Additional Info

• Mascot: Silver Streaks
• Team Apparel Store: Team Apparel Store
• Pigskin Region (Area Code): 309
• IHSA Profile Page: IHSA Profile Page
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  Silver Streaks Trying to Cross that Playoff Bridge

  The past three seasons in the Galesburg football program have been painstakingly frustrating come week 10. After back-to-back, 5-4, seasons and watching the playoff bubble burst at the end of the regular season, Galesburg dropped a win off of that total in 2009, finishing 4-5.

  One big problem a season ago was a case of the fumbles. In their Western Big 6 conference game at Quincy, the Streaks fumbled the football on three consecutive posessions, resulting in three Blue Devil scores. "Ball security was an issue for us last year, for us to be successful, we can't fumble the football," head coach Wes Olson said.

  It is a promising season for the Streaks, with a veteran-laden lineup. "This team is senior dominated. The success of our team depends on how well our seniors set the tone and lead in a positive fashion." One of those seniors is a lineman getting quite a bit of Division-1 interest, Ryan Ricketts (6'4" 290 Sr. OL). Rickets was a first team all-conference selection in the Western Big 6. He, along with Austin Finley (6'3" 285 OL) will be returning starters, protecting starting Quarterback Andrew Steck (5'11" 180 Sr.), a three-year signal-caller. Rob Jackson (5'10" 180 RB) returns to the backfield, and was the team's leading scorer last season.

  On defense, Ricketts will lineup on the defensive line, along with first team all-conference selection, Kevin Heard (6'2" 275). Austin Finley is also back on the d-line. Cole Spinks (6'0" 210 LB), Jared Carl (6'4" 200 LB), Andy Holloway (5'10" 175 DB), and Chaz Benton (6'0" 170 DB) are also returning starters.

  Newcomers that will see the field this fall will be sophomore running back Travon Diggins, who shined at the sophomore level last year. As a freshman this past spring, Diggins finished 12th in Class AA in the Long Jump at the state finals. Nathan Mlines (Sr. WR) and Drew Carlson (Jr. LB/RB) will also see time.

  Rock Island is the perennial league favorite in the Western Big 6, and that doesn't change this year. "Rocky will be the team to beat, along with Alleman and Moline," Olson says. Quincy and United Township are also in the league, and UTHS is riding a 26-game losing streak heading into the 2010 season.

  Wes Olson is entering his fifth season as the head coach at Galesburg, which will also be his last. It was announced at the end of the 2009-10 school year, that he will resign as football coach at the end of the upcoming season, to concentrate on his administrative role at the school. His coaching record is (14-22). He played on the offensive line at Monmouth College.

  Assistant coaches are; Randy Menewether (Freshman), Brad Swanson (Head Freshman), Craig Luptak (Freshman), Jake Miller (Head Sophomore/Quarterbacks), Tom Hawkinson (Outside Linebackers), Roy Gully (Defensive Backs), Shawn Hickey (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers), Nick Young (Defensive Line), Jay Barshinger (Running Backs), Nate Sibbing (Wide Receivers), and Derrick Blackwell (Linebackers/Running Backs).

  Galesburg's last playoff appearance came in 2002 (5-5) under head coach Zach Shay.

  The program has never won a playoff game (0-6).

  Two of last year's losses were by a touchdown or less.

  Football field is named after former head coach C.C. VanDyke. He guided the Streaks from 1940-1971. His record at the school was (139-79-10).

  According to IHSA records, the 1907 Galesburg football team went, (6-0-1).