Countdown to tipoff: Focus switches to hoops at Central with young roster needing to mature

Camp Point Central boys basketball coach James Barnett is used to his team needing most of December to find its rhythm following a successful football season for the Panthers. | Matt Schuckman photo

Coverage of the Camp Point Central boys basketball team is brought to you by: CAMP POINT, Ill. — Camp Point Central boys basketball coach James Barnett has been through this before. Fourteen of the 15 players on the Central basketball roster are football players, which means the Central football team’s trip to the Class 1A…

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Genenbacher, Peters play backyard football as Central rolls over Nokomis for first-round victory

Camp Point Central's Nate Peters hauls in a pass from Elijah Genenbacher near the goal line during Saturday's Class 1A first-round playoff game in Camp Point, Ill. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

CAMP POINT, Ill. — That pass-and-catch connection between Elijah Genenbacher and Nate Peters goes way back. “Nate and I grew up playing backyard football together, and I’m sure that helps now,” Genenbacher said. Their familiarity with one another’s abilities was in full display on a wind-swept Saturday afternoon when the longtime friends each played essential…

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Schuck on a Truck: Central’s Elijah Genenbacher discusses title defense and move to quarterback

CAMP POINT, Ill. — Elijah Genenbacher has always been a do-whatever-it-takes type of teammate. This year, his willingness to play anywhere, anytime, against anyone led to Genenbacher shifting from running back to quarterback, and with is has come a seven-game win streak for the Camp Point Central football team. The Panthers won the WIVC North…

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All in a night’s work: Genenbacher scores four touchdowns, passes for a fifth and sets Central career tackle record during 56-0 rout of Triopia

Elijah Genenbacher rushed for four touchdowns and a pair of two-point conversions, passed for a fifth score AND became the Panthers' career leader in tackles during Friday night's win over Triopia. — Photo by Mike Pritchard

CAMP POINT, Ill. — By preference, Camp Point Central’s Elijah Genenbacher would be most comfortable covered by a cloak of anonymity. By performance, he’s learned to accept life beneath the glare of a spotlight. Such was the case Friday night. Genenbacher, a strapping 6-foot-2, 220-pound two-way senior, rushed for four touchdowns and a pair of…

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Experiment works as Genenbacher guides Panthers to victory in new role as starting QB

Camp Point Central quarteerback Elijah Genenbacher, lefet, runs off the right end during Friday night's game against Unity-Payson in Camp Point, Ill. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

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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Countdown to kickoff: Backed by culture of success, Panthers seek to defend Class 1A state championship

The ability to run the ball and consistently replace talented running backs is why Zack Wear and the Camp Point Central football team are expected to challenge for a Class 1A state championship once again. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

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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Central boys bounce back from losses to Unity, Griggsville-Perry to win twice in 24 hours

Camp Point Central's Drew Paben drives to the basket while Van-Far's Gage Gibson defends during Saturday afternoon's high school boys basketball game at the Pit in Quincy during the KHQA Superfan Shootout. | Photo courtesy of Mike Pritchard

QUINCY — The week ended much better than it began for the Camp Point Central boys basketball team. After suffering back-to-back upset losses to Mendon Unity and Griggsville-Perry, the Panthers whipped Rushville-Industry Friday night and then pulled away in the second half Saturday afternoon for a 59-46 victory over Van-Far (Mo.) in the American Family…

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Panthers head to Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament yet to allow any opponent 40 points

Camp Point Central guard Drew Paben has been part of a stout defense that is allowing just 28 points per game. | Matt Schuckman photo

CAMP POINT, Ill. — Defense is top priority at Camp Point Central, no matter the sport. “We preach it. It’s not just me preaching it,” said James Barnett, the boys basketball coach whose team enters the Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament this week not having allowed an opponent to score 40 points in a game yet this…

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Opportunity awaits: Behind another dominant first quarter, Central earns rematch with Lena-Winslow in Class 1A title game

Camp Point Central sophomore defensive tackle Kadin Niekamp points the Panthers in the right direction during Saturday's 54-20 victory over Greenfield-Northwestern in the Class 1A state semifinal in Camp Point, Ill. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

CAMP POINT, Ill. — The politically correct expression would be “unfinished business.” In football layman’s terms, Camp Point Central tight end Jack Thompson may have hit the nail on the proverbial head. “We want some revenge,” Thompson said only moments following the Panthers’ 54-20 rout of Greenfield Northwestern in the Class 1A semifinals Saturday afternoon…

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Schuck on a Truck: Central linebackers discuss playoff atmosphere, community support

CAMP POINT, Ill. — The crowd’s presence was undeniable. No matter if they were on the field or on the sideline, the Camp Point Central football players could hear its overflowing crowd and feel its energy during last Saturday’s Class 1A state quarterfinal victory over Belleville Althoff. The Panthers expect a more boisterous and potentially…

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Panthers’ first-quarter blitz knocks Crusaders out, sends Central to Class 1A state semifinals

Camp Point Central's Drew Paben, left, and Conner Griffin celebrate Paben's touchdown reception that extended the Panthers' first-quarter lead to 30-0 against Belleville Althoff in Saturday's Class 1A state quarterfinal matchup in Camp Point, Ill. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

CAMP POINT, Ill. — Many of those attending Saturday’s playoff game at Camp Point Central High School likely passed a particular sign on the west side of Illinois 94. The placard reads: “Small Town. Big dreams.” Oh so true on both accounts. On paper, the Central football team faced a daunting task in its Class…

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Paben puts finishing touch on Central football team’s second-round playoff victory

Camp Point Central running back Drew Paben, right, stiff-arms a Hardin Calhoun defender during Saturday's Class 1A second-round playoff game in Hardin, Ill. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

HARDIN, Ill. — Drew Paben’s first touchdown run was by design, but his second was more or less an accident. Paben scored twice in the fourth quarter Saturday afternoon to propel Camp Point Central past Hardin Calhoun 32-14 in the second round of the Class 1A state playoffs. Paben’s two touchdowns allowed Central to pull…

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Off and running: Genenbacher’s first-play touchdown sets stage for Central’s playoff win

Camp Point Central running back Elijah Genenbacher runs throw a gaping hole on the left side of the line on the Panthers' first offensive play in a 54-0 rout of Bridgeport Red Hill in the opening round of the Class 1A playoffs Saturday in Camp Point, Ill. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

CAMP POINT, Ill. — The first time Elijah Genenbacher touched the ball proved to be a harbinger of things to come Saturday afternoon. For both Genenbacher and the Camp Point Central football team. Genenbacher, a junior running back whose true passion is playing linebacker on defense, was handed the ball on Central’s first offensive play…

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Stand and deliver: Panthers put up fourth-down roadblock to fend off Warriors in WIVC clash

Camp Point Central sophomore defensive tackle Kadin Niekamp, center, reacts to stopping Hardin Calhoun on a fourth-down conversion in the fourth quarter of Friday night's game. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

CAMP POINT, Ill. — All of the game’s scoring occurred in the first half. All of the suspense materialized during a frantic final five minutes of the fourth quarter. The Central football team escaped its home opener Friday night with a 30-22 victory over Hardin Calhoun in a Western Illinois Valley Conference crossover game. The…

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