Latest local news, weather and high school sports for Tri-State area

Greetings all and welcome to Duerrisms for the Week of June 11th, brought to you by the good people at GAMEMASTERS. I know we have been away a while but unfortunately, trying to pull off my job and authoring a Football Preview magazine during the spring doesn't allow for much free time. We will be here the next three weeks, however, counting down to the DO or DIE BOWL, with all kinds of goodies for your enjoyment. We then break for our annual Summer Respite before returning in August with full fledged High School Football Coverage straight into Thanksgiving Weekend.

Tickets for the DO or DIE BOWL, which will take place Friday June 29th at Flinn Stadium in Quincy under the Friday Night Lights, are on sale now at the KHQA Offices and on line at ConnectTriStates.com. As a precaution, we have set Saturday, June 30th aside as a weather make up date. We will be talking plenty about the All Star Game in this column over the next couple of weeks but we wanted you to be aware you so you can save the date.

A reminder that OVERTIME goes on hiatus on June 30th for six weeks. It will return on Saturday, August 11th. In the interim, Ross Green will have you covered on Saturday Nights with a regular Sportscast at 10:20pm.

Also, I admonish you if you have not joined the Social Networking craze, do so. Particularly Twitter, which is where we are incredibly active in updating all the scores, rumors, and random musings that come to mind. The limitation of this column is that it is weekly. The joy of Twitter is that is is updated instantaneously, with all kinds of news you can use or may be of interest. A reminder that you can stream both myself (ChrisDuerr@Twitter.com) or Ross (KHQA_Ross@Twitter.com) for all the local sports info you need as it happens.

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KHQA/CELL TECH STUDENT ATHLETE OF THE WEEK AWARD

On Wednesday, June 6th, KHQA honored 33 of the most accomplished seniors in the Class of 2012 at our annual Student Athlete of the Year banquet at Quincy University. It is an event that has become one of my favorite days of the entire work year in that this program strikes closest to our core values: celebrating the good that young people do and the potential that they bring to our communities, even after their sports playing days are over. What I have found in the now seven years of doing this program is that for all the ills that plague young people in our society; all the problems that they must deal with, the good continues to far outweigh the bad in our communities and that we as adults should be incredibly hopeful for the future knowing that the student athletes of today are our future neighbors, leaders, and co-workers. The example they set is sublime and a reminder that all the qualities that made past generations great are still alive, vibrant and at play in our society today.

Part and parcel to that task, our independent committee of voters chooses one young man and one young woman from each respective class to stand as our Scholar Athlete of the Year. This year, we honored Quincy Notre Dame Basketball/Softball Star Tori Kuhn and Central High Three Sport Star Alex Walter with scholarships as our finest examples of the ideal of Student Athlete. And with an eye ahead on the future, we know that next October, a new class of stellar young men and women will step forward and renew our faith in this process and in our future. In that spirit, we thank you for all your help this season in nominating, recognizing, and celebrating the Class of 2012. And we hope we can count on all your continued assistance and pride in the future to make this program so very strong.

Past Scholarship Winners

2012: ALEX WALTER, Central High (Augustana)

TORI KUHN, Quincy Notre Dame, (Lindenwood)

2011: JACOB CONLEY, Central High (U.S. Military Academy at West Point)

DAKOTA FLESNER, Payson Seymour (Kishwaugee Community College)

2010: MICHAEL LAFFERTY, Illini West (Monmouth College)

TAYLOR BAXTER, Palmyra (Illinois State)

2009: MATT PATTERSON, South Shelby (Truman State)

CHLOE BARNES, QND (Ball State University)

2009: LUKE GUTHRIE, Quincy High (University of Illinois)

2007: KATELYN BASTERT, Illini West (Duke University)

2006: MIKAL BENECOMO, Clopton (Southeast Missouri State)

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FOOTBALL 2012

KHQA Preseason Position Power Ratings:

QUARTERBACK

Preseason Position Grade: B-

Position Overview: As a group, this is a reasonably good class with one proven superstar in Gabe Vandenberg in the mix at the top, a number of good to excellent prospects returning in key spots, and some emerging playmaker types (Austin Egley, Jack Hicks) on the horizon who could really rise if everything falls into place. On balance, this group isn't nearly as top heavy as the Class of 2011 was with Scott Kroeger, Dax Doellens, Seth Williams et al, but it looks to be deeper and broader. Interestingly, there are some very prominent programs (QND, Macomb, Palmyra, Clark County, Beardstown) that will enter the Summer with Quarterback battles brewing. With those variables in play, I am not sure where this group will ultimately shake out. I like the talent grouping here and the potential but I am reserving judgement beyond that until some of these X-factor kids prove the can get the job done or jump to the next echelon.

The Gold Standard: GABE VANDENBERG, Keokuk

The warmup act saw Gabe throw for 1900 yards on better than 50% passing as a junior. More impressively, he threw nearly five times as many touchdown passes (27) as he did interceptions. Bottom line, he makes plays and he doesn't make mistakes. Talk about your perfect trigger man for the high powered Chief Offense. He can beat you with his arm, his head, or his feet. All Gabe lacks is prototype height. He's the number one Quarterback on our board and I am not sure it's close behind him. Expectations are sky high for Mister Vandenberg, both in terms of name recognition and Keokuk's returning firepower. He's an easy kid to like

The Top Seven

2) GREG PITZER, Louisiana

Why He's Here: The Ricky Dobbs of Tri State Football as the pilot of Louisiana's new look Flexbone Offense and terrific with his feet after rushing for 900 yards and 13 touchdowns a year ago. Nice mix of tough and elusive in space. Accurate passer who is more effective then pretty with the ball, though that is a much smaller part of the equation here in Bulldogs ground based attack. Super smart kid who will win you games on sheer force of will. Gives you a high level of intangibles, toughness, and winner quality here.

3) ANDY MILLS, Jacksonville

Why He's Here: Returning 2K passers are hard to come by as are guys who complete better than 63% of their passes. Tends to get overlooked because he is a tad short, his numbers are those of a "system quarterback," and he has the luxury of playing with arguably the best group of assembled pass catchers assembled here since the 2007 Keokuk Title Run. I see the later two as no issue. I like the kid at QB (love him at DB actually) because he plays with bulldogged determination. Banking that a year's experience will help cull some of the risky passes and cut his interception rate. Hard not to a like a kid with this attitude in this situation surrounded by this talent.

4) DAVID HEATHMAN, South Shelby

Why He's Here: Proven Accuracy (54% as a rookie starter) and a window of opportunity. David was a kid who was quietly very successful last season throwing the football (1300 yards, 10 Touchdowns) and incredibly poised leading his football team. I have him as one of the three most underrated Football Players, at any position, in the entire Tri States. And as such, he also has Rob Wilt's full confidence and the likely prospect of a far more expanded role throwing the ball. He's got a security blanket returning in Wes Mefford and a terrific supporting cast on a Cardinal Offense that made it's way to the Dome last November. If there is a kid on this list who seems poised for a gigantic numbers spikes, it is Heathman.

5) TANNER HUDDLESTON, Concord Triopia

Why He's Here: Trigger man for what just might be the best football team in the Tri States this season. THudd put up some really impressive stats as junior, throwing for 883 yards, 17 touchdowns, and just three interceptions. I would love to see him get up to 100-115 passing attempts this season and truly diversify the Trojan Offense, but with so many good backs in play for Rich Thompson, Tanner may not get enough reps to be considered an "elite" quarterback. He is one of those kids who does a lot of things right, executes. Looks incredibly fluid running the football, carries out Jensen Jones level play fakes, and is now 11-1 as a starting varsity QB. Only knock against the kid: he had one bad game last season, but it just happened to be at the worst possible time, when he looked out of sorts vs Brown County in playoffs. Anxious to see his growth.

6) DALTON POWELL, Hannibal

Why He's Here: Experience, savvy, versatility and athleticism. He threw for 730 plus yards a year ago and may not get many more than than this season, given Mark St Clair's penchant for keeping the ball on the ground. But if Hannibal wanted to suddenly shift its philosophy to attacking more through the air, I am convinced Powell would be very good. He is accurate, even throwing the football on the run and has a sixth sense avoid rush pressure. I love how sharp Dalton reading the option and how he seems to unfailingly make the right read. Does a surprisingly good job for a quarterback getting the maximum extra yard after contact. He plays the game right and with natural football IQ. One of those kids I am always going to like more than his numbers; and I think, rightfully so.

7) AUSTIN EGLEY, Clark County

Why He's Here: Sue me but I am a sucker for any kid who makes every possession a pulse quickening thrill ride. There is no guarantee Austin will be the Indians starting quarterback as he is locked in a battle with Jayvin Ray. All I can tell you is that any time Egley is under center, he's a threat to tuck the ball and produce a 90 yard run that will adorn Sensational Seven. And he may even be better than Dax Dollens was a year ago when a play breaks down. The kid has "I am toying with you" speed and a strong, if not fully harnessed arm just yet. He has the potential of working his talents behind one of the best Offensive Lines in the biz and the Indians are absolutely loaded everywhere. Again, this is me just projecting but Egley unleashed might be the best Offensive Ticket in Tri State Football.

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The Next Level

JACK HICKS, Clopton-Elsberry

Spectacularly talented Wide Receiver moves under center to try and prove he can run area's highest octane passing game. If this works, it may work at an epically high level.

TIM WOODWARD, Brown County

Proven Winner who has to prove he is all the way back from a knee injury

SETH LEEZER, Central-Southeastern

See also, Woodward, Tim. Leezer showed some upside in his five game cameo, even more in practice

NICK LONERGAN, Routt

One of the best all around athletes in Tri State Football but will the Rockets have enough offensive weapons to help him?

BLAKE ROGERS, Monroe City

Had some growing pains a year ago but has the demeanor/skill set you like. Definite Most Improved candidate

COY DORTHEY, West Hancock

Just a hunch. Like the kid, like the spot, love the potential of the receiving corps.

CONNOR KELLE, Quincy High

Blue Devils have a talented, smart athlete on their hands here. Expect Rick Little to give him a much bigger hand in the offense.

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Compelling Situations:

PALMYRA: Cameron Nutt had a couple of games with monster numbers last season and looked like a burgeoning superstar with his run/pass ability. Now he's got the athletic Brock Butler to fend off in competition. Two deep, this might be the best situation in the Tri States. Unless it's your difficult job to sort it out. Best of luck, Kevin Miles.

QND: Matt Doane is heady, smart and accurate. Joe McCaughey has a howlitzer of an arm but isn't nearly as polished yet.

BEARDSTOWN: Saw both Gus Vermillion and lefty Jon Kramer on Saturday in 7 on 7 and thought both had real potential. To be honest, not sure Aaron Elmore can go wrong here. Both kids, who are underclassmen, have great growth potential

UNITY: Let the Reed Bentzinger era begin. I have no idea if he can even throw a football but I guarantee you no QB in the Tri States will level you any harder then the spicy hitting converted Linebacker.

ILLINI WEST: Don't sleep on the Chargers. Tim Lafferty has some intriguing weapons for next signal caller (perhaps Ethan Neally?) to utilize.

PLEASANT HILL: No one has bigger shoes to fill at QB this season than Mike Giles, going from Monmouth bound Matt Gunterman to question marks....

CENTRALIA: ....Except maybe Erle Bennett.

MACON: Tel Dye and Craig Smith will vie to replace unsung Dylan Perrin under center in Tiger Country

KNOX COUNTY: Donovan Edwards is a tremendous athlete. Time to see if he is a tremendous QB

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RANDOM MUSINGS

Few things in this business are more gratifying then seeing the young people we cover reach their dreams. Granted, for the most part, those dreams are of a more educational and vocational nature in our neck of the woods and that is fantastic. Does my heart good at every turn. But every so often someone from our area breaks through and finds their way to a Professional Sports Career, seemingly against very, very long odds. Luke Guthrie's professional golf debut at the Fed Ex St Jude's Classic this weekend was powerful moment for all of us who have been lucky enough to know this young man because it was truly a case of a wonderful thing happening to a wonderful person. And I can tell you from 15 years worth of experience dealing with the Guthrie family, no matter how good Luke becomes in the Game of Golf (Top 25 in his debut? Unreal) he will always still be a better person. He's just that kind of well raised, well mannered, well intentioned young men that we all secretly hope every one of our Sports Idols would really turn out to be. To be honest, all those years of watching Luke Guthrie and his friend/caddy Ryan Franks on the TSJGA Tour, at Pepsi Little People's, or just constantly practicing their game at Westview made seeing those two gentlemen on the CBS National Coverage hit home. It's a reminder that you can truly be anything you want to be in this world if you work hard enough. It's also a benchmark that when and if you get there, you carry the vicarious hopes and dreams of your hometown with you. And with young men like Luke Guthrie and Jack Cornell carrying the banner of Quincy right now, this town has so very much reason to be proud of these classy, accomplished ambassadors for our city.

As KHQA first reported, Bill Reed has been hired as the new Principal at Auburn High School, effectively ending what has been a wonderful run both as an administrator and football coach at Camp Point Central. When Bill took over Head Coaching duties back in 2008, Central was one of the most consistently disappointing programs in our area. Plenty of potential, little to show for it. In a four year run (three as head coach, one as assistant) Bill turned the Panthers into an area power, seeing the program to its first ever playoff victory in 2010 and playing Offensive Coordinator to an undefeated Conference Champion last fall. The program remains in great hands with Brad Dixon at the wheel, but Bill Reed's impact on Panther football can not be overstated. Class act coach and we wish him well on his new endeavor.

Speaking of Camp Point Central, the Southeastern co-op days are done for both Football and Baseball, effective 2013. As a source told me last week, the relatively small number of Southeastern athletes turning out for football has never justified the IHSA mandated enrollment boost the program had to absorb in carrying two schools, rather than just one. To wit, Central as a Class 2A football program in the playoffs makes more sense then Central-Southeastern as a 3A team for what has regularly amounted to the addition of or five or fewer kids from Southeastern. To be honest, I have no idea what dynamics caused the dissolution of the CSE Baseball program; only that on May 23rd Southeastern voted to go its separate way for baseball as well.

As we first told you last week, Quincy University has added some much needed local blood to the Football program. Former Monroe City All State Defensive Back Joe Chinn becomes the Hawks biggest name transfer since Wentric Williams entered the program. While Wentric's career at QU proved incredibly star-crossed, the anticipation with Chinn moving in from Northwest Missouri State is sky high. A Hawk source told me point blank of Chinn "he can help us from the start" though Joe will be coming off major knee surgery. Know this: Joe had no lack of landing options out of Maryville and one of the biggest reasons that QU landed him is that Monroe City Coach Tony DeGrave walked away from his dealings with Tom Pajic's staff incredibly impressed. In fact, I have yet to hear from anyone on the high school football coaching front who has had anything less than rave reviews for the new QU Football brain trust. It seems like local recruiting may be starting to de-thaw.

Kudos to Greg McVey and his team at Culver Stockton for the "re-brand" with the new Wildcat Logo. Does a new insignia or a new football uniform make you a better athlete or a better program? Of course not. But marketing truly matters in this world and if you don't think having the best looking helmet in NAIA Football (and yes, it is that well done. I have showed the picture to friends all over the country and the raves for C-SC Football's new look were unanimous and awed) wins you the hearts of 18 year old boys, you aren't paying attention. It's not cheap to change a look this radically and Culver ran the risk of offending "traditionalists" to some degree I guess, but McVey's vision might be the best money that institution has spent on sports in my memory

Great job by the way to both the Culver Stockton Football Staff and Hannibal High School in coming together to stage a one-day team camp at EA Porter Stadium. Nice for those six schools to come together at a more central location without having to meet the expenses of overnight camps and considerable travel to get some quality summer football on the books.

Missouri State is the latest Division One Football program to offer a scholarship to Macomb Offensive Lineman Nick Severs, who also has received

offers from Cincinnati, Ball State, Western Michigan, Western Illinois and Illinois State. His Bomber Teammate, Linebacker Brett Taylor, also has an offer from Western Illinois.

Beyond just the intra-Macomb recruiting prizes, the Leatherneck Coaching staff has been exceptionally active in courting one of the best local talent pools in memory. Apart from the known offers to Severs, Taylor and Jacksonville Defensive End Dalton Keene, KHQA has also confirmed WIU interest in QND Linebacker Nick Weiman, Beardstown Offensive Guard Rolando Luna, and Keokuk Offensive Lineman Alex Goss. I got a chance to watch both Weiman and Luna in person this past weekend at different camps. Nick is fully healthy and watching him work at Mizzou Camp was a reminder of what a natural tackler he is. If I was a coach, I'd simply tape Nick working and showing it to my kids as the fundamental template of how I want you to break down to tackle on every single rep. This kid is a walking textbook and I dare say the best football player in the lot of the Weiman boys, no small compliment. Luna's viewing came in no-contact drills at the Triple Option Summit in Beardstown and I can tell you he certainly looks the part of a Collegiate Guard; one of the most stoutly, thickly build kids I've seen in our area since Matt McGhghy. If Rolando plays with fire and mean streak on every rep, he can write his own ticket.

The aforementioned Keene, aka The Yeti, has BCS Offers from Cincinnati and Central Michigan at this point. His Crimson teammate Blake Hance could well extend this run of recruiting goodness into 2014 as one of the nation's fastest rising tight ends. Make no mistake about, it with Keene, Hance, and the electrifyingly fast Reggie Bratton, Mark Grounds will have some serious pass catchers in play this season.

The 2013 Recruiting Pool may get even deepers as we go along with Keokuk QB Gabe Vandenberg, Hannibal's Caleb Bieniek, West Central Tight End Corey Barnett, and Macon Running Back Taquan Kelly emerging as very viable college targets in their own right.

There had been some rumors and speculation about Unity Football Coach Karl Asbury perhaps moving up the coaching ladder this off-season to a bigger school somewhere. Those rumors can now be put to rest as Karl has been hired on as a teacher at Unity and is confirmed to return to the Mustangs this Fall, which should be a huge relief for all involved with that program. By the way, hat's off to the man for the unbelievable job he did with Payson Seymour Softball this season. The Lady Indians provided what my have been one of the most enjoyable storylines of the year with their unprecedented trip to state. To be honest, I am hard pressed to remember a game I enjoyed covering more in the last few years than the Lady Indians thrill-a-minute Semifinal victory over Tuscola.

Late Football recruiting roundup from 2012 if you missed it: Pittsfield/Griggsville Perry Wide Receiver Dillon Butler is bound for McKendree. Meanwhile, Monmouth continues its annual cleanup of local talent with the additions of QB Matt Gunterman of Pleasant Hill and Brown County Stars Austin Gooding and Alex Sheppard. Illinois College dipped into Northeast Missouri for the first time in the Garrett Campbell era to snare Knox County Linebacker Jon Harder.

MacMurray has cleaned up in Baseball Recruiting this season with quality gets out of Griggsville-Perry in Ison Smith and Brock Rumple, both of whom have really nice upside going forward. Rumple is a powerhouse kid who may be a better collegiate player than he was a prep.

John Wood Basketball has signed heady Illini West Point Guard Jack Bastert.

Sounds like both DeAngelo Dean, the Blue Devil superstar and Quincy Herald Whig Basketball Player of the Year, and his brother Tomas are going to end up playing College Basketball together at Lincoln Land. If I am Lincoln Land, I am think this is a good time to start a Football Program as well. And yes the Matthew Duesterhaus/Dean combo dunk at the end of the McDonald's/Quincy Herald Whig Classic on Saturday night was one of the best highlights I've seen from that vaunted All Star game in my 16 years in the Tri States.

After a stellar high school baseball season, Canton is cleaning up on the postseason Awards circuit. Catcher Tyler Niemann and Pitcher Austin Hoewing were honored this past weekend as First Team Class 1 All State picks at their respective positions by the Missouri Baseball Coaches Association. Outfielder Brandon Berhorst was a second team honoree.

Western Illinois University has signed former Illini West and current John Wood Baseball star Zach Burling to a Division One Scholarship.