Top-ranked Warriors hope to make title run with wide-open passing attack; Derek Shay, Cerro Gordo turning heads.
By Troy Hayes, Decatur Herald & Review
Special to MaxPreps.com
CASEY, Ill. – Without a bruiser at tailback on the Casey-Westfield High football roster, coach Keith Sinclair decided it was time for a change in the Warriors’ offensive philosophies.
Funny, considering the tremendous success the school had enjoyed in Sinclair’s previous seven years.
But with a catch-it-all receiver in senior Zack Briggs and a tall, strong-armed sophomore quarterback in Mitch Snyder, Sinclair opted to spread the offense out two seasons ago. The results have been undeniable.
“We wouldn’t have done it if we hadn’t had good seniors at receiver,” Sinclair told Decatur Herald & Review sportswriter Justin Conn. “And we wouldn’t have done it without someone like (Snyder) at quarterback.
“But with his talent and his youth, we thought it was a good time to make the switch,” added Sinclair, who is entering his 24th season.
Snyder is sure glad he did.
“The spread suits me a lot better,” said Snyder, who threw for 2,150 yards — 2,045 to Rhoads and Taylor Biggs — and 23 touchdowns last season. “I’m not really athletic enough to run the sprint-out plays that were in the old offense. In the spread, I’m tall enough (6-foot-2) to see over the line and I really like taking snaps in shotgun.
“There was a lot of pressure on me. It was a lot of responsibility. But I’ve had the players around me to help make it work.”
Casey averaged 23.3 points in 2006, the first year of the switch. That’s almost 12 points under what the Warriors were used to scoring. They went just 7-2 in the regular season but advanced to the semifinals.
Then with a stronger commitment to the offense, as well as a fortuitous transfer (Aaron Rhoads) from Paris, Casey jumped back to 35.6 points per game in 2007 and went to the semifinals again.
With nearly everyone back, the Warriors, who have two straight semifinal appearances under their belt, are hoping this is the year a trip to Champaign ends their season in 2A.
Shay, Cerro Gordo Turning Heads
The spotlight continues to brighten on the Broncos of Cerro Gordo. The return of a fistful of skill players, along with the presence of All-State lineman Derek Shay, has Central Illinois buzzing about coach Paul Workman’s chances of making a title-game run.
Shay, a 6-foot-5, 265-pound dominator, is a beast on both sides of the line. His athletic ability and good grades have college scouts circling the tiny town outside of Decatur.
“There’s been quite a bit of interest (from colleges),” Shay said at a combine earlier this summer. “It’s picking up a little bit. That’s been fun, to open the mailbox and see letters actually addressed to me.”
Class 1A-3A Preseason Top 20
1. Casey-Westfield (2A) — Almost everyone back from semifinal team.
2. Dakota (1A) — Lost a little speed but can still get up and down the field.
3. Columbia (3A) — Graduation can’t affect the great coaching.
4. Galena (1A) — Stout state champs reload for another run.
5. Auburn (2A) — Big fellas up front will clear way for speedsters.
6. Unity (3A) — Sub-par year by Rockets’ standards have them ready.
7. Mt. Olive (1A) — Running game in fine form for the Wildcats.
8. Morrison (2A) — Late loss in ’07 can’t keep the Mustangs down.
9. Salt Fork (1A) — Defensive excellence will always be there for Storm.
10. Du Quoin (3A) — C’mon, another year, another great Indians team.
11. Lena Winslow (2A) — Speedy Panthers will bounce back from 5-5.
12. Jacksonville Routt (1A) — Lots of talent back for a terrific coach.
13. Cerro Gordo (1A) — A year into new system and Broncos are nails.
14. Oregon (3A) — Big returns in football equal huge dividends.
15. Greenfield (1A) — Quarterfinal loss has the Tigers working harder.
16. St. Teresa (3A) — Another year, another 2,000-yard rusher.
17. Aledo (3A) — Speed kills and the Green Dragons are lethal weapons.
18. Elmhurst Immaculate Conception (2A) — Tough conference means tough road ahead.
19. Spring Valley Hall (3A) — A so-so 2007 (5-5) kicks up the intensity.
20. St. Joseph Ogden (3A) — Nearly knocked off state champ Plano last season.
Troy Hayes covers central and southern Illinois for MaxPreps. He may be reached at thayes@herald-review.com
