Missouri/Illinois Playoff Meltdown puts your friendly neighborhood Sports Department in DEFCON 2

Happy November and welcome to the best month on the Tri State Sports Calendar. This is Duerrisms, sponsored by the fine folks at ADVANCE Physical Therapy and we are all about nothing but winners and state championship chases from here until Thanksgiving. As of this writing we have two volleyball teams, the Marion County Cross Country Team and a couple of promising individuals (BPCA's John Slater and Hannibal's Emma Burditt) on each side of the river, and a dozen high school football teams left in the pool. Our schedule with this column, and with Due-Tube from here on out is all dependant on how many survivors we end up with going forward. If we catch a bad break here or there and get an mass exodus of teams (to be honest, Monday Night scares me) then we may close up shop here, begin work on the Football Show, and make the smooth transition to Basketball Season. And if you know me at all, you know those words chill my heart....

Apologies for the late and in-progress posting, but time is a luxury I do not have this week. Please hang with me...

Final call for nominations for our second Student Athlete of the Week Meeting of the Year. Our board convenes in its top secret conclave on November 16th to pick eight more honorees. As you have likely surmised (or as you can see by going back and viewing past profiles here at ConnectTriStates.com) the kids we've featured so far have been incredible. And the latest influx on resumes includes some very impressive marquee athletes as well. If you want to get your candidate (must be a senior with a 3.5 GPA minimum) a much deserved turn in the spotlight, seek out your favorite coach or athletic director and get a nomination sheet. If they do not have one, have them contact me at cduerr@khqa.com and we will get them an application ASAP. Our board won't meet again until January, so now is your best chance to make this happen.

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KHQA/ADVANCE PHYSICAL THERAPY STUDENT ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

The KHQA/ADVANCE Physical Therapy Student Athlete of the Week program has started anew for the 2009-2010 school year, and once again we will awarding a pair of scholarships to the most accomplished high school male and female seniors in the region. Our nominating board met on October 5th and selected our first six honorees of the year, each of whom will be profiled on Wednesday during the KHQA Evening News. If you know of a deserving senior who sports a minimum 3.5 GPA, please contact your high school athletic director and have them fill out a form on that student's behalf. If your AD doesn't have the form, have them contact me at cduerr@khqa.com. Our next nomination meeting in November 16th and we already have a very good group of holdover candidates from our first meeting. The earlier you nominate, the better the chances for your candidate of choice.

2009 Honorees

Week One: HANNAH KVITLE, Quincy High Volleyball

Week Two: TAYLOR BAXTER, Palmyra Softball, Basketball

Week Three: MICHAEL LAFFERTY, Illini West Football, Baseball

Week Four: MICHAEL JOHNSON, Pittsfield/Griggsville-Perry Football

Week Five: BRIAN ELLIOT, Macomb Football/Wrestling

Past Scholarship Winners

2008: MATT PATTERSON, South Shelby (Truman State)

CHLOE BARNES, Quincy High (Ball State University)

2007: LUKE GUTHRIE, Quincy High (University of Illinois)

2006: KATELYN BASTERT, Illini West (Duke University)

2005: MIKAL BENECOMO, Clopton (Southeast Missouri State)

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KHQA FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

MAT SIMS, Hannibal High School

We've enjoyed high school football nirvana the last ten days with a District Finales in Missouri last Thursday and Friday, a split slate of Illinois Playoff Openers on Friday and Saturday, and then six more Missouri Regional Games on Wednesday. Even for a high school football devotee, it is sensory overload. So we chose this week, and from here on out, to pick the week's finest effort and honor it thusly. We had some impressive offerings from the likes of Knox County's Cameron Kirmse (whose name I butcher frequently, apologies) Clark County's Justin Alderton, Brown County's Jacob Wilson, Monroe City's Joe Chinn, Paris' Jon Gilliam, South Shelby's Alex O'Laughlin and Routt's Ben Heinemann to name a few. When the dust cleared, however, Mat Sims school record setting effort against Fort Zumwalt East carried the most gravity here. In the wake of his team's lackluster showing against Helias on Friday, Sims provided an instant spark on Wednesday with four receiving touchdowns in the Regional and a 43 yard field goal to boot. He finished his night with six receptions for 113 yards and gave Chris Hentges and the Helias Coaching Staff something new to think about for their rematch showdown on Monday Night. Sims has been a stalwart for the Pirates from start to finish this season and just two weeks ago tied the school record for most interceptions in a game as well (three versus Marshall) You'd be hard pressed to find a better two way (or in his case with special teams: three-way) player anywhere in Tri State Football.

PREVIOUS WINNERS:

Week One: DERRICK HULL, QB, Central-Southeastern

Week Two: MICHAEL TONRY, RB, Routt Catholic

Week Three: DANIEL WEIMAN, RB, Quincy Notre Dame

Week Four: DEVON JOHNSON, RB, Pittsfield-Griggsville Perry

Week Five: SHANNON HALL, RB/DB, South Shelby

Week Six: NICK LONERGAN, QB, Jacksonville High School

Week Seven: NATHAN GOUDSCHAAL, DL./OL, Brown County High School

Week Eight: KEENAN GILLASPY, QB, Knox County

Week Nine: NICK LONERGAN, QB, Jacksonville High School

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KHQA FRATERNITY OF PAIN presented by THE GRAPHIC EDGE

Limited Edition T-Shirts for the Best Hit of the Week, courtesy of our good buddy Mike McCombs at the GRAPHIC EDGE. This year's honorees include:

Week Two: BRANDON COUSINS, Macomb (vs PBL)

Week Three: JESSE HOLTSCLAW, Illini West (vs CSE)

Week Four: AUSTIN WATERKOTTE, QND (vs Peoria Central)

Week Five: CONNOR MILLER, QND (vs Peoria Woodruff)

Week Six: CORY BOWEN, Brown County (vs West Central)

Week Seven: CHIP HOLTSCHLAG, QND (vs Peoria Richwoods)

Week Eight: NATHAN ALDERTON, Clark County (vs Macon)

Week Nine: WILL MEFFORD, South Shelby (vs Palmyra)

Week Ten: COLE PASSMORE, Brown County (vs South Piatt)

SAM GHRIST, Pittsfield/Griggsville Perry (vs Pana)

Please be sure to e-mail me at cduerr@khqa.com <mailto:cduerr@khqa.com> with your shirt sizes and we will deliver you your snazzy new garment in a couple of weeks.

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KHQA TALKING POINTS:

The line between idiot/savant and idiot, at least in my world, is pretty small. And I have been known to toe them both, often within the same sentence. So here is the best and worse of my playoff musings, so you can judge for yourself.....

DUERR AS GENIUS

1) Our source in Chicago was spot on with his assessment and breakdown of Morgan Park. We told you the Mustangs had great size up front but an erratic run defense and those words proved prophetic in a game that ended up far closer than anyone expected. We rarely have need for Chicago info, but in the future, our man in the Windy City is golden.

2) Bishop McNamara (5-4) over undefeated IVC in Round One. Wish I could take full credit for this nugget, which we passed along on Due-Tube, but it was Bill Connell who planted that notion in my head. When Bill Connell gives you unsolicited advice on teams in 4A and 5A that aren't his own, bank on it. Bill doesn't come off as a bracket junkie and his Lou Holtz routine sometimes makes you forget, but no one I know is better at identifying soft high seeds and projecting their ouster.

3) Did someone you know and love say preseason they saw both Brown County and Bowling Green pulling off perfect seasons in a magazine back in August? Too bad I could not have gotten a parlay bet on that one in Vegas.

4) I seem to remember someone also saying that Mark Twain would make the playoffs over Monroe City, that South Shelby's Defensive Line would be the bench mark in Tri State Football, and not to pick against Dan Bowman and Matt Smith in money games. Coaching matters, this time of year now more than ever.

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DUERR AS BLITHERING IDIOT

1) BPCA pick to the Final Four. PGP Saukees to the Final Four. Really, should you ever put faith in my super-sleeper picks again?

2) Five, count them, five WIVC Teams surviving to Round Two. Routt vs Calhoun? Really??

3) The Helias Speed Option made my Hannibal upset pick look really, really weak. Unexpected collapse of the CSE Defense did not help me any either.

4) Overestimated Scotland County, underestimated Knox. But in my defense, I have spent three years telling you people what a good coach I thought Steve Ramer was. It just took a little longer than I thought for his system to take root and flourish.

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THE WINNERS CIRCLE

ILLINI WEST (10-0)

Last Week: 56-0 win over Riverton

This Week: vs Monticello

THE SKINNY: Twenty four hours after the death of his father Paul, Jim Unruh returned from Moline and found his football team as sharp and focused and good as it has been all season. Call it the benefit of having the best coaching staff in the business. The Chargers imposed their will on Riverton from the get-start and delivered what Jim Unruh called his team's best defensive effort to date in giving up just 80 total yards and pitching a shutout. Ser Whitaker started the offensive onslaught with a 78 yard run from scrimmage and the Charger Offense had no relent from there. Stefan Flynn scored three touchdowns on Saturday and according to our sources actually looked to back to 100% health-wise for the first time since his injury in practice this week. One more weapon for what is easily the most weapon laden team in the state. And that doesn not bode well for a Monticello team that gives up 20 points per game and struggled badly to contain Central-Southeastern's similar offensive versatility last week. Cully Welter's best shot at beating his old nemesis, fools errand as it might seem, may be trying to turn this game into a shootout. The Sages have really good weapons. We came back exceptionally impressed with QB Ben Parra (does anyone do a better job developing QB's than Welter?) and his receivers. And running back Tyler Lieb was much more elusive than we were told (although CSE's tackling was really lousy on Saturday) which means Welter has weapons to launch at the Chargers. Certainly, no one knows IW's tendencies better than the former Aledo skipper. By the same token, there may be no way the Sages hold IW under 60 this week, which means expect a lot of points and a lot of scoreboard changes on Saturday. And expect IW to win big before the schedule really turns ugly.

BROWN COUNTY (10-0)

Last Week: 34-0 win over South Piatt

This Week: vs Tuscola

THE SKINNY: Four personal fouls and a shot on Joe Cross after he had crossed the end zone that was one of the most deliberately malicious things I have seen on a high school football field. Truth be told, Cross is lucky his leg wasn't broken. Suffice it to say, no one in Mount Sterling is going to hope for another South Piatt visit anytime soon. To the credit of Tom Little's kids, the Hornets kept their heads the entire time and did not lose composure, though I have to admit I loved Grant DeWitt's hit on the sideline on one of South Piatt's more "active" kids after the whistle. Just a perfectly clean hit that put the kid into next week and left him with lasting fond memories of Mount Sterling. Interestingly, the injury to Joe Cross (questionable for Saturday, though he worked out on Wednesday) and the absence of Jacob Ward left the Hornets playing with and winning with largely back-up running backs on Saturday. Michael Reich, Dallas Phelps and Adam Kunkel all filled in nicely when the only really healthy starter left was Jacob Wilson, and he himself had to leave the game in the second quarter. Tom Little expects to have all of his backs in uniform and ready (Ward told me Saturday that he could have played and was only held out as precaution) for Tuscola. That said, the underlying message is this: Brown County's Offensive Line is so good right now that it doesn't really matter who is running the football. If anything has really gone under radar the last few weeks, it has been the marked improvement of kids like Cole Passmore up front in giving BC a line that has no real weakness. Truth be told on Saturday, I though Nathan Goudschaal probably had the weakest game of any of the Hornets Five Bodyguard...and he is a returning All Stater there. (Of course, Goudschaal made up for it on Defense where he and Dallas Phelps were absolutely unstoppable in destroying the South Piatt ground game, but that is neither here nor there) The bottom line here is that Heath Fullerton has his kids up front operating at a very high level and that more than anything will be the key to keeping the chains moving against Tuscola. Here's how this matchup was described to me by someone very much in the know about both teams. Both Brown County and Tuscola have tremendous defenses. BC is probably faster, but Tuscola's work came against infinitely better competition. The difference comes on offense where Tuscola is very quick strike oriented with an All State caliber wide out in Gunnar Edwards and a running game that can exploit to the edge. Brown County is more methodical in grinding a defense into submission, with big plays (in contrast to Tuscola) being the appetizer not the main course. So bottom line, the Hornets probably need three touchdowns to win this thing. The reality here is that Brown County will finally give up some points this week. Tuscola is too match-up savvy not to pop at least one or two big plays. The Hornets just have to manage the amount of damage allowed. This, to my mind, remains your 1A State Championship Game. Tuscola is a three time Final Four squad, and while not as deep (down two starters this week, including their best linebacker due to disciplinary suspensions. At Tuscola? Deja Vu) as in years past, very proficient in their strengths. Best Football Game on the Docket this weekend, hands down.

QND (10-0)

Last Week: 42-0 win over Harrisburg

This Week: vs Effingham

THE SKINNY: It doesn't mean a single thing going forward, but last week's victory over Harrisburg is being hailed in a lot of different circles as the most complete defensive performance the Raiders have mustered since, at least, the infamous "Sam Dancer hits too hard" win over Rochester back in 2004. I've heard that from media folks I respect who cover QND on a daily basis and from within the program. I went back and watched our tape from Saturday and I am not sure it does the QND effort any justice, to be honest. I think it was one of those you had to be there in the moment to appreciate the intensity and the ominous air that the Raider Defense engendered and since I was not at 10th and Jackson, I can not speak to that. What I can tell you is this: unlike 2004 when Bill Connell had three lynchpin Defensive Superstars to build upon, this QND Defense does it with supreme balance. The absence of any weak link whatsoever is the greatest asset in play. There is no kid to pick on. Period. It is nothing more than swarming, execution defense played with an attitude that is slightly reminiscent of 2004. There is no Sam Dancer swagger here, but there is the sense these kids like to punch you in the mouth and like you to try and test them. It's "boring and colorless" defensive glory; the kind of stuff that warms a true football lovers heart. And here's the rub, I think Harrisburg on paper was a far more compelling offensive match for QND than Effingham is this week. That does not bode well for the Flaming Hearts. Harrisburg had balance and versatility. Effingham makes no real secret of its offensive intent and from all we've gathered, rarely plays against type. This is one of those pin your ears back and tee off kind of weeks. Offensively, QND has gotten the now-healthy Kramer Barnes locked in. His receiving corps is lights out right now (credit Kramer and Offensive Coordinator Joe Obert for eliminating any sense of "tendency passing" or locking into a single comfort level target) and Daniel Weiman is, well, Daniel Weiman. Enjoy the game Saturday folks and I am sure we will be in Apocalypse Mode next Saturday for a roadie to Rochester.

CONCORD TRIOPIA (9-1)

Last Week: 20-14 win over Mount Olive

This Week: vs Villa Grove

THE SKINNY: This was the ugliest, flattest Triopia Playoff Appearance we've seen since....well, last year's first round effort against Hardin Calhoun. And we all know how that storyline turned out, so lets not panic here. For whatever reason, the Trojans just don't seem to play very well in Week Ten. And credit where credit is due, Don Dobrino's final outing as Mount Olive's coach (after 45 years) was typically well designed and very well executed. The man still gets a ton out of his kids (few as they are this season) and MO found ways to give the Trojans some fits. I would guess, like last year, Triopia will be better for it this week against a Villa Grove team that at least one scout has told me might be among the weakest foes in the 1A Bracket. If Triopia can stop shooting itself in the foot offensively, the Trojans should be able to get Bradley Dinsmore and Clay Nordsiek back rolling on Saturday afternoon. The Trojans run game just seemed strangely off. Like a sports car with timing belt issues. The Triop Defense wasn't overly sharp in the second half either, but Andy Phelps' crew did post two huge stands in the red zone, including an inspired play from Kurtis Portwood on 4th Down at the 19 yard line that sealed the deal. Again, while I am sure Rich Thompson would love to just wipe the slate clean of Week Ten, the Trojans will be fine. History dictates. And the draw from here to the Final Four is very favorable with Villa Grove and then either of two surprising WIVC Squads (Calhoun/Routt) awaiting. Saturday was Triopia at its weakest and even then, nothing I saw leads me to believe this team is leaving the pool anytime soon.

ROUTT (7-3)

Last Week: 27-14 win over Lewistown

This Week: vs Calhoun

THE SKINNY: Forget Parker Lewis. Ben Heinemann can't lose. One of our very favorite kids in all of Tri State Sports has found a new identity as the "Slash" guy in Nate Graham's offense. He could line up anywhere at any given time. And Lewistown had no answer for him as he scored four touchdowns (two rushing, two receiving) and piled up 110 total yards of offense in the Rockets stunning upset. Better still, someone finally convinced Mark Grounds to cut the US OPEN Style rough at Kraushaar-Roenberger down and the Rockets get to put Heinemann and Mike Tonry in play tonight (with a state quarterfinals berth on the line) on the fastest surface they've seen all season. And wait, it gets better, Calhoun is the opponent. Talk about ready made, unexpected second round fun. We may well be getting a WIVC Round Robin on this side of the bracket for the next two weeks, with the winner likely battling Brown County for a trip to Champaign. I am flat out giddy.

CLARK COUNTY (11-0)

Last Week: 41-26 win over Mark Twain

This Week: at South Shelby

THE SKINNY: With the both the Brookfield and Twain victories, the Indians are answering any questions folks might have about their ability to weather adversity and win in tight quarters. Justin Alderton's darkhorse Player of the Year campaign continues to gather steam, with two more 140 plus yard rushing efforts. Right now, the kid is the premier workhorse back in Tri State Football and his physicality continues to serve the Indians well. Lost a bit in his success has been the quality of play from Clark's Offensive line, led by the savvy Neal Moon. Those bodyguards, however, will be put the ultimate test on Monday with a trip to Shelbina to take on Decker/Smith/Hughart in what clearly will be the game of the year (to date) in Northeast Missouri Football. With Shannon Hall still nursing a bad ankle, the Indians Defensive focus turns to a kid they know all to well from last season in Stefan Andress and the Cardinals two power backs in Will Mefford and Jordan Thompson. Generally speaking, run-oriented teams have had precious little in the way of success against Q. Hamner defenses over the past two years (which may help explain the current 26 game win streak) and South is going to have to counter the Indians run-blitzes and multiple looks up front with some kind of passing presence. Clark is also a team that can stand up to the wear and tear of a grind it out rushing attack, with Nathan Alderton leading a charge of spirited hitters. Methinks much of this matchup will come down how well the Clark County secondary negates big plays, like the late pass Alex O'Laughlin threw against Brookfield in the first half Wednesday that proved the ultimate dagger.

BOWLING GREEN (11-0)

Last Week: 45-15 win over Lutheran North

This Week: at Trinity Catholic

THE SKINNY: First ever playoff win in school history comes after the Bobcats fall down 7-0 early to Lutheran North. The most deflating aspect of that start was that the Bobcat defense blew an assignment and allowed North to score on 4th and Goal from the six on a quarterback keeper. Apparently, that punch in the mouth did not sit too well because the Cats responded instantly with a 75 yard Kick Off return for touchdown from Zac Pease and never looked back. Bowling Green is exceptionally balanced on offense these days, with Huntley Leverenz and Roger Walkley providing an outstanding 1-2 punch rushing the football. But again, it is the Bobcat Defense that has been most impressive of all. Matt Brown snared his 10th interception of the season on Wednesday. Geoff Correnti and Huntley Leverenz made tackles all over the field. Jeff Niemeyer forced a fumble. This unit has been absolutely phenomenal. Can it continue the run towards the Dome with a date Monday against Trinity Catholic and University of Minnesota recruit Marquise Hill, who is an absolute terror at running back. It is the biggest challenge yet for a team that seems to relish meeting challenges. (By the way, the second best part of the Bowling Green Football renaissance is that I got an e-mail last week from my favorite Bobcat of all time, former Mizzou Tiger Harold Hendricks, who passed along his well wishes to the Alma Mater. Here's to you, my friend)

SOUTH SHELBY (10-1)

Last Week: 34-7 win over Brookfield

This Week: vs Clark County

THE SKINNY: Coming off easily the team's most impressive win of the season, the South Shelby Cardinals might be the most dangerous Missouri Team in the local pool right now. The Cardinals hit a very stingy Brookfield team with two touchdowns in the waning minute of the first half Wednesday, including a 43 yard touchdown pass from Alex O'Laughlin to Stefan Andress to put the spurs to a very lively Bulldog squad. Hard to find anyone in on our area playing any better defensively right now, which given the presence of Brown County and QND in the poll, is certainly high praise for Zach Grassley's crew. So much of the attention has been focused on Shane Smith (your CCC Co-Defensive Player of the Year) and Ethan Decker and Levi Hughert up front, that it bares mentioning just what a phenomenal job relative newcomers like Jordan Thompson, Josh Hughart, and especially Will Mefford have done this year. Mefford has stepped into some of the biggest shoes in the region in replacing Bryce Johnston as the Cardinals "designated' impact linebacker (by the way, best line of the year goes to our man Chad Speaker at KRES RADIO for his reference to MSHSAA's all time leading tackler on Wednesday, who said that when Bryce Johnston was a Cardinal  he didn't  tackle, he "hunted." Kudos my man) Mefford made plays everywhere against Brookfield, including causing a pair of pivotal turnovers that killed any gathering momentum in Brookfield early on. To me, that is the amazing thing about this Cardinal team. When you are laying for guys like Hall, Andress, Smith and Decker, someone else steps up and punches you unexpectedly in the gut, Houdini-style. Last week against Mark Twain it was Jason Weaver. This week it was Mefford and O'Laughlin. If these guys replicate their efforts from Wednesday on Monday night, I like their odds of ending Clark County's reign...and perhaps even giving Centralia all they want next Saturday.

HANNIBAL (8-2)

Last Week: 37-12 win over FZE

This Week: at Helias

THE SKINNY: Pirate Defensive Coordinator Chris Nicholas has had one sneak preview and ten days to try and figure out the riddle of Helias' Speed Option. And point blank, Hannibal has to do a better job than it did on District Championship night of taking away the Crusaders bread and butter or it will be another long sad night for HHS at Pete Adkins Stadium on Monday.  This is not an easy task, even for a defense as gifted as the Pirates. Clint Distler has a unique, almost flat and vertical, style of pitching the football on the option, which gives his tailback Brad Wilson cut angles and at least two steps on the linebackers in any direction he wants to go. As I am not Rex Ryan, I don't know how you disrupt that flow, shy of finding a bunch of linebackers who can run a 4.3 Forty Yard Dash. My guess is that Hannibal's talent Defensive Line has to get better penetration and force Distler to get uncomfortable with those pitches, or punish him for keeping the ball. The thing I noticed is that Helias runs that speed option with such great rhythm and comfort (thanks to their offensive line keeping the skill guys so clean early) that it almost becomes the proverbial ball rolling down hill. Maybe run blitzes are the answer. I don't presume to know. But I do know Hannibal can match Helias offensively. Given my choice, I think Mark Nemes was the best skill kid in the game last Friday and the Crusaders struggled to keep the Hannibal Offense hemmed in, when it wasn't shooting itself in the foot with turnovers. The Pirates have not been great with ball security this season and against great teams like Helias and Harrisonville, you can't win if you are lossing the plus/minus battle by a considerable margin. Hold the ball Monday and I think Hannibal has a legit shot to win this thing in a shootout. Put the football on the turf and all of the Pirates hard work and considerable accomplishments this season will be rendered moot.

KNOX COUNTY (7-4)

Last Week: 34-20 win over Princeton

This Week: at Marceline

THE SKINNY: Playoff winners for the first time in nearly three decades, Knox County has become the feel good story of Northeast Missouri Football. With Keenan Gillaspy channeling Tommy Frazier in the option, Cameron Kirmse arriving as a feature back, and the Eagle defense finally living up to all its considerable potential, Knox County heads to "Disney World" on Monday to tangle with one of the nastiest defensive teams in the state. And Steve Ramer has got to feel like his crew has a fighting chance to pull the upset. Led by David Hinkle and Andy Greenley, the Eagle Defense is starting to get that punch-you-in-the-mouth swagger that really good playoff teams have. And quietly, the Eagle Offensive Line is allowing Coach Ramer to execute his masterplan of being so incredibly balanced on offense that it is impossible to key any one kid. Of course, it would probably help opponents cause a bit if they started shadowing Gillaspy's option keeper forays a bit better. That kid has an almost innate sense of when to tuck and run and he had another 80 yarder on Wednesday against a very salty Princeton defense. Again, Marceline is as good a Class 1 Foe as Knox has seen, but after tangling with Brookfield and Clark, Steve Ramer's crew should not feel the least bit intimidated. This is, despite anything else you've heard, a winnable game for Knox, provided the Eagles play to strength and hold on to the football. I've told you the last two years how much I like the potential of this defense and now that it is finally trusting in itself and its talents, this becomes a very dangerous cinderella foe....

PARIS (6-5)

Last Week: 42-14 win over St Vincent

This Week: at Valle

THE SKINNY: Wow. After looking left for dead by a potentially season-derailing Quarterback injury, Paris has been reinvigorated by the sudden start turn of fill-in signal caller Alex Thomas. Against traditional power St Vincent, all this kid did was was complete 66 percent of his passes for 216 yards and three touchdowns and add another 25 yard rushing touchdown too boot. And with someone to get him the football, Jon Gilliam has gotten a chance to play superstar again, snaring all three of those touchdown grabs. And the defense, which has been quietly solid all season long, is playing with a bigger head of steam. Tyler Dunlap was a holy terror against Perryville with 15 tackles. Bradley Unterbrink had 14. The Coyotes also feasted with seven quarterback sacks, including two from Ben Unterbrink. Is that enough to close the gap on Valle this week? That is a tall order, but one would have to surmise that Paris will be infinitely better and more confident in round two, coming off this level upset and performance on the road.

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PREPPING FOR BASKETBALL

QUINCY HIGH:

Rick Little's game plan against Morgan Park was spot on. The Quincy Defense made one glaring mistake in letting contain break down against DeRon Brown and the Blue Devil Offense made one horrendous turnover. Throw those two plays out at Gately Stadium last Saturday and QHS might still be alive. What more can you say about this 7-3 season except that it was the feel good story of the year in Tri State Football and Rick Little should be knighted or given a key to the city or honored in copper statute outside Flinn Stadium if that is what it takes to keep him on the Blue Devil sidelines into the next decade.

PITTSFIELD/GRIGGSVILLE PERRY:

Warning bells went off this week when I was talking to Don Bigley and he compared Pana's size to that of South Fulton, a team the Saukees struggled with early in the season. And those fears were confirmed when PGP's Offensive Line floundered early and the running game stagnated. Unlikely stat of the year: PGP held to just 118 yards of total offense. Heck, the Saukees were so flat, Coach Bigley had to resort to gimmickry (Devon Johnson Wildcat Offense) to get any kind of blood flowing. The sad irony here? That the Saukee Defense played one of its two best games of the last two years (trumped only by the CSE effort earlier this fall) Can't help but curse the timing here of PGP's rare offensive slump, because there was ample hay to be made on this side of the bracket.

CENTRAL-SOUTHEASTERN:

The Panthers scored 40 points on the road on Saturday...and still lost by 17. CSE's defense came into the postseason riding a terrific wave of momentum but fell easy prey to QB Ben Parra, who had 400 of the Sages 648 total yards through the air. Another solid building block season for Bill Reed, but the time for moral victories in Camp Point is over. This program desperately needs a playoff win.

PLEASANT HILL/WESTERN:

Heartbreaking loss for the Wolves on Friday night against Conference Tormentor Greenfield, which survived a 29 yard game winning field goal attempt from PH/W at the buzzer. Give Mike Giles credit here. First playoff appearance since 1998 and he changed the identity of his offense, successfully, twice during the season due to injuries. You also have to like how this team bounced back Defensively after an embarrassingly listless effort at Mount Sterling to start the year. Bottom line: the Wolves did their community proud and overcame some of those old stumbling blocks. And Joe Murano came back on Friday raving about the hospitality and renewed excitement around football in "The Hill" this fall, which bodes well for the future.

BPCA:

Sorry, but I am not sure yet emotionally stable enough on this front to talk about this loss to LeRoy. Nor can I look at my 1A Bracket without cringing.

MARK TWAIN:

Name me someone who did a better first year coaching job than Matt Hudson. I defy you. Tigers weren't fancy or flashy, but beat people with good old fashion technique and power in the trenches. And Steven Phillips is as tough a feature back, pound for pound, as we saw this year.

SCOTLAND COUNTY:

Brent Bondurant's crew finished with twice as many wins in the 2009 season as they amassed in the previous three seasons combined. Cody Taft and Kyle Shelley helped return the standard of excellence in Tiger Football and reminded the football crazed folks in Memphis just how fun the glory days used to...and that they aren't all that far out of reach.

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FEARLESS PREDICTIONS

Last Week: 21-7 (bracket busters aplenty with early ousters for PGP, BPCA)

Overall Record: 202 out of 231 (87% accuracy)

Illinois Second Round Games

EFFINGHAM 0

QND 24

MONTICELLO 17

ILLINI WEST 48

VILLA GROVE 6

TRIOPIA 44

TUSCOLA 6

BROWN COUNTY 18

CALHOUN 12

ROUTT 30

GREENFIELD 8

SOUTH FULTON 31

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Missouri Sectionals

CLARK COUNTY 14

SOUTH SHELBY 20

BLAIR OAKS 8

CENTRALIA 30

HANNIBAL 21

HELIAS 38

BOWLING GREEN 12

TRINITY 20

KNOX COUNTY 6

MARCELINE 30

PARIS 18

VALLE 30

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RANDOM MUSINGS

Quincy University Womens Basketball Coach J.D. Gravina has added his second commitment of the 2010-2011 recruiting class. She is Annewan All Stater Kelly Buresh, a six foot tall forward with both classic interior and perimeter skills. In 87 career varsity games, Kelly has averaged 19.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.0 steals , and 1.1 assists per game, and has shot free throws at 73.5% accuracy. She joins QND's Karlee Gengenbacher as a future Lady Hawk, the start of a very strong class. The Lady Hawks, by the way, open the season ranked 24th nationally in the USA TODAY/ESPN Division Two Poll.

Fingers crossed for a 4A Title Game between Quincy Notre Dame and Johnsburg. How much fun would a Barry Creviston/Bill Connell showdown be in Champaign? The QND skipper probably would not have to look far for an incendiary quote to fire his team up. Crevi delivers the best soundbite fun this side of Lane Kiffin. Johnsburg hosts Herscher this week in Round Two.