It’s always good to get some new blood infused to the Peoria area high school football hierarchy. That’s what’s happening in the Mid Illini Conference race this year with the ascension of the Morton Potters, or Hogs, if your prefer.
Second-year head coach Tim Brilley has Morton at 4-0 for the first time in years after coming over from Decatur St. Teresa, where his teams made the IHSA state playoffs four of five seasons. Morton invested in their field and facilities and now has a Class 5A, state-ranked team that grounds and pounds its way to 50 points a game.
4-0 Morton at 4-0 Dunlap is our main Red Zone Game of the Week presented by Illinois National Bank Friday night, with the pregame show starting at 7 pm. Former Illinois starting lineman and Peoria Pirates longtime assistant coach Tony Johnson and I have the call in this crucial, mid-season Mid Illini game.
Morton’s productive running game features QB Nolan Donald and RB Bradley Getz, while Jarrett Crider provides a great outside threat. Dunlap is known for its fast, athletic defense. Luke Bennyhoff, Charlie Mangieri, and Isaac Guyton lead the way for the Eagles.
Dunlap is off to its best start since 1993, when the Eagles began 5-0. Morton’s off to its best start since 2004, when the Potters opened 6-0.
Our secondary game features Peoria High at home, where the Lions outscored Notre Dame last week (Tom called much of the second half live), 82-80, in one overtime, thought to be the highest-scoring Illinois high school game in a contest where both teams scored.
Tom Meredith will be at the Stadium for the third time this season already, calling the 2-2 Lions game with 3-1 Bloomington, led by former PND coach Joe Walters. This Big 12 game kicks at 7:30 this Friday, due to it being the second half of a high school doubleheader there. Manual hosts Champaign Centennial at 4:30 Friday afternoon.
Hear the pregame with coach’s interviews at 7 O’clock Friday night. Seven-year veteran studio producer Jason Glick tracks down all the area scores. Out of area or can’t go? Listen online here or with your smart phone by downloading our free phone app. It’s the Red Zone Game of the Week presented by Illinois National Bank on Peoria’s home for classic rock and football, 95.5, GLO.
Doc Watson
