The 2018 high school football season has flown by, and when the Friday night lights go on this week, it’ll be the last time many high school seniors play football. Not so for the seniors involved in our Super Nutrition Red Zone Game of the Week. We shine the spotlight on two playoff-bound teams, playing for third place in the Mid Illini Conference: 6-2 Dunlap at 6-2 Morton.
Both Morton and Dunlap have responded with winning streaks after both dropped back-to-back, mid season games to the top two Mid Illini teams, Washington and Metamora. Both will be looking to fine tune their games in hopes of making a deep playoff run. Both teams are back in the playoffs, making statements that their programs are not one-hit wonders.
Last year, Dunlap flew through the season unbeaten before losing the Class 5A state title game. This year, the Eagles still field a strong defense, lead by seniors like Josiah Miamen, Connor Rockow, Shane O’Brien and Derek Passmore. Quarterback Myles Burke returns to run the balanced offense, a year after going down with an early injury in the state championship game.
For Morton and new-ish head football coach Tim Brilley, the Potters are back in the playoffs for the second straight year. Last year’s break through squad featured a stellar offense, and most of the key parts returned this season, making it one of the best offenses in the area. The triple-headed monster of quarterback Nolan Donald, running back Tag Grampp and receiver Jarrett Crider have again ripped through opposing defenses with an explosive, quick-strike ground attack.
Join us for the pregame show, beginning at 7 pm Friday with coaches intervew from Brilley and Dunlap’s Brett Cazalet. Kickoff’s at 7. Former large school Peoria Journal Star prep writer Aaron Ferguson joins me in the booth, as my partners Tony Johnson and Tom Meredith will both be out of state. And Jason Glick will produce and help track all the area scores, including teams on the playoff bubble like Notre Dame, Peoria High and I.V.C.
The Red Zone Game of the Week is sponsored by Super Nutrition. Super Nutrition is a local business on Willow Knolls Drive in Peoria that specializes in the sale of health, wellness, vitamins, and sport nutrition products. Tune in Friday on Peoria’s home for classic rock and football, 95.5, GLO.
Doc Watson
