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Prep Confidential

Changing of the guard

Posted by: Marcus Jackson

Saturday, September 6, 2008 12:00 AM

In recent years, Tuscola and St. Joseph-Ogden dominated the area small-school football scene. Both reached their respective state title games in 2006 and Tuscola backed up its 2006 state championship, with a runner-up showing last year.

Expectations coming into the season were tame for each and both took a good pounding Friday. Tuscola falling to rival Unity 30-7 at home and SJ-O losing at home to Stillman Valley 44-25.

That's not to say each can't rebound abd have a great season, but state title appearances are not likely for the two programs that were killed by graduation.

Unity on the oher hand, another traditional power that had been down in the past couple of years, based on their standards might be back on the rise.

Chris Ault is the area's premier dual-threat quarterback and might have a shot at passing for 1,000 yards and throwing for 1,000.

Ault and the Rockets took solace in beating the Warriors on Friday after the John Wienke-led Tuscola squad went to Tolono and beat the Rockets last year.

"It feels good, Ault said. "We came in here with a chip on our shoulder."

Some observations from Week 2.

— Andrew Brewer is still running wild for Mahomet-Seymour. The senior might crack 2,000 yards if he keeps this up. He backed up last week's 261-yard rushing performace with another 162 in a win at Marshall.

— Fisher is for real. The Bunnies topped another tough opponent in Tremont on Friday thanks to senior Colten Unzicker's efforts. The four-year starter ran for 149 yards and three scores for Matt Leng's squad. Unzicker chipped in 11 tackles from his linebacker positionThat Week 9 matchup against arch-rival Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley — a 27-6 winner against Lexington — might decide the Heart of Illinois.

— The Little Okaw might be up for grabs. Cerro Gordo/DeLand Weldon was expected to run away witht he crown, but after the Broncos dropped a 10-7 decision to Farmington, VIlla Grove might have something to say about who wins the league.

— St. Thomas More can win the Sangamon Valley. The Sabers have yet to allow a point this season and are scoring points at a fever pitch. A 43-0 win over Bismarck-Henning in the opener, followed by a 41-0 win over Schlarman on Friday has Dan Hennessey's team thinking big things.

Hope you enjoyed the Week 2 action and made it out to a game. Be sure to grab The News-Gazette on Saturday for the full report on all the Friday night happenings.

If you can't get enough high school sports, we're the place for you. Fred Kroner will conduct another chat Thursday at noon, so get your questions in. Fred, Tony Bleill and myself will update our weekly Podcast this Wednesday and be sure to check out our section throughout the week for more prep coverage.

Good night!

mjackson@news-gazette.com