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  Tuscola a Favorite to Win Back-to-Back State Championshipsn

  The 2009 Tuscola Warriors football season mirrored the movie Varsity Blues in one way. Starting Quarterback and division-one recruit Jud Weinke (6'3" 225 Sr.) goes down with an injury and misses nearly all of the season. Phillip Meyer (5'10" 165 Jr.) stepped in and helped lead the Warriors reach the a Class 1A state championship game. A tale comparable to the Lance Harbor/Jonathan Moxon story line in the previously mentioned 1999 film.

  Weinke is back for his senior season, and has offers from Western Michigan, Central Michigan, and Memphis, so far, despite snapping the ball in limited action during his junior season. In last year's state championship, he was 12-24 for 165 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception.

  Meyer returns after earning first team all-conference honors at quarterback and receiving the offensive MVP in the Warriors program. He completed 122 of 221 passes for 1,573 yards, 15 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. In the ground game, he finished with 896 yards on 218 carries and 7 touchdowns. Meyer rushed for a touchdown in the, 14-7, state title win over Lexington.

  One of their top targets returns, in Pat Yoakum (6'0" 160 Sr. WR). Yoakum finished his junior campaign with 33 catches for 376 yards and 3 touchdowns. Yoakum broke out in the state championship game, catching 8 balls for 106 yards and a touchdown. Another receiver returning is Cody Shelmadine (5'9" 160 Sr. WR). He totaled 33 receptions for 403 yards and a touchdown.

  Returning on the offensive line are; Jack Leonard (6'2" 225 Sr. C), Trace Quinn (6'0" 225 Sr. OG), and Kolby Clough (6'2" 185 Sr. OL). With a number of returning starters, the Warriors will still have some spots to fill. "We hope to improve every day, do our best on and off the field, and let the chips fall where they may," coach Rick Reinhart said.

  Yoakum was Tuscola's defensive MVP and first-team all-conference pick in the Okaw Valley, finishing with 32 solo tackles and 18 assists. T.J. Onstott (5'8" 165 Jr. LB) earned first-team all-conference honors after totalling 43 solo tackles and 65 assists, to go along with 4 sacks. Josh Brookins (5'8" 180 Jr. LB) finished with 10 solo tackles, 28 assists, and a sack last season. Chase Little (5'9" 160 Jr. DL) and Cody Shelmadine (DB) are also returning starters on defense.

  Tuscola faces four playoff teams from last season, and two of those teams (Tolono Unity and Maroa-Forsyth) advanced to a state championship game, while another (Moweaqua Central A&M) made a run to the quarterfinals. "Normally you could say you have an advantage because you have playoff experience and played in a big game. With our schedule, we play top programs every week. Each week, if you have a weakness, they will find it -- as coaches we have to find a way to fix it," Reinhart said.

  That tough schedule isn't just against Class 1A competition. Maroa-Forsyth went to the Class 2A state championship game, and Tolono Unity played in the Class 3A title game. "As a fan watching Tuscola football, it would be awesome, because every week you're playing the best teams in the state in 1A, 2A, and 3A. As a coach, it's going to be a sleepless couple of months."

  Three of the six teams in the blue division of the Okaw Valley Conference qualified for the postseason in 2009. Tuscola, Moweaqua Central A&M, and Maroa-Forsyth each went (4-1) in the division. "The Okaw will be tougher than ever. Central A&M will be the team to beat, because they have more people back than anyone in our division. Maroa-Forsyth, with the new transfer, will be in the hunt again as they have been the most consistent program in the conference. Argenta-Oreana, Warrensburg-Latham, and Macon Meridian will all be better."

  Rick Reinhart has spent 33 years as a head football coach. His first coaching stop was in Fairfield, where he led the Mules to 42 wins from 1975-1988. He spent 18 seasons at Bethalto Civic Memorial (99-77), and a season at Alton Marquette (6-4) in 2007. He is entering his third season at Tuscola (18-7). His overall coaching record is (166-145) and is a member of the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Reinhart walked on the University of Illinois football team and earned a letter in 1973 as a long snapper and offensive lineman. He graduated from Tuscola in 1970.

  Assistant coaches are; Andy Romine, Pat Pierce, Ted Minger, Stan Wienke, Ryan Hornaday, and Deon Chester.

  Stan Wienke, Jud's father, coached the Warriors from 1994-2007, leading Tuscola to a pair of state championship game appearances, including a Class 1A state title in 2006. He left Tuscola for the state of Iowa to follow his other son, John Wienke, who plays at the University of Iowa. His coaching record at Tuscola is (136-28).

  According to the IHSA record book, Tuscola's football program dates back to 1895, when the team went (0-1) under head coach Breeden.