High School Football
To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site. QUINCY — The Quincy High School football team beat United Township for the 22nd consecutive time, winning 49-7 Friday night at Flinn Stadium as Jeraius Rice Jr. scored three touchdowns and Bradyn Litle threw for 332 yards and…
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MOUNT STERLING, Ill. — Kadin Niekamp is already thinking ahead to next season. Niekamp is admittedly salivating at the chance to move into the Camp Point Central football team’s offensive backfield on a full-time basis, but has no problem waiting his turn in a program that produces effective running backs in the same fashion Nabisco…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. — Darion Washington hasn’t had many chances to touch the football offensively this season, but he’s making the most of his opportunities. The junior running back caught two touchdown passes and set up another score with a 29-yard run Friday night to help state-ranked Hannibal roll to a 40-0 victory over Mexico at…
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QUINCY — Week 5 of the prep football season could be the end of the road for some team’s playoff aspirations or a renewed hope of extending their season. Here’s what to look forward to this Friday night, and remember to join us for Muddy Night Lights at 10 p.m.: Friday’s games United Township (2-2)…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. — Sometimes a team’s record doesn’t tell the whole story. Hannibal football coach Jeff Gschwender believes that is the case regarding the Pirates’ 2-2 start to 2024. “I feel like we’re a little better off than where I expected to be,” Gshwender said. Gschwender’s positive outlook stems from not only the Pirates’ lopsided…
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QUINCY — Here are the Illinois Associated Press state football rankings as voted on by a panel of sports writers and sportscasters. First-place votes are in parentheses: Class 8A School Record Total Points Previous 1. Lincoln-Way East (14) 4-0 140 1 2. Barrington 4-0 119 3 3. Oswego 4-0 96 T 5 (tie) York 4-0…
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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a nine-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cole Young, PrepsKC; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Joe Andrews, Warrensburg Star-Journal; Anthony Crane, KQ2 St. Joseph; J.B. Connoley, NEMOPressbox.com;…
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PALMYRA, Mo. — The Palmyra football team has accomplished what it needed to do during the first four weeks of the season. Win the winnable games. The Panthers ran their record to 3-1 Friday night with a 46-6 victory over winless Highland. That’s one more win than the previous two teams recorded combined. They haven’t…
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QUINCY — Rick Little asked the simplest question that had a surprisingly simple answer. Yet, nothing was going to be simple about the job it led him to take. In February 2007, Little was a candidate for the vacant head football coaching position at Quincy High School. The Blue Devils had endured a two-win season…
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QUINCY — A lopsided victory against a six-time state champion may open plenty of eyes around the state of Illinois. It came as no surprise to the Quincy Notre Dame football team. “(QND coach Jack Cornell) emphasized to us this whole week that we need to make a statement, and obviously we did,” junior running…
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QUINCY — Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman and a series of guests spent two hours Friday night talking high school football for this week’s episode of Muddy Night Lights, powered by Farm & Home Supply. Several area coaches — Camp Point Central’s Brad Dixon, Macomb’s Tanner Horrell, Quincy High School’s Rick Little, South Shelby’s…
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MOLINE, Ill. — Allowing a touchdown on the second play of the game had to be a little disheartening for the Moline football team. Giving one up on the final play of the first half was disheartening. That’s how cruel Quincy High School’s efficient and electric offense can be. The Blue Devils opened Friday night’s…
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CAMP POINT, Ill. — Elijah Genenbacher could take a serious liking to this quarterback thing. Thanks to some lineup reshuffling, due mostly to a series of nagging injuries, Camp Point Central football coach Brad Dixon installed Genenbacher as the starting quarterback Friday night for the first time in his career. Genenbacher, a 6-foot-2, 220-pound senior,…
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PALMYRA, Mo. — In the blink of an eye, a one-score game turned into a rout. Its explosive offense held relatively in check during the opening 17 minutes Friday night, the Palmyra football team turned three Highland turnovers into 24 points in a little more than two minutes late in the first half to take…
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QUINCY — Here is a look at conference scores from Week 4 of the prep football season throughout West-Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri: Western Big 6 Conference Quincy High School 43, Moline 21 United Township 35, Geneseo 16 Sterling 40, Galesburg 3 Bradley-Bourbonnais 49, Rock Island 14 Central State 8 Conference Quincy Notre Dame 37,…
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QUINCY — Week 4 of the prep football season brings us key conference matchups and will have playoff implications for some teams. Here’s what to look forward to this Friday night, and remember to join us for Muddy Night Lights at 10 p.m.: Quincy High School (3-0) at Moline (2-1), 7 p.m. • WGEM Streaming…
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Schuckman: Prep football teams lining up to chase playoff bids at crucial juncture of regular season
QUINCY — It takes five. To be considered for one of the 256 high school football teams to qualify for a postseason berth in Illinois, five victories are needed. Six wins guarantees a spot. Seven likely gets a favorable draw. Eight almost always results in a first-round home game. And nine means you’re perfect and…
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QUINCY — Here are the latest Illinois Associated Press state football rankings as voted on by a state-wide panel of sports writers and sportscasters. First-place votes are in parentheses: Class 8A School Record Total Points Previous 1. Lincoln-Way East (13) 3-0 130 1 2. Chicago (Marist) 3-0 111 4 3. Barrington 3-0 101 5 4.…
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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a nine-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cole Young, PrepsKC; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Joe Andrews, Warrensburg Star-Journal; Anthony Crane, KQ2 St. Joseph; J.B. Connoley, NEMOPressbox.com;…
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QUINCY — The formula for the Quincy High School football team is simple. Catch us if you can. Quincy’s explosive offense has picked up where it left off last season by scoring 40 or more points in each of its first three games. The undefeated and state-ranked Blue Devils are churning out nearly 470 yards…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman and a series of guests spent two hours Friday night talking high school football for this week’s episode of Muddy Night Lights, powered by Farm & Home Supply. Three area coaches — Brown County’s Tom Little, Macomb’s Tanner Horrell and Palmyra’s Dalton Hill — joined us on…
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QUINCY — Quincy High School wanted to make a statement as it opened defense of its Western Big 6 Conference football championship. The Blue Devils delivered a powerful one. Scoring on all six offensive possessions in the first half while limiting Rock Island to just one first down, QHS opened a 41-0 halftime lead Friday…
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QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame football team made its intentions clear from the start. The Raiders were going to own the trenches. After receiving the opening kickoff Friday night at Advance Physical Therapy Field, the state-ranked Raiders’ first four plays were running plays that generated 54 yards with Ivan Hun scoring on a 12-yard…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Here is a look at the scores and highlights from Week 3 of the prep football season: Quincy High School 48, Rock Island 7 • The Blue Devils open Western Big 6 Conference play by scoring on every first-half possession and limiting the Rocks to one first down through the first three quarters.…
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MONROE CITY, Mo. — South Shelby senior linebacker Daniel Timbrook didn’t score, but his interception turned the tide just the same. With the Cardinals leading Monroe City 12-6 and 6:35 to go in the second quarter of Friday’s Clarence Cannon Conference opener at Lankford Field, Monroe City running back Dylan Ross broke off a 54-yard…
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MOUNT STERLING, Ill. — About the time Brown County sophomore Jack Sefton was finishing off his touchdown return to open the second half, there was a distinct sound accompanying his 80-yard sprint to the end zone. With each step Sefton advanced toward the first kick return score of his career, the slow hiss of momentum…
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QUINCY — Jeraius Rice scored four times, Bradyn Little completed 21 of 24 passes for 320 yards and five touchdowns and the Quincy High School defense limited Rock Island to three first downs and minus-17 yards of rushing in a 48-7 rout in a Western Big Six football game at Flinn Stadium on Friday night.…
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PALMYRA, Mo. — The work the Palmyra football players have invested into becoming a more physical team is paying significant dividends. Friday night, it paved the way to Clarence Cannon Conference whitewashing of Macon. The Panthers churned out more than 440 yards on the ground with a dominant effort from the 1-2 punch of Landon…
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MONROE CITY, Mo. — How good had th South Shelby football team’s offense been? The Cardinals beat Monroe City 44-22 Friday night in the Clarence Cannon Conference opener at Lankford Field and their scoring average dropped. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey spent his evening at Lankford Field and put together this photo gallery:
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QUINCY — The games will be played. Officials from both Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame confirmed the football games scheduled to be played in the Gem City on Friday night will go on as scheduled despite the ongoing water issues caused by the break in the main at Quincy’s water treatment plant. QHS…
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QUINCY — The hunted, not the hunter. That’s the role the Quincy High School football program is embracing. Rarely has there been a season since the Western Big 6 Conference was formed in the early 1970s where the Blue Devils were the odds-on favorite to win the league title. As league play kicks off Friday…
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QUINCY — Week 3 of the prep football season brings the start of conference play for teams on both sides of the Mississippi River. Here’s what to look forward to this Friday night: Rock Island (0-2) at Quincy High School (2-0), 7:30 p.m. • WGEM Streaming App • QCSportsnet.com Did you know?: The Blue Devils…
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QUINCY — History occurred Wednesday on the Gem City gridiron. The release of the Associated Press state football rankings resulted in both the Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame football teams being ranked in their respective classes at the same time for the first time ever. The Blue Devils (2-0) are ranked ninth in…
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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a nine-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cole Young, PrepsKC; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Joe Andrews, Warrensburg Star-Journal; Anthony Crane, KQ2 St. Joseph; J.B. Connoley, NEMOPressbox.com;…
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KIRKSVILLE, Mo. — It appeared the book was closing on a career spanning more than four decades when Gregg Nesbitt announced in February he was retiring after 14 seasons as the head football coach at Truman State University. Instead, another chapter is being written. One day after Nesbitt announced he was leaving Truman State as…
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QUINCY — In Taylin Scott’s mind, the last seven days changed the Quincy Notre Dame football team. “We’re smarter,” the senior linebacker said. “We’re resilient.” The Raiders have a victory to prove that. One week after a one-point, first-half deficit ballooned into a 28-point loss to Quincy High School, the Raiders rattled off 22 consecutive…
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QUINCY — Alton matched the Quincy High School football team big play for big play through the opening 12 minutes Friday night. The final 36 minutes, not so much. The Blue Devils clung to a slim 14-13 lead after a slog of a first quarter that took 50 minutes to play because of penalties, incomplete…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Here is a rundown of the prep football scores from our area in Week 2: Quincy High School 42, Alton 13 Quincy Notre Dame 22, Richmond-Burton 10 Hannibal 57, Lutheran St. Charles 8 Calhoun 14, Camp Point Central 13 Greenfield-NW 36, Unity-Payson 12 Winchester West Central 10, Brown County 8 Elmwood-Brimfield 42, Illini…
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BOWLING GREEN, Mo. — While Mark St. Clair’s 200th career head coaching victory will go on his personal resume, he was quick to pass the credit to others in his circle who have helped make that accomplishment possible. “There have been a lot of people who have contributed to every one of my wins —…
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HARDIN, Ill. — Exactly when and where Conner Longnecker broke the plane with the football may be up for debate. The fact two Western Illinois Valley Conference heavyweights went toe-to-toe for 48 minutes Friday night and the difference between the two is a matter of inches isn’t open to conjecture. This was a slobberknocker of…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman and a series of guests spent two hours Friday night talking high school football for this week’s episode of Muddy Night Lights, powered by Farm & Home Supply. Three area coaches — Pittsfield’s Zach Ferguson, Quincy High School’s Rick Little and Monroe City’s David Kirby — joined…
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To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site. QUINCY — The Richmond-Burton football program had won 49 of its previous 52 regular-season football games, spanning better than six seasons. However, there was no adding to that legacy Friday night. Quincy Notre Dame earned a 22-10 victory…
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To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit out SmugMug site. BOWLING GREEN, Mo. — Mark St. Clair enjoyed a milestone moment Friday night as the former Hannibal football coach, who is know at the helm of the Bowling Green program, won his 200th career game in the Bobcats’…
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QUINCY — Week 2 of the prep football scene should offer some insight into who is going to be a playoff contender and who has work to do to make it to the postseason. And join Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman for Muddy Night Lights, airing live at 10 p.m. Friday night. Alton (0-1)…
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CAMP POINT, Ill. — Hello, old friend. For the third time in a little more than a calendar year, the Camp Point Central and Hardin Calhoun football teams will clash when the Panthers make the 90-minute trek south to Hardin on Friday. “They played us as tough as anybody last year no matter who we…
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QUINCY — The opening week of the prep football season is in the books and it’s on to Week 2, which is the precursor to conference play for many teams. Here is a recap of what transpired on the first Friday night of the season and a look ahead to this week’s schedule. And remember,…
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QUINCY — Rico Clay proved he could be a defensive force for the Quincy High School football team in last season’s opener against Quincy Notre Dame when he intercepted two passes, returned the first for a touchdown and came within 5 yards of doing the same with the second. This season, he displayed his offensive…
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QUINCY — Quarterback Bradyn Little admits the Quincy High School offense still has a few kinks to iron out. “Too many penalties, too many turnovers,” he said. “But we’ll clean those up. The only way to get experience is by playing games. I’m excited to see us get better.” Pardon future opponents for not sharing…
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QUINCY — As the days passed prior to Friday’s opening night affair with its crosstown rival, there was a clear approach in mind for Quincy Notre Dame football coach Jack Cornell. “Our goal is that on Saturday morning we all wake up and that everybody in Quincy was going to be talking about Ivan Hun,”…
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CAMP POINT, Ill. — So far, so good. Camp Point Central opened defense of its Class 1A state football championship with a resounding exclamation point Friday night. The Panthers completely overwhelmed an overmatched North Greene team 69-0, winning their 23rd consecutive regular-season game. In a contest where a running clock was in place the entire…
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MONROE CITY, Mo. — Except for the final score, Dylan Ross wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Ross, a senior running back and linebacker for Monroe City, welcomed the challenge of facing 15-time state champion Valle Catholic in Week One. “If we play a cupcake Week One, we’re just going to be known as…
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To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photo,click here to visit our SmugMug site. QUINCY — The Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame football programs showcased some mettle and moxie, but it was the Blue Devils’ athleticism and depth that made the difference in a season-opening 40-12 victory at Advance Physical…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. — Hannibal football coach Jeff Gschwender and the Pirates knew Jefferson City Helias presented a tough challenge, but after a 31-20 loss at Porter Stadium in Friday night’s season opener, they know they’ll be better for having faced a Class 5 juggernaut. “We definitely dealt with some adversity,” Gschwender said. “But our kids…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman and a series of guests spent two hours Friday night talking high school football for the debut episode of Muddy Night Lights, powered by Farm & Home Supply. Four area coaches — Camp Point Central’s Brad Dixon, Hannibal’s Jeff Gschwender, Pittsfield’s Zach Ferguson and South Shelby’s Adam…
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MENDON, Ill.— It wasn’t the debut Sawyer Allen envisioned. After winning the starting quarterback job with his work over the summer and through preseason practice, the Unity-Payson sophomore approached the 2023 season opener at home against Winchester West Central with eager anticipation. “I had every opportunity to show Coach I want to be the quarterback…
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Coverage of the QHS football program is brought to you by: QUINCY — An album released 40 years ago that produced a pair of iconic rock anthems could find its way back into circulation around the Quincy High School football locker room if for no other reason than the title alone. It’s unlikely the Blue…
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QUINCY — The curtain goes up at 7 p.m. Friday on another high school football season. So here’s a look at the lid-lifting slate: Quincy High School at Quincy Notre Dame, 7 p.m. • WGEM Sports • Raider Sports Network Did you know?: This will be the fourth consecutive season the city rivals have met…
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QUINCY — Check out the Muddy River Sports 48-page preview of the upcoming high school football season with a look at all 16 teams in our coverage area, including team schedules.
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Coverage of the QHS football program is brought to you by: QUINCY — The Quincy High School football team made history on a number of fronts during the 2023. So how to you top history? You take it to the next level. The Blue Devils realize that is their challenge for the upcoming season, and…
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Coverage of the Camp Point Central football program is brought to you by: CAMP POINT, Ill. — There is a culture that envelops the Camp Point Central football program, a powerful intangible that was not built overnight. “We never point fingers,” said Kadin Niekamp, a junior lineman mature beyond his teenage years. “Mistakes will happen,…
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Coverage of the Camp Point Central football coach is brought to you by: CAMP POINT, Ill. — Graduation losses often hit hard. Some years, they hit harder than others. Yet, somehow the Camp Point Central football program reloads every year. That is what will take place as the Panthers kick off their season and defense…
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Coverage of the QND football program is brought to you by: QUINCY — Ryan Darnell is quick to point out the competitiveness taking place during the Quincy Notre Dame football team’s practices isn’t limited to the players. “The coaches are getting after each other, too,” the senior lineman said. It explains why the atmosphere is…
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Coverage of the QND football program brought to you by: QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame football team isn’t going to be intimidated. History is proof of that. The Raiders are in a conference this season for the first time since 2012, having joined the Central State Eight Conference as a football-only member and will…
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Coverage of the QND football program brought to you by: QUINCY — When the Quincy High School football team heads across to town to face Quincy Notre Dame at Advance Physical Therapy Field for Friday night’s season opener, the entire Gem City community gets to celebrate the prep game. QND senior safety Wyatt Mueller knows…
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Coverage of the Pleasant Hill football program brought to you by: PLEASANT HILL, Ill. — Numbers are up, and so is Mike Giles’ confidence. The Pleasant Hill/Western veteran football coach expects the Wolves to immerse themselves in the playoff hunt. “You hate to jinx it, but I think we’ll be right up there,” Giles said.…
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Coverage of the Illini West football program brought to you by: CARTHAGE, Ill. — The desire to return to the playoffs and bring postseason action back to Fuzz Berges Field is driving the Illini West football players this fall. Chargers quarterback Max Kinnamon joined Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman to discuss how the Chargers…
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QUINCY — At long last, the high school football season kicks off Friday night in both Illinois and Missouri. There will be the usual rivalry games — Quincy Notre Dame will host Quincy High School and Hannibal will host Jefferson City Helias. And Camp Point Central will open the defense of its state championship at…
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Coverage of the South Shelby football program brought to you by: SHELBINA, Mo. — Winning is now a way of life for the South Shelby football players. Not only have they experienced success as underclassmen, but most of them haven’t witnessed the varsity squad struggle. The Cardinals won 18 games the previous two seasons combined,…
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Coverage of the South Shelby football program is brought to you by: SHELBINA, Mo. — The South Shelby football team rose to the top of the Clarence Cannon Conference last season behind a high-powered offense and a stingy defense. Now that winning has become the norm, the Cardinals believe they can stay at the top.…
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PALMYRA, Mo. — Physical, tough and disciplined. That is Dalton Hill’s mantra. “We don’t have to beat people based upon talent, but what we are going to do is we are going to be a physical team, we’re going to be a tough team, we’re going to be a disciplined team,” the second-year Palmyra football…
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Coverage of the Illini West football program brought to you by: CARTHAGE, Ill. — The Illini West football program is stuck in the middle, and Chargers coach Jacob Calvin senses the urgency to change that. “These kids are tired of it,” Calvin said. The Chargers head into this season looking to snap a playoff drought…
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To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photo,click here to visit our SmugMug site. QUINCY — A change to the preseason format from Illinois High School Association member schools allowed football teams to engage in 48-play, controlled scrimmages Friday night for what were being called “Week Zero” games ahead of next Friday’s…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal football team’s Class 4 state title aspirations were in full bloom Friday night as the Pirates were able to showcase some of the talent and depth that has fans in America’s hometown excited about the upcoming season. Palmyra, Highland, Mark Twain and Bowling Green displayed their own reasons for optimism.…
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Coverage of the Highland football program is brought to you by: EWING, Mo. — The current crop of Highland football players were the freshmen and junior high schoolers who bore witness to and were inspired by the 2021 team’s 8-3 record and run of success. Now, they want to pave a path into Highland history…
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Coverage of the Highland football program brought to you by: EWING, Mo. — Caleb Arnsman is an enthusiastic guy. He’s realistic, too. “My fever for this game never stops,” said the third-year Highland football coach. “Even when the season ends, I usually take about a week off, then reset and get going again.” That’s Arnsman’s…
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Coverage of the Hannibal football program brought to you by: HANNIBAL, Mo. — No Aneyas Williams, no problem. This is the prevailing attitude within the Hannibal football program. “With Aneyas or without Aneyas, we’re still going to win,” senior running back Mike Ferreira said. As Williams, who rushed for 4,255 yards and racked up 3,249…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. — Waylon Anders has quarterbacked the Hannibal football team to 20 victories in two seasons as the starting signal-caller. His experience and understanding of the Pirates’ offense is a critical reason Hannibal is considered a viable state title contender in Class 4. Anders joined Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman on the tailgate…
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Coverage of the Brown County football program is brought to you by: MT. STERLING, Ill. — For a Brown County football program that has won 65 percent of its games over the past two decades with 16 playoff appearances and a handful of conference titles, the way the 2023 season played out can be described…
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Coverage of the Brown County football program is brought to you by: MT. STERLING, Ill. — Dylan Reische gives the Brown County football team’s offensive line an experienced anchor at center and some personality. Anyone nicknamed “Chili” is bound to have character, right? Reische joined Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman on the tailgate of…
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Coverage of the Unity-Payson football team is brought to you by: MENDON, Ill. — An early-season gauntlet once again awaits the Unity-Payson football team. The Mustangs are scheduled to face three playoff teams from a year ago — Winchester West Central, Greenfield-Northwestern and Camp Point Central — during the first four weeks of the season.…
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MENDON, Ill. — It has become a tradition for the Unity-Payson football team to practice at the stroke of midnight the first allowable day Illinois High School Association schools can begin working out in full pads. So Friday night, just before midnight, the Mustangs pulled up at their home field to see the lights shining…
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Coverage of the West Hancock football program is brought to you by: HAMILTON, Ill. — A change in scheme yielded substantial offensive improvements for the West Hancock football team in 2023. If the Titans take a similar leap forward in 2024, it will be with a new quarterback who set a school record at wide…
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Coverage of the West Hancock football program is brought to you by: HAMILTON, Ill. — Nolan Gooding truly believes better days are ahead for the West Hancock football program. His enthusiasm and confidence are born from having learned second-year head coach Coy Dorothy’s system and a lifelong connection with a senior class ready to make…
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MONROE CITY, Mo. — Being involved in lopsided playoff football games was nothing new for Monroe City. Being on the losing end was. Bowling Green scored four touchdowns on eight offensive plays in the first quarter of last season’s Class 2 District 7 semifinal game, led 44-0 at halftime to prompt a running clock for…
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MONROE CITY, Mo. — The Monroe City football program has a tradition and a history rooted in success. Valle Catholic has a tradition and a history rooted in championships. Those forces collide in Week 1 at Lankford Field in one of the best small-school matchups in the state. The Panthers’ Trey Smyser and Jayden Holland…
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CENTER, Mo. — There’s a renewed sense of optimism brewing within the Mark Twain football team. Two years after winning 10 games and reaching the district championship game, the Tigers managed only one victory last season to finish in a three-way tie with Louisiana and North Callaway for last place in the Eastern Missouri Conference.…
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CENTER, Mo. — Brayden Moss has been a fixture along the Mark Twain football team’s line since he joined the varsity program as a freshman. Now a senior, Moss expects the leadership and maturity that comes with being a four-year starter to pay off as the Tigers look to turn things around and chase a…
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Coverage of the Pittsfield football program is brought to you by: PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The Pittsfield football program’s playoff drought is long enough that senior linebacker Draven Puterbaugh doesn’t remember seeing one. “It hasn’t happened in quite some time,” he said. Fifteen years in fact. Yet, there’s a distinct hope and strong belief this could…
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Coverage of the Pittsfield football program is brought to you by: PITTSFIELD, Ill. — With nine starters returning on defense and the biggest offensive line its enjoyed in quite some time, the Pittsfield football program has the makings of what could be a run at ending a 15-year playoff drought. Senior lineman Jaron White joined…
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QUINCY — Each Quincy University football practice Bradyn Little attended last spring allowed the Quincy High School quarterback to foster a stronger relationship with first-year Hawks coach Jason Killday. “I know who he is,” Little said. With that comes a level of comfortability that can’t be matched. “I trust him,” Little said. “That’s big for…
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CARTHAGE, Ill. — Like millions of other football fans, Roan Jackson anxiously awaited a new college football video game. “I had a PlayStation 3 and I played NCAA Football 14 for the last five years,” Jackson said. “One of my friends had NCAA 14, and that’s how I started playing. I got it for my…
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PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Sometimes when it feels like all hope is lost, the stars align perfectly. The Pittsfield and Jacksonville football teams can thank their lucky stars having found a Week One game after both schools’ originally scheduled opponents announced they weren’t going to play. “I wasn’t too sure we’d find a game,” Pittsfield coach…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. — The most celebrated player in the history of the Hannibal High School football program begins his first collegiate football season in three days as the University of Notre Dame kicks off fall camp with Aneyas Williams in the backfield. So what does that mean for the Pirates? Opportunities abound. There’s an opportunity…
Read Full Article PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The Sangamo Conference football coaches are scrambling, and it could result in Pittsfield being without a season-opening game. Monday, Riverton officials announced publicly it will not field a varsity football team for the upcoming season due to low participation numbers. The statement released by the school said it will field a junior…
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QUINCY — The windshield time Wyatt Mueller and his parents logged criss-crossing the Midwest as the Quincy Notre Dame senior football player was courted by college recruiters grew increasingly tiresome. “The worst part was driving everywhere,” Mueller said. “ And sitting in the car.” The miles driven and time away from home are going to…
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QUINCY — Had the week been solely about football and showcasing his talents for a state-wide audience, Chris Flachs would have walked away satisfied. The heart-felt moments that accompanied playing the game he loves sent him home humbled. The recent Quincy High School graduate and soon-to-be Quincy University freshman offensive lineman took part in the…
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QUINCY — A pair of local prep football standouts and a couple of Quincy University recruits have been invited to play in the 50th Illinois High School Shrine Game, an all-star event taking place June 15 in Bloomington. Camp Point Central running back/defensive back Drew Paben and Quincy High School lineman Chris Flachs will represent…
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SPRINGFIELD – The Camp Point Central football team was congratulated by State Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) and State Rep. Randy Frese (R-Paloma) during its trip to the Illinois State Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 7. The Panthers captured the Illinois High School Association Class 1A state football championship and had an undefeated season. The team made the trip to…
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HANNIBAL, Mo. — The best player in the area has been named the best player in the state. Hannibal all-purpose back Aneyas Williams recently was named the Gatorade Missouri Player of the Year, becoming the first player in school history to receive the nationwide recognition. The Gatorade Player of the Year award was established in…
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QUINCY — Conference play and rivalry games will remain part of the Illinois high school football landscape for now. But for how long? Tuesday, the Illinois High School Association announced the results of the annual by-law referendum with a proposal for statewide district scheduling for football failing. Of the 727 votes cast, 379 member schools…
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