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Wed. Oct 23rd, 2024
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Sangamon Valley among 16 playoff-eligible teams in Springfield

By L. Dreeye
Sangamon Valley among 16 playoff-eligible teams in Springfield

Bill Welt

Springfield State Journal – Register

NIANTIC — Niantic Sangamon Valley’s Wing-T offense tore through the Villa Grove defense en route to its first playoff appearance since 2016.

The Storm (5-3) totaled more than 300 yards and then celebrated a 34-14 victory over the Blue Devils in head coach Carl Spath’s third season at the helm.

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Junior running back Jaeger Hill and junior running back Hunter Martin combined for 210 yards and four scores. They are projected to make the Class 2A playoffs. They finish the regular season at Nokomis Stadium (5-3) on Friday, with playoff pairings to be announced Saturday at 8 p.m. It can be viewed on WCIX-49.1 (MyNet) or free online at the NFHS Network website.

“The Wing-T offense has evolved phenomenally over the last couple of years, from our blocking on the offensive line to our quarterback and wide receivers,” Martin said. “If the whole team doesn’t understand what this offense is doing, we won’t be able to score the points that we do.

“This offense is one of the best I’ve ever been a part of. I’m glad we work this way.”

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Sangamon Valley, which is affiliated with Tri-City Buffalo, was 11-47 over the previous seven seasons.

“We’ve spent the last couple of years perfecting this and how we want to use it,” Spath said of the Wing-T. “We’re not perfect at this, we still have some work to do, but overall we’re very happy with where we are now. We’ll just keep working and getting better.”

Spath also praised the team’s senior management.

“They’re just proud of their school,” Spath said. “Jaeger Hill, Wyatt Lappe, Gage Schafer—every one of them means the world to us.”

Here are the other teams eligible for the playoffs in Springfield, starting in Class 6A. Teams with six wins advance to the playoffs. The playoff forecast is based on the updated IHSA playoff forecast and is subject to change.

Chatham Glenwood (6-2)

Playoff prospects: 6A

What you need to know: The Titans can clinch at least a share of the Central State East Eight Conference title with a win over Springfield High. East co-leaders Normal U-High (at Lanphier) and Rochester (against Sacred Heart-Griffin) are also in the game. Last week, Glenwood beat SH 34-31 in overtime thanks to Mia Gerger’s game-winning field goal. Junior running back Grady Mueller also posted a 98-yard kick return in addition to 140 yards and two touchdowns, potentially giving the offense an extra dimension in the playoffs and complementing junior quarterback Colten Knodler and his arsenal of receivers that includes senior Gavin Simmons. and Mason Neumann.

Next: v. Springfield School

Springfield School (5-3)

Playoff prospects: 6A

What you need to know: The Senators lost back-to-back games against Sacred Heart-Griffin (35-7) and Rochester (51-21) after qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in three seasons. Junior QB Brodie Scheffler threw a 64-yard pass to Jayden Wilson to get within 21-14 of Rochester in the third quarter before giving up 30 unanswered points. Scheffler had a productive season, completing 124 of 198 pass attempts for 1,893 yards and 16 touchdowns with four picks. Junior receiver Cale Thurman also had 58 catches for 832 yards and seven scores.

Next: in Chatham Glenwood

Sacred Heart-Griffin (5-3)

Playoff prospects: 5A

What you need to know: Tom Davis’ game-tying 50-yard field goal was overshadowed by Mia Gerger’s game-winning kick in SHG’s overtime loss to Chatham Glenwood. The Cyclones were just one yard away from scoring a touchdown in the extra period. Sophomore QB Cam Brinkman set up Davis’ field goal attempt. He completed 15 of 27 passes for 165 yards and one touchdown in addition to 60 rushing yards. Senior running back Trent Caldwell also sparked the game, rushing for 102 yards and just nine scores.

Next: in Rochester

Jacksonville (5-3)

Playoff prospects: 5A

What you need to know: The Crimsons made the playoffs for the third time in the last four seasons with a 53-13 victory over Decatur MacArthur after a dominant performance. Senior La’Marion Williams had 175 yards and two touchdowns, and freshman Jeremiah Jackson had 152 yards and a score on eight attempts. Jacksonville gained nearly 600 total yards. Williams leads the team with 756 yards and 11 scores, while Jackson follows with 542 yards and four touchdowns.

Next: in Lincoln

Rochester (6-2)

Playoff prospects: 4A

What you need to know: The defending Class 4A state champions held on despite losing a pair of defensive backs to injury: Brian Zulauf and Eli Carlson. Junior Tanner Beal and sophomore J.P. Leonard found success last week en route to a fourth straight victory and moved closer to a share of the CS8 East title. In the win over Springfield High, Beal was 8 of 10 for 192 yards and Leonard was 9 of 11 for 149 yards. Senior Mason Jacobs has been a top target this season, with 38 catches for 484 yards and six scores. Coach Derek Leonard last week stressed the team needed to be more consistent rather than in spurts after securing victory with 30 unanswered points.

Next: vs. Sacred Heart Griffin

Taylorville (5-4)

Playoff prospects: 4A

What you need to know: The Tornadoes earned a scoreless Week 9 win over St. Louis TDW Academy of Missouri to earn a playoff spot after winning three straight games against Effingham (42-41), Mattoon ( 21–7) and Charleston (35–23). Senior quarterback Baron Odam has thrown for more than 1,300 yards and 14 touchdowns with three interceptions in eight games.

Next: TBD

Williamsville (7-1)

Playoff prospects: 3A

What you need to know: Williamsville’s performance picked up another notch in a 28-21 victory over then-ranked Maroa-Forsyth in Class 2A to clinch at least a share of the Sangamo Conference title. The Bullets, who also knocked off previously undefeated New Berlin in Week 7, can win it outright with a win over Pleasant Plains. State running back Braddock Cates has already rushed for 1,235 yards and 15 touchdowns, while senior Gage Paul and junior Matthew Miller have also stepped up in the backfield, combining for 665 yards and 11 scores.

Next: in Pleasant Plains

New Berlin (7-1)

Playoff prospects: 3A

What you need to know: The Pretzels secured their first playoff berth since 2015 and bounced back with a 34-7 win over Athens, led by senior running back Clark Nelson, who rushed for 216 yards and four touchdowns. That pushed Nelson to 1,001 yards and 17 scores this season.

Next: in Maroa Forsyth

Pana (7-1)

Playoff prospects: 2A

What you need to know: The Panthers have secured their ninth straight playoff berth (excluding the COVID-19 spring season that canceled the playoffs) and can clinch a share of the South Central Conference title with a win over Staunton. The same thing will happen to Greenville (vs. North Mac) and Vandalia (at Litchfield) this Friday. Senior quarterback Wyatt Kyle continued his hot season, passing for 366 yards and three touchdowns with one pick in a 41-21 win over Litchfield. He threw for nearly 1,500 yards and 14 scores with just three interceptions, along with 241 yards and six touchdowns.

Next: v. Staunton

North Mac (6-2)

Playoff prospects: 2A

What you need to know: The Panthers secured a playoff berth with a stunning 29-28 overtime victory over Bubble Staunton. Senior running back Roark Lewis made the game-winning two-point conversion and totaled 122 yards on 25 carries. North Mac last made the playoffs from 2019-22, but Robbie Howard’s first season at the helm saw him go 1-8 with just one senior, marking another successful rebuild under him. management after previously leading Beardstown to the playoffs.

Next: in Greenville

Rushville Industry (7-1)

Playoff prospects: 1A

What you need to know: The Rockets are on the verge of posting their most wins since a 9-3 win in 2006. Rushville can clinch at least a share of the Lincoln Trail-Prairieland Minor Conference title with a win over Astoria South Fulton after defeating top-ranked Princeville 34 to 21. Senior Brady Downs led the way with 111 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries while as juniors Sebastian Berthoud and Rylan Reimolds combined for 155 yards and a touchdown. The trio combined for 2,395 yards this season. Reimolds leads the group with a team-high 942 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Next: in Astoria South Fulton

Jacksonville Routt (5-3)

Playoff prospects: 1A

What you need to know: The Rockets bounced back from two straight losses with a 41-20 win over Greenfield/Northwestern. The Rockets can certainly pose problems in the playoffs with their prolific passing game led by senior quarterback Kellen Creviston, who is 147 of 232 (63.4%) for 2,436 yards and 28 touchdowns with 10 interceptions.

Next: in Carrollton (Saturday, 1 p.m.)

Nokomis (5-3)

Playoff prospects: 1A

What you need to know: Nokomis has lost three straight games to Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond, Sullivan/Okaw Valley and Toledo Cumberland, all teams with at least six wins.

Next: vs. Niantic Sangamon Valley

Pawnee (8-0)

Playoff prospects: I8FA

What you need to know: Pawnee is one of the last two undefeated teams in the 8-man Illinois Football Association and is currently considered the top seed among the 16 teams. The two-time state polo champion (2019 and 2021) is projected 2-for-8. -0 and reached the semifinals the last two seasons before falling to eventual champions Biggsville West Central and Amboy. Pawnee outscored opponents 289-85 in eight games.

Next: vs. Milford (Saturday, 1 p.m.)

Kincaid South Fork (5-3)

Playoff prospects: I8FA

What you need to know: The Ponies are currently projected to sit in 13th place after reaching the play-offs for the second time in a row last season. Last year’s seven wins were the most in program history since 1994.

Next: vs. St. Anne’s (Saturday, 1 p.m.)

By L. Dreeye

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