Schuckman: Old-school vibes, new-school touches make Friday nights at Unity-Payson feel like it’s where you belong

The moon dropping to the horizon behind the pressbox at the Unity-Payson football field in Mendon, Ill., is a perfect backdrop for Friday night high school football. | Matt Schuckman photo

MENDON, Ill. — When modern technology accents old-school charm, you wind up watching a prep football game in an environment artists pen songs about and screenwriters use as inspiration for movie scripts. Friday night, this Adams County village offered one of those backdrops. From the bonfire in the neighboring yard to a respected, celebrated old…

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Schuck on a Truck: Professional pitmaster Terry Bower discusses BBQ competitions, tailgate tips

QUINCY — Terry Bower took a weekend hobby of creating delectable barbeque and wood-smoked meats and turned into a professional career as a pitmaster on the Kansas City Barbeque Society circuit. He’s traveled the Midwest getting calls and winning honors at some of the most prestigious events. In this episode of “Schuck on a Truck”…

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Schuck on a Truck: Truman State offensive coordinator Jason Killday discusses start of fall camp

Truman State University offensive coordinator Jason Killday and Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman talk football in the latest episode of "Schuck on a Truck," brought to you by Area Distributors. | Muddy River Sports photo

BARING, Mo. — Jason Killday views the Truman State University football team’s start of preseason workouts the way he wants each of the Bulldogs to see things. It’s a brand new day. A year ago, when the Bulldogs went 9-3 and won the America’s Crossroads Bowl, Truman State established a single-season school record for yards…

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Schuck on a Truck: Glenn Sanders talks about outdoors projects and MVHFA

Glenn Sanders, left, talks with Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman about the outdoors in the latest episode of "Schuck on a Truck."

QUINCY — Glenn Sanders has been synonymous with the outdoors and the opportunities afforded to youth anglers and hunters his entire life. A retired sergeant with the Illinois Conservation Police, Sanders currently is the president of the Mississippi Valley Hunters and Fishermen’s Association and arguably West-Central Illinois’ strongest advocate for wildlife resources. Sanders and Muddy…

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Schuck on a Truck: Seth Anderson discusses SLU soccer experience

Saint Louis University sophomore soccer standout Seth Anderson, left, talks with Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman in the latest episode of "Schuck on a Truck." | Muddy River Sports photo

QUINCY — Seth Anderson stepped in as a freshman with the Saint Louis University men’s soccer program last fall and made an immediate impact as the Billikens went 16-1-4 and reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament. The former Quincy Notre Dame all-state striker sat down with Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman to discuss…

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Schuck on a Truck: Andrew Smith discusses making two aces in 10-day span

Andrew Smith, left, discusses making a hole-in-one twice in a 10-day span at Spring Lake Country Club with Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman for the latest "Schuck on a Truck" episode. | Muddy River Sports photo

QUINCY — When Andrew Smith realized he’d made his first hole-in-one, nearly every golfer scattered across the Spring Lake Country Club layout knew it. “I just jumped out of the golf cart while it was going 15 miles per hour,” Smith said. When he made his second ace 10 days later, the reaction was a…

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Schuck on a Truck: Hannibal golfer Quinn Thomas talks playing Bellerive and mud volleyball

Hannibal junior Quinn Thomas joined Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman for an episode of "Schuck on a Truck." | Muddy River Sports photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Golf is taking Quinn Thomas places most 16-year-olds can’t fathom. Recently, it had him walking fairways once crossed by legends. Thomas, who will be a junior at Hannibal High School in the fall, played in the 115th Missouri Amateur Championship, which meant teeing it up on the iconic Bellerive Country Club layout…

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Schuck on a Truck: Brown County baseball coach Jared Hoots talks historic postseason run

Brown County coach Jared Hoots and the Hornets will appear in the Class 1A state final four this weekend at Dozer Park in Peoria. Matt Schuckman photo

MOUNT STERLING, Ill. — The Brown County baseball team will be making the program’s first appearance in the state final four Friday when it faces Ottawa Marquette at 10 a.m. at Peoria’s Dozer Park in the Class 1A state semifinals. Hornets coach Jared Hoots sat down with Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman for an…

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Schuck on a Truck Zoom Edition: Millikin standout and Unity graduate Jordan Hildebrand

Jordan Hildebrand, a 2017 Unity graduate, earned honorable mention All-American honors for the Millikin women's basketball team in her final season playing for the Big Blue. Photo courtesy Millikin Athletics

Jordan Hildebrand’s decision to stay at Millikin University for an extra year of eligibility, pursue a master’s degree and help the Big Blue women’s basketball team chase NCAA glory turned out to be a wise move. Not only will Hildebrand walk away later this year with two degrees in her hip pocket, but the 6-foot…

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Schuck on a Truck Zoom Edition: Professional basketball player Tanner Stuckman

Tanner Stuckman, a graduate of Quincy Notre Dame and Quincy University, is playing professionally in Canada for the Windsor Express. Submitted photo

QUINCY — Tanner Stuckman’s basketball career has been built around hard work, determination and an unwillingness to be told he couldn’t succeed. That’s why professional opportunities are coming his way. A graduate of Quincy Notre Dame and Quincy University, the 6-foot-9 Stuckman is currently playing in the National Basketball League of Canada for the Windsor…

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Schuck on a Truck Zoom Edition: Former QU All-American linebacker Cody Leonard

Former Quincy University All-American linebacker Cody Leonard is headed to Finland to play professional football. Photo courtesy Quincy University athletics

CARROLLTON, Ill. — Football is in Cody Leonard’s blood. Try as he might to turn the page to the next chapter of his life, the former Quincy University All-American linebacker couldn’t ditch the itch to continue playing. Now, he has that opportunity. Leonard has signed a professional contract to play with the Kuopio Steelers in…

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Schuck on a Truck Zoom Edition: SLUH guard Nick Kramer

St. Louis University High senior guard Nick Kramer, the son of Quincy Blue Devil Sports Hall of Fame inductee Jack Kramer, will be playing against Quincy High School on Saturday night in Blue Devil Gym as part of the Quincy Shootout. Photo courtesy St. Louis University High

The glimmer in Nick Kramer’s eye shined when he began talking about the situation he will be walking into this weeked. He’s entering his father’s old neighborhood. With that comes the understanding of history, tradition and legacy. Jack Kramer is part of all three when it comes to the Quincy High School boys basketball program,…

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Schuck on a Truck Zoom Edition: Iowa State University running back Jirehl Brock

Iowa State University running back Jirehl Brock, a former Quincy High School all-stater, started his first collegiate game in the Cheez-It Bowl against Clemson. Photo courtesy ISU Athletics

AMES, Iowa — Patience, persistence and commitment are paying off for Jirehl Brock. One of the most decorated football players in Quincy High School history, Brock spent his first three seasons at Iowa State University playing behind consensus All-American tailback Breece Hall. It meant limited opportunities and limited carries, but he never wavered on Iowa…

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Schuck on a Truck Zoom Edition: Professional golfer Luke Guthrie

Quincy native Luke Guthrie, who will celebrate 10 years of professional golf in 2022, joined Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman for a Zoom interview to talk about his game, his career and his family. Photo courtesy Korn Ferry Tour

QUINCY — Luke Guthrie’s 10-year anniversary as a professional golfer is looming. So is the opportunity for the Quincy native to reinvigorate his career. Following his 11th-place finish in the second stage of the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying School, Guthrie earned conditional status on the Korn Ferry Tour for the 2022 season. He went on…

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Schuck on a Truck Zoom Edition: HD Intelligence vice president Andy Schmitt

Quincy High School graduate Andy Schmitt is the vice president of HD Intelligence and based in Champaign, Ill.

Andy Schmitt’s love of competition and sports morphed into a passion for the processes coaches, athletes and teams go through over the course of a season and beyond to elevate their game to a championship level. The Quincy High School graduate saw it first hand as a student manager with the University of Illinois men’s…

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Schuck on a Truck Zoom Edition: Former Quincy University pitcher Graham Spraker

Former Quincy University right-hander Graham Spraker was named the Arizona Fall League Reliever of the Year while pitching for the Mesa Solar Sox. Photo courtesy Mesa Solar Sox

Graham Spraker reinvented himself as a pitcher and could find himself pitching in the Toronto Blue Jays’ bullpen in the near future. The former Quincy University right-hander, who was a 31st round draft pick of the Blue Jays in 2017 after leading the Hawks to the NCAA Division II World Series, is coming off an…

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Schuck on a Truck Zoom edition: Liberty running back Wentric Williams III

Wentric Williams III recently joined Muddy River Sports editor Matt Schuckman on a Zoom call to discuss football, wrestling, the impact and legacy of his father. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

The name is the same. And if you watch Wentric Williams III run with the football tucked tightly in his right arm, you’ll see glimpses of his father. And then there’s that million-watt smile. It’s part of what made Wentric Williams II electric. His namesake shares that electricity. But be clear about one thing —…

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Schuck on a Truck: Episode 1 with Bill Connell

Muddy River Sports editor Matt Schuckman and Quincy Notre Dame athletic director Bill Connell reunite on the tailgate of Schuckman’s pickup truck to reminisce about the origins of the post-practice tailgate interviews and discuss everything from Connell’s football coaching career to the impact COVID had on athletics over the past year to his son battling…

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