Scouting the Three Rivers Conference

MISSISSIPPI DIVISION

Princeton

2019 record: 11-2 (6-0)

Coach: Ryan Pearson

Worth noting: The Tigers return much of their top personnel who reached the 2019 3A semifinals and were primed to make a state finals run again in 2020 before the pandemic canceled the season. “Not having a playoff format was disappointing but our kids are excited for an opportunity to get to play. That is much better than the alternative of not getting to play at all. Our kids are excited and they will be ready,” Pearson said. ... The Tigers return senior All-State RB Ronde Worrels, the program’s all-time leading rusher, and senior QB Tyler Gibson in the backfield and have senior OL/DL Grant Foes blocking up front for them. They shared BCR Players of the Year honors with WR Wyatt Davis, who is now playing at Northern Michigan University. ... Worrels (Northern Illinois) and Foes (Indiana Wesleyan) will play at the next level. ... Other returning starters on offense are seniors Kody Mongan (OL) and Alex May (OL) and junior Drew Harp (OL). Pearson looks for juniors Logan Glancy (RB) and Bennett Sierens (WR) to play bigger roles on offense this year. Key newcomers on offense will be seniors Kaleb Cain (OL), Caleb Haring (TE), Cael Davis (WR), juniors Pierce Miller (OL), Matt Lucas (OL), Jacob Aley (OL), Walker Menzel (OL) and sophomore Teegan Davis (WR) ... Starters back on defense are seniors May (DL) Foes (DL) and Cael Davis (DB), juniors Logan Glancy (DB) and Harp (DL) with junior Pierce Miller (DL) and sophomore Teegan Davis (DB) stepping into bigger roles. Key newcomers on defense will be seniors Drew Woolley (DL), Jacob Read (DL), juniors Matt Peacock (DL), Ashton Davis (DL) and sophomores Danny Cihocki (LB) and Augie Christenson (DB). ... The Tigers are two-time defending TRAC Mississippi champions. PHS fell to Byron 7-3 in a defensive battle at Bryant Field in the 2019 3A semifinals. Its only other loss was at 2A State champ Newman, a game it led 21-7 at halftime only to fall 25-21. ... Pearson is 21-9 in three years at PHS, having led Canton to the 4A semifinals.

Kewanee

2019 record: 7-4 (5-1)

Coach: Brad Swanson

Worth noting: The Boilers went 7-4 and reached the playoffs in Swanson’s first season, winning their first game big, 50-0 over Chicago Ag, before falling to Coal CIty 25-0. Swanson said that seems so long ago now with the pandemic canceling the 2020 fall season. ... The Boilermakers have four talented seniors in Tayvian Taylor (RB), Melcon DeJesus (RB/DB), Kazeer Johnson (DL), and Keegan Anderson (K). They also return juniors Will Bruno (QB), James Conner (OL,DL) and Niko Powe (WR/S) to go with talented newcomers in juniors Keyontiss Patterson (RB/LB) and Jordan Johnson (WR/S). ... The Boilers will open the spring season at home in Week 2 against E-P. .... “I am excited for the guys to get outside and play football. I want the guys to have fun, compete at a very competitive level, and enjoy being a Boilermaker,” Swanson said. ... Prior to coming to Kewanee in 2019, Swanson taught at Galesburg from 2007-18, where he was an assistant football coach from 2006-14 and 2018. He also coached at Monmouth College (2015) and the Mid County co-op (2016-2017).

Erie-Prophetstown

2019 record: 2-7 (1-5)

Coach: Jesse Abbott

Worth noting: The Panthers will split home games between Erie and Prophetstown, facing St. Bede in Erie April 1 and Morrison in Prophetstown April 16. ..... Jacob Grunder, a senior running back and linebacker, is coming back after a shoulder separation. As a running back, he is a power rusher and has put on added muscle in the offseason. .... Abbott will lean on the Panthers’ junior class to play key roles. Connor Sibley, Mason Misfeldt and Kolby Franks are all in the mix to fill roles left open by graduation. ..... Abbott sees more athletes who can operate in space this season, which could allow the Panthers to open things up a bit more in the playbook. ..... On defense, Erie-Prophetstown will change up a couple of the schemes and be a bit more aggressive than in years past to emphasize first and second downs. ...... Many of the skill position players also play basketball, so Abbott and Panthers basketball coach Ryan Winckler allowed them to focus on hoops while they could before bringing them back into the football fold once the basketball season ended.

Spring Valley Hall

2019 record: 7-4 (4-2)

Coach: Nick Guerrini

Worth noting: The Red Devils have a new coach roaming the sidelines, but there won’t be wholesale changes in Spring Valley. Guerrini, a Hall graduate who scored three touchdowns in the Red Devils’ 1995 Class 3A state title game win, served as an assistant under former Hall coach Randy Tieman for the last three years and plans to keep Hall’s traditional Wing T. “We’re in a tough spot to really change a whole lot with a short turnaround and a new coaching staff,” Guerrini said. “I’ve been on the staff for a handful of years. That’s what I’m comfortable with. We’ll start with the Wing T. As we get comfortable, we’ll see how practices roll out and we may see some variation to it.” … While Hall lost its top three rushers from 2019, Guerrini said he has a full stable of running backs, including seniors Jack Savitch and Donovan Cotton, juniors Caleb Savitch and Dominic Guerrini and sophomore Mac Resetich. … Junior Gabe Lucas is expected to start at quarterback. … Senior Alec Vecchia and junior Rylan Kerper will anchor the offensive line after gaining starting experience in 2019. … Nick Guerrini said while Hall doesn’t have a lot of size up front on defense, the Red Devils have speed.

Monmouth-Roseville

2019 record: 4-5 (3-3)

Coach: Jeremy Adolphson

Worth noting: The Titans have only four seniors among their 15 returning lettermen, but while small, the senior class is talented. RB/LB Carter Russell (551 total yards, 6 TDs, 69 tackles in 2019) was all-conference at linebacker in 2019, while RB/DB Colton Russell (838 rushing yards, 5 TDs) was all-conference as a running back. Other returning seniors are QB/WR/DB Jack Thompson and WR/DB Keshawn Taylor. Junior RB/DB Derek Chandler was honorable mention all-conference at defensive back in 2019. “We have a small but talented senior class and will have several juniors who saw significant varsity time as sophomores,” said Adolphson, who is 78-105 entering his 20th season as a head coach. “The key will be how our underclassmen offensive and defensive lines progress. If we can get them up to speed quickly, we can play with anyone on our schedule.” … M-R returns seven starters on offense and six on defense. … The Titans went 9-3 and qualified for the Class 3A playoffs in 2018. They narrowly missed a return trip in 2019 as they opened with four consecutive losses, including a 20-18 loss to Orion and a 33-32 loss to Rockridge.

Sherrard

2019 record: 1-8 (1-5)

Coach: Scott Monson

Worth noting: The Tigers will turn to six seniors, all of whom are two-way starters, to lead them onto the gridiron this fall - Josh Bynum (RB/LB), Drake Luciani (RB/DB), Corbin Crippen (WR/DB), Will Epperly (OL/DL), Tyler Whan (OL/DL) and Tanner Timerman (E/DB). ... The Tigers will take the first week off, opening the season Week 2 at home vs. Riverdale. ... Fourth-year coach Scott Monson said the Tigers are thankful that they get to play and will make the most of the opportunity. “This experience has provided a new perspective for football and athletics in general. Our athletes now understand that this opportunity can be taken from them at any time and that they must be grateful for the experience and make the most of it at every practice and game.”

St. Bede

2019 record: 1-8 (1-5)

Coach: Jim Eustice

Worth noting: The Bruins took their lumps last season, managing one-point win over Erie-Prophetstown for their line victory, but return almost every starter and Eustice hopes the experience pays off. “Experience always helps in high school football,” Eustice said. “We were so inexperienced in 2019 and the record showed that. Hopefully, the experience we gained will be helpful. Our kids are excited and thankful we’re back. They’re hopefully going to do some good things this spring.” … Senior Braden Damerell returns at quarterback after throwing for 1,099 yards and five touchdowns while running for 369 yards and six scores. … Junior Tyreke Fortney racked up 759 total yards and six TDs in 2019. … Ethan Sramek, Tim Croissant, Noah Setser, Griffen Heuser and Brady Hurst also will get carries. … Joe Edwall will anchor the offensive line as a three-year starter, while Shawn Schwemlein, Rylan Heersink, Ryan Migliorini and Brandon Green all bring experience. … Green at nose tackle, Jim Sanchez at defensive end, Sramek at linebacker and Luke Story at defensive back will be the leaders of the defense.

ROCK DIVISION

Bureau Valley

2019 record: 0-9 (0-6)

Coach: Mat Pistole

Worth noting: The Storm have just a limited number of senior players and will be relying on its juniors to build some depth. Top players back in camp include seniors Evan Eckberg (QB/RB/DB), Drew Spencer (RB/NG) and juniors Eli Kruse (OL/LB) and Nevin Bolin (WR/LB). Key newcomers include juniors Brock Foster (WR/DB), Carter Haney (OL/DL), Brodie Hansen (OL/DL), Adam Johnson (QB/DB), Justin Kopp (RB/LB), Jaden Michlig (RB/LB) and Carter Salisbury (WR/DB) and senior Jonah Johnson (RB/LB). .... Pistole said he is very grateful to play football this spring and “put on the bolts, pound the stone.” He wants to give their seniors the “best possible experience we can provide that they can remember for a lifetime like they deserve.” And they want to set the foundation on the fundamentals that will “drive us forward while gaining ever important game reps heading into 2021 fall season for our very young team we will have.” ... Pistole said the Storm coaching staff has spent the extended layoff really dialing in where the program needs to improve on, and “setting a clear direction moving forward to getting us back where we belong in the playoffs every year.” That direction isn’t some complicated formula or complex schemes/drills or any innovative/cutting edge concepts or ideas, he said, but rather simplifying everything. “Our entire focus is on first and foremost playing together and for each other. Then blocking, tackling, pursuing the football, and ball security. We have simplified our schemes in every facet so we are thinking less, able to play faster, and focus on the little things that have been taken for granted here in recent memory.” ... Pistole is a 2003 BVHS graduate and former quarterback for the Storm. ... The Storm will play a four-game spring schedule, opting out of Week 1 and 6 to enhance the seasons transition for its many multi-sport athletes.

Fulton

2019 record: 5-5 (4-2)

Coach: Patrick Lower

Worth noting: The Steamers’ five losses last season came to teams with a combined record of 52-9. Aquin and Morrison had undefeated regular seasons and Newman won the Class 2A state championship. ..... Since 2006, the Steamers have had exactly five wins or five losses (or both) eight times, including back-to-back 5-5 campaigns in 2018 and 2019. ...... This will be Fulton’s last season in the Three Rivers. The River Bend School Board voted in 2020 to join the NUIC, a move which takes effect in the fall. ..... Fulton’s one-two rushing punch of Ethan Rash and Kyler Pessman combined for 1,551 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2019. They are back to lead the rushing game this year. Keegan VanKampen and Jake Jones will also see carries. ..... The offensive line is deep, anchored by senior center Max Pannell and senior guard Nate Portz, both of whom were second-team all-conference picks last year, as well as senior tackle Josh Huizenga and junior tackle Joey Huizenga. Cole Schipper, another junior, will see some snaps. It could have been even more deep, but senior Jake North will miss the season following surgery.

Morrison

2019 record: 11-1 (6-0)

Coach: Ryan Oetting

Worth noting: Morrison notched eight straight winning seasons from 2005 through 2012, then suffered through six straight losing seasons, including a one-win campaign in 2014 and two wins in 2018. But things have turned around once again, as Morrison won 11 games last year, won the Three Rivers Rock, and reached the quarterfinals before losing to Annawan-Wethersfield. .... Morrison got the job done with defense in 2019, pitching three shutouts and holding six other teams to seven points or fewer. ... The Mustangs bring back a veteran quarterback in senior Nate Helms. In 17 career starts, Helms has completed 56% of his passes (56 for 160) for 1,483 yards and 15 touchdowns. ..... Morrison has a veteran two-way player in tight end/outside linebacker TC Ottens. In 12 career starts, he has 17 catches for 216 yards and two touchdowns, as well as 15 tackles and an interception playing defense. ..... Morrison returns the interior of its offensive line intact with guards Justice Imel and Aaron Wolfe and center Tyson Smith. Imel is also a returner as a defensive end, with eight career sacks and 39 career tackles. .... Morrison will turn to four key newcomers, including Thomas Dauphin and Kayden White on offense and Alex Anderson and Nathan Schaefer on defense. All are juniors.

Sterling Newman

2019 record: 13-1 (5-1)

Coach: Brandon Kreczmer

Worth noting: Newman won its sixth state championship in 2019, beating Nashville 35-14 in DeKalb to cap off the Class 2A title run. .... The Comets bring back both a 1,000-yard rusher and a 1,000-yard passer. Senior Andrew Velasquez gained 1,013 yards on 188 carries with seven touchdowns in the balanced Newman backfield last year. Jake Ackman threw for 1,012 yards, completing 54 or 94 passes with 12 touchdowns. .... The Comets bring back a pair of offensive linemen in Nolan Vesley and Nate Neubauer. The line helped pave the way for 2,819 rushing yard last season. The Comets’ O-Line lost Hunter Buser, Daniel Feltes and Riley Wescott to graduation. ..... Two of Newman’s wins in 2019 came against Orion, a 28-6 win at Roscoe Eades Stadium in Week 7 and a 28-13 win over the Chargers in the first round of the playoffs. In the regular season meeting, the Comets put together an eight-play, 66-yard drive and a 13-play, 99-yard drive on back-to-back second-half possessions (sandwiched around an Orion three-and-out) to burn the clock. In the rematch three weeks later, Newman put together a 14-play, 76-yard drive to open the second half en route to putting up 17 minutes, 36 seconds in time of possession in that half. .... Newman will try to bolster its running back corps with a pair of newcomers in juniors Will Rude and Owen McBride. Both will play defense as well, Rude on the line and McBride as a defensive back. .... Ackman and Vesley both announced in January that they will continue their football careers in the fall at St. Ambrose. There they will be reunited with former Newman Comet, and Jake’s brother, Drew Ackman, a lineman with the Fighting Bees.

Orion

2019 record: 5-5 (3-3)

Coach: Chip Filler

Worth noting: The Chargers return several key players from the 2019 squad that went 5-5 and qualified for the playoffs for the sixth year in a row. … Senior RB/WR/LB Coby Schultz is back after earning first-team all-conference at running back and second-team at linebacker. He caught 45 passes for 631 yards and 10 touchdowns while running for 522 yards as a junior … Orion will be strong up front with four returning starters on the offensive line, including first-team all conference tackle Zack Riddell and honorable mention all-conference picks Jayson Johnson at tackle and Hayden Lilly at guard, and three starters back on the defensive line, including Johnson (second-team all conference) and Riddell (honorable mention). … In all, the Chargers have eight starters back on defense. “The defensive side and defensive line is probably where our strength is,” Filler said. … The Chargers have three players vying to take over at quarterback in senior transfer from Sherrard Kaden Meguffy, junior Jared Mohr, who was honorable mention all-conference at safety in 2019, and sophomore Drake Gunn. Orion must also replace unanimous all-conference center Ben Dunlap. “We’re trying to fill those spots, and if we can get guys who can hold those down, we’ll be in good shape,” Filler said.

Riverdale

2019 record: 4-5 (2-4)

Coach: Guy Dierikx

Worth noting: The Rams were not far from being a playoff team in 2019. A Week 1 loss to Kewanee 28-22 came in part due to a handful of big plays by the Boilers. The Rams lost to eventual conference champion Morrison by 13 and to eventual state champion Newman by seven, a game that saw Riverdale with the ball late with a chance to tie before a Comets interception. The Rams’ five-game spring schedule includes three games with teams against whom Riverdale played a one-possession game in 2019; Kewanee as well as Sherrard and Rockridge. .... Senior Bryan Caves was an all-conference defensive lineman in 2019 and is pretty adept at grappling with people. He’s a three-time medalist at state in wrestling, including a state title in 2020 at 220 pounds, and will wrestle at Central Michigan.

Rockridge

2019 record: 4-5 (1-5)

Coach: Jeff Henry

Worth noting: Sam Graves returns to the Rockets as an assistant coach this season. He was the head coach at Rockridge from 2013-18 and made six playoff trips in six years, putting up a 48-18 record. Rockridge also adds an assistant coach in Tom Hasson was was the defensive coordinator at Aledo for their state championship run in 2002 and runner-up finish in 2005. ..... Rockridge has a lot of experience in the trenches. Senior Ryan Parchert was an all-conference pick on the defensive line in 2019 and will play both ways. On the offensive line, he is joined by seniors Colby Lape, Matthew Bayne and Zach Williams and junior Connor Schaffer. ...... Junior Brayden Deem is back as Rockridge’s starting quarterback. He opened the 2019 season as the backup, but was pressed into service with the Rockets facing a 24-0 deficit in the first half of a Week 1 game against Sherrard, and promptly rallied them to a 37-30 win. One of his favorite targets will also be back in Nate Henry, who was an all-conference pick last year. ..... Sophomore Peyton Locke is expected to bring some speed to the offense as a running back, and also to special teams as a return specialist.

FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH

• Ronde Worrels, Princeton (Sr., RB/LB) - The Tigers All-state running back has committed to play linebacker for Northern Illinois. He is Princeton’s all-time leading rusher.
• Tyler Gibson, Princeton (Sr., QB) - The Tigers All-Conference quarterback led the Tigers to the 3A semifinals in 2019, setting a single-season school passing record with 1,956 yards.
• Jake Ackman, Newman (Sr., QB) - Traditionally a run-based offense, one wouldn’t expect Newman to have a 1,000-yard passer, but the Comets did in 2019 with Ackman. He completed 54 of 94 passes for 1,012 yards and 12 touchdowns.
• Ethan Rash, Fulton (Sr., RB) - Rash narrowly missed being a 1,000-yard rusher in 2019, putting up 991 yards with 16 touchdowns.
• Grant Foes, Princeton (Sr., OL/DL - The two-way All-Conference lineman plugged both signs of the line for the Tigers’ 3A semifinalist. He has signed to play for Indiana Weselyan University.

SCHEDULES

FIVE CAN’T MISS MATCHUPS

* Hall at St. Bede, 1 p.m., March 20: Bureau County will be treated to rivalry game right out of the gate when the Bruins host the Red Devils.

* Princeton at Hall, 7 p.m., March 26: As it stands now, the Tigers will jump right into the fire at Nesti Stadium in Spring Valley for its season opener as the scheduled Week 1 contest vs. Erie-Prophetstown was canceled.

* Kewanee at Princeton, 7 p.m., April 1: One of the state’s oldest rivalries will be renewed at Bryant Field. The Tigers and Boilermakers were the top two teams in the Mississippi Division in 2019 and both made the playoffs.

* Fulton at Morrison, 7 p.m., April 9: What might be the last battle for the Wooden Shoe, the Mustangs and Steamers meet for the final time before Fulton leaves the conference, with no guarantee that the rivalry can be kept alive as a nonconference game. Fulton had kept the Shoe for five years before the Mustangs took in back with a shutout in 2019.

* Princeton at Newman, 7 p.m., April 16: The Comets limited Ronde Worrels to 64 rushing yards in the 2019 meeting, a game the Comets rallied to win 25-21 with a 13-yard Jake Ackman touchdown pass to Connor McBride with 6:36 left in the fourth quarter.

STEVE SOUCIE’S PREDICTED FINISH