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  Mercer County Aims For School's First-Ever LTC Football Title

  Despite (Aledo High School) making a move to the Lincoln Trail Conference in 2006, the Golden Eagles will be gunning for their first-ever championship in the league. When the former Aledo Green Dragons joined the Lincoln Trail, the conference was affiliated with the West Prairie Trail mega-conference.

  Mercer County will have its hands full in league play, though. "Stark County is the team to beat, United and Annawan/Wethersfield will also be very tough," head coach Nat Zunkel said. Zunkel enters his second season as head coach of the Golden Eagles.

  Last year's team finished, 8-3, with a loss to Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley (60-19) in the 2nd round of the Class 2A playoffs. The team lost to Stark County (26-19) and Illini West (49-14) in the 2009 regular season. Under the guidance of prolific passing Quarterback Brett Anderson, the Golden Eagles scored over 36 points/game.

  Anderson graduated, so Mercer County will have a new signal-caller, which appears to be, Luke Boucher (5'11" 155 Sr.). Boucher will also handle the kicking duties. Tanner Matlick (6'0" 150 So.) could also contend for the starting job. Michael McClellan (5'10" 160 Sr.) and Austin Skiles (5'5" 135 Sr.) return to the backfield. McClellan had 61 carries for 472 yards last season, while Skiles rushed for 246 yards on 23 carries.

  Nearly 1,000 yards in receiving returns, with three Wide Receivers back in the mix. Tanner Benson (6'1" 175 Sr.) caught 31 passes for 573 yards. Shaun Peterson (5'7" 130 Sr.) had 10 receptions for 155 yards, and Cale Muske (5'7" 145 Sr.) caught 18 passes for 170 yards.

  Other returnees on offense are; C.J. DeSpain (5'8" 155 Sr. FB), Brandon Dixon (6'0" 155 Sr. WR), Cameron Muske (5'7" 140 Sr. WR), and Tanner Dunn (6'1" 185 Sr. OL).

  Newcomers vying for time will be; Cody Paxton (6'1" 250 Sr. OL/DL), Jake Boucher (6'0" 160 Jr. TE/DL), Troy Brock (6'0" 165 Jr. OL/DL), Steven Gipson (6'2" 240 Jr. OL/DL), Chris Hedrick (5'9" 230 Jr. OL/DL), Derrick Morford (5'9" 145 Jr. RB/LB), Brent Rillie (6'0" 215 Jr. OL/DL), Alex Robinson (6'0" 155 Jr. WR/DB), Caleb Wheeler (5'11" 200 Jr. OL/DL), Caleb King (5'8" 145 So. RB/LB), Tanner Matlick (6'0" 150 So. QB/DB), Landon McIntosh (5'8" 165 So. RB/LB), and Zach Nelson (5'6" 145 So. RB/LB).

  Defensively, Tanner Dunn will line up on the defensive line, and Tanner Benson will be at Defensive End. C.J. DeSpain, and Michael McClellan will be at Linebacker, and the secondary will consist of, Brandon Dixon, Cale Muske, Cameron Muske, Shaun Peterson, and Austin Skiles.

  Michael McClellan, Tanner Benson, and Tanner Dunn were all named to the West Prairie Trail Northwest Division all-conference team.

  Nat Zunkel was the head coach at Mattoon for one season prior to taking the Mercer County job. His overall coaching record is (10-10). Zunkel played football at Illinois Wesleyan.

  Assistant coaches at Mercer County are; Brian Dennison, Brian Adams, Bob Stockham, Jeremy Adolphson, Jeremy Finch, Eric Russell, Andy Russell, Dennis Mellgren, and Dennis Runbom.

  Mercer County/Aledo has made 14 consecutive trips to the IHSA postseason.

  Aledo won state championships in (1998, 2001,& 2002). The Green Dragons appeared in state title games in (1988, 2005, & 2006).