GALESBURG — On Monday night, Galesburg District 205’s school board members approved having Legat Architects work on architectural drawings for a major construction project that is still in the preliminary stage.
And a property tax increase will not occur if it’s completed, as District 205 will use its revenues and Fund 60 money that is available. A $5 million short-term loan might be taken out, which would be repaid via 1% sales tax revenue funds over the course of up to five years.
According to 205, Fund 60 “is restricted to the use of expenditures for construction, repairs, and maintenance of district facilities. Salaries, benefits, and non-facility maintenance related items cannot be paid from this fund.”
In the plans is a new 25,000 square feet district warehouse on the Galesburg Junior/Senior High School campus, turf at Jim Sundberg Field, the home of the Silver Streaks’ varsity baseball team, the elimination of the freshman/sophomore baseball field, and infield work at Galesburg’s varsity softball field.
Gale and Rose Hoben Welch need a combined $5 million in life safety improvements, and the schools will be demolished if the project eventually gets approval.
Gale School will turn into a green space, if District 205’s preliminary construction project takes place. [Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
Gale’s lot will be left as a green space while the district warehouse would be constructed in Rose Hoben’s footprint.
If District 205’s preliminary construction project comes to fruition, a warehouse will be constructed where Rose Hoben Welch School currently stands. [Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
The warehouse will provide a space for new food coolers, have a permanent dock and be located on property where 50% of the student population resides, District 205 officials have stated.
The proposed new district warehouse will be built in Rose Hoben’s footprint (far right). [Screen grab from the live feed of Monday’s District 205 board meeting]
Diamond improvements
A new drainage system, fencing, and turf would be installed at Sundberg, and “allows for a safe field that is playable in multiple weather conditions and little maintenance required,” District 205 documents state.
In the near future, if plans fall into place, a new drainage system, fencing, and turf would be installed at Jim Sundberg Field, home of the Silver Streaks’ varsity baseball team. [Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
A 144 space parking lot would replace the freshman/sophomore baseball field, and “provides much needed parking for the softball, baseball, stadium events, the field house (and) improves traffic safety on the north end of the property,” district documents state.
“It also allows for the current softball/baseball parking lot to be converted to ADA parking.”
The JV softball field will have revisions made to its fence “to allow for use by baseball and softball for practice areas.”
Sundberg Field will be used for games by all of Galesburg’s baseball squads if turf is installed.
Work will also be done on the varsity softball field’s infield, as it is currently clay and doesn’t allow for sufficient water drainage.
An artificial playing surface for Galesburg’s softballers is among future considerations and wasn’t included in the current proposal.
What’s going to happen at Wicall?
The architectural drawing for an addition at Wicall Gym/Mustain Pool, which was presented during Monday’s board meeting, shows a multi-use building connected to the existing structure.
8,600 sq. ft. wrestling practice facilty
7.250 sq. ft. softball/baseball practice facility
3,200 sq. ft. weight room with 16 power racks and an outdoor expansion area
Public bathrooms and concession area for Wicall Gym and Mustain Pool
The architectural drawing for an addition at Wicall Gym/Mustain Pool, which was presented during Monday’s board meeting, shows a multi-use building connected to the existing structure. Galesburg’s grapplers will practice in the dark grey colored space. [Screen grab from the live feed of District 205’s board meeting Monday evening]
Ex-Streak Demott takes over girls hoops program
Lexi (Daniels) Demott has been named the next head coach of Galesburg’s varsity girls basketball team.
The 2016 GHS grad replaces Evan Massey, who retired after the 2023-24 season, and she spent four seasons serving as an assistant under him.
A four-year player for Galesburg, Demott appeared in 132 games in her high school career, and she netted 906 points (No. 22 on the all-time scoring list).
Demott averaged 11.3 points per game and went 109-for-249 (43%) from 3-point territory in 2015-16, her senior season, and she made 256 3-pointers in her high school career.
Massey guided the Streaks for 46 seasons, and the hardwood inside John Thiel Gym will now be known as Evan Massey Court – that proposal was approved Monday night along with the hiring of his replacement.
Galesburg High School senior Gauge Shipp will continue his wrestling career at Hofstra University, an NCAA Division I school in Hempstead, New York. [Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — As he sat at a table draped with a Silver Streaks table cloth, the spotlight shined on Galesburg High School senior Gauge Shipp inside the Hegg Performing Arts Center on Thursday afternoon.
But Shipp is used to being in the limelight.
The 132-pounder has drawn attention throughout his wrestling career, and moving forward the stage will be even bigger.
A lifelong dream has come true for Shipp, who has committed to wear a singlet for Hofstra University, an NCAA Division I school in Hempstead, New York — roughly an hour and 20 minute drive from New York City, also known as “The Big Apple.”
“Hofstra, I fell in love with the program when I took a visit,” Shipp said. “The coaches reached out to me constantly, and they were always asking about me. They care about me as a person and as a wrestler, and that’s what you want.
“With those coaches and the right leadership, I think they’re going to help set up my future,” Shipp added.
Unlike in high school, Shipp will have access to a wrestling room 24/7 as a member of the Pride, and he will take full advantage.
“If I could live in the wrestling room I would,” Shipp said. “Everyone in a Division I room is going to be great, and being in that atmosphere every single day is going to help me get so much better.
“I feel like I haven’t even hit my prime yet.”
Resume speaks for itself
Shipp finished his high career with an overall record of 172-10. He’s a four-time state qualifier. As a junior, Shipp took first at 138 pounds, and he placed third as a freshman, sixth as a sophomore, and ended up with a second place medal this winter.
Shipp aimed for back-to-back state titles in two different weight classes, but a left ankle/foot injury in the Class 2A championship match derailed that goal.
“It’s unfortunate the way I ended my high school career, but when you look at the overall picture I had a great run in high school,” Shipp said. “Hopefully, I set a great example.”
Shipp, who ditched a walking boot last Monday and is fully recovered, did indeed, and the list of his accolades is extensive.
Shipp holds Galesburg school records for most varsity wins, consecutive wins (96), takedowns in a career and season, pins in a career and season, and individual match points in a career and season. He finished atop the Western Big 6 four straight times, and Shipp won four regional titles.
“Gauge has taken the program to heights that I couldn’t imagine,” said Greg Leibach, who has coached the Streaks for eight seasons. “It wasn’t just him, but it was his senior classmates as well.
“Gauge has a personality that other people are drawn to,” Leibach added. “He has fun.”
Five questions, five answers…
1. How do you feel about your Galesburg High School career?
Shipp: “There’s nothing that I would change about my high school career. It was amazing. Coach Leibach, the Galesburg wrestling program, and just the Galesburg community as a whole made it perfect for me. Not only did I make myself better, but I helped create a great team atmosphere. Hopefully, I set a great example for the future Galesburg wrestlers and Galesburg athletes as a whole for what it’s like to be a unified team.”
2.Do you get nervous at all on the mat?
Shipp: “I’m never nervous about losing. I’m nervous about not being perfect. My goal every time I step out there is to be perfect. If it doesn’t happen then it doesn’t happen, but that’s what I’m worried about.”
3. How much do you look forward to the challenge of collegiate wrestling?
Shipp: “I’m going to get beat on a little bit in the practice room, but that’s exactly what I’m ready for. I’m going to make my mark in college.”
4. How special was your signing ceremony?
Shipp: “It was great to see everyone who has supported me right in front of me. It was perfect and a great atmosphere.”
5. How much does it mean to you to teach other wrestlers?
Shipp: “I love it, and they help me out, too, and they don’t even realize it. They make me such a better leader and a better person. I thank them for that. My dad always told me that once you can teach something you get eight times better at it, and I truly believe that. When I teach someone how to shoot a single leg, I get a lot better at shooting a single leg.
“I started through the Knox County Krushers, and that’s how I learned to wrestle. Anyone in this town can take that route, it is a free club that my dad runs.”
Departing thought…
“I’m excited to see how the next chapter of his career plays out,” Leibach said. “I’m hoping to watch him in person as often as possible even though his season is going to overlap with our season.
“I just believe that with consistent quality training partners and the high-level coaching at Hofstra is going to send Gauge onward and upward.”
Galesburg High School seniors Kiarra Kilgore (left) and Alexis Edgerson represented the Silver Streaks in the Pepsi Iowa-Illinois Senior All-Star Game on Monday night in Rock Island inside Augustana College’s Carver Center. [Photo courtesy of Streaks Girls Basketball]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
ROCK ISLAND — Galesburg High School seniors Alexis Edgerson, Kiarra Kilgore, and Jace Keith, as well as Monmouth-Roseville senior Carmyn Huston, hit the hardwood Monday night.
And they did so in the Pepsi Iowa-Illinois Senior All-Star Games, held at Augustana College’s Carver Center in Rock Island.
West Central High School senior Shelby Bowman was also invited to partake in the event but the Western Illinois University commit had other obligations. She also reps the Heat on softball diamonds.
Edgerson, Kilgore, and Huston were members of a winning team, as Illinois downed Iowa 82-66 in the girls contest. Keith, who appeared in the boys’ affair for six minutes and seven seconds, tallied four points, and Illinois was edged by Iowa 108-100.
Kilgore, who averaged 20.7 points, seven rebounds and three assists for the Silver Streaks this season, saw the most action of all the girls all-stars. She was on the court for 21 minutes and 35 seconds, and Kilgore finished with seven points and eight rebounds.
Edgerson was on the floor for 14 minutes, and she netted two points and had two rebounds. Huston finished with 11 points and a pair of rebounds.
Massey honored earlier this week
Evan Massey, who retired as the Streaks’ girls coach once the 2023-24 season concluded, was honored Monday evening. Galesburg mayor Peter Schwartzman read a proclamation during the City Council meeting, gave Massey a key to the city, and declared the day as “Evan Massey Day.”
Massey served as the mentor of the GHS girls for 46 seasons, and he garnered a career record of 1,018-397, and only two other Illinois girls high school basketball coaches have racked up over 1,000 victories in their careers.
On Saturday, May 18, from 6-11 p.m., a reception will be held for Massey at Cherry Street Brewing Company, and those who wish to attend are asked to donate $20 to help cover the Streaks’ summer expenses.
Three local Chargers nab All-Arrowhead honors
Three Carl Sandburg College sophomore men’s basketball players hailing from area high schools were voted by coaches to this year’s All-Arrowhead Conference men’s basketball team.
Carl Sandburg College sophomore Koen Derry led the Chargers this season with an average of 13.5 points, 1.2 blocks and 1.2 steals per contest. [Bill Gaither/Carl Sandburg College]
Koen Derry was a first-team selection, while Jeremiah Babers and David Hise were second-team picks. Sandburg’s three representatives on the all-conference team tied Illinois Valley for the most of any school.
Derry, a 6-foot-7 forward from Galesburg, shined with the Chargers after transferring from North Iowa Area. In starting all six conference games, Derry led Sandburg with an average of 13.5 points, 1.2 blocks and 1.2 steals per contest. He shot 56 percent from the field and averaged 5.5 rebounds.
Derry scored in double figures in five of six conference games, putting up at least 15 points four times. He had 15 points and 10 rebounds in Sandburg’s Jan. 11 contest at Black Hawk.
Carl Sandburg College sophomore Jeremiah Babers led the Chargers with 7.7 assists per game this season while starting all six Arrowhead contests. [Bill Gaither/Carl Sandburg College]
Babers, a 6-1 point guard and teammate of Derry’s at GHS, also transferred to Sandburg for his sophomore campaign after playing last season at NIACC. Babers led the Chargers with 7.7 assists per game while starting all six Arrowhead contests. He also tied Derry for the team lead at 1.2 steals per game. Babers averaged 7.3 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 44 percent from the floor.
Babers had five or more assists in five of the Chargers’ conference games, including a season-high 13 assists at Black Hawk. He flirted with a triple-double in Sandburg’s Feb. 6 win at home over the Braves, posting nine points, nine rebounds and 11 assists.
This season, Carl Sandburg College sophomore David Hise started all six Arrowhead games and led the Chargers with a 58 percent mark from the field and 37 percent accuracy from 3-point range. [Bill Gaither/Carl Sandburg College]
A graduate of Knoxville High School, Hise started all six Arrowhead games and led the Chargers with a 58 percent mark from the field and 37 percent accuracy from 3-point range. Hise also tied for the team lead at 6.3 rebounds per game. He averaged 9.8 points and 2.2 assists against conference opponents.
In Sandburg’s Jan. 18 win over Kishwaukee, Hise led the Chargers with 21 points and nine rebounds while going 9 of 11 from the floor.
Carl Sandburg College freshman Brook Pieper, a 6-1 forward from Abingdon-Avon High School, put up an average of 13.3 points and a team-best 10.3 rebounds per game this season. [Bill Gaither/Carl Sandburg College]
Sandburg freshman Brook Pieper was voted by coaches to this year’s All-Region 4 Division II Team. She was named to the second team after helping the Chargers post a 23-10 overall record, including a 6-2 Arrowhead Conference mark that gave Sandburg a share of its first conference title since 2017. The Chargers also finished as runners-up in the Region 4 Division II District A tournament.
Pieper, a 6-1 forward from Abingdon-Avon High School, put up an average of 13.3 points and a team-best 10.3 rebounds per game this season. Also a First Team All-Arrowhead Conference pick, Pieper was one of only eight players in Region 4 to average a double-double.
Pieper finished 10th in the region in rebounding average. She also was fifth in total rebounds (339), fifth in defensive rebounds (228) and eighth in offensive boards (111). Her 53 blocks ranked eighth in Region 4. Pieper connected on 47.8% of her shots from the floor, placing her 15th in the region, and her 177 field goals were good for 18th.
Pieper finished her season with 15 double-doubles in 33 games played. She had two games in which she scored 20-plus points and hauled in 20-plus rebounds. Pieper had season highs of 30 points and 21 boards in a Nov. 18 win at Madison, and she put up 27 points and 20 rebounds in a triple-overtime loss to John Wood on Jan. 7.
Galesburg High School’s boys basketball team finished the 2023-24 season with an 11-21 overall record. [Courtesy of Galesburg High School Athletics]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — Chad Thompson saw the 2023-24 edition of Galesburg High School’s boys basketball team gathered together one final time Sunday night.
Those who represented the Silver Streaks on the hardwood reflected on their season in the GHS Commons area during the annual end of the season banquet.
Things didn’t end up like Thompson had hoped for his squad, as Galesburg went 11-21 overall and 4-10 in Western Big 6 Conference play. However, the Streaks closed things out by winning six of their last nine games, and they grew along the way.
“Looking back on the season, the greatest accomplishment of our season is playing our best basketball down the stretch,” Thompson said. “We won six or our last nine games including the postseason, and we were really starting to click on the offensive end.
“Throughout the season I also thought that our sophomores progressed really well and played high level basketball all season,” added Thompson, who has accumulated a 44-52 record in three seasons as Galesburg’s coach.
The Streaks dealt with adversity on more than one occasion this winter, and they fought-and-clawed in every single contest.
Nine questions, nine answers…
1. What were the biggest challenges the team faced this season, and how did you address them?
Thompson: “The team this year faced many challenges and did a great job of not making any excuses. We were a young and small team in a conference dominated by height and experience. We used many different defenses and defensive approaches in conference play and found some things that we really like moving into next year. When we lost Ian (Dominique Jr.) during the first game in Taylorville, we lost a huge piece of offense as well as our vocal on court leader. Jackson Crock-Sibbing and Tyree Taylor did a great job of picking up the offensive slack, and I think Tyree also started to show some very strong leadership qualities.
“When we lost Leslie (Kelley) in the early stages of the season, we lost the guy that we believed was going to be a 32-minute player for us as well as our starting point guard. With that being said, we had different guys step up throughout the season as a point guard, and we are looking forward to getting Leslie back as soon as possible.”
2. In what areas do you think the team showed the most improvement throughout the season?
Thompson: “I think the team showed great improvement in their rebounding throughout the year. We did a great job of battling on the glass against some very big and imposing teams. I also thought our team did a great job of moving on and turning the page. This team always came to practice ready to work and did a great job of not dwelling on things that did not go their way. Their ability to turn the page and get to work led them to playing their best basketball of the season at the end of the year and that is always the goal.”
3. Reflecting on the season, are there any changes you would make in your coaching approach or strategies for next season?
Thompson: “There is still a lot of reflecting to be done and internal work to be done before looking to next season.”
4. How do you assess the overall growth and development of individual players throughout the season?
Thompson: “I thought the overall growth of players on our team was very good this year. We ended up having four sophomores consistently providing valuable minutes on the varsity roster, we saw two juniors play themselves into the rotation and really start to play well. And we saw senior Jace Keith play very well on the offensive end all season even though he changed positions and was going up against players anywhere from four to seven inches taller than him.”
5. What role do you think team chemistry played in the team’s performance this season?
Thompson: “I believe that the team chemistry was huge down the stretch. This was a team made up of four seniors, five juniors, and seven sophomores. As they all learned from each other and got closer throughout the season, the level of play continued to increase and that sets us up nicely moving into the summer.”
6. Are there any specific areas of focus or goals you have in mind for offseason training and preparation?
Thompson: “This offseason, our biggest focus is going to be the weight room and getting stronger. We have some decent height coming up in our program with the incoming freshmen, and we also have some height in our current underclassmen. We have to invest in getting bigger and stronger in the weight room to be ready for the conference schedule next season.”
7. Can you share any insights into the team’s strengths and areas for improvement going forward?
Thompson: “Moving forward, some of the strengths that we know we have right away are chemistry, shooting the basketball, and guard rebounding. We will have three returning starters and two excellent leaders in Tyree Taylor and Cody Jones. We are returning our Top 2 3-point shooters in Jackson Crock-Sibbing and Tyree Taylor, and we are also returning one of the best rebounders in the state in Tyree, as well.
“When looking at improvement, we need to get better at handling the ball, and we have to really work towards finding our physical play and defensive identity. We have not had the same physical nature the past two seasons, and we need to work both mentally and physically to get that back.”
8. Looking ahead, what are your expectations for the team next season?
Thompson: “Looking forward I expect this team to continue to work and improve on the past season. When we began the rebuild of the varsity at the conclusion of the 2021-22 season, our goal was to improve every year and get younger players some good experience. We have done that in the past two years, and I expect us to take another step forward next season.”
9. Do you feel you were playing your best basketball, as a team, at the end of the season?
Thompson: “We were definitely playing our best basketball at the end. When you are working to rebuild and build up a program, you have to look at the big picture and even through all of the adversity and injuries, our guys never lost sight of that throughout the season.”
Galesburg’s roster
Seniors: Ian Dominique Jr., Jace Keith, Jackson Hillhouse, Gino Williams.
Keith led Galesburg with an average of 12.3 points per game. Williams contributed an average of 10 points and 6.3 rebounds. Dominique Jr. chipped in an average of almost nine points per contest, Crock-Sibbing averaged 8.4 points, and Taylor averaged 8.1 points and almost six rebounds per game.
Streaks’ Award Winners
Newcomer of the Year: Jaxon Wyatt
Most Improved Player: Ethan Oxley
Top Rebounder: Gino Williams
Top 3-point shooter: Jackson Crock-Sibbing
Best Offensive Player: Jace Keith
Warrior Award for Toughness: Ian Dominique Jr.
Silver Streak Award for Leadership, Scholarship, and Citizenship: Jackson Hillhouse
Most Valuable Player: Tyree Taylor
Academic All-Conference: Jace Keith, Ian Dominique Jr., Jackson Hillhouse
Galesburg High School senior Kiarra “Ki” Kilgore puts up a shot in a Western Big 6 Conference game against Rock Island on Dec. 14, 2023 at John Thiel Gym. [Steve Davis/SeedCo Photo]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — Galesburg High School senior Kiarra “Ki” Kilgore was named to the Class 3A all-state second team by the members of the Illinois media.
The 5-foot-9 guard averaged 20.7 points, seven rebounds and three assists for the Silver Streaks, who finished with a 26-7 overall record.
“I’m incredibly grateful and honored to be chosen for the Illinois media all-state team,” Kilgore said. “It’s a reflection of my hard work and dedication that I’ve put into my basketball journey. I want to thank my amazing teammates, coaches, and of course, my tribe for their constant support. It’s been a privilege to represent Galesburg girls basketball the past four years.”
Kilgore shot 56% from the field in 2023-24 and was selected to the All-Western Big 6 Conference first team for the third straight season. Only six other Streaks – Debbie Roberts, Tiffany Sibley, Ann Henderson, Megan Pacheco, Jessica Howard, and Shayli Florine – secured All-WB6 first team honors back-to-back-to-back.
Kilgore, who will play collegiately for Missouri S&T, an NCAA Division II school in Rolla, Missouri, netted a career-high 37 points on Feb. 12 in regional semifinal action against Peoria Richwoods.
On Feb. 5, Kilgore drained a 3-pointer from the left corner with 1:38 left in the second quarter in a non-conference road tilt at Freeport, and she became Galesburg’s all-time leading scorer. Kilgore ended her career with 1,986 points.
Last winter, Kilgore was selected to the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association’s all-state second team in Class 3A and was named the MVP of the WB6.
Other area all-staters
West Central High School senior Shelby Bowman, a 5-foot-6 guard, earned first team all-state honors in Class 1A. She averaged 31.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, four steals, 3.5 assets and 2.5 deflections for the 20-8 Heat.
Bowman, who finished her career with over 2,500 points, shot 83.7% from the charity stripe, 50.4% from the field and 39.5% from 3-point range in 2023-24. She will continue her basketball career at Western Illinois University.
I am so excited to announce my commitment to play basketball at Western Illinois University!!💜💛 pic.twitter.com/HFGPkOrAQc
Abingdon-Avon High School point guard Kennedy Quinn received honorable mention all-state honors in Class 1A.
She averaged 19 points, six rebounds, 3.8 assists, 3.3 deflections, and 2.9 steals for the Tornadoes, who concluded their season with a 26-8 overall mark.
Quinn shot 65% from the free throw line and drained 56 3-pointers in 2023-24. She also set A-Town’s freshman single season scoring record with 640 points.
Monmouth-Roseville High School’s Carmyn Huston received an honorable mention nod in Class 2A.
The 5-foot-8 senior forward averaged 16.4 points and seven rebounds for the 21-12 Titans, and the four-year starter surpassed the 1,000 point mark.
All-State Squads
Players received five points for a first-team vote and three points for a second-team vote. A five-player first team and five-player second team was selected in each class based on voting totals. A player had to have been named on two ballots to receive honorable mention.
The Class 1A and 2A all-staters were released Wednesday. The Class 3A and 4A squads were announced Thursday. All players listed include height, year in school, position and points earned.
CLASS 4A
First team
Destiny Jackson, Chicago Whitney Young (5-6, Jr., G) 80 Brooke Carlson, Batavia (5-7, Sr., PG) 79 Lorena Awou, United Township (6-5, Sr., F/C) 77 Amalia Dray, LaGrange Nazareth Academy (5-8, Sr., G) 71 Paige Engels, Wilmette Loyola Academy (5-7, Sr., G) 66
Galesburg High School baseball coach Jeremy Pickrel emphasizes a point while talking to his players after Tuesday’s practice at Jim Sundberg Field. [Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — Jeremy “Pick” Pickrel is entering his seventh season as Galesburg High School’s baseball coach.
And the first two days of practice weren’t typical to what Pick’s Silver Streaks have experienced in the past. Mother Nature normally deals out conditions that forces Galesburg to stay indoors, but that didn’t happen.
“To be out on the field in February and 70 degree weather is pretty crazy,” Pickrel said after Tuesday’s practice. “Being outside helped the energy level and enthusiasm. The opportunity to be out in the sun and on the dirt helped after being cooped up all winter.
“I’m pretty pleased with what we’ve seen so far out of the boys,” Pickrel added. “For the first couple of days being out on the dirt, you’d think that we’ve been at this for quite a while, so that’s a good sign. Hopefully, we can keep stacking days and get better as we approach opening day.”
GHS did practice inside the school’s fieldhouse Wednesday but the Streaks are expected to be back at Jim Sundberg Field to close out the week.
What happened last spring?
Galesburg finished with an overall record of 18-18 in the 2023 season and went 8-6 in Western Big 6 Conference play. The Streaks’ season came to an end on Sat., May 27, 2023 when Galesburg suffered a 7-6 loss to Streator in regional championship action.
How do the Streaks improve from that finish?
“Last year, we had a fairly young team, and we have most of those guys back and that’s a start,” Pickrel said. “There were obviously some growing pains for some guys last year but I think that starting that process earlier for a freshman or a sophomore can only pay off as you go into that second year of varsity baseball – just from the speed of the game and everything. It’s quite a jump that I don’t think people realize.
“We’ve got our entire infield back from last year, and we’ve got some guys back who got experience in the outfield last year coming back,” added the 2001 GHS grad. “We have a pretty good sophomore class that we’re pretty high on, and there will be a lot of them out there this year. We have the makings of a hungry team. They want to prove that they’ve gotten better and that the .500 record was a fluke.”
Sophomores: Alfred Ayala, Nicolas Ojeda, TJ Heatherly, Hayden Ralston, Ayden Clark, Zander Vest, Caden Riley, Caleb Claeys, Noah Nalley, Alex Ritchie.
Streaks’ schedule
Wed., March 13 vs. Knoxville, 4:30 p.m.
Sat., March 16 vs. Salem @ Belleville West Township High School, 12:15 p.m. (Metro East Kickoff Classic presented by Prep Baseball Report)
Sat., March 16 vs. Rochester @ O’Fallon City Park, 4:45 p.m. (Metro East Kickoff Classic)
Tue., March 19 vs. Macomb, 4:30 p.m.
Wed., March 20 at Metamora, 4:30 p.m.
Fri., March 22 vs. Providence Academy @ Knoxville Catholic (Tennessee), 1:30 p.m.
Fri., March 22 at Knoxville Catholic (Tennessee), 4 p.m.
Sat., March 23 at Webb (Tennessee), 3 p.m.
Sat., March 23 at Hardin Valley Academy (Tennessee), 5:30 p.m.
Tue., March 26 vs. Washington, 4:30 p.m.
Wed., March 27 at East Peoria, 4:30 p.m.
Sat., March 30 vs. Sterling (DH), 11 a.m.
Tue., April 2 vs. Limestone, 4:30 p.m.
Thu., April 4 at Monmouth-Roseville, 4:30 p.m.
Sat., April 6 at Quincy (DH), 11 a.m.
Tue., April 9 vs. United Township, 4:30 p.m.
Wed., April 10 at Rockridge, 4:30 p.m.
Sat., April 13 at Rock Island Alleman (DH), 11 a.m.
Tue., April 16 vs. Morton, 4:30 p.m.
Sat., April 20 vs. Geneseo (DH), 11 a.m.
Tue., April 23 at United Township, 4:30 p.m.
Thu., April 25 vs. Dunlap, 4:30 p.m.
Sat., April 27 at Moline (DH), 11 a.m.
Thu., May 2 vs. United Township, 4:30 p.m.
Sat., May 4 vs. Rock Island (DH), 11 a.m.
Wed., May 8 vs. Orion, 3:30 p.m.
Thu., May 9 at Rock Island, 4:30 p.m.
Wed., May 15 vs. Peoria Richwoods, 4:30 p.m.
Fri., May 17 vs. Bloomington, 4:30 p.m. (Streaks Classic)
Sat., May 18 – Streaks Classic vs. TBD
Departing thought…
“It’s a good mix of guys. I wouldn’t say anyone is necessarily standing out right now,” Pickrel said. “We’re trying to really focus on being a team and trying to push each other to be better.
“We have to stack days where we’re trying to be better today than we were yesterday, and I think if we do that consistently we could have a pretty good season.”
Galesburg High School girls basketball coach Evan Massey talks to his team during a timeout in a Western Big 6 game against United Township on Sat., Jan 27 at John Thiel Gym. After 46 seasons, Massey has retired from serving as the Silver Streaks’ mentor. [Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
Dear Coach Massey,
On Monday, you announced your retirement as the Silver Streaks’ coach, and what a run.
Your legacy speaks for itself. The list is extensive of the accomplishments Galesburg High School’s varsity girls basketball team has had under your watch.
To name just a few, the Streaks finished below .500 just seven times (1978-79, 1982-83, 1984-85, 1986-87, 2008-09, 2012-13, and 2017-18) in 46 seasons with you as their coach and won 26 regional titles. Galesburg advanced to eight Elite 8’s, finishing in second place in the state in 1999, third place in 1996, and fourth in 2000 and 2001. The Streaks finished atop the Western Big 6 on 13 different occasions, and no other school in the conference has accomplished that feat. GHS was ranked among the Top 10 in the Associated Press poll 18 different seasons with you calling the plays.
Along the way, you garnered a career record of 1,018-397, and only two other Illinois girls high school basketball coaches have racked up over 1,000 victories in their careers.
You stood at the podium, and you cracked jokes. You spoke about the season your Streaks had.
Chat with Matt (Jan. 9, 2009): Register-Mail sports reporter Matthew Wheaton talks with Silver Streaks girls basketball coach Evan Massey. [Steve Davis]
They ended up with a 26-7 overall record, and 20-win seasons were a regular occurrence for you and your players. Thirty times Galesburg accomplished the 20-win mark when you stood on the sideline.
Before the banquet ended Sunday, you told the student-athletes what it takes for them to be successful on the hardwood individually and as a unit. You certainly know, and your words resonated with those who heard them that night, and what you’ve said has had that affect for years.
I’ve heard you speak plenty of times over the last 13 years or so. I was assigned your team as my beat during the 11 years I wrote full-time for the daily newspaper in Galesburg. The last few years, I’ve covered your program via this blog the best I could.
My youngest nephew plays hoops for Knoxville, and I’ve been enjoying life as a fan in the stands. You’ll be doing the same thing more now wherever your son Allen is coaching, and your wife Amy will be by your side.
You never wanted the limelight. It was always about shining the spotlight on the players. I know they’re appreciative of that. Their families, and the fans of the Streaks are too.
You’re a five time Hall-of-Famer, and you’ve shaped the lives of countless individuals over the years. Both in the classroom and on the basketball court.
You’ve talked to the media no matter what the end result for your team was. You heard some good questions and some bad. I’m sure I threw a few of the latter at you myself.
You built a dynasty, Coach, and you figured out a winning formula.
“You need to play good teams to get better. You’ve got to play good teams. You’ve got to compete against good teams.”
Galesburg High School girls basketball coach Evan Massey speaks during the Silver Streaks’ end of the year banquet on Sunday night. [Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — There was a collective theme that applied to every member of Galesburg High School’s girls basketball program in the 2023-24 season.
In some form or another, it was about growth for all the Silver Streaks.
On Sunday night, they gathered together in the GHS Commons area to bid farewell to each other in Galesburg’s annual end of the season banquet, and they reflected on what they accomplished. Despite falling short of their goals, no tears were shed, as it was a joyous occasion.
“I’ve been looking forward to the banquet because we haven’t been able to be together as a group. It was nice seeing everyone again,” said senior Syriah Boyd, who will compete collegiately in track and field for Tennessee State. “It was great to have the memories and flashbacks from the beginning of the season until now. It’s really bittersweet but honestly I’m happy. Everybody did great this season.”
The Streaks’ varsity squad ended up with a 26-7 overall record. Galesburg’s season ended on Thursday, Feb. 15 after falling to Morton 41-29 in Class 3A regional championship action at John Thiel Gym.
“We had a lot of outcome goals that we didn’t meet but I think we still put in the work and the time that we needed to put in,” said senior Alexis Edgerson. “It just didn’t work out.”
Evan Massey wrapped up his 46th season at the helm of the Streaks, and he’s accumulated a 1,018-397 record in that time span.
Kilgore ‘uplifts other players’
Senior Kiarra Kilgore finished her high school basketball career as Galesburg’s all-time leading scorer with 1,986 points. [Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
On Feb. 5, senior Kiarra “Ki” Kilgore drained a 3-pointer from the left corner with 1:38 left in the second quarter in a non-conference road tilt at Freeport, and she became Galesburg’s all-time leading scorer. She ended her career with 1,986 points, which happens to match the year her father Curtis Kilgore was born.
Kilgore was selected to the Western Big 6 All-Conference first team for her efforts on the court, and it’s the third season in a row she’s received the honor.
Other Streaks to make the league’s first team three years in a row include Debbie Roberts, Tiffany Sibley, Ann Henderson, Megan Pacheco, Jessica Howard, and Shayli Florine.
Last winter, Kilgore was selected to the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association’s all-state second team in Class 3A and was named the MVP of the WB6.
“Her competitiveness is unmatched,” Edgerson said of her friend and teammate. “If she wants something she’s going to do what she needs to do to get it done.”
Kilgore would trade in the hardware for more team victories, if she could, and Kilgore made those around her better.
“She’s determined, and she uplifts other players,” Boyd said of Kilgore. “If you are ever down, she will pull you back up and make sure you’re doing good. She will give you motivation.”
Sarah Larson sits behind Kilgore for career scoring with 1,906 points. Sibley netted 1,806 points in her career and ranks third.
Galesburg High School girls basketball individual awards sit on a table after the Streaks’ annual end of the season banquet Sunday night. [Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
Most Improved Player: Alexis Edgerson
Best Defensive Player: Alexis Edgerson
Amy Crisman Award (outstanding player): Kiarra Kilgore, Alexis Edgerson
Bring It Award: Antonia Kisler
Academic Excellence Award (3.5 GPA or higher): Alexis Edgerson, Kiarra Kilgore, Syriah Boyd, Antonia Kisler, Addison Peck, and Julia Robinson.
“I had so much fun these last four years, and I learned so many things for life and my future,” said Edgerson, who was an honorable mention selection to the All-WB6 team. “I learned how to be a leader, responsibility, coachability.
“I’m going to be coached the rest of my life whether I’m on a team or not.”
Abingdon-Avon High School girls basketball coach Brent Dugan talks to his squad during a timeout against Illini Bluffs in Thursday’s Class 1A sectional championship at Bushnell-Prairie City High School. The Tornadoes fell 44-37. [Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
BUSHNELL — Twenty-six times the Abingdon-Avon High School girls basketball team savored the thrill of victory in 2023-24.
The Tornadoes experienced the agony of defeat on eight occasions, and A-Town’s final game of the season will sting for a bit, but time marches on.
The Tornadoes couldn’t overcome poor shooting in Class 1A sectional title action versus the Tigers of Illini Bluffs on Thursday evening at Bushnell-Prairie City High School, and they suffered a 44-37 loss.
However, the student-athletes who make up A-Town’s program should hold their heads high, as they accomplished something that’s never been done before.
Abingdon and Avon’s school districts consolidated on July 1, 2013, and no other girls hoops squad had secured 26 wins before this season. The Tornadoes also claimed District 276’s second girls regional title. The first came in the 2014-15 academic year when Brad Weedman served as A-Town’s coach, and that team also had its season end in the Sweet 16.
“I couldn’t be more proud of this team and the job they did,” said Brent Dugan, Abingdon-Avon’s coach.
Nerves came into play
Out of the 11 players listed on the Tornadoes’ roster, five were freshmen, two were sophomores, three were juniors and Addisyn Anderson was the lone senior.
Dugan thought nerves came into play to a certain degree against the Tigers.
But the Tornadoes didn’t back down either.
“We did a lot of good things as a young group,” Dugan said. “Kaydin Quinn took some big shots late in the game and made some big shots. Her growth in the last three to four weeks has been instrumental for this team. I can only imagine it’s going to get better throughout the summer.
“Kennedy (Quinn) was Kennedy, and everybody talks about her and why not. She’s one of the better players in the area, and by the way, she’s a freshman,” added Dugan of his starting point guard.
Kennedy Quinn had a team-high 12 points, and six of them came off 3-pointers in the final three minutes. Kaydin Quinn, who is Kennedy’s cousin, chipped in 10 points in the loss to IB, and she scored eight of them in the final eight minutes. Hailey Redding also had 10 points for the Tornadoes.
A sign supporting the Abingdon-Avon High School girls basketball team sits in the stands after Thursday’s Class 1A sectional championship game at Bushnell-Prairie City High School. [Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
What happened?
On the offensive end, the Tornadoes struggled mightily in the first eight minutes against the Tigers. Kaydin Quinn made the back end of a pair of free throws with 6:20 left in the quarter, and A-Town wouldn’t score again in the first. The Tigers didn’t fare much better, and they held a slim 5-1 lead going into the second period.
At the half, the Tornadoes trailed 13-10. Illini Bluffs shot 40% from the floor (6-for-15) in the first half while Abingdon-Avon ended up with a 14% shooting percentage (3-for-21).
The Tornadoes put up three more shots than the Tigers in the third quarter, but Illini Bluffs shot 50% (4-for-8) and A-Town went 3-for-11 (27%) from the hardwood.
Heading into the final stanza, the Tornadoes faced a 29-21 deficit. Abingdon-Avon ended up going 11-for-42 (26%) from the floor in the contest, and Illini Bluffs made 13 of 27 shots in the outing (48%).
“They only allow 30 points a game and kept us in a half-court game,” Dugan said. “We wanted to get out and run with them.”
Juniors: Emma Gunther, Hailey Redding, Taylor Ford.
Senior: Addisyn Anderson
Departing thought…
“To be honest with you, about midseason I had the feeling that we’d be playing in this game tonight,” Dugan said. “But before that, I thought we were a year away. Now, here we are, and I think this experience is going to help us moving forward, and we’re going to overcome this game.”
Eight members of Galesburg High School’s boys swimming and diving team will compete in the IHSA state meet later this week. Pictured: Front (left to right): Luke Thomas, Jackson Warren, Riley Stevenson, and Carson Olson. Back (l to r): Ryan Tapper, Travis Henry, and Nathan Nelson. Not pictured: Andrew Peterson. [Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — Galesburg High School’s boys swimming and diving team has claimed back-to-back Western Big 6 Conference and sectional championships.
And eight will represent the Silver Streaks in the IHSA state meet, which takes place this weekend at the FMC Natatorium in Westmont.
The long standing tradition of earning a state bid goes back quite a ways. John Willy was Galesburg’s first coach, and under his watch countless student-athletes were able to accomplish the feat.
Amanda White guided the Streaks for a pair of seasons after Willy retired, and VanHootegem has been pulling double duty serving as Galesburg’s boys and girls coach for the last 13 seasons. He’s been in charge of the Streaks’ girls since the 1993-94 academic year.
What’s been the key to success for Galesburg’s boys this winter?
“We knew we were going to have maybe an easier time to win the sectional this year than we did last year, because we kept a higher quality of team than everyone else did,” VanHootegem said. “We had a lot returning from the previous year.
“I said from the beginning that we just had to focus all this year on the little things such as sharp returns, never backing off,” he added. “It takes depth and commitment to win back-to-back sectional and conference titles. You can’t just win races. Everybody has to score, and that’s what they all did (this past Saturday). The Top 6 got medals and every single swimmer got a medal, which was huge.”
Who is headed to state?
Senior Andrew Peterson will rep Galesburg on the diving board during the state meet.
“I’ve had consistency. It’s getting to practice and going to work every single day,” Peterson said of his individual success. “Diving is very much a mental sport so I just have to mentally prepare myself for each and every dive that I do.
“Normally, I’m the person that is kicking off the meet so I’m telling myself that I need to set the team off on a good note today. Some people that wouldn’t motivate them but I like putting that pressure on myself,” added Peterson, whose best dive is the inward double. He scores around 60 points consistently when leaping off boards for it.
Junior Carson Olson, seniors Riley Stevenson and Luke Thomas will compete in four different events during the state meet. Individually, Olson will take part in the 100 fly and 200 individual medley. He’s also on the Streaks’ 200 medley relay and 200 free relay squads.
Stevenson is on the 200 medley relay and the 200 free relay team. He will also compete in the 50 free and 100 free as a solo act.
Thomas will take part in the 100 breaststroke at state. He also will be on the 200 medley relay, 200 free relay and 400 free relay squad. Junior Travis Henry is the fourth swimmer on the 200 medley relay team.
Junior Ryan Tapper is also on the 400 free relay team. Junior Nathan Nelson will rep Galesburg on the 200 free relay and 400 free relay teams. Sophomore Jackson Warren is slated to swim for the Streaks’ 400 free relay team.
Olson, Stevenson, and Thomas earned trips to state in the 2022-23 season.
“Our goal is to have someone in the finals this year at state, so we’ll see,” VanHootegem said. “They all just need to stay focused and keep getting better.”
Who will participate on the collegiate level?
Peterson will head to Bryant University, an NCAA Division I school in Smithfield, Rhode Island, later this year to dive for the Bulldogs. What’s he need to improve before that time arrives?
“I just need to work on my flexibility and my toe point,” Peterson said. “Those are probably my biggest weak spots as a diver. I’m not very flexible, and I don’t have the prettiest toe point.”
Stevenson and Thomas are going the NAIA route, and they’ll be closer to home, as they’ve both committed to compete for St. Ambrose University, located in Davenport, Iowa.
Departing thoughts…
“We set big goals for ourselves, and we keep those in mind every single day we get in the pool,” Thomas said. “That helps us get after it, and when we set goals we get those goals.”
“We’ve been really fast all season,” Stevenson said. “We’ve put in a lot of hard work. Usually, we kind of die off in the middle of the season but we’ve just been hammering it every single meet. We’ve been swimming great all year.”
Galesburg High School’s girls basketball team fell to Morton 41-29 in regional championship action Thursday night at John Thiel Gym. The Silver Streaks’ season came to a close with the defeat. [Graphic Illustration/Photos by Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — The No. 7 ranked in Class 3A Galesburg High School girls basketball team battled the No. 2 ranked Morton Potters on Thursday night inside John Thiel Gymnasium with a regional title on the line.
And when the final buzzer sounded, the Silver Streaks found themselves on the losing end.
The affair was tied up at 8-all after a quarter of play, and the Potters held a 15-11 advantage at the half.
But Morton pulled away in the final 16 minutes en route to a 41-29 victory over Galesburg (26-7).
“We got ourselves in a hole, and we never really got things going offensively well enough to get the job done,” said Streaks coach Evan Massey.
Galesburg senior Kiarra “Ki” Kilgore knows why the Potters (25-5) are hard to beat.
“They get up and deny the passing lanes. They pressure us hard,” Kilgore said. “In the post, they were double teaming me, and we couldn’t get the ball inside. We weren’t hitting shots tonight.
“Compared to the last time we played them, we did well,” added Kilgore, who led the Streaks with 10 points.
Kilgore finishes career as all-time leading scorer
Last winter, Kilgore was selected to the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association’s all-state second team in Class 3A and was named the MVP of the Western Big 6 Conference.
More accolades will come for her soon.
And Kilgore achieved a feat she didn’t set out to do when her high school career began.
On Feb. 5, Kilgore drained a 3-pointer from the left corner with 1:38 left in the second quarter in a non-conference road tilt at Freeport, and she became Galesburg’s all-time leading scorer. Kilgore ended her career with 1,986 points.
“It’s a great accomplishment but to me it doesn’t really feel any different,” Kilgore said. “I just wanted to play basketball. I didn’t think becoming the leading scorer was going to happen. It wasn’t an idea or a goal of mine my freshman year. It wasn’t until this year that I knew I could actually accomplish it.”
Sarah Larson sits behind Kilgore with 1,906 points. Tiffany Sibley scored 1,806 points in her career and ranks third.
Farewell to the Seniors
Along with Kilgore, Syriah Boyd, Alexis Edgerson, Antonia Kisler, Addison Peck, and Julia Robinson made up the Streaks’ senior class.
“I’ll miss them but with them it’s going to be great to see all the exciting things they achieve going forward,” Massey said of his seniors. “They have been very special to me.”
Life will be different soon enough for the six but they’ll stay connected for years to come.
“They’re my best friends. I hang out with them outside of school, too,” Kilgore said of her senior teammates. “We’re all going to go our separate ways and go to different colleges so it’s not going to be the same.
“I’ve been playing with this group of girls since third grade, so it’s definitely going to be different not playing with all of them,” Kilgore added. “It’s been a great four years here. I’ll definitely miss good old Coach Massey, and I wish them luck in the next coming years. I’ll be back to watch my sister (freshman Jozalyn ‘Joz’ Kilgore) play.”
What happened in 2022-23?
Last winter, Galesburg went 26-8 overall, finished in second place in the WB6 with a 9-6 record and grabbed its second straight regional crown — 26th overall. The 2022-23 season ended with a 63-34 loss to Peoria Central in Class 3A sectional semifinal action.
“I think the key to our success this season was we have a core group of kids who invested a lot of time on basketball,” Massey said. “They were committed to each other, and they were coachable. It made it an absolute great year.”
If laughter is the best medicine for the soul, it can also be one of the more effective paths to a successful Super Bowl television advertisement. That was one of the lessons learned by Monmouth College marketing students who studied the nearly five dozen original ads that aired during the telecast of Super Bowl LVIII, which was produced by CBS and broadcast Sunday on CBS TV stations, the Nickelodeon channel and Paramount+ streaming service. [Graphic Illustration by Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
By Duane Bonifer, Monmouth College
If laughter is the best medicine for the soul, it can also be one of the more effective paths to a successful Super Bowl television advertisement.
That was one of the lessons learned by Monmouth College marketing students who studied the nearly five dozen original ads that aired during the telecast of Super Bowl LVIII, which was produced by CBS and broadcast Sunday on CBS TV stations, the Nickelodeon channel and Paramount+ streaming service.
The students, who are members of professor Amanda Cleland’s “Marketing” class, met Wednesday morning with Cleland and fellow business faculty member Tom Prince to analyze, dissect and examine this year’s Super Bowl TV ads, which cost $7 million per 30 seconds.
According to the class’ two dozen students, the clear commercial winner during this year’s Super Bowl was “The DunKings,” an ad for the coffee and doughnut company Dunkin’ that featured actor Ben Affleck and his wife, actor/singer Jennifer Lopez, as well as actor Matt Damon and pro-football legend Tom Brady.
“It was just a very interesting ad visually, and it kept my attention,” said McKealey Klokkenga of Delvin, Illinois, who ranked the ad at the top of her list.
With an audience of 123.4 million viewers, Super Bowl XLVIII was the biggest event in TV history. As Prince pointed out, that could make a $7 million 30-second ad a good investment, even with some ads costing as much to produce.
“That’s a lot of money, pretty expensive, a big risk to take,” said Prince, who also has a distinguished career in advertising and marketing. “But think of the reward. You have 123 to 124 million people watching the same event. That is approximately about 35-36% of the entire population of the United States. If you can run an ad for $7 million and reach over one-third of the population of the United States, it may be a really good buy. If you run an ad that grabs the audience’s attention, that gets some people talking about it, and causes an action, then it was a very economical, reasonable buy.”
Unlike the last several Super Bowls that were set against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Super Bowl was far enough removed from a worldwide pandemic that advertisers could embrace more humorous themes, according to Prince.
“Humor was big this year, because we’ve come out of a pandemic,” he said. “During the pandemic, no one knew what to say. Now we’re to the point where advertisers are saying, ‘It’s OK to have fun, let’s really push humor.’ You saw very few emotional appeals. You saw many more humorous appeals in commercials.”
Because Super Bowl XLVIII attracted the largest audience in TV history, that also meant that a very diverse audience watched the broadcast. That forced brands to conduct extensive research about their audience’s demographics and psychographics, which places consumers into groups according to their shared psychological characteristics.
“We have a very diverse, large audience watching the Super Bowl, so there are going to be ads that are aimed at certain demographics, psychographics that might not be for you,” said Cleland.
But as the “Marketing” class demonstrated, some Super Bowl ads successfully cut across generations, such as “Talkin’ Like Walken,” an ad by carmaker BMW that featured veteran actor Christopher Walken. The ad rated No. 7 on the USA Today “Ad Meter,” received strong reviews by The New York Times television critic, and was also received favorably by the Monmouth students and professors who discussed it.
As Cleland pointed out, the Monmouth group included a class of students from Generation Z (those born between 1997-2012), a professor who is a Millennial (1981-96) and a professor one who is a Boomer (1946-64). The ad also contained the ingredient that was critical to this year’s Super Bowl TV commercials — humor.
“I like Christopher Walken, and I thought the ad was entertaining with impersonations of Christopher Walken,” said Blake Orwig of Wyoming, Illinois. “I went for ads that had entertainment value.”
From left to right: Annalisa Gibbons, Gauge Shipp, Hannah Almendarez, and Rocky Almendarez are set to represent Galesburg High School’s wrestling program on the mat during state competition. [Graphic Illustration/Photos by Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie]
Seniors Rocky Almendarez (120 pounds) and Gauge Shipp (132 pounds) will do so at the State Farm Center, located on the University of Illinois campus, in Champaign. State action there runs Thursday through Saturday.
Next weekend, junior Annalisa Gibbons (140 pounds) and senior Hannah Almendarez (100 pounds), Rocky’s sister, will wrestle inside the Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington.
The Top 6 finishers in each weight class will earn a state medal. This marks the fourth straight season Almendarez and Shipp will wear singlets in the state meet.
“I’m really excited, and I’m taking it all in because this is my last time to do this,” Shipp said of the state meet.
Rocky Almendarez has never won a state crown, and he’s hungry to do so.
“I want to go out there and just dominate everybody that steps across the mat from me,” said Rocky, who along with Shipp finished the regular season with a Western Big 6 Conference title, a regional and a sectional title. “Just qualifying for state last year didn’t satisfy me. Bringing home a state title would be something special.”
All season long, foes have been gunning for Shipp, as they know to be the best you have to beat the best.
And no one has been able to take Shipp down. This winter, he’s racked up 41 victories with zero defeats.
“State comes with a slightly different mood or angle for Gauge,” said Greg Leibach, the Streaks’ coach. “Last year, he was chasing down a goal of winning state. This year, he’s already achieved it but there’s a lot of hungry wrestlers who have been coming after him.
“He’s had to work to stay sharp so that hopefully he can repeat and get another long time goal.”
‘This is my most natural weight’
Back on Feb. 4, 2023, when Shipp – then a junior – stood on the scale before taking the mat in regional action at Sterling High School, it read he was 1.6 ounces heavier than he actually was. In fact, the scale did on three different occasions, which is why Shipp, who holds the GHS school record for career wins, competed at the weight he did at state last winter.
“This is the weight I compete at and am used to wrestling at,” Shipp said of the 132 pound weight class. “This is my most natural weight.
“I just wrestle at where I feel the most confident and most comfortable with myself and let it work itself out.”
Almendarez, Shipp are compadres
Rocky Almendarez (39-1) and Shipp have been good friends since the sixth grade, and they’re both elated they are headed to state together one last time.
“He definitely deserves it,” Gauge said of Rocky. “I 100% see him coming out of his bracket. I don’t see him just showing up. He’s been putting in the work with me. I see it every day. I have confidence in him.”
Almendarez echoes his compadre.
“It’s really special we’re both going to state again this year,” Rocky said. “He’s going for his second state title and that’s pretty big. I’m pretty excited for him and ready for him to put on a show.”
‘Doubles the excitement’
In 2023, Gibbons was the first Galesburg girls wrestler to earn a state bid. This is only the third season the IHSA has backed a state series for girls, and Leibach looks forward to watching Gibbons and Hannah Almendarez rep his Streaks late next week.
“Having them both go to state just doubles the excitement at the end of the year,” Leibach said. “The boys and girls shared the sectional round on the same weekend, and I’m really thankful the two state tournaments are separate.
“We get the opportunity to focus on the boys qualifiers this weekend, and then we get the opportunity to focus wholeheartedly on the girls qualifiers next weekend,” he added. ”State tournament atmospheres are so fun to compete at, and we get to double down on that.”
Almendarez, Gibbons quiet but deadly
Corner Hannah Almendarez (19-3) and Gibbons (19-4), and the pair probably won’t say much. They like to let their wrestling skills speak for them.
Like their male counterparts, they have put in a lot of hard work in the offseason to get to the point they’re at.
“They have a good work ethic,” Leibach said. “Annalisa got a taste of of the state tournament last year and even won a match down there. She just used that momentum to dive into a whole offseason of training with a girls club out of Canton. I could tell when I first saw her on the mat this season that she was at a whole other level. She was able to prove that.
“Hannah wrestled a majority of our matches at the varsity level at 106 pounds and only a couple of times it was girl versus girl. For her, it didn’t matter,” Leibach added. “She knew she was a strong option for us at 106. It didn’t matter if it was a boy on the other side. She went out and competed with intensity and put some points on the board for her team. I just love the way that she took ownership of that role.”
‘A really rare feat’
There’s not many brother and sister combos who can say they are both state qualifiers. That’s not the case for Hannah and Rocky Almendarez.
“I am curious to know how many other brother-sister combos are out there who are both going to the state tournament,” Leibach said. “I’m aware of one but it’s got to be a really rare feat especially with them both being in their senior year.”
“It makes me really proud that she’s going to state,” Rocky said of Hannah. “I know she has it in her. She has that drive and what it takes to go to the next level. I always wanted to see her do it, and now she took it all the way.”
“He pushed me to be this good,” Hannah said of Rocky. “He’s been giving me advice, and he just tells me to ‘wrestle hard,’ basically.”
What’s the key at state?
Leibach, who is in his eighth season as Galesburg’s wrestling coach, knows what it takes to be successful at the state level. His grapplers do as well.
And it sounds pretty simple but sometimes that’s not the case.
“The overall key is to take it one match at a time,” Leibach said. “You really just have to focus on the first opponent that is out in front of you and winning the wrestling position that you are in at that moment.”
“You just have to take one match at a time,” Shipp said. “You have to win all positions. I want to really dominate kids and show that I’m better in all positions. That’s my plan and what I work on every day in practice.”
“Keep going and be consistent,” Rocky Almendarez said. “You shoot, I score. You shoot, I still score. You have to have that mentality.”
“You just have to have confidence in your preparation,” Gibbons said. “What you put in is what you get out.”
Departing thought…
“I always say this isn’t a three month sport,” Shipp said. “You don’t progress just doing it in the winter. Wrestling is my life. I don’t do much else.”
Monmouth College’s Cally Tate, a Monmouth-Roseville High School grad, is rewriting the Fighting Scots’ record book in the pool. [Monmouth College photo]
By Barry McNamara, Monmouth College
MONMOUTH — A change of scenery has led to a breakthrough in the athletic career of Monmouth College swimmer Cally Tate.
After a year at another school, the sophomore made what she called “a last-minute decision” to transfer, returning to her hometown to study and swim for Fighting Scots coach Jake Dacus.
And when Tate says “last minute,” she really means it.
“My time at Illinois Wesleyan was a good learning experience, but I decided I couldn’t return for three more years,” Tate said. “I met with Coach Dacus and the team, and I clicked better with the team than I expected to. And I obviously knew the campus from growing up here. It was all very last minute. By the time I decided, I was three days late for the start of the fall semester.”
When it comes to swimming, “best minute” is a phrase that could be used to describe one of the many highlights of Tate’s debut season for Monmouth. Since her days as a swimmer for Monmouth-Roseville High School, Tate has had her sights set on breaking the one-minute barrier in the 100-yard backstroke. And the sophomore is not alone – every talented Scot in the program’s 20-year history has eyed that number, but none have achieved it.
Tate finally accomplished the elusive feat as part of an outstanding string of performances at the Midseason Championships, hosted by Beloit College the first weekend in December. She set the new school record in the prelims with a time of 59.37, then followed that up in the final with a first-place swim of 59.57.
“That’s been something I’ve focused on since at least my freshman year of high school,” she said.
But Tate wasn’t done breaking school records or posting first-place finishes. She also set the new standard in the 50- and 200-yard backstroke with times of 27.75 and 2:09.80, respectively, winning both events, and she touched first in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle.
“That was one of the most exciting meets of my life,” she said. “Every time I’d look up at the scoreboard to see my time, I was like in shock. Some of those times, you don’t think it’s possible until it happens.”
Switching it up
Which begs the question, just how did those times happen? Both Tate and her coach supplied answers.
“Training for me this year has been really different,” Tate said. “At Illinois Wesleyan, the coach really focused on yardage – just how many yards you can get in during practice. I wasn’t dropping time that way. It wasn’t working for me.”
In short, it was wearing her down, and injuries that included a sprained ankle and tendonitis “pretty much left me with just one good leg,” she said.
At Monmouth, Dacus’ workouts have focused more on speed and, said Tate, “on doing things right.”
Talent plus hard work
And Dacus said the standout sophomore is definitely doing things right in practice.
“Cally’s fantastic,” he said. “She’s an extremely talented swimmer who works incredibly hard. And she’s the most humble person on the team. That’s why everybody loves her. When you combine that kind of talent with what a hard worker she is, school records are bound to happen.”
Both Tate and Dacus were asked what else could happen during this swim season, which will reach its second-half peak Feb. 16-18 at the Midwest Conference championships at Grinnell College.
“I’m hoping to get on the podium in my top three events, which means making the ‘A’ final,” Tate said.
Dacus believes medals are possible, too.
“The top three swimmers in each event medal, and that’s certainly possible for her,” Dacus said. “Right now, she’s ranked in the top three in each of her backstroke events,” including the top ranking in the 50-yard backstroke.
Tate could also be a factor in her two-best freestyle events, especially the 50, where’s she ranked fourth with a time of 25.08. Only two Monmouth women have ever swum faster.
“I’m less than three-tenths of a second away from that school record, so it’s pretty close,” Tate said.
And she’s just over a tenth of a second away from the MWC’s second-best time this year.
No matter what Tate achieves at Grinnell, she’ll still have two more seasons to lower her personal-best and school-record times. Beyond that, she plans to put her degree in environmental science to use by helping people, perhaps starting with service in the Peace Corps.
“I want to help solve problems related to harsh conditions in the environment,” she said.
Galesburg High School’s girls basketball team is in unchartered waters. After falling to UT on Saturday afternoon, the Streaks are on a three game losing skid. [Photos and Illustration by Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — Galesburg High School’s girls basketball team is in a position it hasn’t been the entire 2023-24 season.
The No. 6 ranked in Class 3A Silver Streaks have suffered three straight defeats.
Galesburg (20-5 overall, 8-3 in the Western Big 6) was upended by United Township 55-42 Saturday afternoon in a WB6 affair at John Thiel Gymnasium. The Streaks fell on the road to the Blue Devils of Quincy 62-43 on Thursday evening in league play, and Galesburg was downed by Morton 46-33 last Saturday on the road in non-conference action.
“You just have to keep going,” Streaks coach Evan Massey said after Galesburg’s loss to the Panthers of UT. “When you lose games, nobody else is going to feel sorry for you. We have to stay focused on what we do and understand that we’re playing good teams.”
Neck-and-neck in first half
The Streaks faced a 12-7 deficit versus the Panthers (20-5, 10-1) when the first quarter was over. United Township senior Lorena Awou, a 6-foot-5 post, scored for her squad to open the second period. Galesburg senior Kiarra Kilgore responded with a bucket in the paint with 7:17 left in the quarter. Senior Kaylie Pena drained a 3-pointer with 7:04 remaining in the second to give the Panthers a 17-9 advantage over the Streaks.
Galesburg freshman Ella Herchenroder drained a shot beyond the perimeter with 6:45 on the clock, and the Streaks trailed 17-12. Kilgore made back-to-back baskets after that to make it 17-16 with UT still on top.
And when the buzzer sounded at the half, the Panthers were ahead 26-20.
UT runs away in second half
UT made buckets in the third while Galesburg couldn’t buy one. When the quarter was over, the Panthers were ahead 40-26 after outscoring the Streaks 14-6 with all of Galesburg’s points coming from Kilgore. The Streaks outscored the Panthers 16-15 in the final eight minutes but it wasn’t enough.
“The first four minutes of the second half I thought we were flat,” Massey said. “We were not locked in as far as what we needed to do. When we started pressing, our defensive intensity level got up, and I thought the rest of the game defensively we did a good job.
“Our offense failed us. The second half, we came out and it was close. The first three possessions we ran good stuff and got good shots but couldn’t make them,” Massey added. “Sadly after that, we started panicking offensively, so that became a problem, and we didn’t make good choices with the ball.”
By the numbers
Kilgore, who last winter was selected to the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association’s all-state second team in Class 3A and was named the MVP of the WB6, led GHS with a game-high 25 points against UT and was the only Streak who finished with double digits. Kilgore has netted 1,792 points in her career and sits in the third spot on Galesburg’s all-time scoring list.
Sarah Larson is the Streaks’ all-time leading scorer with 1,906 points. Tiffany Sibley scored 1,806 points in her career and ranks second.
Awou led the Panthers with 21 points. Senior Ciara Hull chipped in 13 points, and senior Shawntia Lewis added 12 points for UT.
What happened in 2022-23?
Last winter, Galesburg went 26-8 overall, finished in second place in the WB6 with a 9-6 record and grabbed its second straight regional crown — 26th overall. The 2022-23 season ended with a 63-34 loss to Peoria Central in Class 3A sectional semifinal action.
On Wednesday night, the Illinois High School Association ‘s Board of Directors approved the hiring of Chris Schwarz as the IHSA’s next Assistant Executive Director.
The current principal at United High School in Monmouth, Schwarz will fill the void created by the forthcoming retirement of IHSA Associate Executive Director Kurt Gibson on July 1.
“Chris Schwarz exudes leadership and service in every aspect of his life, and we are excited to be able to welcome him to the IHSA staff,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “His background as a high school student-athlete, teacher, coach, and administrator in Illinois made him an ideal candidate, and we look forward to working with him to see how his talents and passion can best serve the IHSA membership.”
Schwarz’s exact responsibilities will be determined closer to his start date at the IHSA, which is slated for early July. He will become the 37th individual in the IHSA’s history to hold the title of Assistant Executive Director on the Association’s administrative staff.
“I have always firmly believed that students’ lives are enriched through extracurricular activities, so it’s difficult to put into words what it means to me to join the IHSA administrative team,” Schwarz said. “Throughout my career I have strived to serve others and be a positive light in peoples’ lives. This opportunity with the IHSA will allow me to positively affect the lives of so many individuals throughout the state and help them create lifelong memories.”
Schwarz joined United School District #304 as the principal of United Junior High in 2017 and then ascended to his current position as high school principal in 2020. He was appointed to serve as the Superintendent of District #304 beginning with the 2024-25 school year.
“I’m leaving an incredible group of people at the United School District,” Schwarz said. “The Monmouth area has been our home since my wife and I met at Monmouth College. The numerous personal and professional friendships we have developed have deeply enriched our lives, so Monmouth will always hold a special place in our hearts. This opportunity with the IHSA was never part of my professional or personal plan, but my family is excited to start a new chapter in our lives.”
Schwarz’s tenure in United School District #304 coincided with the development of several new programs and initiatives that positively impacted students and teachers. That included the implementation of a high school advisory period that reduced semester failures by nearly 50 percent and a Kindness Club that created volunteer opportunities in the community. He also oversaw renovations of the junior high media center and weight room, while implementing a sports broadcasting program there. Schwarz served as the high school baseball coach at Monmouth-Roseville from 2011-2014 and went on to create and coach bass fishing programs at United’s junior high and high school levels. He was named the IPA Middle School Principal of the Year for the Western Region 2020-2021.
“Chris embodies the IHSA mission,” Anderson said. “The impact that his own high school experience had in shaping the person he is today is abundantly clear. The formation of the bass fishing program at United High School is just one example of how he continues to pay that forward.”
Schwarz is a 2005 graduate of Moline High School, where he participated in football and baseball. An all-conference pitcher, he helped the Maroons to an IHSA Super-Sectional appearance as a senior in 2005.
“My high school experiences really laid the foundation for my career and current passions,” Schwarz said. “The baseball and football programs at Moline High School fostered my love for fitness, competition, leadership, and coaching. I was extremely fortunate to be surrounded by great coaches and positive influences that invested their time and energy into my development as a student-athlete.”
After high school, he continued his baseball career at Monmouth College, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education in 2009. He completed his Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership at Western Illinois University (WIU) in 2014, and then returned to WIU to obtain his Superintendent Licensure in 2021. Schwarz is currently in the Educational Leadership Doctoral Program at WIU.
“I believe that relationships are paramount to the success of any organization,” Schwarz said. “As an Assistant Executive Director, I’m looking forward to developing relationships with our member schools and upholding the strong tradition of service that the IHSA is known for. The opportunity to work within an administrative team is also something I’m really excited about. Throughout the interview process, I have been extremely impressed by the intentionality and passion of the IHSA staff.”
Schwarz began his career in education as a science teacher at La Harpe Junior High School in 2011, before accepting the Assistant Principal position at Notre Dame in Burlington, Iowa, a position he held until joining United in 2017. Schwarz has been active at his collegiate alma mater and in the local community, in addition to being a frequent speaker and presenter at various educational events. He returned to the Monmouth College baseball program as its pitching coach in 2016 and 2017 and currently sits on the College’s Alumni Board. He also serves on the board of the Warren County YMCA and previously held a seat on the Monmouth Citizens Advisory Committee.
Galesburg High School senior Syriah Boyd will continue her academic and athletic career at Tennessee State University in Nashville. She recently verbally committed to compete in track and field for the Tigers. [Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — Galesburg High School senior Syriah Boyd is currently busy competing on the hardwood for the Silver Streaks.
And she’s yet to take part in her final season as a sprinter for Galesburg’s girls track and field team.
However, Boyd has nailed down what her next step will be once she graduates.
“I feel like I’ll be able to go there and make a difference,” Boyd said after last Tuesday night’s girls basketball game between Galesburg and Washington.
Boyd had a handful of scholarship offers to put on track spikes at the next level but TSU felt like the right fit for her.
“It was between Ball State, Northern Illinois University and TSU because they all offered a full ride,” Boyd said. “At the end of the day, I wanted to go out of state and Nashville, Tennessee, sounds like a good place to be. Also, when I went on my visit and met with the coach (Chandra Cheeseborough-Guice) and my teammates there was just an automatic bond, which is what makes the sport fun.
“The coach has two Olympic gold medals and one silver in the events that I run in,” added Boyd, who will major in nursing at TSU. “She’s going to be somebody that can probably help me a lot.”
Sights set on trio of GHS school records
Congrats to Syriah Boyd for being named the MVP of the WB6 Girls conference track meet. She won the 100, 200 and the 400. #streaksnationpic.twitter.com/8lIFCbFSoF
Boyd, who was named the MVP of the Western Big 6 last spring, competes in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dash, and she has some goals she wants to accomplish before her high school career concludes.
“My goals are to beat my 200 record and get the 100 record and the 400 record,” Boyd said. “To get those, I just have to grind on the track and push myself.”
The Galesburg school record in the 200 is 24.81 seconds. The 400 school record mark is 56.6, and Boyd’s personal best in the event is 56.8. The time to break in the 100 is 12.1, and Boyd’s PR is 12.3.
“I should get there and break them,” said Boyd, who — including middle school — has competed at state for eight straight seasons.
Departing thought…
“Track is definitely a mental sport so when it comes time to having big meets having a lot of experience helps mentally so you won’t psych yourself out,” Boyd said.
Galesburg High School girls basketball coach Evan Massey talks to his squad during Tuesday night’s home game against Washington. [Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — It was a back-and-forth battle for about three and a half quarters for Galesburg High School’s girls basketball team Tuesday night at John Thiel Gymnasium.
But the Silver Streaks pulled away and handed the Panthers of Washington a 43-33 defeat in non-conference action.
“I’m very happy with the way we played,” Galesburg coach Evan Massey said. “I thought we were solid defensively, and Ki (Kilgore) did what Ki does in the first half. I thought Alexis (Edgerson) and Antonia (Kisler) stepped up and scored points. A key for us was our three post players – Joz Kilgore, Syriah Boyd and Antonia – were all able to defend inside and outside, and they were able to rebound.”
The Streaks moved to 6-0 overall with the victory, and Massey, who is in his 46th season, is two wins away from 1,000 in his career.
The three time Hall of Famer says that achievement isn’t in the back of his mind. Like always, Massey is more concerned about what his squad accomplishes.
And Galesburg has been able to overcome adversity in the early part of the 2023-24 season, according to Kilgore, who last winter was selected to the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association’s all-state second team in Class 3A. Kilgore averaged 22.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.9 steals per game in 2022-23, and she also was named the MVP of the Western Big 6.
Galesburg senior Kiarra “Ki’ Kilgore drains a free throw with 5:33 left in the third quarter in Tuesday night’s home game versus Washington. [Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
Kilgore led GHS with a game-high 22 points against Washington. Edgerson chipped in 11 points, and Kisler added nine points for the Streaks, who held a 20-18 edge against the Panthers (4-1) at the half. Heading into the fourth quarter, Galesburg was up 32-29. The Streaks outscored the Panthers 11-4 in the final eight minutes.
“I feel like we handled their pressure really well,” Kilgore said. “We stayed composed. We didn’t let them speed us up, and we worked really well together as a team.”
What happened in 2022-23?
Last winter, Galesburg went 26-8 overall, finished in second place in the WB6 with a 9-6 record and grabbed its second straight regional crown — 26th overall. The 2022-23 season ended with a 63-34 loss to Peoria Central in Class 3A sectional semifinal action.
Knox College football coach Aaron Willits calls in a play against Monmouth in the Prairie Fire’s season finale last Saturday afternoon at April Zorn Memorial Stadium in Monmouth. [Courtesy of Edd Winkler]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — Ask any coach on any level, and they’re never satisfied.
There’s always room to improve — even when things are going the right way.
Knox College football coach Aaron Willits just concluded his third season in charge of the Prairie Fire, and the 2008 Knox grad, who took the gridiron as a running back, saw some good things from his student-athletes but observed some bad, as well.
With a 3-7 overall and 3-6 record in Midwest Conference play, Knox had more struggles than success in the 2023 season.
“You have to look at the record. This is America, there are winners and losers, right. There’s a record for a reason. Yes, it is easy to point to the record but there are a lot of things that go into that,” Willits said Wednesday night in-between individual player meetings. “Am I satisfied, no absolutely not. I want the record to reflect a growth in the right direction but I’m also realistic in nature. You can’t become so attached to the record – especially in a growing program.
“Success is not a linear trajectory that is guaranteed. There’s so many dynamics to it. Yes, the record matters, and it’s the representation of the work that was done, and it’s not where we want it to be as a program,” Willits added. “There are many contributing factors and evaluations that have to continue or be a part of where that sits and where it can go in the future.”
The Prairie Fire went 3-6 overall and had the same mark in MWC action in 2021. Knox added two more victories to its win total last fall, and the Prairie Fire ended 2022 with a 5-5 overall record and went 4-5 in league play.
Willits breaks out the microscope
During his chats with each of his players, Willits is asking them all for feedback, and he isn’t ignoring what they say. Every aspect of the program will be put under the microscope, if you will.
“You evaluate the who is going to be here to move things forward and then you start on the bigger picture – the how, the why, the when and the what,” Willits said. “Now is the time to talk about program philosophy, chemistry, and those types of things. The assessment process starts now. In every end of the year meeting there is a closure and then there is a transition to 2024.
“In the evaluation, we start to identify where the work will begin. You have to step back and look at everything and get the perspective of it. Let’s identify and work for a solution as well,” Willits added. “I want to look back and see what we need to do to continue to move forward. Yeah, there was growth, peaks and valleys and ups and downs this season. There are different points in the year where some of those challenges presented themselves but obviously as you connect the dots not all the math adds up so you have to identify some of those circumstances and problems.”
Recruiting process will begin shortly
Willits and his coaching staff won’t hit the recruiting trail until 2024 rolls around, and they’ll be focused on figuring out who will join the team next August and look ahead some into the future, too.
“We’ve got a significant number of individuals that have applied and been accepted. That is an ongoing process that is going to continue to accelerate,” Willits said. “Recruiting for the class of 2024 really starts after the first of the year. We’re not working two years out but as we cross into the new year initial feelers will start to go out on the class of 2025.
“Right now, where we are at with the recruiting side of things, I’m happy with the interest,” Willits added. “I would like to see a record number of players come in and join our program to push our roster size to places it hasn’t been in a really, really long time.”
What happened in the Turkey Bowl?
For the 24th straight time, Knox was defeated by Monmouth in the Turkey Bowl. Last Saturday afternoon, the Prairie Fire were upended 42-7 by the Fighting Scots at April Zorn Memorial Stadium.
Monmouth scored once in the first quarter and once in the second quarter to take a 14-0 lead into halftime.
Fifth-year senior quarterback Kaile Williams put Knox on the board early in the second half when he rushed for a 57-yard touchdown to cut the Fighting Scots’ lead to a score.
In the third quarter, Monmouth scored three touchdowns to take a commanding lead. The Fighting Scots scored once more in the opening seconds of the fourth quarter to seal the victory.
Williams had 23 carries for 90 rushing yards and the aforementioned touchdown. Freshman running back Izayiah Hawes added 66 yards receiving and 49 yards rushing for Knox.
Senior Kolton Krutsinger led the Prairie Fire’s defense with nine tackles. Two of his tackles were for a loss, including a sack. Senior Jon Sarich added eight tackles, and he had 3.5 tackles for a loss, including 1.5 sacks.
“We played some really good football and then we played some not great football against Monmouth. Some of that is from an execution standpoint and some of that is an experience standpoint and some of that is quicksand – you get sucked in – and some of that is a confidence standpoint,” Willits said. “We fought at the end of the year, and we did get better. The record is is not a final resting place in the growth of our program.”
Four members of the Prairie Fire named All-MWC
On Tuesday, the MWC announced who made its all-conference squads, and Knox had four players earn the honor.
“As you look at the all-conference recognitions and that process, four guys were selected in that group and any time you look at an all-conference selection the more team wins you have the more opportunities that you’re going to have guys on that team,” Willits said. “Since I’ve been here, this is the most guys that we’ve had.”
Knox College fifth year senior Kaile Williams scores the Prairie Fire’s lone touchdown in last Saturday’s Midwest Conference road game against Monmouth. [Courtesy of Danny Warning Sr.]
Williams made the first team as a running back. He led the league in rushing with 1,082 rushing yards, and Williams added 10 rushing touchdowns. He also completed 58 of 141 passes for 717 yards and two touchdowns.
“With what we do, it’s always been an interesting dynamic when you have impactful quarterback play but it comes on the ground and how that is viewed,” Willits said of his starting QB’s selection as a running back. “I’m appreciative of the conference and the respect from the coaches to recognize that’s a significant contributor for us.
“I think it is a unique circumstance but it’s evaluated by the conference coaches, and they’ve given a respect to his skill set,” Willits added. “Kaile crossing over 1,000 yards presents very uniquely and that starts up front with the line of scrimmage.”
(Left to right) Knox senior offensive lineman Creed Justice (No. 56), senior defensive lineman Jon Sarich (No. 79), and freshman punter Jonathan Walker (No. 85) were named to the All-MWC second team. [Photos courtesy of Edd Winkler]
Prairie Fire senior offensive lineman Creed Justice, Sarich, a senior defensive lineman, and freshman punter Jonathan Walker were named to the All-MWC second team.
Justice blocked for Williams and a running crew that finished first in the league in rushing offense per game (220.5 yards per game).
“Creed’s all-conference nod is for his skill set up front. He was previously at guard and is now at tackle. He opens up a lot of holes,” Willits said. “He’s a guy that has a lot of experience and the plan is will be returning for a fifth year. Next year, that will be a guy that has played in 40 games. I’m proud of him and the work that he continues to put out there.”
Sarich finished second in sacks (10) and third in tackles for a loss (20.5) in the conference.
“Jon Sarich didn’t get the nod last year, and he was right up there in the Top 2 or 3 in sacks,” Willits said. “He’s absolutely deserving of that award. I’m very proud of Jon continuing to fight and get after it this year. I think he continued to grow as the year progressed.”
Walker led the MWC in average yards per punt (39.6) and had eight punts of 50 yards or more.
“Special teams, we had ups and downs but the average yardage for Jonathan as a punter is right up there at the top of the conference,” Willits said. “We know that we’ve got to execute better, but Jonathan has the opportunity to flip the field, and I think that’s where that recognition comes from is the boom of the leg.”
Knox’s 2023 Schedule
Joint Practice: Sat., Aug. 19 at University of Dubuque
“There are a lot of guys that have had a tremendous impact on our program, especially the seniors,” Willits said. “Growing a program you may not see the plant but the seeds are being planted for sustained success in the future.”
Monmouth College’s football team poses with the Cousin’s Subs Lakefront Bowl trophy after winning the inaugural game last fall. [Courtesy of Monmouth College via Cousin’s Subs Lakefront Bowl]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
MONMOUTH — Monmouth College’s football team was four points away from a first round game in the NCAA Division III Football Championship.
Instead, the Fighting Scots will partake in the second annual Cousin’s Subs Lakefront Bowl, and they’ll do so at 11 a.m. Saturday on the campus of Wisconsin Lutheran College at Raabe Stadium in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.
Monmouth beat Concordia-Wisconsin 42-20 in last year’s Lakefront Bowl. This time around, the Fighting Scots (8-2, 8-1) will face the Green Knights of St. Norbert (7-3, 6-2).
After winning the 134th Turkey Bowl 42-7 over the Prairie Fire of Knox, the Fighting Scots finished the regular season with an 8-1 mark in Midwest Conference play. The record is identical to that of Illinois College, who beat Monmouth 20-17 in September to win the tiebreaker for the MWC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Football Playoffs. As the second-place MWC team, the Fighting Scots received the bid to the Cousin’s Subs Lakefront Bowl.
“It is a great reward for a great season,” Monmouth coach Chad Braun said in a press release. “We want the NCAA playoffs and came up three points short of that but this is a great consolation prize for us and we couldn’t ask for a better matchup that renewing a great rivalry with St. Norbert.”
The Green Knights earned the bowl invitation by finishing in a tie for second place in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference, which was won by Aurora University. St. Norbert took the tie-breaker with a head-to-head win over Concordia-Wisconsin 13-7 in overtime.
The Green Knights’ losses this season are to Eureka (21-17) and Aurora (37-9) in conference action and to UW Stevens Point (31-28) in non-conference. St. Norbert beat Ripon 23-7 in 2023 season opener for the only common opponent, as the Fighting Scots beat the Redhawks 45-3 last month.
The Green Knights played in the MWC from 1983-2019. Either St. Norbert or Monmouth won the MWC every year from 1999 to 2020 except for 2002 and 2014. The Fighting Scots and Green Knights have met 34 times since 1975 with St. Norbert holding a 24-11 edge. Monmouth won four of the last five match-ups including the 2017 and 2019 MWC Championship games. Both of those games came down to the final play with the Fighting Scots winning 9-6 in overtime in 2017 and 10-7 with a frantic comeback in 2019. The Green Knights won the 2018 MWC Championship Game 10-7 and the 2015 MWC Championship Game 16-7.
“We have the upmost respect for St. Norbert College and I think there will be tremendous interest from both sides with the history and tradition of these two programs and the games we have played in the past,” Braun said. “We had a great experience at the bowl game last year, and we know what to expect this year and are looking forward to it.”
16 Scots receive All-MWC honors
Monmouth had a league-high 16 players receive All-Conference honors, including 11 on the first team.
Fighting Scots sophomore Anthony Cikauskas was selected as the MWC Football Defensive Line MVP. In MWC play, Cikauskas led in the league in sacks with 15 (13 solo) and forced fumbles with four, while tying for second in tackles for loss with a total of 21.5 (18 solo).
For the second season in a row, Monmouth fifth-year senior Derek Brown was named the MWC Football Offensive Line MVP. Behind Brown, the Fighting Scots put up the league’s second-ranked scoring offense. In league play, Monmouth racked up 4,429 yards of offense, including 1,979 rushing yards and 2,450 passing, and scored 53 touchdowns. Brown also recorded his first career reception and score in the Fighting Scots’ final regular season game.
Other Monmouth players who received All-MWC recognition include: James Conner (OL, first team), Coby McMillan (OL, first team), Tevin Baker (DL, first team), Jeremiah Glenn Louis Charles (LB, first team), Jackson Bergren (WR, first team), Nate Thornton (WR, first team), Nick Harris (DB, first team), Michael Lord (DB, first team), Carter Boyer (QB, first team), Tyrek Tripp (OL, second team), Caleb Endicott (LB, second team), McKade Brooks (RB, second team), Tanner Tomaschke (LB, second team), and Dylan Bone (TE, second team).
Monmouth’s 2023 schedule
Week 1: Wartburg 62, Monmouth 35
Week 2: Monmouth 39, University of Chicago 6
Week 3: Monmouth 70, Lawrence 13
Week 4: Bye
Week 5: Illinois College 20, Monmouth 17
Week 6: Monmouth 69, Grinnell 6
Week 7: Monmouth 43, Cornell 6
Week 8: Monmouth 59, Beloit 3
Week 9: Monmouth 45, Ripon 3
Week 10: Monmouth 16, Lake Forest 14
Week 11: Monmouth 42, Knox 7 (Turkey Bowl)
Postseason
Week 12: Monmouth vs. St. Norbert (Cousin’s Subs Lakefront Bowl), 11 a.m. Saturday at Raabe Stadium in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Galesburg High School’s girls basketball team opens the 2023-24 season at 7 p.m. Tuesday in a non-conference home affair against Metamora. [Photos and photo illustration by Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — After two weeks of practice, Galesburg High School’s girls basketball team is about to open the 2023-24 season.
The Silver Streaks will do so at 7 p.m. Tuesday versus the Redbirds of Metamora at John Thiel Gym.
“We have a really interesting mix because we’ve got six seniors and four of them started last year for us. Both Ki (Kilgore) and Alexis (Edgerson) have been on the varsity as regulars the last two years,” said Evan Massey, who is entering his 46th season as Galesburg’s coach and with a 992-390 career record is eight wins away from 1,000. “We’ve got four freshmen with us, so we’ve got some very inexperienced players and some very experienced players.
“I’m very happy because I know coming into the season the seniors have been very committed. They’ve worked very hard,” Massey added. “It’s a really fun group to work with.”
In the early going, the Streaks will work out the kinks.
“This time of year offensively you just have to work and work to be able to execute what you want to do. The tendency is that you can run things but then not execute it,” Massey said. “You’ve got to get to the point where you’re executing.
“Defensively, I think we’ll have to figure out how to defend big kids inside and that’s a process.”
Like always, the Streaks’ schedule is full of squads that will provide challenges.
“We’ve got a very competitive schedule. Right out of the chute, we don’t have any games where you can take a breathe. We’re going to have challenges that way,” Massey said. “Conference is going to be up and down challenging.
“It’s a year that we can be very good but it might not show in wins and losses,” he added. “I hope it shows in wins and losses but we’re going to be playing a lot of good teams.”
What happened in 2022-23?
Last winter, Galesburg went 26-8 overall, finished in second place in the Western Big 6 with a 9-6 record and grabbed its second straight regional crown — 26th overall. The 2022-23 season ended with a 63-34 loss to Peoria Central in Class 3A sectional semifinal action.
Kilgore was selected to the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association’s all-state second team in Class 3A, and she also was named the MVP of the WB6. She averaged 22.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.9 steals per game in 2022-23.
On Thursday afternoon, Galesburg High School senior Kiarra Kilgore signed a National Letter of Intent to continue her basketball career at Missouri S&T. [Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — Galesburg High School’s Kiarra “Ki” Kilgore announced on social media in August where she’d continue her basketball career.
The senior made it official Thursday afternoon inside John Thiel Gym, and Kilgore did so in front members of her family, her teammates and some of her classmates.
After Silver Streaks girls basketball coach Evan Massey introduced Kilgore, it didn’t take long before the ink was dry on her National Letter of Intent for Missouri S&T, an NCAA Division II school in Rolla, Missouri.
And Massey was happy for his player.
“It’s very exciting to see someone that has worked as hard as Ki has both in the classroom and in basketball get rewarded with a scholarship,” Massey said. “That’s really neat.”
The recruiting process was stressful for Kilgore, and she lost count on how many colleges were interested in her playing for them. She is jazzed that weight has been lifted off her shoulders.
“I’m glad it’s finally official. I can come into my senior year and not have to worry about the whole recruiting process,” Kilgore said. “The coaching staff at S&T is amazing. I really enjoy the campus, and it’s not too far away from home.”
As a junior, Kilgore was selected to the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association’s all-state second team in Class 3A, and she also was named the MVP of the Western Big 6. She averaged 22.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.9 steals per game in 2022-23, and Kilgore has netted 1,422 points so far in her high school career, which ranks sixth in the Streaks’ record book. Sarah Larson holds the top spot with 1,906 points.
Kilgore plans to major in biological sciences at S&T, and she knows there’s still skills to hone on the hardwood before she plays for the Miners.
“I want to improve my mid-range and shoot better off the dribble,” Kilgore said.
Since the third grade, Kilgore has been donning a Heart of Illinois uniform each summer. Playing travel basketball has helped her grow as a player.
“Typically with us, she was bigger than everyone else and taller than anyone else, so she ended up in the post,” Riley Gardner, HOI’s 17U coach and the director of the hoops program, said of Kilgore. “She’s worked extremely hard to get herself out of the post and to be a huge scoring threat. She can handle the ball and attack the basket. She’s a hard hard worker and great teammate.
“You can’t say enough about her or her family,” Gardner added. “She’s super humble. What I love about her is she’s always giving credit to her teammates. I’m super excited for her and happy for her. I can’t wait to see her play at Missouri S&T.”
Kilgore also played volleyball for Galesburg, and the sport helped her in basketball.
“Volleyball is a completely different sport,” Kilgore said. “Three people have to touch the ball. It’s not like in basketball where one person can take it all the way down and score. Volleyball helped me be a better team player.”
Facts about the Miners
The official colors for the Miners are silver, gold and green. Missouri S&T is guided by Kira Carter and the 2023-24 season is her fourth at the helm of the Miners.
Carter, an Indianapolis native, began her collegiate playing career at Oakland University and appeared in 28 games in her freshman season before transferring to Wabash Valley College. She earned first-team all-conference and all-region honors during the 2009-10 season at Wabash Valley and then went on to finish her collegiate career at Coastal Carolina University.
At Coastal Carolina, she played in 55 games over two seasons and averaged 5.6 points and dished out 79 assists during that span. Carter went on to play professionally for a season with BK Lokomotiva Karlovy Vary in the first division Czech Republic League.
In the 2024 WSJ/College Pulse Best Colleges in the United States rankings, Missouri S&T claimed the top spot in the “Show Me State” and secured the 18th position among the nation’s public universities. The evaluation encompasses various metrics, emphasizing the institutions’ effectiveness in shaping their students’ career paths.
The WSJ/College Pulse ranking is one of several other rankings and studies which have recognized S&T in recent years. They include:
Last March, The New York Times released an online tool identifying Missouri S&T among the nation’s top 10 “high value institutions.”
S&T achieved the sixth position nationwide for best value, and the top spot in Missouri, according to SmartAsset’s rankings.
According to The Princeton Review, S&T is placed third in the nation for career placement and holds the 24th position among public universities for return on investment.
Money rated S&T as the fifth-best choice for engineering majors in the United States and recognized it as one of the top universities nationwide.
ROWVA/Williamsfield football coach Grant Gullstrand talks to his Cougars after Thursday night’s practice. R/W faces Chicago Hope Academy in the Class 1A quarterfinals 1 p.m. Saturday at Bill Adams Field in Oneida. [Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
ONEIDA — The Cougars of ROWVA/Williamsfield know what’s at stake, but they’re still relaxed.
Grant Gullstrand’s bunch is set to face Chicago Hope Academy in the Class 1A quarterfinals 1 p.m. Saturday at Bill Adams Field.
A victory for the Cougars (9-2) puts them in the semifinals, and a defeat will end their season. The latter is not on the minds of Gullstrand’s guys.
Once the pigskin is booted to open the contest, it’s just another battle. That’s what Gullstrand preached after Thursday night’s practice, and he’ll have R/W ready to go.
“The kids are focused. They’re loose,” Gullstrand said. “They’re excited to be here and for the opportunity on Saturday.”
The 10-1 Eagles won’t just throw in the white towel. Hope will provide a challenge, but Gullstrand isn’t battling any nerves, and neither are his student-athletes.
“We’ve played two really good football programs in Sterling Newman and Stark County to get here, and now we’re playing a team that is really talented,” Gullstrand said. “They have some good size and some good speed, but at the end of the day it’s just another football game, so that’s how we have to treat it.
“They’re really really big on the offensive line. They’ve got some fast skill players on offense. They like to throw the ball deep. Obviously, that stresses anybody when the ball is deep. I think they have one receiver that is going to go to NIU. Their quarterback is a scrambler. They’re dynamic and explosive on offense,” Gullstrand added. “We just have to do what we’ve been doing lately. When the ball is in the air, we have the opportunity to go get it. We’ve forced quite a few turnovers in the playoffs.”
R/W tied a Class 1A playoff record with five interceptions in last week’s 36-8 second round win over Stark County.
While the Eagles are lively, so are the Cougars. R/W will look to gallop against Hope.
“I think we’re going to be able to rely on our run game. We’ve got some big guys up front. We’ve got two really good running backs (Bryan Bertlshofer and Spencer Brown), and we’ve got some guys who are starting to spell them in Preston Schroeder and Jack Cordle. Our offensive line is doing a good job. Our tight ends are good blockers,” Gullstrand said. “I think we’re going to be able to run it, and we’ll still be able to throw it. We want to come out and establish a good run game on Saturday.”
Cougars’ 2023 schedule
Regular season
Week 1: R/W 29, Havana 20
Week 2: R/W 47, LVC (Lewistown, Valley, Cuba) 8
Week 3: R/W 38, United 18
Week 4: R/W 55, Princeville 40
Week 5: R/W 35, South Fulton 18
Week 6: Stark County 24, R/W 14
Week 7: R/W 45, Rushville-Industry 16
Week 8: Annawan/Wethersfield 28, R/W 6
Week 9: R/W 43, Abingdon-Avon 23
Postseason
Week 10 (first round): R/W 28, Newman Central Catholic 14
Week 11 (second round): R/W 36, Stark County 8
Week 12 (quarterfinals): Chicago Hope Academy 1 p.m. Saturday at R/W at Bill Adams Field in Oneida
R/W’s roster
#2 Dawson Traphagan RB/LB
#3 Dalton Hertz RB/DB
#4 Nathan Courtright WR/DB
#6 Keegan Gerlach WR/DB
#7 Daniel Skala TE/LB
#8 Brock Davis TE/LB
#9 Preston Schroeder QB/DB
#10 Drake DeJaynes QB/DB
#11 Lewis Sams RB/DB
#12 Riley Danner QB/DB
#14 Jack Godsil WR/LB
#20 Spencer Brown RB/LB
#22 Devonte Noel WR/DB
#23 Edwin Foster TE/LB
#24 Bryan Bertlshofer RB/LB
#30 Brady Rickey RB/LB
#32 Jack Cordle RB/DB
#34 Kole Miller RB/LB
#40 Connor Wilson TE/LB
#45 Drake Powell TE/LB
#50 Carter Smith OL/LB
#52 Noah Soper OL/LB
#53 Max Main OL/DL
#54 Taylor Foster OL/DL
#56 Gage Aldred OL/LB
#58 Christian Doubet OL/DL
#61 Jacob Wheeler OL/DL
#62 Mathew Dennison OL/DL
#64 Cayden Sanders OL/DL
#66 Henry Powers OL/DL
#67 Tristan Loomis OL/DL
#68 Chad Rickey OL/LB
#69 Luke Nelson OL/DL
#70 Ayden Sanders OL/DL
#72 Matt Little OL/DL
#73 Jaxson Strom OL/DL
#76 Harlan Mitchell OL/DL
#80 Talan Hull TE/LB
Head coach: Grant Gullstrand
Assistant coaches: Jason Lydic, James Sams, Jordan Danner, Kaevahn Pendleton, Tucker Sams
Departing thought…
“I like our shot. I like how physical we are. I like how loose our kids are,” Gullstrand said. “They’re excited to be playing still. It’s not a drag to come out here to practice. They’re enjoying it. I think they’re locked in and ready to go.”
(Left) Knox College fifth-year senior quarterback Kaile Williams looks for a gap in Lawrence’s defense in last Saturday’s game at the Knosher Bowl. (Right) Monmouth sophomore end Anthony Cikauskas breaks through the University of Chicago’s offensive line on Sept. 9 in a contest at April Zorn Memorial Stadium. [Photo illustration by Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie; Knox photo courtesy of Edd Winkler; Bronze Turkey photo courtesy of Monmouth College; Kent Kriegshauser Photography, Monmouth action photo]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — Knox has been defeated by Monmouth 23 straight times in the Turkey Bowl.
The 134th edition of the contest is at noon on Saturday at Monmouth’s April Zorn Memorial Stadium.
“Really special rivalry. The proximity makes it really special,” Fighting Scots coach Chad Braun said. “Not many rivalries are that close in proximity to each other.”
Prairie Fire coach Aaron Willits, a 2008 Knox grad and former running back, also enjoys the match-up.
“The rivalry is great. It’s one of the longest in all of college football,” Willits said. “Having that surround the game is always fun and exciting.”
Knox heads into the affair with a 3-6 overall record, and 3-5 mark in Midwest Conference play. The Prairie Fire have nothing to lose but pride in their 2023 season finale.
“We’ve got a good challenge in front of us, as this has been for a well number of years here,” Willits said. “They’re a well-coached football team that plays very very fast, and that’s one of the things we’ve talked about all week is ‘play fast.’ They do what they do, and they do it well.
“A big priority for us is to come out and play fast and cut it loose,” Willits added. “The last opportunity that we have in front of us is the last opportunity for this football team to play to our potential, and our best football. As a unit, we don’t believe that we’ve played 100% to our potential as a team collectively this year.”
Monmouth is 7-2 overall and 7-1 in league play. A win over the Prairie Fire assures that the Fighting Scots will share the MWC title for the second straight season.
“We are really excited about the opportunity to repeat as conference champions,” Braun said. “We really want to play in the NCAA playoffs, and it looks like once again we are going to come up just short of our goal.”
What happened in Week 10?
KNOX
On its senior day, Knox picked up a 48-28 win over Lawrence last Saturday afternoon at the Knosher Bowl.
The Vikings scored first on a 69-yard pass just over three minutes into the game. The Prairie Fire responded when senior running back Owen Beaver scored from five yards out. Freshman Chris McMillan converted the extra point for Knox.
Lawrence added a touchdown with 2:39 left in the first quarter to take a 14-7 lead. Fifth-year senior quarterback Kaile Williams added a score for the Prairie Fire with 22 seconds left in the quarter, but a missed extra point left Knox down 14-13.
The Vikings scored again early in the second quarter to go up by two scores. The Prairie Fire scored twice in the last five minutes of the quarter to take a 27-21 lead into halftime.
Williams added two rushing touchdowns in the third quarter to put Knox up 41-21 lead. The Prairie Fire added one more TD midway through the fourth quarter when Williams added his fifth score of the day.
With just under four minutes to play, Lawrence scored its final touchdown.
To go along with his handful of touchdowns, Williams finished with 258 yards rushing and 94 passing yards for Knox. Freshman running back Izayiah Hawes added 94 yards rushing, and Beaver rushed for 62 yards and two scores.
Senior linebacker Kolton Krutsinger led the Prairie Fire’s defense with six tackles, including a sack. Senior end Jon Sarich added five tackles, including two sacks and another tackle for a loss. Sophomore linebacker Manuel Espitia added a sack and freshman corner Colin Finnigsmier and junior safety Isaac Mora each nabbed an interception.
“Any time you win, it should develop a sense of confidence and pride,” Willits said. “We started off a little bit slow but came out in the second half and really focused on what we needed to do. We created some turnovers and made some explosive plays on both sides of the ball that gave us a good lead and left us in a good situation.
“I was excited for the guys to pick up their third win,” Willits added. “To see their smiles after the fact is what this is about. It’s about putting them in situations where they can be excited and happy after games.”
MONMOUTH
Monmouth had a wild ending last Saturday, as Tevin Baker blocked a field goal attempt in the final 30 seconds for a 16-14 home win over Lake Forest.
The Fighting Scots forced the Foresters to go 3-and-out on the first possession and started on their own 31. Nate Wrublik scored on a 1-yard run, and Alec Hesson made the extra point for a 7-0 Monmouth lead.
The teams traded punts and the Fighting Scots got the ball back with 3:14 to play in the quarter when Galesburg native Rockyen Spinks intercepted a pass and returned it to the LFC 26. Carter Boyer converted a 4th-and-14 with a 19-yard pass to Jackson Bergren and then hit Nick Obsaint for seven yards down to the LFC 4. On the second play of the second quarter, Hesson nailed a 21-yard-field goal for a 10-0 lead.
With 40 seconds left in the second quarter, Boyer connected with Nathan Thornton for a 12-yard touchdown pass but the extra point was missed for a 16-0 Monmouth lead.
Lake Forest got on the scoreboard with 2:06 left in the third quarter on a 71-yard pass play. With 8:17 left, a 23 yard TD scamper from the Foresters’ A.J. Jackson with 8:17 left and an extra point meant Lake Forest only trailed by two points.
Leading 16-14, the Fighting Scots went 3-and-out and the Foresters returned the punt to their own 41. On 3rd-and-1 from the 50, Spinks picked off his second pass of the game to give Monmouth the ball on its own 5-yard-line with 4:40 to play.
Lake Forest blocked a punt with 29 seconds left and returned the ball to the 14-yard line. With no timeouts left, the Foresters lined up for a go-ahead 32-yard field goal. Baker broke through to block the kick to preserve the victory, as Boyer took a knee to end the game.
Week 11: Sat., Nov. 11 at Monmouth (Turkey Bowl), Noon
Monmouth’s 2023 schedule
Week 1: Wartburg 62, Monmouth 35
Week 2: Monmouth 39, University of Chicago 6
Week 3: Monmouth 70, Lawrence 13
Week 4: Bye
Week 5: Illinois College 20, Monmouth 17
Week 6: Monmouth 69, Grinnell 6
Week 7: Monmouth 43, Cornell 6
Week 8: Monmouth 59, Beloit 3
Week 9: Monmouth 45, Ripon 3
Week 10: Monmouth 16, Lake Forest 14
Week 11: Sat., Nov. 11 vs. Knox (Turkey Bowl), Noon
MWC standings
Illinois College 7-1 in MWC, 8-1 overall
Monmouth College 7-1 in MWC, 7-2 overall
Lake Forest 6-2 in MWC, 7-2 overall
Cornell College 5-3 in MWC, 5-4 overall
University of Chicago 5-3 in MWC, 5-4 overall
Ripon College 4-4 in MWC, 4-5 overall
Knox College 3-5 in MWC, 3-6 overall
Grinnell College 2-6 in MWC, 2-7 overall
Beloit College 1-7 in MWC 2-7 overall
Lawrence University 0-8 in MWC, 0-9 overall
Departing thought…
“Always room to improve. We have made steady improvement on the defensive side of the ball,” Braun said. “Each week is a new week so you have to continue to work and get better.
“I feel like we are playing really well on both sides of the ball. We have been really explosive on offense from the beginning of the year,” Braun added. “We are hitting on all cylinders when we are running it and throwing it well. It really helps having a fifth year quarterback.”
Galesburg High School boys basketball coach Chad Thompson, right, talks to his squad inside the locker room after Monday night’s practice, which was the second gathering for the Streaks. Galesburg began things bright and early Monday morning. [Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — The prospective members of Galesburg High School’s boys basketball team rolled out of their beds bright and early Monday to attend their first practice in the 2023-24 season.
It’s a long standing tradition for the Silver Streaks.
A key word Galesburg coach Chad Thompson, who is entering his third season, preached to the Streaks inside their locker room after Monday night’s practice, their second of the day, was accountability.
And Thompson, overall, liked what he saw on Day 1, but there’s plenty of room to grow.
“I feel very encouraged after our first day,” Thompson said. “We really liked this group coming into the summer. We like the culture that they’ve built together as friends, as guys that push each other. It’s going to be a group that’s very diverse in terms of age. We have a lot of youth, but there’s also names that people have heard forever like Ian Dominique Jr, Gino (Williams), and even Jackson (Crock-Sibbing), and Leslie (Kelley) coming back as sophomores. There’s a lot of new guys, too.
“Over the summer, they really bonded together to make a good nucleus for our program, as we rebuild what we want Galesburg Basketball to be,” Thompson added. “It was a very exciting first day.”
The Streaks went 4-10 in Western Big 6 Conference play and 10-23 overall last winter, and Thompson wasn’t satisfied with the win-loss total. He is focusing on a few areas to improve upon last season’s performance.
“Two things. Individually, we had guys who had to get better, and as a team, we had to reflect back on what did we not do well, which by our record shows we did quite a few things not great,” Thompson said. “I think we have the guys that we need right now to continue to rebuild what we need to. We need to have way better guard play this year. We need to lower the turnover margin, and I think with more ball-friendly guards this year we will.
“We’re really looking to take care of the ball better this year,” Thompson added. “At the same time, we have a team that is full of shooters. We’re going to be able to shoot the ball in some way one through five. Almost every single night that we’re on the court, we have a shooter at every position. We’re really going to look to spread the floor, and drive the ball hard.”
In other words, Galesburg will play a different style on offense, and the Streaks will on defense, too. Personnel is the leading factor in the switches.
“We’ve got to improve defensively, and the defensive philosophy is different this year,” Thompson said. “We don’t have that big huge guy in the middle like we’ve had the last two years. We have to get a little scrappier with our defense this year.
“We have to take advantage of what we have, which is speed and quickness. We have to use it.”
Streaks’ 2023-24 schedule
Fri., Nov. 10 Meet the Streaks, 7:30 p.m. Wed., Nov. 22 vs. Limestone, 7:30 p.m. Fri., Nov. 24 vs. TBA, Galesburg Turkey Tourney Sat., Nov. 25 vs. TBA, Galesburg Turkey Tourney Fri., Dec. 1 at Rock Island, 7 p.m. Sat., Dec. 2 at Dixon, 6 p.m. Tue., Dec. 5 vs. Quincy, 7 p.m. Fri., Dec. 8 vs. United Township, 7 p.m. Tue., Dec. 12 vs. Burlington (Iowa), 7:30 p.m. Fri., Dec. 15 vs. Moline, 7 p.m. Sat., Dec. 16 vs. TBA, Iowa/Illinois Shootout at Augie Wed., Dec. 20 at Danville, 6:30 p.m. Wed., Dec. 27 vs. TBA, at Taylorville Holiday Tournament Thu., Dec. 28 vs. TBA, at Taylorville Holiday Tournament Fri., Dec. 29 vs. TBA, at Taylorville Holiday Tournament Fri., Jan. 5 at Sterling, 7 p.m. Tue., Jan. 9 at Geneseo, 7 p.m. Fri., Jan. 12 at Rock Island Alleman, 7 p.m. Sat., Jan. 13 vs. TBA, Galesburg MLK Tourney Tue., Jan. 16 at Limestone, 7 p.m. Fri., Jan. 19 vs. Rock Island, 7 p.m. Tue., Jan. 23 at Quincy, 7 p.m. Fri., Jan. 26 at United Township, 7 p.m. Sat., Jan. 27 vs. TBA, Peoria Manual Shootout Fri., Feb. 2 at Moline, 7 p.m. Tue., Feb. 6 vs. Sterling, 7 p.m. Fri., Feb. 9 vs. Geneseo, 7 p.m. Tue., Feb. 13 vs. Rock Island Alleman, 7 p.m.
On Saturday morning, Galesburg High School senior Dominic “Dom” Cantarini will compete in the boys Class 2A state cross country meet for the second straight season. [Photo and illustration by Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — Despite being in this situation last fall, Galesburg High School’s Dominic “Dom” Cantarini is battling some nerves.
And that’s because the senior is getting ready to compete in the Illinois High School Association’s Class 2A cross country state meet for the second year in a row. He’ll log three miles Saturday morning.
In 2022, Cantarini finished in 101st place at the state meet, which is held at Peoria’s Detweiller Park, with a time of 17:03.94. This time around, he hopes to shave some time off. Cantarini has his sights set on the GHS school record, which is 14:52. However, he’d be happy breaking the tape in 15:31 or less.
Cantarini’s personal best is 15:31.9, and he set that mark at the end of September in the Peoria High School Invite, held at Detweiller. Cantarini has competed there twice this season, and he knows what the key is to be successful at Detweiller.
“I need to make sure I get out decently fast because it’s going to be a fast race,” Cantarini said. “The conditions are supposed to be pretty good so the goal is to get out fast.
“The back triangle is the hard part. There’s no spectators. There’s no nothing. It’s 800-meters of you trying to push with other people, and it’s the time to make a move,” Cantarini added. “The second mile is going to be the hardest and the biggest factor I think to the race, because it could make or break you.”
What’s led to Cantarini’s success in cross country?
“It started after my sophomore cross country season, I felt I could have done a lot better so I started training a lot harder,” Cantarini said. “Going into the track season, I broke five minutes for the first time in the mile which was a pretty big improvement and that paved the way for me. I knew I could probably go to state in cross country if I tired and worked hard.”
Chad Thompson, who is in his second year as the Silver Streaks’ boys cross country coach, echoes Cantarini’s assessment.
“He’s got a great work ethic. He set reachable goals that were within grasp but at the same time they were big goals that he had to really work for,” Thompson said. “Dating all the way back to last winter, he had a great plan of how he wanted to take care of his body moving into his track season, and he had a great year in track.
“He did a great job this summer preparing his body for what it was going to take this cross country season to be back at state and have a great year,” Thompson added. “The mental toughness that Dom carries and his determination to succeed in a very mentally and physically grueling sport has been impressive to see the last two years.”
“He starts races strong, and he’s got to be able to maintain and separate himself from the group and just give his all out best,” Thompson said of Cantarini. “HIs last two races at Detweiller have been fantastic. He’s one of the Top 20 runners we’ve had at Detweiller.
“We’re just looking for him to go out and run like crazy because this is the last one in his high school career.”
Knox College football coach Aaron Willits talks to his squad during a break in the action in last Saturday’s MWC home game against Cornell. [Courtesy of Danny Warning Sr.]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — There’s only a pair of games left on the slate for Knox College’s football team this season.
With a current mark of 2-6 overall and 2-5 in Midwest Conference action, the Prairie Fire won’t finish out with a winning record.
Knox can, however, close 2023 on a positive note.
Up next for the Prairie Fire is their last home contest, and they’ll face the Vikings of Lawrence University (0-8, 0-7 MWC) at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Knosher Bowl.
Knox isn’t taking winless Lawrence lightly by any means. Prairie Fire coach Aaron Willits and company are focused on themselves, and if Knox sticks to its game plan then hopefully victory No. 3 occurs.
“We have to have a realistic perspective of who we are. We’ve had our ups and downs this year, too. It’s the same thing we talk about all the time in this program. We’ve got to go out and prepare to be the best version of ourselves,” Willits said after Wednesday night’s practice. “We’ve got to make sure we reach that potential.
“They’re looking at us the same way we’re looking at them,” Willits added about the Vikings. “We have to make sure we do our jobs the way we’ve been coaching them to do them.”
Food drive for FISH
As part of the 9th annual MWC Canned Food Challenge, fans of Knox and Lawrence are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items Saturday. All proceeds will be donated to the FISH food pantry in Galesburg.
Giving back to the community is something Willits takes great pride in.
“Creating a connection with Galesburg is always huge whether that is the food drive through the Midwest Conference or whether it’s the Blessings in a Backpack stuff that we do and making sure we are taking care of the kids in this community or whether it is the other things that we do,” Willits said. “There’s such a connection that goes back to the start of this college and the start of this town between Galesburg and Knox.
“This whole experience, yes it’s the football, the X’s and O’s and being on the field but the way that I’ve recruited this program and the way I will continue to do so is on that holistic experience that Knox talks about on a regular basis,” Willits added. “These guys are student-athletes that are learning to engage in the world around them because eventually the next step for them is to go out to a community and into a profession and be a leader. I want to make sure that we present all those different aspects to them on a regular basis.”
What happened in Week 9?
The Prairie Fire fell to the Rams of Cornell 28-21 in a Homecoming matchup for Knox last Saturday afternoon.
The Prairie Fire took a lead early when fifth-year senior quarterback Kaile Williams rushed for a 45-yard touchdown on the opening drive of the game. Williams added another score in the last two minutes of the first quarter for a 14-0 Knox lead.
The Rams responded with a touchdown to open the second quarter and then scored again with 31 seconds before halftime to tie the contest up at 14-all.
Cornell added a score halfway through the third quarter to take a 20-14 lead. The Prairie Fire took a 21-20 lead two minutes later with a touchdown from freshman running back Izayiah Hawes, but the Rams turned around with a touchdown pass on the very next play to retake the lead. Cornell converted a two-point conversion and held on for the win.
Hawes led Knox with 81 rushing yards and a score. He also reeled in two catches for 19 yards. Williams added 76 rushing yards and the two scores, and he also completed 8-of-15 passes for 73 yards.
Senior Kolton Krutsinger led the Prairie Fire’s defense with two tackles for a loss. Junior Nikko Deligiannis, a Galesburg native, had an interception late in the game to prevent Cornell from scoring.
“It was a tough one. I’m sad for the guys,” Willits said. “You do this job to put smiles on their faces. They put in so much time. They put in so much effort. They fight. They scratch, and they claw and you want to see them have those smiles.
“We came up short, but I’m very proud of their effort,” Willits added. “We just have to go back to work and keep doing the things that we need to do to grow our program.”
By the numbers
Knox College fifth-year senior quarterback Kaile Williams rushes upfield in last Saturday’s Midwest Conference home game against Cornell. The Prairie Fire fell 28-21. [Courtesy of Danny Warning Sr.]
Williams has completed 46 of 119 passes for 511 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and he’s been picked off six times. Williams also has 137 rushes for 720 yards and four TDs.
Senior Hunter Anderson has 66 carries for 228 yards and two TDs for the Prairie Fire. Hawes has 68 rushes for 280 yards and has broken the plane twice. Sophomore Kierre Turner has 24 carries for 145 yards and a TD.
Senior Evan Laws has five grabs for 38 yards and a TD. Knox sophomore wideout Niko Powe has 19 receptions for 220 yards and a touchdown.
Senior Jon Sarich leads the Prairie Fire’s defense with 49 tackles (35 solo).
The Prairie Fire are averaging 11.5 points per outing while opponents are putting up an average of 34.25 points per game.
Week 10: Sat., Nov. 4 vs. Lawrence (Senior Day), 1 p.m.
Week 11: Sat., Nov. 11 at Monmouth (Turkey Bowl), Noon
MWC standings
Lake Forest 6-1 in MWC, 7-1 overall
Illinois College 6-1 in MWC, 7-1 overall
Monmouth College 6-1 in MWC, 6-2 overall
Cornell College 5-2 in MWC, 5-3 overall
University of Chicago 4-3 in MWC, 4-4 overall
Ripon College 3-4 in MWC, 3-5 overall
Grinnell College 2-5 in MWC, 2-6 overall
Knox College 2-5 in MWC, 2-6 overall
Beloit College 1-6 in MWC 2-6 overall
Lawrence University 0-7 in MWC, 0-8 overall
Departing thought…
“The key to Lawrence is getting our eyes right. Obviously, it is a team that has had its fare share of struggles, so you get a lot of different things,” Willits said. “You get different formations. You get different motions. You get different RPO type looks.
“On the offensive side, we’ve prepared to really see about five different base front defenses with about five different coverages,” Willits added. “They’ve kind of showed everything, so we have to understand our base rules, do our job and have our eyes right.”
The ROWVA/Williamsfield football team clashes with Stark County in the second round of the playoffs at 2 p.m. Saturday at Bill Adams Field in Oneida. [Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
ONEIDA — For the second straight season, ROWVA/Williamsfield’s football team has advanced to the second round of the playoffs.
And the Cougars (8-2) are taking on a familiar foe in the Rebels of Stark County (10-0) at 2 p.m. Saturday at Bill Adams Field in Oneida.
R/W and Stark County faced each other in Lincoln Trail-Prairieland Conference (Small) action in Week 6, and the Rebels handed the Cougars a 24-14 loss, which at the time was R/W’s only defeat. The Cougars fell to the Titans of Annawan/Wethersfield 28-6 in Week 8.
“It’s the second year in a row that we’ve been playing in Week 11, and it’s pretty special. Obviously, we’re not taking it for granted,” R/W coach Grant Gullstrand said. “We played a really good game last week and had a good regular season. Now, we get a chance to have a rematch against a conference opponent. It’s a pretty exciting time.”
What’s the key for the Cougars versus the Rebels, Part II?
“We made a lot of mistakes in the first game against them both schematically in what we were doing and our players made some mistakes. We had a couple of bad snaps and some missed tackles. We had some stuff we had to fix coaching wise to get kids in better spots,” Gullstrand said. “I think we’ll be prepared. Our kids are pretty confident after last week’s (28-14) win over Sterling Newman (Central Catholic).
“We just have to play our game, and we have to make less mistakes,” Gullstrand added. “Last Saturday was the best game we’ve ever played as a program. The defense was flying to the ball. Offense, it took us a while to figure some stuff out, but we made explosive plays that negated us not being consistent. In the second half, we found the consistency, ran the ball and dominated the line of scrimmage like you need to do in a playoff game.”
R/W by the numbers
Senior Riley Danner has completed 123 of 194 passes for 1,724 yards. He’s thrown 16 touchdowns, rushed for one and been picked off four times.
Junior Preston Schroeder has completed six of eight passes for 114 yards and a TD. He also has five catches for 50 yards and a TD.
Senior running back Spencer Brown has 80 carries for 541 yards and 14 TDs. He also has 15 catches for 269 yards and five TDs.
Senior running back Bryan Bertlshofer has 123 rushes for 1,179 yards and 14 TDs. He also has catches for 104 yards.
Junior running back Jack Cordle has 11 carries for 58 yards and a touchdown. He also has nine catches for 87 yards and a TD.
Senior running back Lewis Sams has 38 catches for 449 yards and has broken the plane three times. Senior wideout Jack Godsil has a dozen grabs 12 for 167 yards and a pair of TDs. Junior tight end Talan Hull has 34 catches for 657 yards and four TDs. Sophomore Drake DeJaynes has a 7-yard TD reception.
On the defensive side of the ball, a pair are tied for the team lead in tackles. Senior Luke Nelson has 54 tackles (35 solo), and Hull has 54 tackles, as well, and 38 of his are solo.
Cougars’ 2023 schedule
Regular season
Week 1: R/W 29, Havana 20
Week 2: R/W 47, LVC (Lewistown, Valley, Cuba) 8
Week 3: R/W 38, United 18
Week 4: R/W 55, Princeville 40
Week 5: R/W 35, South Fulton 18
Week 6: Stark County 24, R/W 14
Week 7: R/W 45, Rushville-Industry 16
Week 8: Annawan/Wethersfield 28, R/W 6
Week 9: R/W 43, Abingdon-Avon 23
Postseason
Week 10: R/W 28, Newman Central Catholic 14
Week 11: Stark County at R/W at Bill Adams Field in Oneida, 2 p.m. Saturday
R/W’s roster
#2 Dawson Traphagan RB/LB
#3 Dalton Hertz RB/DB
#4 Nathan Courtright WR/DB
#6 Keegan Gerlach WR/DB
#7 Daniel Skala TE/LB
#8 Brock Davis TE/LB
#9 Preston Schroeder QB/DB
#10 Drake DeJaynes QB/DB
#11 Lewis Sams RB/DB
#12 Riley Danner QB/DB
#14 Jack Godsil WR/LB
#20 Spencer Brown RB/LB
#22 Devonte Noel WR/DB
#23 Edwin Foster TE/LB
#24 Bryan Bertlshofer RB/LB
#30 Brady Rickey RB/LB
#32 Jack Cordle RB/DB
#34 Kole Miller RB/LB
#40 Connor Wilson TE/LB
#45 Drake Powell TE/LB
#50 Carter Smith OL/LB
#52 Noah Soper OL/LB
#53 Max Main OL/DL
#54 Taylor Foster OL/DL
#56 Gage Aldred OL/LB
#58 Christian Doubet OL/DL
#61 Jacob Wheeler OL/DL
#62 Mathew Dennison OL/DL
#64 Cayden Sanders OL/DL
#66 Henry Powers OL/DL
#67 Tristan Loomis OL/DL
#68 Chad Rickey OL/LB
#69 Luke Nelson OL/DL
#70 Ayden Sanders OL/DL
#72 Matt Little OL/DL
#73 Jaxson Strom OL/DL
#76 Harlan Mitchell OL/DL
#80 Talan Hull TE/LB
Head coach: Grant Gullstrand
Assistant coaches: Jason Lydic, James Sams, Jordan Danner, Kaevahn Pendleton, Tucker Sams
Stark County’s roster
#0 Connor Wagenbach WR/LB
#1 Chris Barnwell RB/DB
#2 Blair Daum WR/DB
#3 Brett Hopp WR/LB
#4 Chase Holmstrom WR/LB
#5 Ben Browning QB/DB
#6 Matthew Bowser WR/DB
#7 Connor Daum RB/DB
#8 Justin Warner WR/DB
#9 Lane Joos WR/DB
#10 Braden Lindley WR/DB
#11 Charley Holmstrom WR/LB
#12 Brady leezer WR/DB
#14 Aiden Smith WR/DB
#15 Luke Rewerts QB/DB
#16 Caleb Gentle QB/DB
#17 Wyatt Snider WR/LB
#20 Keagen Sparks WR/LB
#21 Dillon Steelman WR/LB
#22 Nolan Orwig RB/LB
#23 Connor Down QB/LB
#24 Cary Morgan WR/DB
#25 Kaiden Libby WR/LB
#27 Owen Gibler WR/LB
#28 Guillermo Leon Ruiz WR/LB
#30 Rocco Swearingen RB/LB
#33 Mason Thieben WR/LB
#35 Nico Calderon WR/DB
#42 Avery Gerber WR/LB
#45 Baptiste Robineau WR/DB
#50 Jaxon Carder OL/DL
#51 Ben Siebenthal OL/DL
#52 Colton Wagenbach OL/DL
#54 Hunter Hart OL/LB
#55 Christian Calderon OL/DL
#56 Chet Gillespie OL/LB
#57 Charles Boarman OL/LB
#59 Nolan Snider OL/DL
#60 Jacob McCauley OL/DL
#62 Cole Merriman OL/DL
#64 Aiden Painter OL/DL
#65 Owen Mercer OL/DL
#67 Donavin Hoffman OL/DL
#68 Tanner Price OL/DL
#70 Owen Hess OL/DL
#71 Will Richards OL/DL
#72 Jayden Meecham OL/DL
#74 Ronan Breese OL/DL
#75 Cole Kinsellla OL/LB
#76 Jackson Saner OL/DL
#78 Corbin Williams OL/DL
#80 Johnathan Becker WR/DB
#86 Ross Saner WR/LB
#87 Adrian Manzano-Garcia WR/DB
Head coach: Jade Noard Assistant coaches: Dustin Browning, Clint Terwilliger, Dylan Miller, Trey Swanson, Joe Charvat
Departing thought…
“They’re playing really well,” Gullstrand said of his squad. “The communities are really excited. It’s a fun time to be here. The kids have worked really hard for this, and it’s awesome to see them get the opportunity to continue to play.”
Knox College’s offense lines up in last Saturday’s Midwest Conference road affair at Grinnell. The Prairie Fire defeated the Pioneers 14-7. [Courtesy of Edd Winkler]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — Knox College’s football team ended a four game losing skid last weekend.
On Saturday afternoon, the Prairie Fire aim for their second straight victory.
Knox (2-5, 2-4 in Midwest Conference) takes on Cornell (4-3, 4-2 in MWC) in league action at the Knosher Bowl.
The Rams defeated the Maroons of the University of Chicago 47-34 at Ash Park in Mount Vernon, Iowa in Week 8 while the Prairie Fire hit the road and edged the Pioneers of Grinnell 14-7.
And how does Knox carry the momentum from this past Saturday into its homecoming game against Cornell?
“It’s just reminding the guys about the positives (from last week),” Prairie Fire coach Aaron Willits said after Wednesday night’s practice. “Today, we were crisp. We had our fair share of mistakes and need to clean some things up but the energy has been good this week. We’re working to carry that over.
“We have to do all the little things all the time to get that replicable result that we want. Last week was a team game, and our kids continue to scratch and claw for everything that we get,” Willits added. “The key against Cornell is to play a team game and winning helps that. We have to be actively engaged and recognize that we’re going to have ups and downs – every football game has them. The big thing is going to be can we get the ball where it has to go?”
Williams had ‘one of those days’ against Pioneers
Last week, fifth-year senior Kaile Williams shattered his own school record of rushing yards by a quarterback. [Courtesy of Knox College]
Fifth-year senior quarterback Kaile Williams led the Prairie Fire’s rushing attack against the Pioneers. He ended up with 261 rushing yards on 39 attempts. His performance shattered his own school record of 177 yards rushing by a quarterback and ranks No. 2 all-time for rushing yards in a game for Knox.
“He’s always had an opportunity to be impactful with his legs,” Willits said of Williams. “We did feel like at Grinnell that we were going to have an opportunity to establish the line of scrimmage, and we got going in a rhythm. We had a couple of different plays that were hitting, and the biggest thing for us is we have to do what we have to do to get a win.
“Kaile was having one of those days, and we just kept feeding that,” Willits added.
Williams is never concerned about what his stat line looks like. The Henry, Illinois, native just wants to secure victories.
“The win was definitely most important,” Williams said. “I thought we gelled well as an offense as a whole. We really came together. We wanted a win, so we took it.”
By the numbers
Williams has completed 38 of 104 passes for 438 yards with a pair of touchdowns, and he’s been picked off five times. Williams also has 124 rushes for 644 yards and two TDs.
Senior Hunter Anderson has 62 carries for 207 yards and two TDs for the Prairie Fire. Freshman Izayiah Hawes has 49 rushes for 199 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore Kierre Turner has 18 carries for 103 yards and a TD.
Senior Evan Laws has five grabs for 38 yards and has broken the plane once. Knox sophomore wideout Niko Powe has 18 receptions for 217 yards and a touchdown.
Senior Jon Sarich leads the Prairie Fire’s defense with 48 tackles (34 solo).
Week 9: Sat., Oct. 28 vs. Cornell (Homecoming), 1 p.m.
Week 10: Sat., Nov. 4 vs. Lawrence (Senior Day), 1 p.m.
Week 11: Sat., Nov. 11 at Monmouth (Turkey Bowl), Noon
MWC standings
Lake Forest 5-1 in MWC, 6-1 overall
Illinois College 5-1 in MWC, 6-1 overall
Monmouth College 5-1 in MWC, 5-2 overall
Cornell College 4-2 in MWC, 4-3 overall
University of Chicago 3-3 in MWC, 3-4 overall
Ripon College 3-3 in MWC, 3-4 overall
Grinnell College 2-4 in MWC, 2-5 overall
Knox College 2-4 in MWC, 2-5 overall
Beloit College 1-5 in MWC 2-5 overall
Lawrence University 0-6 in MWC, 0-7 overall
Departing thought…
“We just have to go back to work every week,” Williams said. “We have to get back in the film room and learn from our mistakes. We just have to keep grinding.”
Galesburg High School’s football team finished the 2023 season with a 2-7 overall record and went 1-5 in Western Big 6 Conference action. [Photo illustration and photos by Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — One-by-one, the student-athletes who represented Galesburg High School’s football team in the 2023 season turned in their gear Monday night.
With a 2-7 overall mark, the Silver Streaks were at least two wins away from making the cut for the postseason.
Out of the 256 schools who will have teams on gridirons in the first round of the playoffs, six of them will do so with 4-5 records. Typically, 5-4 means an at-large bid to play in Week 10.
Galesburg went 4-5 in Derrek Blackwell’s first season at the helm, and the Silver Streaks finished with a 3-6 overall record last fall.
“This year’s team along with the previous two teams have laid the foundation for Galesburg football,” Blackwell, who holds a 9-18 career record, said. “Obviously, the record has declined but I feel like everybody is playing hard. Everybody has an understanding of what’s expected with Galesburg football, and we played with a lot of young guys this year.
“We just had a nice little meeting with the guys, and we spoke about leadership, accountability and those types of things,” added Blackwell, who served as an assistant for a dozen seasons before being named Galesburg’s head coach. “I feel like we’re heading in the right direction.”
Blackwell knows he’s not perfect – no one is – and he will improve heading into the 2024 season.
“There’s always room to grow in any profession,” Blackwell said. “My room to grow is outside of football, you know. Like the paperwork things, the interview things, the scheduling things. Those type of things seem to catch up to me by not getting them done soon enough. Football is second nature. I know it like the back of my hand. I love coaching football. I love scheming a game. I love drawing up X’s and O’s. I love watching film. I love everything about the game of football and the preparation involved with the game of football.
“My room to grow in coaching is the outside stuff,” Blackwell added. “One thing I can do better coaching wise is listening, and that’s from everybody – players, other coaches, and outside sources. It’s just taking in what I hear and applying it.”
Streaks ended with a loss
Last Friday night, the Silver Streaks battled the Panthers of United Township in a Western Big 6 affair at Van Dyke Field. Galesburg faced a 28-27 deficit at the half, but UT pulled away in the final two quarters and came away with a 63-46 victory.
“It was really difficult to watch the seniors have to depart like that at home, senior night and in a tight one,” Blackwell said. “We lost it at the end. It was hard for me to watch the seniors have to deal with that. I want the underclassmen to understanding that feeling and fight to defeat that feeling all offseason.
“That game on Friday was tough,” Blackwell added. “It’s kind of how life goes. You can put all you have into something, and it doesn’t work out sometimes but then you just have to keep working, move on and work harder.”
Juniors: Kenneth Ward (FB/ILB), Lyxander Cauthon (WR/DB), Caden Ashby (WR/DB), Jamar Range (RB/DB), Mark Franklin (OL/DL), Ashton Bane (OL/ILB), Larry Randolph Jr. (OL/DL), Celestin Matala (OL/DL), Gilbert Lewis (OL/DL), Asher Whitcomb (OL/DL), Sal Kisler (OL/DL), Andre Exauce (TE/OLB).
Sophomores: Caden Riley (QB/OLB), Drew Hickey (WR/DB), Bradley Eaton (WR/DB), Ayden Clark (QB/OLB), Anthony Makwala (K), Demetrius Watson (RB/DB), Alfred Ayala (RB/OLB), Nicolas Ojeda (FB/ILB), Madon Taylor (TE/DE), Marquis Horne (OL/DL), LaVant Ritenour (OL/DL), Davion Collins (OL/DL), Dajian Mitchell (OL/DL), Pierre Welcome (OL/DL), Kohyn Baughman (WR/DB), Drake Easley (WR/DB), Dallin Junious (OL/DL), Cooper Ray (TE/ILB).
Final numbers
Williams completed 41 of 98 passes for 457 yards and two touchdowns, and he was picked off four times. Williams also had 87 rushes for 226 yards and five touchdowns, as well as an 11-yard catch.
Richardson had 150 carries for 1,059 yards and 12 touchdowns, and he had 13 catches for 125 yards. Range had 67 rushes for 512 yards and broke the plane three times, and he had three grabs for 59 yards.
Lewis had three rushes for 18 yards, and he had 10 receptions for 126 yards and a TD. Phillips had eight grabs for 98 yards and a TD.
As a unit, Galesburg committed 18 fumbles and lost 11 of them. The Streaks averaged 20.6 points per game while their opponents put up an average of almost 39 points per outing.
Knox College fifth-year senior quarterback Kaile Williams hands off to freshman Izayiah Hawes in last Saturday’s Midwest Conference road game against Illinois College. [Courtesy of Edd Winkler]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — Knox College’s football team has dropped its last four games, and the Prairie Fire have only scored 10 total points since their last victory, which came in Week 2.
“We’ve faced a ton of adversity this season in a lot of different ways,” Knox coach Aaron Willits said Wednesday evening. “The job is to motivate them to keep moving forward. There’s a lot of life skills that come with the matter of circumstance. One of the conversations that we’ve continue to have is to stay in the process even when the process doesn’t love you back, and I think that sometimes resonates for all of us on different levels.
“We just have to continue to fight, to claw, to scratch and get after it,” Willits added. “We’ve worked on being fast this week, and it always boils down to controlling what we can control and doing our jobs to the best of our ability. Everything has to be about moving forward. We have to continue to build on each day all the time.”
The Prairie Fire are hopeful things change Saturday afternoon when Knox (1-5, 1-4) hits the road and faces Grinnell (2-4, 2-3) in Midwest Conference action. It appears the Pioneers will be without their main signal caller, senior Grayson Woodhouse, but the Prairie Fire will be prepared if he does suit up.
“Grinnell’s quarterback (Woodhouse) is a tremendous athlete. He plays football really hard. He runs around and makes plays and sometimes they are the unorthodox ones,” Willits said. “We have to make sure we take care of that situation and keep him in there. We have to have our minds right so that way our eyes are right, and if our eyes our right then hopefully that takes our bodies where they need to go.
“We have to keep him where he’s at. He’s a load as far as his ability to run around, ad lib and make plays,” Willits added. “Grinnell has a solid defensive line, and we have to make sure we’re firing off the ball on the line of scrimmage. They have a good interior. They do their stuff, and they do it well.”
What happened in Week 7?
Knox College football coach Aaron Willits observes the action in last Saturday’s Midwest Conference road game versus Illinois College. [Courtesy of Edd Winkler]
Last weekend, Knox was routed by Illinois College 61-7 in Jacksonville in league action.
The Blueboys scored two touchdowns in the final four minutes of the first quarter to take a 14-0 lead. IC added three more scores in the second quarter to build a 34-0 advantage at halftime.
Knox freshman Izayiah Hawes scored late in the third quarter when he punched it in from four yards out. He led the Prairie Fire with 85 yards rushing on 21 carries. Fifth-year senior quarterback Kaile Williams had 13 carries for 71 yards for Knox.
Freshman Colin Finnigsmier had eight total tackles to lead the Prairie Fire’s defense. Senior Jon Sarich picked up three tackles, including his fifth sack of the season.
By the numbers
Williams has completed 38 of 102 passes for 438 yards with a pair of touchdowns, and he’s been picked off four times. Williams also has 85 rushes for 383 yards and two TDs.
Senior Hunter Anderson has 58 carries for 188 yards and a TD for the Prairie Fire. Hawes has 31 rushes for 140 yards and a touchdown.
Senior Evan Laws has five grabs for 38 yards and has broken the plane once. Knox sophomore wideout Niko Powe has 18 receptions for 217 yards and a touchdown.
Sarich leads the Prairie Fire’s defense with 39 tackles (29 solo).
Week 9: Sat., Oct. 28 vs. Cornell (Homecoming), 1 p.m.
Week 10: Sat., Nov. 4 vs. Lawrence (Senior Day), 1 p.m.
Week 11: Sat., Nov. 11 at Monmouth (Turkey Bowl), Noon
MWC standings
Lake Forest 5-0 in MWC, 6-0 overall
Illinois College 4-1 in MWC, 5-1 overall
Monmouth College 4-1 in MWC, 5-2 overall
Cornell College 3-2 in MWC, 3-3 overall
University of Chicago 3-2 in MWC, 3-3 overall
Grinnell College 2-3 in MWC, 2-4 overall
Ripon College 2-3 in MWC, 2-4 overall
Beloit College 1-4 in MWC 2-4 overall
Knox College 1-4 in MWC, 1-5 overall
Lawrence University 0-5 in MWC, 0-6 overall
Departing thought…
“On the offensive side, it’s been a rough sled. We’ve had drives were we went down the field against pretty much everybody we’ve played at some point in time but it hasn’t been consistent enough,” Willits said. “It’s an execution thing. It’s staying true to it and grinding things out.”
Galesburg High School senior Markis Lewis serves as a defensive back and wideout for the Silver Streaks’ football team. [Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — To some, Galesburg High School senior Markis Lewis might eat a unique snack on the nights he has football games.
But No. 9 knows what appeals to his palate.
Lewis enjoys two bowls of Fruit Loops before donning a helmet and pads in contests.
Lewis, a defensive back and wide receiver, has had a bigger impact for the Silver Streaks playing defense in 2023.
On offense, he has a four yard carry, and Lewis has nine grabs for 121 yards and a touchdown. However, Galesburg coach Derrek Blackwell plans to vitalize the offensive skills Lewis has a bit more in the Streaks’ final game this season.
“We put a lot more into the playbook for Markis. We’ve got a lot of ways to try to feed Markis the ball this week,” Blackwell said. “It’s not that we have excluded him from the game plan in our other games. It just naturally came about that he didn’t get the ball as much as he should. We’ll try to see that Markis gets the ball a lot more this week.”
Lewis’ only score came in the Streaks’ first contest, a 53-14 non-conference home loss to the Eagles of Dunlap, and the 17-year-old knows his strong suit is defending foes.
“I used to give the wide receivers too much cushion but I stopped doing that,” Lewis said. “I make them uncomfortable.”
“As a DB, he’s a technician. He does everything right,” Blackwell said. “If Markis was 6-3 or 6-4, he’d probably be a Division I athlete. He’s quick. He’s fast.
“His size puts him at a disadvantage but his work ethic makes up for his size.”
Lewis, who stands in at 5-foot-7, also puts on track spikes for Galesburg, and he believes being a sprinter has helped him on gridirons.
“It helps with endurance, breathing, overall speed and my running form,” said Lewis, who hopes to compete in track and field at the next level. However, football tugs at his heart strings, so Lewis, who moved to Galesburg from Chicago as a sixth-grader, is still undecided on what sport he’ll partake in once his high school athletic career concludes.
“I wish Markis the best in the future,” Blackwell said. “He’s a senior captain. He’s a quiet leader. He hangs out with everybody. They all like Markis. Every day, he’s joking with someone and having fun with another person.
“He’s just a team guy. He keeps the morale high around here.”
Galesburg High School football coach Derrek Blackwell talks to his squad after Tuesday’s practice at Van Dyke Field. The Silver Streaks will close out their season Friday night in a home Western Big 6 contest against the Panthers of United Township. [Photo illustration by Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — The members of Galesburg High School’s football team know once the fourth quarter concludes Friday night the 2023 season is over.
With a 2-6 overall mark heading into the Western Big 6 Conference affair against the Panthers of United Township (3-5, 1-4 in WB6), the Silver Streaks won’t play in the postseason. It takes five victories to accomplish that feat. However, Galesburg can end its season on a positive note and avoid finishing in last place in league play with a win over UT.
The Panthers have had more time to prepare for the Streaks, as they didn’t play in Week 8. That’s because UT never found anyone else to play to fill the void left with Alleman not fielding a varsity team, so the Panthers’ third win came via forfeit.
Gino Williams (WR/DB/QB), Amarie Richardson (RB/DB),Markis Lewis (WR/DB), Izaiah Coleman (FB/ILB), Nicholas Curtis (RB/OLB), Sam Satisky (K), Keyondre Harrison (TE/ILB), John Willis (OL/DL), Jamari McDonald (OL/DL), Yoreh Yarita (TE/OLB), and Adrien Phillips (WR/DB) are Galesburg’s seniors, and they’ll be honored before the contest. For some of them, they’ll never don a football uniform again, and they’ll be cherishing every moment.
Derrek Blackwell, who is in his third season at the helm after a dozen as an assistant, doesn’t want a win for himself. It’s all about the student-athletes who make up his program.
“I took this job because I love coaching football, and I love being around kids and teaching them the game of football. It’s exciting. It’s fun,” Blackwell said. “I feel like the moment that the chills go away then you’re probably in the wrong profession. I get those chills every Friday night.
“This isn’t about me personally,” Blackwell added. “This is about the seniors who have put in four years of work. This is about the underclassmen that have stepped up and played varsity games as sophomores. This is about building a program at Galesburg.”
And what’s the key for the Streaks to come out on top over the Panthers?
“It’s to play hard, to play consistent, to play together and not get too high with the highs and too low with the lows,” Blackwell said. “We just have to stay even keel and play together.”
Juniors: Kenneth Ward (FB/ILB), Lyxander Cauthon (WR/DB), Caden Ashby (WR/DB), Jamar Range (RB/DB), Mark Franklin (OL/DL), Ashton Bane (OL/ILB), Larry Randolph Jr. (OL/DL), Celestin Matala (OL/DL), Gilbert Lewis (OL/DL), Asher Whitcomb (OL/DL), Sal Kisler (OL/DL), Andre Exauce (TE/OLB).
Sophomores: Caden Riley (QB/OLB), Drew Hickey (WR/DB), Bradley Eaton (WR/DB), Ayden Clark (QB/OLB), Anthony Makwala (K), Demetrius Watson (RB/DB), Alfred Ayala (RB/OLB), Nicolas Ojeda (FB/ILB), Madon Taylor (TE/DE), Marquis Horne (OL/DL), LaVant Ritenour (OL/DL), Davion Collins (OL/DL), Dajian Mitchell (OL/DL), Pierre Welcome (OL/DL), Kohyn Baughman (WR/DB), Drake Easley (WR/DB), Dallin Junious (OL/DL), Cooper Ray (TE/ILB).
By the numbers
Williams has completed 36 of 88 passes for 389 yards and a touchdown, and he’s been picked off three times. Williams also has 76 rushes for 170 yards and a pair of scores, as well as an 11-yard catch.
Richardson has 123 carries for 786 yards and nine touchdowns, and he has 12 catches for 121 yards. Range has 62 rushes for 453 yards and has broken the plane three times, and he has three grabs for 59 yards. Lewis has a four yard carry, and he has nine receptions for 121 yards and a TD.
As a unit, Galesburg has committed 16 fumbles and lost 11 of them. The Streaks are averaging 17.4 points per game while their opponents are putting up an average of almost 36 points per outing.
Jordan Koehler (center), a 2015 Galesburg High School grad, has stepped down as the head golf coach at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana. She has accepted a position as an assistant coach for the University of Denver’s women’s golf team. [Courtesy of Saint Mary’s College]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — At the end of this month, Jordan Koehler will head west to the “Centennial State” from “The Hoosier State.”
After just over three years as the head golf coach at Saint Mary’s College, a private Catholic NCAA Division III women’s liberal arts school, located in Notre Dame, Indiana, Koehler has stepped down.
The 2015 Galesburg High School grad has accepted a position as the assistant women’s golf coach at the University of Denver, an NCAA Division I school in Colorado.
“I’m super excited and a little nervous but I think it will be good for me,” Koehler said. “It’s a good program, and I look forward to the opportunity.”
Koehler will work under Martha Richards, who is in her third season as the Pioneers’ head coach. Richards delivered one of the most successful seasons in the history of Denver’s women’s golf program in the 2022-23 school year when she picked up her second straight Summit League Championship. Richards also captured her second Summit League Coach of the Year honor in as many seasons.
Richards is a well-known figure in women’s college golf. She’s had a legacy of success, which includes stops at Texas (2007-2014), Vanderbilt (2001-2007), and Boise State (1997-1998).
Richards’ time at Vanderbilt served as a defining moment. Before Richards joined the program, Vandy had never advanced to the NCAA Championship. That fact was quickly put to rest, as Richards guided the Commodores to the postseason four times during her seven years at the helm. In Nashville, Richards led the Commodores to one SEC Championship title and two NCAA Top-10 finishes. In 2003, Richards was named SEC Coach of the Year. The next year, Richards was awarded both the Golfweek National Coach of the Year and SEC Coach of the Year honors.
At Texas, Richards found even more success. Under the leadership of Richards, the Longhorns advanced to the NCAA Championship five times in six seasons. In 2011, Texas won the Big 12 Championship title.
Richards was a dual-sport athlete at her alma mater, Stanford University, excelling in golf and basketball. She earned All-America honors from the National Golf Coaches Association in 1993, All-Pac-10 Conference honors and was later named to the Pac-10 All-Decade Golf Team for the 1990s.
“I knew if I was going to jump levels my next stop needed to be somewhere I could learn and someone I could mesh well with. Being a younger coach, it’s about trying to learn from someone that has years and years of experience,” Koehler said of Richards. “She just has a ton of knowledge.
“I’ve obviously grown being a head coach the last couple years but there is still a lot to learn. I just wanted someone that could kind of mentor me,” Koehler added. “She’s got a history of success and she’s competitive as hell. I’m a super competitive person, and I wanted to be working with someone that has that competitive nature that I do. Her coaching philosophy and mine align well. I think it will be a good fit.”
Galesburg native Jordan Koehler has stepped down as the head golf coach at Saint Mary’s College. She has accepted the role as an assistant women’s golf coach for the University of Denver. [Photo courtesy of Saint Mary’s College/Illustration by Matthew Wheaton]
Koehler’s had success at every stop
Koehler took over as the head golf coach at Saint Mary’s in February 2021. Over that span of time, the Belles sustained a high level of success on and off the golf course. Saint Mary’s won 15 18-hole rounds in both non-conference and Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association competition since the start of Koehler’s tenure. Saint Mary’s captured the 2021 and 2022 MIAA NCAA automatic qualifying bid to earn NCAA Division III Championship berths both years.
Additionally, the Belles saw a significant improvement in their team scoring average from Koehler’s first season (327.5) with Saint Mary’s through this fall (319.56). Koehler also mentored the program’s second First Team All-American in her first season, as Hunter Kehoe finished tied for sixth at the 2021 NCAA Championship.
“With having a competitive nature, you are constantly thinking what’s next, and what can we do better,” Koehler said. “Over the last two years, I’ve tried to look at it with perspective and enjoy the small moments. It’s important to have that sense of accomplishment and joy with your team – whatever it might be.
“You don’t have to always be thinking about what’s next. It’s really just about being patient when it comes to individual success and team success. That stuff doesn’t just come in a day or a week,” added the 26-year-old. “There are no two kids you can coach the same way, so you have to learn how to tailor your approach to each kid. I think if you can find out what they need as people first then you are going to be able to serve them better in the coach to player relationship.”
Before taking over the Belles, Koehler served as the graduate assistant coach for the men’s and women’s golf programs at the University of Dubuque in Iowa. She helped guide the Spartans’ women’s team to back-to-back American Rivers Conference championships in 2019 and 2020. Dubuque was set to make its first NCAA Division III Championship appearance in the spring 2020 season before it was nixed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Koehler golfed collegiately for Illinois Wesleyan University, and she graduated from the NCAA Division III school, located in Bloomington, in 2019. Koehler and her fellow Titans claimed four straight College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin championships, which earned them automatic berths to compete at the NCAA Division III Women’s Golf Championship. Koehler sits atop Wesleyan’s record book for career rounds played (103) and career birdies (176).
Koehler, who holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration (marketing) from IWU and a master’s degree in management with a focus in sport management from Dubuque, and her Silver Streaks teammates claimed the Western Big 6 Conference title her freshman year of high school and again when she was a senior.
Departing thought…
“I’ve got great relationships with the girls here at Saint Mary’s,” Koehler said Thursday night. “It was hard to tell them I was leaving but they’ve been very supportive. I told them last Friday, and I told them that just because I’m leaving it doesn’t mean my relationship with them has to end. It can extend beyond my time here.”
Knox College football coach Aaron Willits emphasizes a point to his team after Wednesday’s practice at the Knosher Bowl. [Photo illustration by Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — Five.
That’s how many games are left on the schedule for Knox College’s football team in 2023.
The Prairie Fire (1-4, 1-3 in Midwest Conference) will play on the road in three of those contests.
Knox has dropped its last three affairs and has only tallied three points combined in those outings.
And the Prairie Fire hope luck is on their side on Saturday when they battle the Blueboys of Illinois College (4-1, 3-1) in Jacksonville.
“Defense is going to be the key for us,” Knox coach Aaron Willits said. “They’ve got a tremendous offense, and they’ve got arguably the best player in the conference at wide receiver (in senior Collin Brunstein).”
Brunstein, who dons No. 7 for IC, had a career-best performance last Saturday afternoon in a 41-20 road victory over the University of Chicago. He hauled in seven catches for 301 yards and scored three touchdowns.
So far this season, Brunstein has 32 grabs for 851 yards and 10 TDs. He’s averaging almost 27 yards per catch and 170.2 yards per game.
“He’s playing out of his mind right now,” Willits said of Brunstein. “They are executing at a really high level with him. We have to recognize that he’s probably going to get one. It would be naive to say ‘hey, we’re going to shut him down.’ No body has done that, and they’ve played some good teams in our league.
“When he’s got it in his hands, we have to make sure we rally to it and tackle him,” Willits added. “We have to force them to drive the field and not give up explosive plays.”
What happened in Week 6?
Last weekend, Knox fell to Ripon 10-3 in a MWC game at the Knosher Bowl. The Prairie Fire marched down Vern Stisser Field on their opening drive, but missed a field goal attempt after a 20-play, 58-yard drive.
In the second quarter, the Red Hawks found the end zone on their second drive to take a 7-0 lead. Ripon added a field goal just before halftime to go into the intermission with a 10-0 advantage.
The second half saw only one score, as Knox freshman Chris McMillan nailed a 20-yard field goal in the third quarter.
“It’s tough. It was a low scoring affair, which is where we want to be,” Willits said. “I thought the defense played very very well. They flew around all day and continued to make those guys snap the ball. That’s something we’ve been talking about is make them play another snap, make them take another stab and see what happens.
“We cleaned some things up on specials, but we still have plenty of things to work on there,” he added. “The kids fought until the end.”
Fifth-year senior Kaile Williams led the Prairie Fire with 59 yards rushing and 48 yards passing against the Red Hawks, and freshman Izayiah Hawes added 50 yards rushing on nine attempts.
Senior Jon Sarich led Knox’s defense versus Ripon with 12 total tackles, including four tackles for a loss and a sack. Junior Isaac Mora added 10 total tackles. Junior Nikko Deligiannis tallied five tackles and two pass breakups, including one in the end zone to save a touchdown. Freshman Colin Finnigsmier also saved a touchdown with a big interception in the first half. Senior Melakhi Folds blocked a field goal attempt in the second half to keep the game within a score.
By the numbers
Williams has completed 32 of 87 passes for 406 yards with a pair of touchdowns and an interception. He also has 72 rushes for 312 yards and two TDs.
Senior Hunter Anderson has 56 carries for 188 yards and a TD for the Prairie Fire. Senior Evan Laws has five grabs for 38 yards and has broken the plane once. Knox sophomore wideout Niko Powe has 15 receptions for 207 yards and a touchdown.
Sarich leads the Prairie Fire’s defense with 37 tackles (27 solo).
Week 9: Sat., Oct. 28 vs. Cornell (Homecoming), 1 p.m.
Week 10: Sat., Nov. 4 vs. Lawrence (Senior Day), 1 p.m.
Week 11: Sat., Nov. 11 at Monmouth (Turkey Bowl), Noon
MWC standings
Lake Forest 4-0 in MWC, 5-0 overall
Illinois College 3-1 in MWC, 4-1 overall
Cornell College 3-1 in MWC, 3-2 overall
Monmouth College 3-1 in MWC, 3-2 overall
Grinnell College 2-2 in MWC, 2-3 overall
Ripon College 2-2 in MWC, 2-3 overall
University of Chicago 2-2 in MWC, 2-3 overall
Knox College 1-3 in MWC, 1-4 overall
Beloit College 0-4 in MWC 1-4 overall
Lawrence University 0-4 in MWC, 0-5 overall
Departing thought…
“They were out here flying around tonight,” Willits said of his team after Wednesday’s practice. “We’re bringing good energy. They want to fight. They want to scratch. They want to claw, and they want to win football games.
“We’re going to keep coaching these guys up and get after it.”
Galesburg High School junior Jamar Range is one of the Silver Streaks’ top tacklers. [Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — Galesburg High School junior Jamar Range is quiet and reserved.
Range, a running back and strong safety for the Silver Streaks’ football team and a sprinter for Galesburg’s boys track and field team, tends to let his actions speak for themselves.
Range, whose uncle is Streaks boys basketball legend Joey Range, sees more time on defense than offense for Galesburg football coach Derrek Blackwell, who is also his cousin.
“Jamar is a great athlete. He has emerged as a defensive leader. He is one of our top tacklers. That’s his role for this team, it has been on defense,” Blackwell said. “I know he gets frustrated that he doesn’t get the ball as much on offense. He should get the ball more. He deserves the ball more. Also, he’s sitting behind one of the best running backs in the conference (in senior Amarie Richardson), so that’s a tough decision for all the coaches.
“At the same time, Jamar plays defense and Amarie does not, so we feel we are getting the best out of our team when they’re both on other sides of the ball,” Blackwell added. “Again, Jamar deserves more carries, and he should get more carries but in the heat of the game when things are going the way they’re going it is hard to make that adjustment when he’s doing so well on defense and Amarie is doing so well on offense.”
Range is steadily focused on honing his skills.
“I feel like my coverage can use a lot of work and keeping things inside I can work more on,” said the 16-year-old. “I haven’t fumbled the ball, but I could still do a better job protecting the ball and finding the right holes to hit.”
Blackwell, a 2003 GHS grad who served as a running back for the Streaks, has taught Range how to improve with a pigskin in his hands.
“He’s helped me protect the ball better,” Range said. “My freshman year was rough because I used to fumble every game almost. He has helped me the past two summers with ball control.”
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick Jr. is someone Range tries to model his game after.
“He plays my position, and I watch a lot of his clips,” Range said.
Range, who has 56 rushes for 413 yards and has broken the plane three times in 2023, knows lessons learned playing football apply to life.
“You learn how to work well with other people,” said Range, who dons No. 24. “You also learn discipline.”
Departing thought…
“Jamar does outstanding things for this team without any complaints,” Blackwell said. “He does his job, and he knows where he’s supposed to be. It’s good to have a guy like that on the field. It’s like the extension of a coach.”
Lake Bracken Country Club’s J.R. Millar of the Iowa section poses for a photo during the 105th PGA Annual Meeting at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center & Wisconsin Center on Nov. 4, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. [Photo by Hailey Garrett/PGA of America]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — Lake Bracken Country Club golf pro and general manager J.R. Millar was recently named the Professional Development Award winner by the PGA Iowa Section.
It’s the second straight year Millar has earned the honor.
“This award is truly an honor to receive. My goal has always been to promote the PGA brand while trying to be the best PGA Professional that I can be,” Millar said in a news release. “My work as the Education Co-Chair for the Section has allowed me to help secure speakers on varying topics that can hopefully help us all to grow and become more well-rounded PGA Professionals. Golf does not exist without the PGA Professional, so the more we learn, the better for the future of the sport we all love.”
The Professional Development Award is based on a Professional’s entire record and achievements over their career. The guidelines for the award include various types of educational seminars brought to the section, contributions made to building the PGA image, leadership and networking ability, promotion of the game of golf within the community, techniques used to encourage membership support of the various seminars, articles written for publication in books or magazines and any sectional or nationally recognized course attended by the nominee which enhance the PGA Professional.
“One of J.R.’s notable accomplishments has been his effective management of Lake Bracken Country Club full operations in a short period of time,” said Rich Furne, who is the president of Lake Bracken Country Club. “He has consistently exhibited a keen understanding of operational intricacies, financial stewardship, and customer satisfaction. His ability to lead a team, adapt to new challenges, and consistently exceed expectations is truly commendable.”
As the Education Co-Chair, it is Millar’s responsibility to continually work with the Iowa PGA Section Staff to come up with and secure relevant and engaging educational topics. It is his goal to find speakers/topics that can relate to all PGA Professionals.
Millar’s goal as a PGA Professional has always been to adhere to present himself in a professional way. He is proud to be a voice for one of the smaller sections of the PGA. Millar would not have imagined that he would be on a first name basis with three national officers.
“When I think of J.R., three words come to mind: driven, dedicated, and passionate. This year, J.R. has moved into the General Manager/Head Golf Professional role at Lake Bracken, a role I feel he was meant to hold. His genuine compassion and dedication for his members and the success of Lake Bracken is always at the forefront of any decision J.R. makes. This is an attribute of a true leader,” said Erin Strieck, who is the president of Iowa PGA & Iowa Golf Foundation and PGA Director of Golf at Pinnacle Country Club, located in Milan, Illinois.
Galesburg High School’s football team hits the road for a Western Big 6 Conference affair at Moline on Friday night. [Photo illustration by Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — After securing a 24-7 home victory over Rock Island last week, Galesburg High School’s football team has some poise.
“We’re definitely confident,” Silver Streaks coach Derrek Blackwell said after Tuesday’s practice. “We’re playing with a lot of confidence. I think that we’ve been playing with confidence. We’ve just been on the wrong end of the scoreboard. Our kids play hard. They fight their butts off. They come out, and they expect to win every game.
“They play their hearts out,” Blackwell added. “I’m so proud of these kids.”
Galesburg (2-5, 1-3 in Western Big 6) won’t take the next foe on its schedule lightly by any means.
The Streaks head to Moline to take on the Maroons (3-4, 1-3) in league action on Friday night. Moline suffered a 42-28 loss to United Township in Week 7, and the Maroons defeated the Rocks 28-10 in Week 5.
Blackwell, who is in his third season in charge after a dozen as an assistant, is well aware of what Moline’s program, which is having a down season, has achieved over the years.
“This conference is a meat grinder like it always is,” Blackwell said. “Moline is just the same approach as Rock Island, who is a good perennial powerhouse in the state of Illinois. We feel the same way about Moline. In the state of Illinois, Moline football is known, and they’re good and we’re going to treat them that way.
“Until we can make a name for ourselves, we have to beat teams like Moline and Rock Island consistently,” Blackwell added. “We’re just ready to play. We’re ready to go. We’re chomping at the bit to go get another ‘W.'”
Juniors: Kenneth Ward (FB/ILB), Lyxander Cauthon (WR/DB), Caden Ashby (WR/DB), Jamar Range (RB/DB), Mark Franklin (OL/DL), Ashton Bane (OL/ILB), Larry Randolph Jr. (OL/DL), Celestin Matala (OL/DL), Gilbert Lewis (OL/DL), Asher Whitcomb (OL/DL), Sal Kisler (OL/DL), Andre Exauce (TE/OLB).
Sophomores: Caden Riley (QB/OLB), Drew Hickey (WR/DB), Bradley Eaton (WR/DB), Ayden Clark (QB/OLB), Anthony Makwala (K), Demetrius Watson (RB/DB), Alfred Ayala (RB/OLB), Nicolas Ojeda (FB/ILB), Madon Taylor (TE/DE), Marquis Horne (OL/DL), LaVant Ritenour (OL/DL), Davion Collins (OL/DL), Dajian Mitchell (OL/DL), Pierre Welcome (OL/DL), Kohyn Baughman (WR/DB), Drake Easley (WR/DB), Dallin Junious (OL/DL), Cooper Ray (TE/ILB).
By the numbers
Williams has completed 33 of 74 passes for 358 yards and a touchdown, and he’s been picked off three times. Williams also has 63 rushes for 166 yards and a pair of scores, as well as an 11-yard catch.
Richardson has 108 carries for 733 yards and eight touchdowns, and he has 11 catches for 108 yards. Range has 56 rushes for 413 yards and has broken the plane three times, and he has two grabs for 25 yards. Lewis has a four yard carry, and he has eight receptions for 112 yards and a TD.
As a unit, Galesburg has committed 14 fumbles and lost 10 of them. The Streaks are averaging 18.4 points per game while their opponents are putting up an average of 35.1 points per outing.
Knox College fifth-year senior cornerback Darnell Centeno (No. 33) picks off a pass in the end zone in last Saturday’s Midwest Conference home game against Lake Forest. The Prairie Fire fell 50-0. [Courtesy of Edd Winkler]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — With a bye sandwiched in between its last two games, Knox College’s football team hasn’t been able to put up anything but a pair of goose eggs on scoreboards in the past three weeks.
The Prairie Fire’s last two foes — University of Chicago and Lake Forest — combined for 113 points. The Foresters ended up with a 50-0 road victory last Saturday afternoon.
The members of Knox’s program are well aware of what’s happened recently but they’ve moved on, as well.
And the Prairie Fire (1-3) aim for a better outcome this weekend when the Red Hawks of Ripon (1-3) visit the Knosher Bowl.
“The key is always the same, and I know that sounds like a broken record, and obviously if you have things that are broken you need to fix them and that’s what we’re spending time on is fixing those things,” Knox coach Aaron Willits said after Wednesday’s practice. “We still are a relatively young program. You know, half of our roster are first-year guys and some more of those guys are starting to see the field either out of necessity with injuries or continuing to grow up.
“The big thing is always continuing to be our best selves,” Willits added. “We have to continue to do all the little things over and over again. Changing and not doing the little things or not doing the things you’re supposed to do on a daily basis right isn’t going to get us any closer to where we want to be. It’s about dialing things in. It’s making sure we watch the film the right way.
“We’ve made some changes in our practice to be able to get some more scouted reps. We’ve made some changes in our Monday practice to allow some more film time.”
By the numbers
Knox fifth-year senior quarterback Kaile Williams has completed 30 of 71 passes for 358 yards with a pair of touchdowns and an interception. He also has 56 rushes for 253 yards and two TDs.
Senior Hunter Anderson has 51 carries for 181 yards and a TD for the Prairie Fire. Senior Evan Laws has five grabs for 38 yards and has broken the plane once. Knox sophomore wideout Niko Powe has 14 receptions for 196 yards and a touchdown.
Senior Jon Sarich leads the Prairie Fire’s defense with 25 tackles (16 solo).
Week 9: Sat., Oct. 28 vs. Cornell (Homecoming), 1 p.m.
Week 10: Sat., Nov. 4 vs. Lawrence (Senior Day), 1 p.m.
Week 11: Sat., Nov. 11 at Monmouth (Turkey Bowl), Noon
Midwest Conference standings
Lake Forest 3-0 in MWC, 4-0 overall
Illinois College 2-1 in MWC, 3-1 overall
Cornell College 2-1 in MWC, 2-2 overall
Grinnell College 2-1 in MWC, 2-2 overall
Monmouth College 2-1 in MWC, 2-2 overall
University of Chicago 2-1 in MWC, 2-2 overall
Knox College 1-2 in MWC, 1-3 overall
Ripon College 1-2 in MWC, 1-3 overall
Beloit College 0-3 in MWC 1-3 overall
Lawrence University 0-3 in MWC, 0-4 overall
Departing thought…
“In the middle of this conference is a bunch of teams,” Willits said. “Now, it’s time to fight, to scratch and to claw and find out where things are going to sort out in this conference.”
Knox College junior Nikko Deligiannis, a Galesburg native, is in his first season as a member of the Prairie Fire’s football team. [Courtesy of Knox College]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — Nikko Deligiannis didn’t begin his college football career suiting up for Knox College.
But Deligiannis, who led the Silver Streaks with 105 tackles (36 solo) in his final high school season, opted to return home after playing for the Vikings for two seasons.
Last fall, Deligiannis didn’t play football. Instead, he attended classes at Carl Sandburg College while he contemplated what his next step would be, and Deligiannis also worked part-time at Craft, located on historic Seminary Street. While doing so, he started considering wearing a Prairie Fire uniform.
“I started talking to a bunch of Knox alumni while working at Craft. To me, going to Knox was way out of the picture but I have an uncle who went to Knox and my cousin, who is my best friend, graduated from Knox two years ago. I realized how lucky I am to have my family around me and that was a crucial factor in deciding to go to Knox,” said Deligiannis, an environmental studies major. “I liked Augustana but I had this gut feeling that I should be close to home. I figure when I graduate that I’m going to go out west, and I just wanted to be as close to my family as possible.
“The guys have been very welcoming. I can confidently say that I made the right decision,” added the junior. “I love being a part of the team here. We care about each other. It’s really a family.”
Prairie Fire football coach Aaron Willits is glad Deligiannis, who didn’t attend any classes last winter but enrolled at Knox for the spring semester, reached out to him about joining his squad.
“He had a lot of questions about the program and things like that,” Willits said. “It just kind of fit. It was the right match for both of us.
“He’s really grown into the program. The learning took some time but what really stood out was his physicality, the downhill nature of things.”
Knox College junior safety Nikko Deligiannis (right) tackles Lake Forest junior running back Mal Chunn in last Saturday afternoon’s Midwest Conference game at the Knosher Bowl. The Prairie Fire fell 50-0. [Courtesy of Edd Winkler]
Deligiannis has appeared in all four games the Prairie Fire have played this season. Last Saturday afternoon, he received his first start at safety, and Deligiannis led Knox with seven tackles in the Midwest Conference home affair against Lake Forest.
“He started last week and was crushing it on tackles for us,” Willits said of Deligiannis. “We need that energy all the time and that’s one of the things he brings. He brings a good vibe, a good energy.”
Deligiannis, who dons No. 37, is penciled in as a starter for the Prairie Fire’s home league contest versus the Red Hawks of Ripon this weekend.
“The defense is similar in some ways to Augustana but the terminology is a little different,” Deligiannis said. “It took some time to get the feel of my teammates. Chemistry is very important.
“The first game, we weren’t really sure who we were and who was going to play and getting a game or two under my belt and understanding more of the nuances of what the coaches wanted was a very big step for me,” Deligiannis added. “Last week, I played at the speed I want to play. I’m not second guessing anything, and I’m trusting my teammates. It’s really nice to feed off of them and when you trust them you can kind of play the way you want to play and not overthink things.”
In other words, Deligiannis is playing a lot looser, and he knows there’s things he needs to clean up.
“Being more comfortable at the top of routes and knowing when I want to get my head around or knowing to go play through his hands,” Deligiannis said. “I feel good about my tackling. I feel good about the speed of the game.
“I think I get to play more instinctually here,” Deligiannis added. “They trust my speed and my talents.”
Galesburg High School senior Sam Satisky kicks footballs and soccer balls for the Silver Streaks. [Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — Galesburg High School senior Sam Satisky has accomplished things no other Silver Streak has.
Satisky holds the school record for longest field goal — a feat he accomplished last Friday night after nailing a 48-yarder in a Western Big 6 Conference affair in Quincy — and he also has scored more goals in a single season (30) than any other Galesburg boys soccer player.
That’s right, Satisky takes the pitch and the gridiron for the Silver Streaks in the same season.
He’s a valuable asset for GHS boys soccer coach Phil Redington and GHS football coach Derrek Blackwell, who had no doubt Satisky wouldn’t miss when he lined up near midfield with 6:30 left in the first quarter against the Blue Devils.
“I knew he could do it. I believe in him. I believe he has more in him, as well,” Blackwell said of Satisky’s record boot. “We kind of needed to get that on film for Sam, as well, so people can see how good his leg is.
“Sam came in here three years ago with John Rehn, who was a soccer player, as well,” Blackwell added. “John Rehn was a good field goal and PAT kicker, and he kind of passed that over to Sam. In the middle of Sam’s sophomore year, John got hurt and Sam had to take over, and he did an excellent job. He did even better his junior year, and right now, he’s kicking awesome.”
Satisky serves as a captain for both the Streaks’ boys soccer team and the football team.
“He’s a leader. I don’t know of too many special teams kicker only guys that are elected captain by their peers,” Blackwell said. “I believe he’s the only person in school history that set two records in the same season. That’s outstanding. That’s astonishing.
“Not only is Sam an athletic record holder, he excels in his academics. That’s what we preach around here, and why the word student is before athlete. Sam does all of that well,” Blackwell added. “Everything Sam does I appreciate. I couldn’t ask for anything more from Sam.”
And is playing two different sports at the same time difficult for Satisky?
“No, it’s really easy because of the way the coaches work together,” Satisky said Tuesday night before Galesburg’s boys soccer team faced Rock Island at Van Dyke Field. “The partnership they have makes it really easy for me being a kicker and a striker.”
Satisky, who dons No. 14 while playing soccer and wears No. 40 on football fields, puts in a lot of work on his own honing his football skills.
“Most of it is just technique and working on the small little details whether it’s at home or coming to the field,” Satisky said. “I go to a lot of kicking camps to learn and get tricks.”
Galesburg High School football coach Derrek Blackwell’s squad faces the Rocks of Rock Island on Friday night in Western Big 6 Conference action at Van Dyke Field. [Photo illustration by Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — With only three weeks left in the regular season and a 1-5 overall record, Galesburg High School’s football team knows it won’t take the gridiron in Week 10.
Pride is the only thing on the line for the Silver Streaks.
Galesburg remains hopeful a couple more wins come before the final buzzer sounds to end its season.
And up next for the Streaks is a Western Big 6 Conference home affair on against the Rocks of Rock Island (1-5, 1-2 in league play) on Friday night.
Galesburg heads into the contest after suffering a 56-19 loss at Quincy while Rocky secured a 24-14 home victory over United Township last week.
Traditionally, the Rocks are a powerhouse in the WB6, and the Streaks haven’t had much success against them in the last 30 years. Galesburg coach Derrek Blackwell knows all about the history.
“We’re not treating this like Rocky is 1-5 like us. They have athletes,” Blackwell said. “When you walk into Rocky Stadium, you see all the state appearances. You see all the Big 6 titles. You see all of those things.
“We’re treating Rocky like Rock Island football should be treated,” Blackwell added. “With that being said, we feel we have a good chance to win a football game. I told the seniors the other day that they have a good chance to do something that hasn’t been done in a while. We haven’t beaten Rocky since 2015, before that it was 2004 and before that it was 1991. You’re talking three wins in a 30-year span.
Juniors: Kenneth Ward (FB/ILB), Lyxander Cauthon (WR/DB), Caden Ashby (WR/DB), Jamar Range (RB/DB), Mark Franklin (OL/DL), Ashton Bane (OL/ILB), Larry Randolph Jr. (OL/DL), Celestin Matala (OL/DL), Gilbert Lewis (OL/DL), Asher Whitcomb (OL/DL), Sal Kisler (OL/DL), Andre Exauce (TE/OLB).
Sophomores: Caden Riley (QB/OLB), Drew Hickey (WR/DB), Bradley Eaton (WR/DB), Ayden Clark (QB/OLB), Anthony Makwala (K), Demetrius Watson (RB/DB), Alfred Ayala (RB/OLB), Nicolas Ojeda (FB/ILB), Madon Taylor (TE/DE), Marquis Horne (OL/DL), LaVant Ritenour (OL/DL), Davion Collins (OL/DL), Dajian Mitchell (OL/DL), Pierre Welcome (OL/DL), Kohyn Baughman (WR/DB), Drake Easley (WR/DB), Dallin Junious (OL/DL), Cooper Ray (TE/ILB).
Week 9: Friday, Oct. 20 vs. United Township, 7 p.m.
Last week’s box score
Quincy 56, Galesburg 19
Score by Quarters
Galesburg 5 0 14 0 – 19
Quincy 28 28 0 0 – 56
Scoring summary
First Quarter
Q – Jeriaus Rice 33 pass from Bradyn Little (Justin Beaver kick), 11:37
Q – Caeden Johannessen 25 pass from Little (Beaver kick), 8:45
G – Sam Satisky 48 yard FG, 6:30
Q – Tykell Hammers 13 pass from Little (Beaver kick), 5:23
Q – Rice 15 pass from Little (Beaver kick), 2:38
G – Safety, Quincy holding call in end zone, 35.7
Second Quarter
Q – Rice 56 run (Beaver kick), 9:49
Q – Johannessen 20 pass from Little (Beaver kick), 6:14
Q – Rice 19 pass from Little (Beaver kick), 4:19
Q – Adon Byquist 16 pass from Little (Beaver kick), 1:09
Third Quarter
G – Amarie Richardson 69 run (Satisky kick), 10:55
G – Richardson 7 run (Satisky kick), 2:18
Team statistics
First downs – Galesburg 9, Quincy 13
Rushes-yards – Galesburg 28 -137, Quincy 12-164
Passing yards – Galesburg 73, Quincy 275
Comp-Att.-Int – Galesburg 5-12-0, Quincy 16-18-0
Total yards – Galesburg 210, Quincy 439
Fumbles-lost – Galesburg 3-2, Quincy 1-1
Penalties-yards – Galesburg 1-5, Quincy 4-22
Individual Statistics
Rushing
Galesburg – Richardson 15-123, 2 TDs; Jamar Range 10-18, Gino Williams 1-3, Caden Riley 2 -(-7). Quincy – Rice 6-156, TD; Baker 2-9, 26 2-2, Wilson 1-1, Williams 1-(-4).
Passing
Galesburg – Williams 4-5-0-62; Riley 1-7-0-11. Quincy – Little 15-17-0-269, 7TDs, Day 1-1-0-6.
Receiving
Galesburg – Richardson 2-54, Nico Ojeda 2-8, Williams 1-11. Quincy – Byquist 5-52, Johannssenn 3-98, Rice 3-67, Hammers 3-45, Carter Hildebrand 1-6, Jack Mettemeyer 1-5.
WB6 Standings
Quincy 6-0, 4-0 in WB6
Sterling 3-3, 3-0 in WB6
Geneseo 5-1, 3-1 in WB6
Moline 3-3, 1-2 in WB6
Rock Island 1-5, 1-2 in WB6
Galesburg 1-5, 0-3 in WB6
United Township 2-5, 0-4 in WB6
Departing thought…
“I want to point out that the last time we played at home the fan support was great. The student section was great. I hope they bring that back again and don’t look at us as just a 1-5 team playing another 1-5 team,” Blackwell said. “I hope they bring the energy on Friday night because that really did help us out against Geneseo. The score didn’t look good, but I thought we fought hard and played well, and the people in the stands really helped that out.”
Knox College football coach Aaron Willits hopes his squad starts out fast this weekend in a Midwest Conference home contest against Lake Forest. [Courtesy of Edd Winkler]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — The behavior of fires can differ significantly.
Some burn steadily and evenly, while others ignite with intense heat and rapidly.
And Knox College football coach Aaron Willits hopes his Prairie Fire have the characteristics of the latter category this week.
Coming off a bye, Knox will take on Lake Forest at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Knosher Bowl.
The Foresters hold a 3-0 overall record, and they sit in a tie with the Fighting Scots of Monmouth (2-1 overall) at the top of the Midwest Conference standings with a 2-0 mark in league play.
With a 1-1 record in MWC action, Knox (1-2 overall) is tied with five other squads (Cornell, Grinnell, Illinois College, Ripon, and University of Chicago) for second place in the league. Beloit and Lawrence have played a pair of conference affairs and suffered defeats in both of them.
“The focus preparing to play Lake Forest has been on us — our schemes, understanding and executing fast. We played slow for a number of reasons (against the University of Chicago), and we are working to be in a situation to play fast — fast on individual plays, a fast start in the game, fast to the football,” Willits said. “Lake Forest can play ball. They built themselves into what they are in the MWC.
“They are physical with great size on the offensive line with playmakers all around. Defensively, they are aggressive,” Willits added. “We need to control what we can control but we need to play good football, not bad football. We need to get off the ball on offense, make good reads, catch the ball in the air. Defensively, we need to play downhill, tackle well and fight for it in the air.”
Bye week came at a good time
The Prairie Fire’s players took a few days of practices off at the end of last week, as Knox had a bye.
It came at a good time, too.
In Week 3, the Prairie Fire hit the road and were routed by the Maroons of UChicago 63-0.
“As much as you want to just get back to games and take out some frustration from the previous week, we obviously had plenty of things to work on across all three phases,” Willits said. “We had to step back, analyze, swallow some pride and work to fix those things.
“On top of the football specifics, a bye week is great for our student-athletes. We were just a week into classes heading up to Chicago,” he added. “Whether they are a veteran player or first year, they had a change in schedule and pace. A bye week over week two of the academic trimester allows them to settle in a bit more academically, as well.”
Faculty-Staff Appreciation Day
Knox’s workforce will be acknowledged on Saturday, as it’s Faculty-Staff Appreciation Day.
“It takes a village to build a football program and athletic department. All of these individuals are helping me grow these young men on a daily basis, helping me grow our football program at Knox College,” Willits said. “We really do appreciate all they do.”
By the numbers
Knox fifth-year senior quarterback Kaile Williams has completed 24 of 53 passes for 316 yards with a pair of touchdowns and an interception. He also has 43 rushes for 223 yards and two TDs.
Senior Hunter Anderson has 48 carries for 176 yards and a TD for the Prairie Fire. Senior Evan Laws has three grabs for 32 yards and has broken the plane once. Knox sophomore wideout Niko Powe has 11 receptions for 182 yards and a touchdown.
Week 9: Sat., Oct. 28 vs. Cornell (Homecoming), 1 p.m.
Week 10: Sat., Nov. 4 vs. Lawrence (Senior Day), 1 p.m.
Week 11: Sat., Nov. 11 at Monmouth (Turkey Bowl), Noon
Departing thought…
“The best part of coaching young men in college is they move on pretty fast. They live in such a micro world. This class to the next, this Monday to Friday,” Willits said. “After a tough loss is one of those times I am glad they don’t sit on things and let them linger or always live in the macro like coaches, and you can grow that into your culture. It’s why win or lose, we always talk about back to work on being the best version of ourselves.”
Galesburg High School sophomore Nicolas “Nico” Ojeda starts at fullback and inside linebacker for the Silver Streaks on the gridiron. [Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
GALESBURG — Galesburg High School football coach Derrek Blackwell literally gets goosebumps when he talks about sophomore Nicolas “Nico” Ojeda.
Ojeda, who dons No. 28, starts at fullback and inside linebacker for the Silver Streaks (1-4). He also serves as a first baseman and pitcher for Galesburg’s baseball team.
“I love the way Nico plays football. I love the way Nico addresses any sport. He’s a hard nosed tough kid. He has a great work ethic,” Blackwell said. “All of those things he brings to the table with no complaints. He just does it. He leaves football practice, and he goes and lift weights. He goes to the batting cage, and then he gets up and does it again.
“He’s one of the types of kids that Galesburg needs not just in football, not just in baseball. In every sport, he is the type of kid that Galesburg needs,” Blackwell added. “Nico exemplifies what an athlete should be. He has good grades. He never gets in trouble. I never hear anything bad about him. He’s ‘yes, sir. No, sir.’
“I’m just at a loss for words, because I could say so many things about Nico. I’m so proud of him.”
Ojeda let’s his actions speak for him.
“He’s becoming a leader of this team. He’s not so much vocally, but he doesn’t have to do it vocally. People see the way he works and carries himself, and they kind of follow his lead,” Blackwell said. “The more Nico is around, the better things are. Wherever that may be — in the classroom, on the football field or on the diamond.”
Ojeda paves the way for senior running back Amarie Richardson and junior running back Jamar Range.
“Running the ball, obviously, it starts with up front. Nico is always in the trenches. If you’re in his way, he’s probably moving you out of his way very forcefully, and he does that with thrill and joy. He gets excited about hitting people, and that’s the game of football,” Blackwell said. “He loves to hit people. He wants to hit people, and that’s the name of the game.
“You don’t have to be super fast. You don’t have to be super athletic. You don’t have to be all-world to hit somebody,” Blackwell added. “In this game, if you want to continuously hit somebody the person on the other side probably wants to give up by the end of the game, and Nico manages to do that game after game after game. You can see the guys he is blocking shy away from the block as the game wears on.”
Ojeda enjoys playing both sides of the ball. However, the 16-year-old thinks he’s doing a better job on defense at the moment.
“I feel like I’m understanding defense a lot easier. At the beginning of the season, I had ups and downs understanding it,” Ojeda said. “Being in the backfield, you can see a lot. I like doing my job at fullback and making good holes for Amarie and Jamar.”
Ojeda knows what he’d like to improve upon before the season ends.
“I can be better on defense,” Ojeda said. “I need to get more of my blocks down on offense as a fullback. Our team needs that. A big part of our game is the run game.”
And what’s Ojeda like about football?
“I just like the grind to be honest with you,” he said. “It gives me something to do, and I just love the game.”
Galesburg High School football coach Derrek Blackwell talks to his team after Tuesday’s practice. The Silver Streaks (1-4) hit the road to face the Blue Devils of Quincy (5-0) on Friday. [Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — For the second week in a row, Galesburg High School’s football team will face a state ranked foe.
The Silver Streaks (1-4, 0-2) hit the road to face the Blue Devils of Quincy (5-0, 3-0) in Western Big 6 Conference action Friday night.
Heading into last week’s contest against United Township (a 63-27 win for the Blue Devils), Quincy was ranked No. 8 in Class 7A.
Galesburg was upended by Geneseo 43-3 at Van Dyke Field last Friday evening. Heading into that affair, the Maple Leafs were ranked No. 9 in Class 4A.
“The Big 6 is a meat grinder. You’re never going to have a week in the Big 6 where you go ‘oh, this one is going to be easy.’ It’s never that way in the Big 6,” GHS coach Derrek Blackwell said after Tuesday’s practice. “Last week, we had a state ranked team. This week, we have a state ranked team. The kids get excited for those opportunities. I think their level of play raises when they have a team of that caliber.
“Quincy is good. They’re young, and coach (Rick) Little has this group really rolling,” Blackwell added. “Bradyn, his son, has been playing under him for a few years now, and he understands what his dad expects. They get it done, and they do it really well. It’s going to take 100% effort from us. We have to eliminate the mental mistakes, eliminate the physical mistakes and play physical for four quarters.
“Everything has to go in our favor if we want to win a game like this.”
Typically, a trip to Quincy is the longest of the season when the Streaks have to face the Blue Devils on the road. However, that’s not the case in 2023. Due to Alleman not fielding a varsity team, Galesburg traveled to “The Hoosier State” in Week 3 and suffered a 35-14 loss to Trafalgar (Indian Creek).
Juniors: Kenneth Ward (FB/ILB), Lyxander Cauthon (WR/DB), Caden Ashby (WR/DB), Jamar Range (RB/DB), Mark Franklin (OL/DL), Ashton Bane (OL/ILB), Larry Randolph Jr. (OL/DL), Celestin Matala (OL/DL), Gilbert Lewis (OL/DL), Asher Whitcomb (OL/DL), Sal Kisler (OL/DL), Andre Exauce (TE/OLB).
Sophomores: Caden Riley (QB/OLB), Drew Hickey (WR/DB), Bradley Eaton (WR/DB), Ayden Clark (QB/OLB), Anthony Makwala (K), Demetrius Watson (RB/DB), Alfred Ayala (RB/OLB), Nicolas Ojeda (FB/ILB), Madon Taylor (TE/DE), Marquis Horne (OL/DL), LaVant Ritenour (OL/DL), Davion Collins (OL/DL), Dajian Mitchell (OL/DL), Pierre Welcome (OL/DL), Kohyn Baughman (WR/DB), Drake Easley (WR/DB), Dallin Junious (OL/DL), Cooper Ray (TE/ILB).
Week 9: Friday, Oct. 20 vs. United Township, 7 p.m.
WB6 Standings
Quincy 5-0, 3-0 in WB6
Geneseo 5-0, 3-0 in WB6
Sterling 2-3, 2-0 in WB6
Moline 3-3, 1-2 in WB6
Galesburg 1-4, 0-2 in WB6
United Township 2-4, 0-3 in WB6
Rock Island 0-5, 0-2 in WB6
Departing thought…
“I think my team is ready to go,” Blackwell said. “The energy is still there. It’s easy to have your head down when you’re 1-4, but when we left practice today (Tuesday) everybody was smiling. Everyone was happy, and it was a good feeling.
Galesburg High School senior Jamari McDonald, who dons No. 68 for the Silver Streaks, always has a positive mindset. [Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — Galesburg High School football coach Derrek Blackwell doesn’t hide his feelings about senior lineman Jamari McDonald.
“Jamari is a leader on the line. He does everything we ask. I love Jamari,” Blackwell said. “I told him after the game (last) Saturday. Even after getting our butts whipped 45-14, I walked straight up to Jamari. He had his head down, and I said ‘pick your head up. I love you kid,’ and I mean that with everything I’ve got. I Iove that kid.
“He plays hard. You can’t teach the way Jamari plays football,” he added. “If we had more kids playing the way Jamari plays then we’d probably be in a different boat right now. I can’t say enough about Jamari. I can go on and on and on.”
McDonald, who dons No. 68 for the Silver Streaks (1-3), always has a positive mindset, and he is willing to do anything for his teammates.
“Previously, he wasn’t much of a vocal leader but this year he’s taken on that role, and he’s done it well,” Blackwell said. “His attitude is great. It reflects on the team. If someone is down, he’s picking guys up.
“He’s the heart and soul of the line,” he added. “Jamari makes us go on both sides of the ball — offensively and defensively. His passion for the game is second-to-none.”
McDonald’s father influenced him to first take up football. Along the way, he fell in love with the game.
“It’s fun,” McDonald said. “You get to hit and be free.”
McDonald doesn’t spend much time on sidelines, and he uses his physical strength in different ways depending on what position he’s playing.
“On defense, you have to be more aggressive than you are on offense,” said the 18-year-old. “Offense, you are aggressive but it’s a passive aggressive because you can’t just over run or under protect. Defense, you have to be over aggressive to go get the ball and just to make the play.”
McDonald isn’t necessarily content with his performance on the field.
“I still have room for improvement,” he said. “I have to work on some of my aiming points and get offs. I just have to work on the little stuff.”
McDonald has faith that Galesburg can still make the cut for the playoffs. The Streaks need four more victories to be eligible for the postseason.
“We’re an amazing team,” McDonald said. “We have the players to get what we need done. It’s just we need to stick to what we do in practice. When we get into games, I don’t know if it’s the hype of the game that messes with us but I believe we are a playoff team.
Galesburg High School’s football team will battle Geneseo in Western Big 6 play at 7 p.m. Friday at C.C. Van Dyke Field. The Silver Streaks have suffered two straight defeats while the Maple Leafs have yet to lose a game this season. [Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — Galesburg High School’s football team has done some things this season its coach likes.
“Our physicality is good,” said Derrek Blackwell. “We’re hustling to the ball and all those type of things.”
But the Silver Streaks have also made some mistakes that Blackwell isn’t too fond of.
“We’re making little very minimal mental mistakes whether its outside contain guys peaking inside, whether its inside linebackers hoping outside, misreading blocks,” he said. “It’s just little things, and they happen more than they should. I understand that those things happen over the course of a game. Sometimes, the other team wins that play, but we have to do a better job at trying to win more plays.
“I feel like the plays we win are really good,” Blackwell added. “The plays that we lose are like third-and 10, third-and-12. They are plays that we really need in the game. We need to do a better job of taking care of the plays that we really need, as well as doing our jobs on every other play.”
Galesburg’s mentor, who is in his third season, hopes there’s less blunders come Friday night.
The Streaks (1-3, 0-1 in Western Big 6) will have to play their best against the Maple Leafs of Geneseo at C. C. Van Dyke Field.
The Leafs haven’t dropped a game yet, and they sit in a tie with the Blue Devils of Quincy (4-0, 2-0 WB6) for the best record in the league.
Galesburg is coming off a 45-14 WB6 road loss to Sterling and has suffered two straight defeats.
“Geneseo is tough. They’ve always been tough,” Blackwell said. “Right now, they’re rolling. They’re 4-0.
“To get a win, we have to focus on ourselves and do what we’re capable of doing,” he added. “If we do anything different it’s not going to look good for us. We just have to play Silver Streak Football for 48 minutes. We have to play fundamental Silver Streak Football.”
Juniors: Kenneth Ward (FB/ILB), Lyxander Cauthon (WR/DB), Caden Ashby (WR/DB), Jamar Range (RB/DB), Mark Franklin (OL/DL), Ashton Bane (OL/ILB), Larry Randolph Jr. (OL/DL), Celestin Matala (OL/DL), Gilbert Lewis (OL/DL), Asher Whitcomb (OL/DL), Sal Kisler (OL/DL), Andre Exauce (TE/OLB).
Sophomores: Caden Riley (QB/OLB), Drew Hickey (WR/DB), Bradley Eaton (WR/DB), Ayden Clark (QB/OLB), Anthony Makwala (K), Demetrius Watson (RB/DB), Alfred Ayala (RB/OLB), Nicolas Ojeda (FB/ILB), Madon Taylor (TE/DE), Marquis Horne (OL/DL), LaVant Ritenour (OL/DL), Davion Collins (OL/DL), Dajian Mitchell (OL/DL), Pierre Welcome (OL/DL), Kohyn Baughman (WR/DB), Drake Easley (WR/DB), Dallin Junious (OL/DL), Cooper Ray (TE/ILB).
Fifth-year senior Kaile Williams drops back to pass in last Saturday’s 31-14 win over Beloit in Midwest Conference action at the Knosher Bowl. [Courtesy of Edd Winkler]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — Those affiliated with Knox College’s football team hope to keep the momentum going this weekend.
The Prairie Fire head to “The Windy City” to battle the Maroons of the University of Chicago for a 2 p.m. league contest Saturday.
Knox is coming off its first win in the 2023 season, and UChicago heads into the affair after suffering its second straight defeat.
Prairie Fire coach Aaron Willits knows the Maroons (0-2, 0-1 in MWC) are eager to end that streak.
“Chicago is a very talented team,” Willits said. “To be honest, I think one of the biggest challenges right now is they ran into two tough opponents right out of the gate, and they’re sitting at 0-2, so you’ve got a program that has traditionally been good in the Midwest Conference that is hungry and back home.
“The hornets nest is already a little bit poked,” Willits added. “We’ve got to go up there and make sure we are ready to play right away because I have a feeling that University of Chicago is going to come out and want to play right away.”
What happened in Week 2?
Knox (1-1, 1-0 in MWC) picked up a 31-14 win over Beloit in its home and MWC opener last Saturday afternoon. The Prairie Fire marched down the field on the opening drive of the game, capping it off with a 24-yard field goal from freshman Chris McMillan to take an early 3-0 lead.
With 12:18 on the clock in the second quarter, senior Hunter Anderson scored on a five yard run to complete an 11-play, 94 yard drive. McMillan converted the extra point.
The Prairie Fire followed that with a 71 yard touchdown pass from fifth-year senior Kaile Williams to sophomore wideout Niko Powe. McMillan again made the extra point to put Knox up 17-0 with 1:25 left in the first half.
The Buccaneers got on the board with a touchdown pass in the closing seconds of the first half to send the game into halftime with the Prairie Fire holding a 17-7 advantage. Beloit scored again midway through the third quarter to bring the game within three points.
Williams led Knox on a 10-play, 75 yard drive and ran it in himself from two yards out with 14:17 left in the fourth quarter to give the Prairie Fire a 24-14 lead.
With 37 seconds remaining in the game, senior Davis Brumbaugh picked off a Beloit pass and ran it back 15 yards for a touchdown to seal the victory for Knox.
Williams completed 5 of 15 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown. He also had 16 carries for 111 rushing yards and a score. Anderson racked up 102 rushing yards on 20 rushes and a touchdown. Powe hauled in four catches for 100 yards and a TD.
Brumbaugh led the Knox defense with 11 tackles, three pass break ups, and the pick six. Senior Jonathan Sarich added 10 tackles, including 2.5 sacks. Fifth senior TJ Nehls and senior Jacob Etienne tallied 1.5 sacks apiece.
“We were better with our execution in Week 2,” Willits said. “We did a lot of good things. I think we fixed quite a few of the mistakes that we made in Week 1. We played for 60 minutes and we had to do so, and I think that was really good for the program and for us.
“We showed a lot of growth from Week 1 to Week 2, and we need to continue to grow,” Willits added. “We will let things shake out but I like where we are headed.”
By the numbers
Williams has completed 15 of 35 passes for 218 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He also has 31 rushes for 205 yards and a pair of TDs.
Anderson has 35 carries for 150 yards and a TD. Senior Evan Laws has two grabs for 23 yards and has broken the plane once. Powe has six receptions for 125 yards and a touchdown.
Joint Practice: Sat., Aug. 19 at University of Dubuque, 1 p.m.
Week 1: Eureka 41, Knox 16 (Lincoln Bowl)
Week 2: Knox 31, Beloit 14
Week 3: Sat. Sept. 16 at University of Chicago, 2 p.m.
Week 4: Bye
Week 5: Sat. Sept. 30 vs. Lake Forest, 2 p.m.
Week 6: Sat. Oct. 7 vs. Ripon, 1 p.m.
Week 7: Sat. Oct. 14 at Illinois College, 1 p.m.
Week 8: Sat., Oct. 21 at Grinnell, 1 p.m.
Week 9: Sat., Oct. 28 vs. Cornell (Homecoming), 1 p.m.
Week 10: Sat., Nov. 4 vs. Lawrence (Senior Day), 1 p.m.
Week 11: Sat., Nov. 11 at Monmouth (Turkey Bowl), Noon
Departing thought…
“We’ve got some young kids that are playing for us and to play the 60 minute college game versus the 48 minute high school game is a difference,” Willits said. “You’ve got to sustain your engagement for longer. You’ve got to sustain your adrenaline for longer. You’ve got to sustain the actual physical exertion a little bit longer.”
The Galesburg High School football team hits the road to battle the Sterling Golden Warriors on Friday night. [Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — Galesburg High School’s football team opens Western Big 6 Conference play on Friday night.
The Silver Streaks (1-2) hit the road to battle the Golden Warriors of Sterling (1-2, 1-0 in WB6).
“The Sterling Golden Warriors is a good football program,” Galesburg coach Derrek Blackwell said. “Year in and year out, it’s tough to go to Sterling and win a football game. To do so, we’re going to have to play fundamentally sound for 48 minutes, and I don’t think we’ve done that in three games – even the game that we won 41-7 I don’t think we played fundamental football for 48 minutes.
“I’ve been trying to explain to the guys that football is a game of inches, and you have to take every inch that you can get,” Blackwell added. “You have to fight. You have to claw for those inches. You can’t just fake football. You can’t hide a guy. You have to play. You have to run. You have to block. You have to run your routes. You have to run your fakes. Everything has to be in order and there has to be a system for it to work. You can’t just turn it on when it is a Friday night. It has to come Monday through Thursday during practice.”
Galesburg is the only squad in the WB6 that hasn’t played a league game yet, and that’s because Rock Island Alleman isn’t fielding a varsity team this season. The Pioneers and Streaks would have faced each other in Week 3 if that wasn’t the case. Instead, Galesburg traveled to “The Hoosier State,” and suffered a 35-14 loss to Indian Creek High School in Trafalgar, Indiana.
“We saw in the film session what it is to go whistle-to-whistle, be fundamental and do everything right,” Blackwell said of the defeat. “We were not doing all the things correctly.”
Juniors: Kenneth Ward (FB/ILB), Lyxander Cauthon (WR/DB), Caden Ashby (WR/DB), Jamar Range (RB/DB), Mark Franklin (OL/DL), Ashton Bane (OL/ILB), Larry Randolph Jr. (OL/DL), Celestin Matala (OL/DL), Gilbert Lewis (OL/DL), Asher Whitcomb (OL/DL), Sal Kisler (OL/DL), Andre Exauce (TE/OLB).
Sophomores: Caden Riley (QB/OLB), Drew Hickey (WR/DB), Bradley Eaton (WR/DB), Ayden Clark (QB/OLB), Anthony Makwala (K), Demetrius Watson (RB/DB), Alfred Ayala (RB/OLB), Nicolas Ojeda (FB/ILB), Madon Taylor (TE/DE), Marquis Horne (OL/DL), LaVant Ritenour (OL/DL), Davion Collins (OL/DL), Dajian Mitchell (OL/DL), Pierre Welcome (OL/DL), Kohyn Baughman (WR/DB), Drake Easley (WR/DB), Dallin Junious (OL/DL), Coooper Ray (TE/ILB).
By the numbers
Williams has 36 rushes for 118 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He’s completed 22 of 47 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown, and Williams has been picked off once. On defense, he leads Galesburg with four interceptions – three of them came in Week 2 in a road contest at Limestone.
Richardson has 44 rushes for 294 yards and three touchdowns. He also has nine receptions for 55 yards. Range has 24 carries for 213 yards, and he’s broken the plane once. Lewis has six grabs for 65 yards and a TD, and he has a 4-yard rush. Phillips has caught four passes for 39 yards.
Galesburg is averaging 23 points per game while foes are averaging almost 32 points per outing. Opponents have racked up 608 rushing yards (average of 7.33 yards per carry) and eight rushing touchdowns against the Streaks. Galesburg has committed seven fumbles (four lost), and the Streaks have committed 19 penalties for 157 yards.
Galesburg High School senior Gino Williams serves as the Silver Streaks’ starting quarterback, and he also starts at safety. [Matthew Wheaton/Wheat on the Prairie]
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — Galesburg High School senior Gino Williams is an integral part of the Silver Streaks’ football team.
Williams, who dons No. 4, is listed as a wide receiver, defense back, and quarterback on Galesburg’s roster. However, he has not tallied any grabs for the Streaks, and that’s because Williams has been busy serving as Galesburg’s starting signal caller. It’s not his natural position on offense, but Williams is adjusting well. He’s a dual-threat at the position.
Williams has completed 22 of 47 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown, and he has been picked off once.
“Naturally, he is a receiver but we needed him to play quarterback and he hasn’t complained,” Streaks coach Derrek Blackwell said of Williams. “He’s learning on the fly just like I’m learning on the fly what his skill set is at quarterback. He’s getting better at his reads. He’s getting better at his throws. It’s coming together.”
At times, Williams isn’t sure whether to keep the pigskin or pass it to one of his teammates. It’s something the 17-year-old is working to improve.
“I’m being indecisive in the pocket on my choices to either run the ball or throw it and that could be better but other than that I feel I’m playing pretty good this season,” Williams said.
Williams, who also plays basketball and competes in track and field, has 36 rushes for 118 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
“I love Gino’s legs. I tell him to run,” Blackwell said. “What I tell him not to do is run out of the pocket prior to the pass. Once the pocket breaks down, I want him to get out and be an athlete. I want Gino to run. I expect Gino to run. I think he can pick up three, four or five yards with his legs every time.
“A lot of his roll out passes are meant for him to run the ball. If he can’t get the ball out then I want him to run,” Blackwell added. “Gino is an extra running back in the backfield that just happens to throw the ball sometimes. That’s how we use him.”
On defense, Williams leads Galesburg with four interceptions – three of them came in Week 2 in a road contest at Limestone.
“He’s playing outstanding on defense,” Blackwell said of Williams. “He’s a ball hawk. He’s so athletic that it’s almost to a fault. He reacts so well and overreacts sometimes, but he’s on the ball. He’s everywhere we need him to be. I believe he’s one of the better safeties in the league.
“He’s a defensive leader,” Blackwell added. “He led us in tackles in the Dunlap game (in Week 1). He’s doing everything for us on defense.”
While he’s playing well when lined up as a safety, Williams has things he can do better.
“He just needs to not overreact. A pump fake or the quarterback’s eyes kind of send him in a direction,” Blackwell said. “If he could just sit in the middle a little more or maybe even force the quarterback into something when his eyes are going one way then go the other way and force him into going where he doesn’t want to go. Gino is working on those things, and he’s getting a lot better.”
And what’s the future hold for Williams.
“I want to play football in college somewhere,” he said. “I don’t want to stay close to home. I kind of want to get outside and explore.”
Departing thought…
“He’s a captain. He’s a leader and when he’s on the field it seems like things are going right,” Blackwell said of Williams. “He’s got a good head on his shoulders. He does everything that we ask.
“He’s got a great work ethic. He picks the guys up and is an extension of myself on the field.”
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