Football: Morris sets its sights high

Updated: August 19, 2011 9:04PM

The outside of the press box at Morris High School prominently lists each year the Redskins have been in the state playoffs since they first qualified in 1979.

An unofficial Morris football website has a colorful “Opening Night 2011” graphic, including Minooka and Morris helmets facing one another.

Although a roadside sign entering town touts Morris as the home of the Grundy County Corn Festival, football remains king.

“You don’t have to be here for more than a few days to figure out football is the big deal in this town,” Morris coach Alan Thorson said. “Not only to the kids working their butts off, but also to the parents and the everyday fan. They live and die Redskin football.”

Thorson is starting his second year as coach after directing the sophomore program for five seasons. Morris was 6-4 in 2010, including a first-round playoff loss to Bishop McNamara.

“It ended early,” Thorson said of his first year. “That’s the only thing we were upset about.”

With quarterback Austin Feeney returning to direct the offense and linebacker Hunter Barry back to inspire the defense, the 2011 season could end much later. Feeney and Barry were All-Northern Illinois Big 12 East selections in 2010.

“We’ve been working hard since the end of last season,” Feeney said. “We can’t wait.”

Feeney threw for almost 1,400 yards last year and can run the ball as well. Jake Paulson returns at wide receiver. Other targets will include Jake Ruettiger and Danny Friend. The backfield will feature running backs Greg Struck and
Reese Sobol and fullback Jeff
Perry.

“Austin’s been my quarterback for three years in a row,” Thorson said. “Next year it’s going to be tough losing him. He works hard on and off the field. He’s a vocal leader for us. We’re hoping he’s going to take us pretty far.”

All-Conference tackle Jimmy Pelnarsh will anchor an offensive line that includes juniors Craig Claire, Preston Miracle and Addison Shannon.

On defense, returning starters are Barry, Pelnarsh, cornerback Mitch Yard and safety Will Terry. Linebacker Nik Countryman and Friend had a strong playoff game off the sophomore team. End Anthonee Monson and juniors Jake Hogan and Perry in the secondary also will start this year.

“The level below us has been playing well the last few years,” Barry said. “They’re just as strong as us and they’ve got some good speed.”

Morris will find out quickly how it measures up, playing Minooka and Richards the first two weeks.

“Minooka is going to be a great game,” Barry said. “The stadium is going to be packed. They have the good running back, Kalvin Hill. But our defense will be good.”

“It’s going to be two really tough games,” Feeney said. “I know Minooka is getting a lot of praise right now. They’re ranked. Then we have to go to Richards. We know they’re a great program and have a ton of speed.”

After games against Streator and Ottawa, Morris starts its East Division season Sept. 23 at Yorkville and finishes Oct. 21 at home against defending champ Kaneland.

“The team with the bull’s-eye on their back again is Kaneland,” Thorson said. “They’re a talented group.”

All-Conference quarterback Ryan Bartels will make Sycamore a contender again and Thorson expects Morris to be in the hunt as well.

“For my first year, making the playoffs was a good start,” Thorson said. “But we definitely have higher expectations from here on out.”

2011 SCHEDULE

Aug 26: Minooka, 7:30 p.m.

Sep 2: at Richards, 7:30 p.m.

Sep 9: Streator, 7:30 p.m.

Sep 16: at Ottawa, 7:30 p.m.

Sep 23: at Yorkville, 7:30 p.m.

Sep 30: Sycamore, 7:30 p.m.

Oct 7: at DeKalb, 7:30 p.m.

Oct 14: Rochelle, 7:30 p.m.

Oct 21: Kaneland, 7:30 p.m.

© 2012 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed without permission. For more information about reprints and permissions, visit www.suntimesreprints.com. To order a reprint of this article, click here.