Rock Island Today

With a string of consecutive winning seasons stretching back more than a decade, Sterling is used to a certain level of football excellence.

This season doesn't promise to break that streak, as 12 players with starting experience are back from last year's 8-3 campaign.

“We've got a lot of experience coming back,” Head Coach Jon Schlemmer told Rock Island Today. 

The Golden Warriors defense looks strong again after allowing fewer than 16 points per game in 2015. Senior linemen Treay Martin and Brady Hall and senior safety Turner Morse were All-Northern Illinois Big 12 picks last season.

On offense, Schlemmer said the team will be a bit green up front, as well as at quarterback. Junior Trey Morse and sophomore Alek Duran will split snaps at that position.

The running-back corps is led by returners Latrell Vaughn (634 yards) and Andrew Spaulding (540 yards) and will be bolstered by the addition of Nyrel Sullivan, who rushed for 762 yards last season at Dixon.

 

FULTON

Head Coach Patrick Lower, entering his 10th season leading the Steamers, said in an email interview with Rock Island Today that he likes the depth of his team. He also likes the experience returning from last year's 4-5 squad.

“We have a veteran group coming back with juniors that saw a lot of time last year,” Lower said. “I believe our kids will be up for the challenge each and every week no matter who we are playing.”

The list of returners includes several two-way players: lineman Kyle McLuckie, running back/linebacker Cole McClary, wide receiver/defensive back Tyler Paulline, and running back/linebacker Austin Rash. Returning offensive players include quarterback Tyler Sweenie and fullback Michael Piddle, while lineman Blake Dornbush returns on defense.

 

ERIE-PROPHETSTOWN

Three starters are back from last year's 4-5 team.

Kody Wetzell is back to start at running back and free safety. Lineman Ryan Jaquet returns to start for the offense, while Nathan Pierscon is back at defensive end.

Newcomers expected to make an impact include running back/linebacker Conner Riley, running back/linebacker Drew Misfeldt, split end/defensive back Kerrick Cameron, lineman James Stratton and defensive end/tight end Justice Youngberg.

 

ALLEMAN

The Pioneers went 3-6 last season and will look to start strong after dropping their last six games in 2015.

Among the top returning players on offense is Brian Morrissey, who had 45 carries for 219 yards, 13 catches for 247 yards and 36 points.

 

UNITED TOWNSHIP

Top returners from last year's 2-7 season include quarterback Jeanluc Soglohun, defensive back Demariye Carpenter, running back James Johnson, lineman Kaleb Goodlow, and linebackers Givon Alonzo and Elisha Sackett.

Newcomers who could make an impact include offensive linemen Brian Kindhart and Braeden Battin, defensive backs Anton Ranson and Bobby Neal, wide receiver Neicko Williams, and running back Cody Freeman.

“We have great speed and ability at our skill positions and are extremely youthful at our offense and defensive-line positions,” Head Coach Joe Morrisey said.

 

MORRISON

For the Mustangs, who went 3-6 last season, five starters from last season are returning.

Quarterback Dylan Keller, who had 826 passing yards and six touchdowns, is back, as are center/defensive end Ben Vanderlaan; tackle Brandon Meier; linebacker Cody Southern, who had 57 tackles; and guard/linebacker Thomas Ottens, who had 52 tackles.

“Varsity participation numbers are back up to an acceptable level; this has allowed us the opportunity to create more competition in practices,” Head Coach Cory Bielema said. “We hope that this will translate to a more consistent effort on the game field.”

 

MOLINE

Only a few starters return out of 18 returning lettermen from last season, which saw the Maroons go 5-5.

Defensive back Ladji Diallo is the lone starter back on defense, while offensive linemen Jalen Davis and Jason Fly saw some time in the starting lineup in 2015.

“We are extremely inexperienced,” Head Coach Michael Tracey told Rock Island Today in an email interview. “We will be a mystery team. I do not know if that is good or bad.”

 

NOTE: Not all area coaches returned information before this story went to press.