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  Raiders Coming Off First Back-to-Back Appearances in Playoffs

  One year after making just the program's second appearance in the IHSA Playoffs, the Raiders were back playing in week 10. East Peoria is still seeking the program's first-ever postseason victory. It will be a tall task with limited experience returning. Only four starters return on offense, and the entire defense will all new, with no starters returning.

  "We have a lot of unanswered questions, especially on the defensive side of the ball," head coach Doug Martin says about the upcoming season. Andrew Wallace (5'10" 175 Sr.) will be back leading the offense at Quarterback. "Team will have to rely on (Wallace) as it gets its sea legs," Martin added. Brad Long (5'11" 200 Sr. C) will once again be snapping the football to Wallace. The other two returning starters are on the offensive line. J.D. Jones (5'9" 265 Sr.) and Sam Friedrich (6'3" 235 Jr.).

  Vying for the remaining spots on offense will be; Adam Somner (6'4" 205 So. WR), Justin Beamer (6'2" 185 Sr. WR), Tyler Giebelhausen (6'0" 170 Jr. WR), Cody Riley (5'7" 165 Sr. RB), Trevor White (6'0" 220 Sr. TE), Caleb Horn (5'10" 165 Sr. WR), Michael Thompson (5'11" 195 Fr. RB/WR), and Jake Hornung (5'9" 175 Jr. RB/WR).

  All eleven positions are open on defense. Among the contenders at those spots will be; Rocky Boyer (6'1" 200 Jr. LB), Lucas Joseph (6'2" 215 So. LB), Austin Brown (5'11" 185 Sr. LB), Brett Baize (5'9" 215 Sr. DE), and John Cunefare (6'1" 230 Sr. DL).

  East Peoria always has a challenge playing in the Mid-Illini Conference. "Metamora is always the team to beat with Washington right there. Dunlap is on the rise and Morton, Limestone, Canton, and Pekin are all reloading with good young coaches."

  Several Raiders football alumni are playing college football this fall.
  

  • T.J. Trau (TE/DE) at Coe College
  • Shane Moses (WR/DB) at Coe College
  • Bryce Colvin (RB/LB) at McKendree College
  • Steven Tyler (OL/DL) at Wisconsin-Platteville
  • Stewart McGinnis (FB/LB) at Millikin University
  • Caleb Eckhoff (QB/DB) at Eureka College
  • Paul Nash (OL/DL) at Eureka College
  • Jeff Petersen (RB/DB) at Wartburg College

  Doug Martin has been the head coach at East Peoria for four seasons, compiling a, (13-25) record, and two of the three playoff berths in school history. Martin started his college football career as a Quarterback/Wide Receiver at Ohio Northern University in 1996-97, then transferred to Illinois College for two seasons.

  Assistant coaches at East Peoria are; Josh Johnson, Brian Iossi, Brad Powell, Kevin Vedell, Jake Yocum, Zach Fleming, Brandon Laesch, Ben Zoss, Justin Yang, Gary Beard, Graylin McLeod, Jon Haeffele, Steve Albritton, and Byron Yang.

  According to IHSA records, the longest coach in East Peoria history was Clarence Allison, who guided the Raiders for eight seasons, from 1941 to 1948.

  Three East Peoria Raiders teams won eight games (1967, 1972, 1973). All seasons prior to the playoff system was introduced by the IHSA.