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PIGSKIN PREVIEW TEAM CAPSULE
Taylorville Tornadoes
COACH: Jeb Odam (27-31, 6th season at Taylorville)
2014 RECORD: 10-2 (5-1 Apollo)
POSTSEASON: Lost to Sacred Heart-Griffin in Class 5A State Quarterfinals (63-14)
TOP RETURNEES:
Alec Grizzell OL 6'1 230
Jimmy Barry DB 6' 170
Brett Langen LB 6'1 185
Tucker May DL 6'1 210
Parker Stokes DB 5'11 185
BIG LOSSES:
Tanner Champley QB all conference
Thomas Snyder DL/OL all conference
David Gideon DB all conference
Dominic Fallin OL all conference
Keane Rogers LB- all conference
WHAT THE TORNADOES DO WELL: “Play defense,” simply stated head coach Jeb Odam. “Those guys are pretty stout, starting with Tucker May up front, he’s going to create a lot of havoc." With Brett Langen and Evan Champley on the outside of the defensive line, paired on the back end by returning defensive backs Jimmy Barry, Parker Stokes and Tanner Thomason, the Tornado defense will be something that most teams will say, “they did well” when they are finished playing the Purple and Gold.
TAYLORVILLE QUESTION MARKS: How does one team replace the talent and athleticism of Tanner Champley? They don’t, but Odam said that’s not the only question mark on offense for the Tornadoes. “Tanner was a great player, but we only bring back one guy on the offensive side of the ball.” Senior hurler Blake Heimsness will be under center this year behind a completely fresh offensive line besides Alec Grizzell, with a new back field and only one receiver who caught passes on occasion last year in Cole Owens.
WORTH NOTING: Taylorville lost 22 seniors from last year’s historic run, which as Coach Odam says “was a blessing last year.” The Tornadoes Apollo schedule doesn’t start until the middle of September, so they’ll have some time to prepare for conference action with some early tough tests. “If we can come out and play well in week one against Mt. Vernon, then we go from there. Getting a lot of new faces the confidence to play varsity football is going to be key."
COACH ODAM SAYS: “I lie awake at night trying to figure out…we have the pieces but how will they fall into place. They are tired of hearing about last year, this is a brand new team, new seniors and it’s their time,” explained Odam, "Vacation, basketball, baseball is all done, it’s football season and it’s time to put those whispers about last year to bed."
| Date | Time | H/A | Opponent | Opp. Record |
Opp. Enroll. |
| Aug 28 | 7:00 | H | Mt. Vernon (H.S.) | 0-0 | 1186.00 |
| Sep 4 | 7:00 | A | Bartonville (Limestone) | 0-0 | 1050.00 |
| Sep 11 | 7:00 | A | Rantoul | 0-0 | 737.00 |
| Sep 18 | 7:00 | A | Salem | 0-0 | 729.00 |
| Sep 25 | 7:00 | H | Mt. Zion | 0-0 | 712.00 |
| Oct 2 | 7:00 | H | Effingham (H.S.) | 0-0 | 784.00 |
| Oct 9 | 7:00 | A | Charleston | 0-0 | 791.00 |
| Oct 16 | 7:00 | A | Mattoon | 0-0 | 1021.00 |
| Oct 23 | 7:00 | H | Chillicothe (Illinois Valley Central) | 0-0 | 674.00 |
