College football tracker: Former area prep gridiron standouts ready for season openers

Quincy Notre Dame graduate Jonny Bottorff, left, will be the starting center when the Northern Arizona football team opens its season Saturday at Arizona. | Photo courtesy Northern Arizona athletics

QUINCY — The first weekend of the college football season puts familiar faces in new places, new roles and new positions. Here is a look at some area football products as their seasons get underway:  • A pair of Clarence Cannon Conference products are expected to play a role in the Truman State football team’s…

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Schuckman: Brock, Aschemann, others ready to seize opportunity as college football season begins

Quincy High School graduate Jirehl Brock, right, will start as the No. 1 tailback for Iowa State University when the Cyclones open the season at home Saturday against Southeast Missouri. | Photo courtesy Iowa State athletics

QUINCY — Jirehl Brock patiently waited for his chance. Zack Aschemann decided to take another chance. Cody Schrader chased his chance. And Caden Selle earned a chance. Therein lies the beauty of college football. An opportunity always exists if you wholeheartedly pursue it. Brock, the former Quincy High School all-stater and all-time leading rusher, will…

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We-before-me mentality: Pirates’ collective effort along offensive line creates success

Hannibal’s A.J. Thomas runs through a gaping hole created by the offensive line during a district game against Warrenton at Porter Stadium. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Film doesn’t lie. So as the Hannibal football players and coaching staff reviewed last Saturday’s 42-26 victory over North County in the Class 4 state semifinals, a familiar site popped up on the screen — Aneyas Williams running untouched for a touchdown. Trailing 14-7 in the second quarter, Williams took the handoff…

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