept.

27 - FISHER, Sept. 29 - GTRF, Sept. 30 - Oct. 7 - Twin Valley Conference Tournament, Oct. 9 - Beecher HOME GAMES IN ALL CAPS

Watseka’s soccer team. Team members are Tyler LaVoie, Savannah Stevenson, Katelyn Norder, Adam Stanley, Lucus Lee, Baily Scher, Cesar Garcia, Drew Douglas, Nick Morales, Judd Milazzo, Reed Kaper, Abacuc Rodriguez, My LaVoie, Logan Yates, Telmuun Batjargal, Juan Deharo, Cortney Adams, Kyrstianna Lyons, Daisy Solorzano, Gary Bass, Nathan Ripley, Cole Arseneau, Jake Schippert, Drew LaVoie, Magalli Gallespie, Samir Spahiu, Lirim Spahiu and Issac Patrick.

ROSTER Tyler LaVoie, Savannah Stevenson, Katelyn Norder, Adam Stanley, Lucus Lee, Baily Scher, Cesar Garcia, Drew Douglas, Nick Morales, Judd Milazzo, Reed Kaper, Abacuc Rodriguez, Myaa LaVoie, Logan Yates, Telmuun Batjargal, Juan Deharo, Cortney Adams, Krystianna Lyons, Daisy Solorzano, Gary Bass, Nathan Ripley, Cole Arseneau, Jake Schippert, Drew LaVoie, Magalli Gallespie, Samir Spahiu, Lirim Spahiu, Isaac Patrick

Despite key losses, Watseka aims to compete

By JORDAN POTTORFF, Reporter Sports@intranix.com

Over the last several weeks, Watseka’s soccer team has been hard at work preparing for the upcoming season.

The Warriors began the preparation for the 2014 season with an open field training camp that began on June 17. The Warriors got a first-hand look at what the product on the field will look like when they kick off the season on Aug. 25.

Parker said open field mirrored what his team will do in the regular season and said his team has gone through a number of drills and has been trying players out in different positions to see where they can best contribute to the team come time for the season opener.

In addition to preparing for the 2014 season in house, the Warriors have played rival teams in friendlies (exhibition games) and traveled to Hoopeston for a preseason invitational to get a feel for the area competition.

“We have played Central and St. Anne, and we played

in a tournament in Hoopeston last week,” Parker said. “We played Oakwood and two Hoopeston teams as well as Unity.

We played each of them and played well. We didn’t really worry about winning or losing it was more so just playing period by period. We would play 30-minute periods and then reorganize our guys in different positions and do it again. The real purpose was to see what we’ve got and try some guys out on offense and then on defense to see where they fit in.”

Despite the overall purpose of the friendlies not being centered around winning or losing, Parker got an early firsthand look at live play to see what areas his team is lacking in before the start of the season.

“The friendlies were huge because we could see that some people were inclined to offense or defense and you could see it become real natural when you put them in a game setting where they could show that they knew where they needed to be,” Parker said. “It was a real eye opener, and the Hoopeston tournament was very good because we promised our players

Have a Great Season!

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through the summer that everyone would play so we would get a good look at all our players.”

In the days leading up to the team’s first game of the season against Salt Fork in Catlin on Aug. 25, Parker will have his team focusing on ball skill and adjusting to physical contact, something he stressed as a big part of the game in spite of its misconception.

“Most of the work we have been doing is ball skills,” Parker said. “It’s ball touches, shooting, passing and adjusting to aggressive drills. People get the understanding that in soccer you just run around and don’t touch anybody. We hit just as much in any other contact sport and we don’t get the pads that all of them get. We want them to know that they will be playing teams that will put a body on them and they will be sore the next day. They have to learn that they better put on a body on them or lose it.”

The Warriors will open the season on the road today against Salt Fork.

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