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  Expectations Are High On Offense at Dee-Mack

  The offense at Deer Creek-Mackinaw (Dee-Mack) last season was pretty explosive, averaging 28.5 points/game in the rugged Heart of Illinois Conference (3rd in the league). Many of the starters on that potent offense are back this fall. "With most of our starters returning, our expectations are high on that side of the ball," head coach Job Linboom said.

  Leading the way at the skill positions is Brandon Evans (Jr. FB), who was the leading rusher in the HOIC, with 1,041 yards and 14 touchdowns. Evans became the first Chiefs sophomore in the program's history to run for 1,000 yards in a season. Chris Janssen (Sr. RB) rushed for 6 touchdowns and 535 yards.

  Max Seibert (Sr. QB) is back under center, following a record setting junior campaign. Seibert completed 65% of his passes a year ago, and had a 3-to-1 touchdown to interception ratio. He was also a first team all-conference Punter.

  A multi-threat athlete, Matt Krause (Sr.), scored a touchdown on the ground, through the air, and receiving in the same game twice last season. He earned all-conference honors at Quarterback, Defensive Back, and Kicker. Krause was a perfect, 6-6, on PAT's in a, 42-41, win over Flanagan-Cornell/Woodland, and was (13-15) on the season. At the wide receiver position, Krause enters his senior season in 3rd place on the school's career receiving yards list. Last season, he threw for 385 yards, had 331 receiving yards, and totaled 15 touchdowns.

  Other returning players on offense are; Logan Stoops (Jr. G), Adam Vandervort (Sr. OT), Robert Ford (Sr. TE), Brandon Stiers (Jr. TE), Zach Hild (Jr. QB), Luke Lowery (Sr. OT), Dalton Neumann (Jr. RB), Danny Maurer (Jr. RB), Stevie Maurer (Jr. RB), Drew Leverenz (Sr. RB), Charlie Busse (Sr. C), Eli Hicks (Sr. FB), and J.R. Lester (Sr. G). Lester was an all-conference honorable mention as a sophomore, but missed all of last year with a torn ACL.

  Filling in the defense will be; Brandon Evans (LB), Chris Janssen (DB), Adam Vandervort (DE), Robert Ford (DE), Zach Hild (S), Luke Lowery (DT), Dalton Neumann (DT), Danny Maurer (LB), Stevie Maurer (LB), Drew Leverenz (LB), Charlie Busse (DT), Eli Hicks (LB), and J.R. Lester (DT). We gave up over 30 points per game on defense (last season). How well we can improve on that side of the ball will determine how successful our season is."

  There are also some promising newcomers to the varsity this upcoming season. Rashard Booker (Sr. RB/DB), finished 6th place in the 100-meter dash, and 3rd place in the 200-meter dash in last spring's HOIC meet. Austin Andrews (Jr. RB/LB) took 3rd in the 100-meter dash in the conference meet. Darren Schrepfer (Jr. G/LB) is the strongest player on the team, according to coach Linboom. Other newcomers will be; Chance Bukowski (So. C/DT), Mitchell Campbell (So. OT/LB), Joey Stiers (Sr. RB/DB), and Brandon Jackson (Sr. G/DT).

  As always, the Heart of Illinois Conference will be tough, and each team that qualifies for the playoffs will be battle tested. "The conference race is wide open. Last year's top teams, including Lexington, Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley, LeRoy, Heyworth, Fisher, and Tri-Valley, all have major holes to fill after graduating outstanding senior classes." Last year, Lexington went undefeated in the HOIC, and advanced to the Class 1A state championship game. Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley advanced to the state semifinals last year. Other members of the league are; Flanagan-Cornell/Woodland, Fieldcrest, El Paso-Gridley, Tremont, Colfax Ridgeview, and Farmer City Blue Ridge. In all, 8 of the conference's 13 teams made the playoffs.

  Losses from last year's Chiefs team include three time all-conference Center, Brian Rokey, along with three year starter, Ben Mickna (G). Other losses to graduation are; David Weed, Jacob Robertson, Stephen Davis, Drew Mitchell, Ben Danielson, Justin Cotelleso, Jacob Wall, and Jeremiah Thacker.

  Linboom is in his fifth season as head coach at Dee-Mack, where his coaching record is (15-23). This is his 10th season as a football coach. His assistants are; Andrew Hofer, Kyle Weyeneth, Kevin Hill, and John Pacotti.

  Dee-Mack opens the season with two games, hosting El Paso-Gridley and Downs Tri-Valley in weeks one and two, respectively.