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Friday Night Lights, Galesburg, Galesburg High School, Galesburg Silver Streaks, High School Football, Monmouth College, Pigskin, Rock Island, Rock Island High School, Rocks, Silver Streaks, WB6, Western Big 6 Conference
By Matthew Wheaton
GALESBURG — The Galesburg High School football team is on a three game losing skid.
And the Silver Streaks are hopeful things go in the right direction sooner rather than later, as they only have four regular season contests left on the schedule.
Galesburg needs to secure victories in all of them in order to be eligible for the postseason, and a tough test awaits the Silver Streaks next.
Galesburg (1-4, 0-3 in Western Big 6) will hit the road and battle Rock Island (3-2, 2-1 in WB6) at 7 p.m. Friday in league play.
The Silver Streaks are coming off a 42-14 home loss to the Blue Devils of Quincy. The Rocks handed the Panthers of United Township a 68-35 loss last week in East Moline.
Galesburg coach Derrek Blackwell, who is in his second season in charge after a dozen as an assistant, respects Rock Island, and he’s well aware of the success the Rocks have had over the years.
“Rock Island is a measuring stick. If you want to be the best you have to beat the best, and I’m not saying Rock Island is the best right now but traditionally over time Rock Island has been the best in the Western Big 6,” Blackwell said after Tuesday’s practice. “They’re our measuring stick. When we go to Rocky, we’ve got to play tough.
“When you walk onto Almquist Field you see all their banners. You see all the Western Big 6 Championships. You see all the state playoffs. You see all the tradition of Rock Island football,” Blackwell added. “We’re trying to bring that here and it starts this week.”
What happened last fall?
Last fall, Galesburg went toe-to-toe with Rock Island at Van Dyke Field, and the Silver Streaks were edged by the Rocks 33-30 in overtime.
When the fourth quarter was over, the affair was tied up at 27-all. However, Galesburg thought it had secured a win before the final 12 minutes ticked off the clock.
With two seconds left in the fourth, Rock Island went for a 25-yard field goal but the Rocks’ kicker didn’t boot the ball due to a bad snap. The Silver Streaks’ Hunter DeVena, who know suits up for Monmouth College, ended up with the pigskin, and he scored a touchdown but the play was called off.
And the game went into overtime.
Streaks’ Legate will return against Rocks
Senior Tristan Legate will be Galesburg’s starting quarterback versus Rocky. He sat out the Silver Streaks’ last two games due to a left high ankle sprain, and Legate has completed 11 of 27 passes for 197 yards and three touchdowns in conference action.
Galesburg’s roster
Seniors: Nolan Carl (TE/OLB), Mikey Eiker (WR/DB), Jon Sibley III (RB/DB), Tristan Legate (QB/ILB), Cam Aguirre (RB/LB), Bryce Harter (RB/ILB), Carter Clary (OL/DL), Noah Wright (OL/DL), Grant Rees (OL/DL), Aaron Kelley (OL/DL), Dishon Nolen (OL/DL), Gavin West (OL/DL), Treyson Hardges (WR/DB), Mason Kimmitt (WR/DB), Graham Peterson (WR/DB), Xavier Van Dyke (TE/DE), Jerry Taylor (TE/OLB).
Juniors: Gino Williams (QB/WR/DB), Amarie Richardson (RB/DB), Adrien Phillips (WR/DB), Markis Lewis (WR/DB), Izaiah Coleman (RB/ILB), Nicholas Curtis (RB/OLB), Sam Satisky (K), Keyondre Harrison (TE/OLB), John Willis (OL/ILB), Gavin Kaden (OL/DL), Jamari McDonald (OL/DL), Bradley Pearce (OL/DL).
Sophomores: DeAmiyn Elston (WR/OLB), Darius Walker (RB/DB), Easton Reed (QB/OLB), Lyxander Cauthon (WR/DB), Caden Ashby (WR/DB), Kenneth Ward (RB/ILB), Saxen Patrick (WR/DB), Jamar Range (RB/DB), Aguy Isala (WR/DB), Don Patrick, Jr. (WR/DB), Josiah Carter (WR/DB), Ashton Bane (OL/ILB), Keaton Bane (OL/ILB), Nathan Maloy (OL/DL), Masen Iams (TE/OLB), Schuylur Sturgeon (OL/DL), Gilbert Lemus (OL/DL), Asher Whitcomb (OL/DL), David Bernhart, Jr. (OL/DL), Sal Kisler (OL/DL).
Streaks’ schedule
Week 1: Dunlap 27, Galesburg 13
Week 2: Galesburg 52, Thornton 12
Week 3: Sterling 48, Galesburg 21
Week 4: Geneseo 21, Galesburg 7
Week 5: Quincy 42, Galesburg 14
Week 6: Fri., Sept. 30 at Rock Island, 7 p.m.
Week 7: Fri., Oct. 7 vs Moline, 7 p.m.
Week 8: Fri., Oct. 14 at United Township, 7 p.m.
Week 9: Fri., Oct. 21 vs Alleman, 7 p.m.
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