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Believe it or not its already Wednesday of DO or DIE BOWL Week, which means full contacts practices are in the book and it's nothing but polish and shine before Friday's Eighth Annual High School Football All Star Game. This will be my last practice report of the week, brought to you Duerrisms Style by the fine folks at GAMEMASTERS. Thursday night, I will try my hands a writing a prediction for the outcome.

IMPORTANT GAME NOTE: In an effort to make DO or DIE BOWL VIII more comfortable for both our Players and Patrons, we are pushing back the start time one hour on all events. Which means gates now open at 6:30pm and kickoff will take place at 8:00pm. With the Weather Forecast being what it is, we wanted to do our best to get the game and the fans out of the sun. For those of you not familiar with Flinn Stadium here in Quincy, the field is actually very well shaded when the sun moves far enough to the West and that will make the playing and spectator conditions far more enjoyable. Tickets remain on sale for eight dollars in advance at the KHQA Studios up until Friday at 5pm. They are ten dollars at the door. As a student discount of sorts, we reduce the price to $7 for those who show up sporting a local high school football jersey. And as always, our DOD Bowl alums get in free of charge, provided they wear their jerseys. Also a reminder that Baltimore Ravens Offensive Lineman Jack Cornell will be in the house for the game. This might be a really good time to get an autograph or a photo with Big Jack.

I can assure you, it is a fantastic time for all involved and well worth the trip to Quincy to be entertained by some really great football and some gracious hospitality. Hope to see you there. And if you can't make it over, remember to tune on the web or the radio to our partners at KRES, WCAZ and KHMO for full coverage from guys who do an outstanding job calling high school football games.

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Day Three Camp Diary: West Squad

Roster Additions: Tony DeGrave added some depth to his defense since last we saw him with the additions of Brookfield Linebacker Jordan Bradley and Keokuk Defensive End Dalton Jensen, who both had to miss workouts earlier in the week due to work commitments. Jensen was particularly sharp in his debut on Wednesday, showing great energy and enthusiasm and quickly turning the heads of the West Coaching Staff. After making three consecutive tackles in the inside run drill, DeGrave started referring to Jensen as "The Midweek Surprise." I think Dalton was having more fun than anyone and told a member of the coaching staff that he sincerely regretted not being able to be in practice the first two days. Make no mistake, he will be a factor in this game.

Stealing a Page from Chip Kelly: The West Offense has taken its play calling cues from the University of Oregon and has taken to using signs with pictures of various pop culture icons, pro sports figures, and, ahem, KHQA News Personalities on them to signal in specific calls to Quarterbacks Seth Williams and Scott Kroeger. I can't divulge much more, other than the fact that you are not going to want to miss the Tegan Orpet Play.

Linear Equations: Clopton-Elsberry Quarterback Scott Kroeger said it best when he quipped "I feel sorry for Macon for not throwing more." Jakeb Linear has been a revelation this week a wide receiver and has as many big plays as anyone. In the two practices I have seen, I think he has dropped a grand total of one pass. Offensive Coordinator Ryan Watson vowed at the beginning of the week that Jakeb might have more pass receptions in the Do or Die Bowl than he had in his entire career with the run oriented Tigers. Linear has been eating up the reps and has really shined with his ability to make plays in traffic.

Future Teammates: West Practice has been an early meet and greet not only for Coe College's future pass catching tandem of Seth Williams and Kevin Jennings, but as well for a pair of Illinois College Defensive "building blocks for the future" in Knox County's Jon Harder and Macon's Tyler Shoemaker. Harder is playing out of position at Defensive Tackle this week but his non-stop motor and low center of gravity have made him essential a battering ram against the interior line. Shoemaker is one of those "straight out of Central Casting" Defensive Ends who I know Garrett Campbell is very high on coming in as well. IC has been making a killing by bringing in tough, smart kids. Both these guys certainly fit the bill.

Codename Strawberry: My resident Monroe City coaching insider Jamar White has been all smiles this week in getting to coach higher end players. The guy is a very keen talent evaluator and his highest praise has been reserved for three West Players in particular. Jamar's assessment of Clopton/Elsberry Quarterback Scott Kroeger (who is now committed to Lindenwood) was on point: that his uncommon ability to free himself in space makes him very special at Quarterback. Defenders never quite know when to break down to tackle Kroeger on the run because he is so good at stutter-stepping away from contact or, in an instant, flinging the ball 40 yards down the field effortlessly when you think he can't get rid of the rock. Coach White says he's actually gotten to the point where he isn't surprised in practice after three days by any play Kroeger makes; that he thinks that highly of him. He was also mightily impressed with Scotland County Defensive Back Brock Bondurant, who he worked with individually as the Secondary Boss. Coach White says that Brock compensates for his lack of blistering straight line speed with athleticism and smarts and loves his size at Safety. The other head turner? Keokuk Wide Receiver Kevin Jennings, who has apparently caught everything thrown his way this week. Jamar was particularly inamored of a poorly thrown pass Jennings caught vertical to the ground earlier this week. So if you are looking for three names to watch out for, these are guys who now carry the "Strawberry" seal of approval.

Wish I Had a Dollar For Everytime I Heard the name DeAngelo Dean today. Clearly these guys are watching one another. Scott Kroeger probably had the best line, saying on camera that he met Dean at the KHQA GRIDIRON PLAYBOOK photo shoot last year, liked the kid, and hoped he'd remember him fondly and not hit him too hard on Friday. Quality stuff...

Who Impressed: Still marveling today and all week long at the running ability Quarterback Seth Williams has shown. He doesn't look that fast until he decides its time to tuck the ball and go. And man does he hit a seem. For all the celebrated Wide Receivers in this game, still not sure I'd take anyone over Matt Loter. Bowling Green Linebacker Cody McClain made two huge plays today in run support. The Tri County Conference's finest Defensive Backs, Bondurant and Knox County's Leighton McCabe, each made nice interceptions. McCabe's was actually of the one handed variety. Palmyra's Blayne White made the catch of the day on a ball he juggled six times before eventually securing inches from the ground. And I think Hannibal's Kaleb Whalen might be the most underrated Defensive Player for either team in this game.