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Friday Night Lights, Galesburg, Galesburg High School, Galesburg Silver Streaks, High School Football
By Matthew Wheaton
GALESBURG — In its season finale last Friday night, Galesburg High School’s football team secured a 58-8 home win over Rock Island Alleman.
It was the second straight victory for the Silver Streaks.
Galesburg ended up with a 3-6 overall mark and went 2-5 in Western Big 6 Conference play in 2022.
Derrek Blackwell, who took over as the Streaks’ mentor last fall after a dozen seasons as an assistant, sat inside his office in Galesburg’s fieldhouse on Monday night and contemplated about how things went for GHS.
“Year 2 of the Blackwell era. You know, I feel that the kids have stepped up to a level of competitiveness that we expect out of high school football players,” Blackwell said. “They show up every day. They work hard every day. The kids give it their all. They’re physical. They play fast, and that’s what we ask for.
“We just need to figure out how to maintain all the details when times get tough. We need to get the details sustained for 48 minutes,” added Blackwell, who holds a 7-11 career mark. “We play hard, and we play competitive but we have yet to win a game that we weren’t supposed to win. We’ve got to find a way to win a game that we’re not supposed to win.
“We have to battle through those close, tough hard battles and come out victorious and not just call it a moral victory because we played hard.”
Heading into his second year, Blackwell felt he had a better handle on the behind-the-scenes responsibilities that come with being a head coach.
“There’s still things I want to improve on, and I’ll continue to work every day to make sure I get better at those things,” Blackwell said. “Ultimately, it’s about the kids. I have to be at my best to give the best.
“Hopefully, Year 3 is the year.”
Streaks’ seniors ‘mean everything’
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), and Jerry Taylor (TE/OLB) made up Galesburg’s senior class, and they all contributed in one way or another.
“The seniors, they mean everything,” Blackwell said. “They put in all the work in for four years. They’re here every day. They’re leaders. I could speak for days about this group of seniors. I love those guys. They’re like my sons. This is a big family.
“It’s a big family and every year they just grow on you and grow on you,” Blackwell added. “By the time they’re seniors, they’re your kids.”
Harter, a running back/inside linebacker, didn’t suit up for the Streaks in 2022 due to an injury. He served as a student coach instead. Aquirre and Wright finished out the last half of the season in street clothes, as well.
“I feel bad for some of the seniors who didn’t get to finish their year — Cam, and Noah. Guys like that definitely would have helped us throughout the season,” Blackwell said. “This game is tough man. It’s rough. Those are things you go through in the game of football and in life. You just have to learn to deal with them.
“It’s hard to deal with, and I think the team adapted to two of their leaders not being out there.”
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), 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: Darius Walker (RB/DB), 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), Ashton Bane (OL/ILB), Keaton Bane (OL/ILB), Nathan Maloy (OL/DL), Darrick Barton (OL/DL), Celestin Matala (OL/DL), Schuylur Sturgeon (OL/DL), Gilbert Lemus (OL/DL), Asher Whitcomb (OL/DL), David Bernhart, Jr. (OL/DL), Sal Kisler (OL/DL).
Freshmen: Bradley Eaton (WR/DB), Nicolas Ojeda (FB/LB), Alfred Ayala (FB/OLB), Amarii Scurlock (TE/LB), Ayden Clark (QB/DB).
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: Rock Island 34, Galesburg 14
Week 7: Moline 55, Galesburg 10
Week 8: Galesburg 46, United Township 35
Week 9: Galesburg 58, Alleman 8
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