Duerrisms rates the Tri States' top Trench Warriors

Greetings everybody and welcome back to Duerrisms. Good to see all of our loyal readers return in droves last week. Appreciate the resurgence of interest and your patronage of the column. I know three months is a long time to wait but for sanity's sake, your friendly neighborhood Sports Director needs a break. Rest assured, however, we will be here for you every week from here until Thanksgiving from here on out, thanks to the patronage of our friends at ADVANCE Physical Therapy. Don't forget, the ADVANCE folks are pulling double sponsorship duty the next few weeks with the KHQA Barnstorm Tour set to start hitting a football camp near you Monday Morning. Be sure to check this site for frequent Camp Musings from Tyler Fulghum and yours truly on your favorite teams as countdown to Christmas in August begins.

Be sure to join us on OVERTIME this Saturday (10:30-11:00pm) when we unveil our picks for the KHQA Softball Coach and Players of the Year, plus preview the Western Illinois Leatherneck Football season.

Still no firm date yet on the arrival of the 2008 GRIDIRON PLAYBOOK, but the target is August 22nd or so at a sponsor near you. We promise to get them out quickly so you can get caught up on all your preseason reading before opening night. Funny story, I actually had a phone message on my voicemail from an assistant coach at Augustana who wanted a copy of this year's book because it helped him recruit our area. Who knew? If any of you kids get a scholarship off the sweat of my brow, I expect my kids to receive great tickets and autographed jerseys when you hit the NFL.

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FOOTBALL 2008

KHQA POSITION RATINGS: RANKING THE DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

TACKLES

1. JIMMY HOLTSCHLAG, QND

He has a growing list of Division One Colleges salivating over his potential at Offensive Tackle, but we are not ranking kids here based on their college potential. We are evaluating high school performance. And to my mind, Holtschlag's greater impact is felt disrupting the opposition from his Defensive Tackle position. Jimmy is an absolutely gigantic kid at 6'6" and 325 pounds. He is also, as we saw at the Illinois Combine, an athlete; wowing scouts with both his sustained strength in max-rep bench press and his freakish ability to run 40 yards at right at 5.0 at his size. An NFL Offensive Line prospect is considered exceptional if he pegs 5.1 at the Draft Combine. Still, I am not sure even that 40 time does him justice. He anticipates snap counts and invades Offensive Line splits as quickly as kids on this list who weigh 100 pounds lighter. Given that size/speed equation, there might not be a half dozen Offensive Linemen in the entire Midwest who can thwart that kind of line surge one-on-one. Last year, Holtschlag finished with 11 tackles for loss and watching him work over double teams at Mizzou Camp, I would anticipate he gets even more work in Opponents backfields this Fall. The thing I like most about Jimmy is his demeanor. Off the great linemen Bill Connell has had at 10th and Jackson, Holtschlag has far and away the best nasty streak. He has that natural edge to him that made Linebacker Sam Dancer so great. You don't have to coax it. As good as Jack Cornell and Trevor Frericks were in their senior years, Bill Connell had to convert them from athletes with big bodies into "football players." Max Dancer might be the most skilled technical blocker this area ever sees, but his brother Sam was constantly in his ear to inspire him. Jimmy Holtschlag doesn't need that from anyone. He just likes to punish the guy across from him and its obvious he enjoys his work. That makes him a very scary man for opponents. His mere presence makes everyone around him better as well. I guess if you forced me to find something to quibble about, Jimmy could probably benefit from expanding his arsenal of moves off the football; but that is more future markets stuff. At this level, Holtschlag can bull-rush all day and no one is going to stop. In that aspect, he might be the most dominant kid in Tri State Ball.

2. CORI SETH, Clark County

The centerpiece of the best Defensive Line to come our way since at least the Lamar Kelly/Jesse Knowles Carthage crew, Cori Seth is a 280 pound beast of a Defensive Tackle. A returning All State selection, Seth led the entire Tri States in tackles for loss last fall with 20 stops behind the line of scrimmage. There is not a whole lot of subtlety to what this kid does. Like those old "point and click" camera commercials, you point Cori in a direction and turn him loose. To steal a cinematic phrase of late: "an instrument of chaos" if you will. I am not sure how quick Seth is, but what I think distinguishes this kid is just how quickly he gets up a full head of steam. You point the kid forward, let him put pressure on the middle of the pocket, and then he blows up the backfield on his own or assists a pair of superb Defensive Ends in Lynn Williams and Michael Brennan do their thing. The other thing I like about Cori is that he is probably the best pure hitter among area Defensive Tackles, or at least registers some of the best highlight-worthy hits. He might not be the best pursuit guy on this list, but Clark County has so many weapons, your probably don't need him to be. One of those rare kids in Tri State Football with the opportunity to play his way into a really nice college scholarship if he works hard to improve both on the field and in the classroom.

3. KYLE BORCHARDT, BPCA

This year's answer to Keokuk Star and Nebraska-0maha signee Mike Neuendorf. Borchardt (5'11" 260lbs) is a high motor, incredibly productive interior force who has pinged the recruiting radar of FCS and Division Two Schools after star turns both on the field and at the Midwest High School Combine. Like Holtschlag, Borchardt rep bench pressed 185 pounds 30 times and boasts a 550 pound squat. There is a lot to like here, however, beyond his raw numbers. While his clockwatch speed isn't as impressive as Holtschlag's 5.1 40 time, Borchardt is as football fast as anyone you will find; just very reactive around the line of scrimmage and armed with a tremendous football IQ. Like Cori Seth, Kyle has a real talent for making the big play and getting into an opponent's backfield. Kyle finished his junior year with 12 tackles for loss, six quarterback sacks, three blocked PAT, and a blocked punt. Granted, Kyle has the brute strength to overwhelm blockers at the point of attack, but from the film we have, I think Borchardt combines that physical advantage with some of the best technique and instincts we've seen at this position in a long time. You would be hard pressed to find a kid who works any harder or wants to be great any more than Kyle Borchardt, and that work ethic has turned him into one of the brightest prospects of the 2008 season.

4. MARCUS CARTER, Jacksonville

If your looking for a pure run stuffer, they don't come much better than Jacksonville's Marcus Carter. The 250 pounder made his impact felt putting bite into the Crimsons' 30 front defense with a highly impressive 70 total tackles and 47 solo stops. Absent a fourth or even fifth down linemen standing next to him, that is a remarkable feat. Marcus is like teflon in that he just effortlessly slides off contact and gets where he wants to be. He might be the most consistent finisher on this list. If Marcus gets a piece of you, chances are your ultimate destination is on the ground. He is not, however, a player that draws the eyes of the average fan. He isn't afford a sporting chance at posting quarterback sacks and it's really hard to make tackles behind the line of scrimmage when you have to battle three offensive linemen on just about every play. That said, Carter operates in relative obscurity doing the Crimsons dirty work (about as well as it can be done) and letting Jake Mills rake up obscene tackle totals in his wake. As good as Mills may be, he would not be the superstar he has become without the likes of Carter and Thomas Jackson standing up front.

5. ROSS HUTSON, Illini West

From a numbers standpoint, the strongest kid in Tri State Football with a bench press flirting just under 500 pounds. Being able to handle himself at the point of attack has certain helped Ross compensate for a lack of prototype size or freakish athleticism. He is incredibly stout and aggressive and that makes him as difficult to drive block as some of the more naturally gifted kids on this list. Ross is a kid who maximizes his tools and like Borchardt, works tirelessly to make himself a great football player. What sticks out about Huston is his ability against the run. He is a fine tackler and an even better shield for his linebackers. He has a gift for tying up Offensive Linemen and can frustrate even the biggest guards and tackles in Small School Football. Ross will split the gap and finishes well. To wit, when he gets an Offensive Lineman's number, he will not take his foot off the kid's throat. Ross is a really nice player in confined space and a highly proficient one-gap tackle. I am not sure Hutson gives you as broad a range of skills as some of the more celebrated players on this list, but the things Hutson does well; he does as well as any kid on this list. And he always gives you maximum effort. Hard not to love having a kid like that on your first line of defense.

6. JACOB MOOTS, Knox County

The Tri States hit the genetic lottery at Defensive Tackle in 2007 with Holtschlag, Seth, Rushville-Industry's Jason Crisman and Keokuk's Mike Neuendorf in the mix. Kids with those kind of ideal college recruiting measurables, however, are the exception rather than the rule. More often that not in our area, some of the most productive Defensive Tackles are average sized kids who never ping recruiting radar, ala former Carthage All State TJ Menn. Knox County's Jacob Moots is certainly cut from that cloth at just 6'0" and 230 pounds. His productivity and work rare, however, rival anyone you will find. The Eagle senior gets east and west as well most linebackers in our region and registered an incredible 104 tackles in his junior year. He is a high revving motor, hard working, no-nonsense cornerstone player on what might be one of the most improved teams in our area. You might not know him now, but we actually have him projected as Knox's most viable All State candidate and I think Moots is a kid who will finally start getting some of the media attention he deserves this season, especially if the Eagles make the leap this season.

7. LANDON GRUENLOH, Palmyra

One of just four returning starters on the Panther roster, Gruenloh is the potential difference maker Jason Keiholz is seeking to elevate his entire Defense. At his best, Landon is a dominant two-gap tackle who can force an opponent to run to the other side of the field. He sheds Offensive Linemen very well. He has the strength to stack up a pile at the point of attack. And he can up field and disrupt the flow of an offense, as evidenced by his nine tackles for loss a season ago. He also has really nice upside as an interior pass rusher and I could very easily see Landon getting five or six sacks this year. Gruenloh's calling here, however, is to become a more prominent every-down player in 2008. A much greater stake of Palmyra's Defensive success rests on Landon's shoulders this year. While he was a really nice big play force for P-town last year, Gruenloh needs to become the rock of stability on every play that allows other new starters to develop. He matured a lot as a player last year and I think it is reasonable to expect that you will see Gruenloh rise to the level of being a First Team All CCC selection.

SLEEPER: ZACH NICHOLS, Hannibal

Better known here as the Tri State's best returning Fullback, Nichols may be the modern day version of former Quincy Herald Whig Player of the Year Clint Carroz. He is a freakishly strong athlete (might have the strongest passing arm in the entire Tri States, believe it or not) and he is incredibly mobile. Realize I am drawing a comparison here and not saying Nichols is nearly this level of player yet, but he you watch this kid and there are some very reminiscent qualities in terms of functional football strength and hustle to former Aledo and Western Illinois star Mike O'Brien. By the way, I am intrigued as well by Nichols veteran teammate up front Scott Rogers (who is really quick) and prospect Jordan Strickland, who was terrific at the JV level last year.

THE NEXT LEVEL

8. MATTHEW SCHUMAN, South Shelby

Best pass rushing Defensive Tackle in the Tri States. Increased Offensive Workload as South's potential feature back cause for Defensive Concern?

9. JACOB WHITED, Triopia

Undervalued because Trojans supporting cast is so good. Posted 68 tackles last year and could shoot up six spaces on this list by seasons end.

10. SAM GHRIST, Pittsfield-Griggsville

Undersized hustler who netted 71 total stops last season and seven tackles for loss. A top five pick here next season.

11. CODY BRANT, Routt

The Ross Hutson of the WIVC. Freakishly strong kid who must prove his individual worth with the graduation of Matt Kennedy.

12. JARED HAGEN, Monroe City

Quietly came into his own as junior with 55 tackles. One of our favorite sleeper prospects in a bumper crop of Defensive Tackles

13. DAVID HINKLE, Knox County

The best kid you've never heard of. The Eagles interior spark plug had six sacks and 60 tackles as a Soph

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ENDS

1A. LYNN WILLIAMS, Clark County

1B. MICHAEL BRENNAN, Clark County

Talk about an embarrassment of riches. As much well deserved hype as Clark County's outstanding Wide Receiving duo of Brian Plenge and Matt Morrow will generate, for my money the best 1-2 punch in all of Tri State Football is found in Kahoka on the other side of the football. Both kids stand close to 6'4" with that prototype, lanky frame you look for in a high school edge rusher. Both were honored as All Staters by the Missouri Coaches Association as juniors (Williams on Defense, Brennan as an Offensive Linemen) And both combined for a mind numbing 23 quarterback sacks last year collapsing off the Defensive Edge. Just my humble opinion here but I think Brennan is the better natural athlete and Williams is the better pure football player, at this point. Michael Brennan has incredibly quick feet and the sort of natural explosion college coaches kill for. If you ever watched him on the basketball court, you know Brennan can get anywhere he wants to be on the court and looks almost effortless in getting to his spot. That great footwork serves the kid well on the gridiron as well and he turns the corner in pass rush like nobody's business. And Michael has incredible range off the edge. Williams success is born more of hustle, smarts, and tenacity. Lynn is really good at finding out on the fly how to beat an Offensive Tackle and exploiting weaknesses. He is one of the best natural high school best rushers I have had the luxury of watching. While I surmise Brennan is probably faster in a 40 yard dash than his teammate, Lynn Williams gets to the quarterback (12 sacks, 18 tackles for loss last year) faster than anyone else in Tri State football because he takes nearly perfect pursuit angles, anticipates the snap count like he has ESP, and goes to the QB like a shark goes after a wounded fish. He is also an extremely tough kid who played through a severe finger injury most of last year. You can't really run sideline to sideline on either of these kids and with Cori Seth waiting in the middle, playing the Clark County Defense is almost a pick your poison affair.

3. NATHAN GOUDSCHAAL, Brown County

If you can divorce yourself from the prejudice of discounting him on the basis of his less than ideal stature (the kid looks more like a quarterback at 5'10" 190 lbs than an All State defensive force in street clothes) you'll find Nathan Goudschaal as good a Defensive Cornerstone as exists in Tri State Football. We aren't college recruiters and this isn't about how you look in the uniform. This about what you do for us on the football field and few people can rival what Brown County's junior terror delivers nightly. He plays both inside and out on the line, against players who outweigh him in some cases by 100 pounds, and no one can stop this kid from making plays. Last season, Goudschaal posted 105 total tackles, seven quarterback sacks, and 14 stops from behind the line of scrimmage. He is, in a word, the single most relentless player in Tri State Football. This list is loaded with kids who have great motors. No one comes at an opponent on every single down like Goudschaal. Brown County Line Coach Heath Fullerton pointed Goudschaal out to me two years ago in practice and said that kid could be better than TJ Menn. I looked at Nathan, who at the time weight like a buck seventy and thought he might blow a way in stiff wind. Boy was I wrong. Goudschaal plays with such desire and fire, he is the most frustrating matchup a lineman can draw. There is just a lot of quality fight in the kid and if the Brown County staff can get 10-15 more pounds on his frame by his senior year, no one in the WIVC may be safe.

4. NICK COSGRIFF, Routt

A first team All Do or Die selection as a junior on the basis of his big play ability, Nick Cosgriff is a pretty special talent. He is also one of the best personalities in all of Tri State sports; a fun loving kid who who plays hard between the whistles and then entertains teammates, coaches, and media alike in the huddle or on the sidelines. And like his outsized personality, Nick's play is never quiet either. He specializes in the spectacular hit and game altering play. Last year, Cosgriff led the Rockets in tackles for loss with 18 stops behind the line of scrimmage for an incredible 100 yards worth of opponents lost opportunities. He also recovered a pair of fumbles and returned an interception for a touchdown. For all of the attention paid those talents, Nick was also a pretty solid down-to-down player with 8 tackles per game. My lone reservation here is that Cosgriff must prove he can be the same kind of player in the absence of Matt Kennedy and Joe Langdon. More of the defensive responsibility falls upon his shoulders and Cosgriff's ultimate legacy will be determined by how much of that slack he picks up.

5. KRIS HOPKINS, Keokuk

The lone returning starter from the Chiefs State Title run is getting a position swap. Bob McIntyre plans to move Hopkins from linebacker to defensive end. I've beaten this drum to death, but outside of James Hurt, Kris Hopkins had the best game of any Chiefs player in the State Championship game. He has added about fifteen pounds to his lanky frame which should give him a more physical presence against the run. There is lots to like here about Kris, both tangibly and intangibly. He is a very smart player with high caliber leadership skills and he has, according to his new coach, worn the mantle of being the team's de facto veteran very well. I like that Hopkins is a multi-skilled kid with hands like a wide receiver, the ability to break on the thrown football, and a real fluidity as an athlete. He covers a lot of ground. All of these skills should serve him well coming off the edge for the rebuilt Chiefs Defense, which has some pretty fair young Linebacker and Defensive Tackle prospects moving through the system.

6. DENNIS DENT, Knox County

He is one of the top three returning high school basketball players in our region and a tougher than nails kid at nearly 6'5" and 230 pounds. Dennis has arguably the second best Defensive End measurables (behind Mike Hall) in our area and the kind of wingspan that makes him a bear to run or throw around. Forget deflections, this kid had three interceptions from his end slot a year ago. He also notched three interceptions and 45 total tackles. I just don't think we've seen Dent at anywhere near his football ceiling yet. He took an incredible leap forward as a basketball player in 2008 and I think we may see the same kind of increase in production on the gridiron, given his confidence. There is very little that could stop him from being the best player on this list at season's end.

7. KRIS VINCENT, Illini West

Best pure athlete among area defensive ends and along with teammate Ross Hutson, a returning All Conference selection. Vincent's defense stock soared mid-season in the wake of his stellar effort against Pittsfield/Griggsville, which must have played like an Eli Roth torture film to Saukee Quarterback Perry Bonds. Kris is a pure chase down Defensive End who commands blocking attention even on pitch and sweep plays away from him. Leave this kid unblocked at your own risk because he is among the top five close and pursue guys in the region. When you can run down a kid like Bonds, that is a rare asset. He's got good explosion off the edge in pass rush and can close off to the sidelines. Vincent is strong for his size, but isn't the kind of kid you want trying to stand up a 270 pound Offensive Tackle at the point of attack. Truthfully, the kid reminds me a ton of Keokuk All Stater James Hurt and I think we will see more of that in his role as a Receiver/Tight End with the Chargers. Still, pretty nice Defensive Player here.

SLEEPER: THOMAS JACKSON, Jacksonville

He is the future of the Crimson Defense and a kid who will be asked to pick up the pass rushing slack in the wake of Todd Linear's graduation. Jackson is a tad short and lacks the kind on ideal, lanky frame you look for on the edge, but in Jacksonville's 30 Front, he is more like a modified Defensive Tackle anyway. He will be flanked by a linebacker, which should allow Jackson to turn lose. From the film we had on the Crimsons last year, Jackson has a real gift for getting his 250 pounds up field in an instant. He finished tied for third on the team with four tackles for loss and a pair of quarterback pressures last year. Through natural maturity, he is only going to get better. I have no idea what his weight room numbers are but he looks like he gets good leg drive and plays with a low center of gravity and is a tough kid to shed. He is not going to huge tackle numbers with Mills and Carter cleaning up, but we do expect to see him in the 45-55 stop range in his junior season. As a senior, the kid could be a real beast.

THE NEXT LEVEL

8. JUSTIN WILT, South Shelby

The Tri State's best tight end and a ferocious hitter, I just have no idea yet where Wilt lines up on Defense yet.

9. MIKE HALL, Central-Southeastern

No player benefits more from Bill Reed's hire in Panther Country. At 6'6" and 235 pounds with great wingspan, Hall is a college scholarship offer waiting to happen.

10. ANTHONY DAVIS, Van-Far

This is a kid whose stock could soar in 2008. Could carry more weight on his 6'4" frame but had 35 varsity stops as a sophomore. Very rangy kid.

11. GARRETT THOMAS, Paris

Emerging pass rush threat who could well post six or seven sacks this season. Very underrated anchor against the run who had 34 tackles as a junior.

12. JOEY WILLIAMS, Mark Twain

Just a hunch here but playing front of a phenomenal Secondary could create ample coverage sacks for this Tiger

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RANDOM MUSINGS

On the heels of a disappointing 2007 season, the Hannibal Pirates figure to be one of the most improved football teams in the Tri-States this fall. And Mark St Clair's crew will go to war with one of the finest place kickers in the nation. Competing at the elite Kohl's Professional Kicking and Punting Camp at Wisconsin-Whitewater this summer, junior Mat Sims was one of just three kickers in the Class of 2010 to receive a four and a half star rating on a five scale. Of all the elite kickers in camp at Whitewater, Sims finished third overall in the Kickoff Skills challenge, behind a pair of kids who had signed to Florida State. His field goal numbers also place in him in the Top 15 among all campers. He is also currently being featured on the Kohl's Website in the "Athlete Spotlight" section.

You might expect to see significant new wrinkles out of the Hannibal Pirate Defense in the fall of 2008. The Pirates coaching staff spent some time this summer in Warrensburg with ex-Hannibal skipper and current CMSU Defensive Coordinator Gregg Nesbitt getting a PHD level dissection of not only the Mules 4-2-5 scheme, but picking apart various weaknesses that plagued the different 40 schemes in last years Pirate Defense. I would expect to see plenty of tinkering from Mark St Clair this summer as he attempts to radically improve a unit that gave up 24 points and nearly 340 yards of total offense per game a year ago. The Pirates will definitely have more speed this season to employ and I like the framework of a Defensive Backfield (that will be built around Colin Krigbaum, JayKob King, and Mat Sims) in shrinking the 180 yards of passing Hannibal surrendered a year ago.

The new Field Turf at Porter Stadium, the first such high school surface and second overall field in our area to get the artificial treatment (Illinois College) is going to be a huge boon for Pirate Football. The turf itself was bought used from the St Louis Rams, who employed it on a little used practice surface. It is virtually new with just seven total practices worth of use. Given all the upgrades to Porter Stadium, Hannibal now seems a very viable host for a future Do or Die Bowl.

If you can resist the urge to compare him to the most prolific quarterback in Iowa High School Football history, Zen Gatton could be a real nice option at quarterback for new Keokuk Coach Bob McIntyre. He is kind of a Steve Walsh-type field general in that he thinks well on his feet, throws accurate (if not overly pretty) passes and carries himself like a leader. Zen's job is made easier by the fact that Keokuk should still be very good at the Wide Receiver spot. Juice Hurt, little brother to All Stater James, and Ahmad Carter, nephew to future NFL Hall of Famer Chris Carter, both are exciting players on the edge who can separate from coverage and make big plays. It sounds like Kris Hopkins will line up at Tight End as well and he is a really nice athlete who plays the jump ball well.

The more I watch Quincy High in seven-on-seven, the more I come away with things to like. We've raved about the progress (and arm strength) that Matt VonderHaar possesses here. The Blue Devils other quarterback, James Leffew, beat Illini West in a split squad game and led the Quincy High White team to three straight wins in last weeks Seven on Seven. Sophomore Wide Receiver Andre Givens played a major role in the win over the Quincy Blue Squad, catching both touchdown passes (including the game winner on the final play of the head-to-head) and showed really nice ability to allude coverage. He is a name certainly worth watching. Athletic Linebacker D.J. Powell is a kid who could challenge for a spot in Travis Cook's 4-4 defense when camp opens. Alex McNay is a kid with great skills and confidence who could really help expand the things QHS does in the Offensive Backfield. And I thought Nick Doellmon showed a great deal of potential at tight end, especially if he gets to work in tandem with Andrew Feyerbend, who is fast climbing our receiver ranks. Conventional wisdom says QHS is still one more year away from being a seven win team but you can certainly see the potential of this program starting to rise now.

New Brown County quarterback Ace Henricks had a rough night at the seven-on-seven, but even on an off night his potential as a passer was pretty obvious. The bottom line is that the kid is going to need as many reps between now and opening night as possible, but he is very athletic and was quick to seek out Tom Little after every series and work through the learning process. He is a sharp, likable kid. I think he will do real well, but hopefully the expectation levels aren't out of whack for a first time starting varsity quarterback.

Observations, ala Fulghum, from Practice One of the Western Illinois workouts: Newly converted Safety Terry Barney is a player. The sophomore, who came to Western as a Wide Receiver, delivered the biggest hit of the Spring Game back in March and yesterday came up with a fantastic interception in traffic in jump ball situation among five guys vying for the football. Barney is 6'4" and could make a real push in Tom Casey's Defense. Freshman Quarterback Cody Reardon, out of Kentucky, threw the two best passes of the day. Tyler also really likes speedy running back prospect Chris Porter, who is a one cut and gone guy.

By the way, former Quincy High Star and Do or Die Bowl Record Holder for the longest run from scrimmage (99 yards) Lamor Hickman is in the midst of a walk-on at Western Illinois.

A Change of Heart: Upon deeper reflection, Holy Trinity Hard Spiking Middle Hitters Jessica Panther and Emily Fullenkamp (your reigning KHQA Player of the Year) have decided to play college volleyball after all. Miss Panther will play for Southeastern Community College. Miss Fullenkamp is bound for Saint Ambrose.

Great late season signing for Culver-Stockton Softball Coach Michelle Krassinger, who inked Payson Seymour hit machine Jordan Epperson as a potential lead off hitter and future shortstop for her program. Epperson set a new school record with 48 hits this season, batted a ridiculous .466 at the plate, and reached base in 58% of her plate appearances. She was also a very proficient defensive shortstop.

Finally Some Respect: The Quincy University Women's Soccer Team has been picked to finish first in the GLVC Preseason Coaches Poll. Dave Musso's crew received six first place votes, just ahead of Drury.

Kudos to Jack and Charlie Hull and the WBBA Radio crew for trekking all the way to Akron, Ohio for the Junior League Softball Regional Championship Tournament. That is radio coverage above and beyond the call of duty and it has been fun listening to this wonderful group of girls trying to earn a World Series berth in their first year of existence. The Pike County crew fell just one win short, but the girls certainly did this area proud.

Duerrisms Kudos to our good friend Shaun Parker, who is leaving his post as the Sports Editor at the Hannibal Courier Post to take a teaching position in Kahoka. Essentially a one-man enterprise, Parker worked hard to chase all of the various goings-on in Northeast Missouri and did a very credible job. He's a really good guy and the Tri State Sports Community will certainly miss him.

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FEEL FREE TO IGNORE FROM THIS POINT ON DOWN (OR AS I LIKE TO CALL IT, DUERR MENTAL FLOTSAM)

I hate to sound unpatriotic but Team USA does not look like a potential gold medal winner in Men's Basketball in China. For all of its unbelievable talent, this team falls prey to the same fatal flaws that have doomed other NBA laden squads in International Play. Force this team to play in the half court and it looks lost. Too much individual ad-libbing. Not enough set shooting. Not enough set plays. Not enough interior size. We are going to live and die by our three point shooting and ability to get out and Showtime the floor. Have we learned nothing? "Slam Magazine" basketball doesn't beat the Argentinas and Spains of the world anymore. International basketball isn't about glitz. It is about grinding out wins, which is why the irrepressible Manu Ginobili is the best international player in the world. This All Star game mentality doesn't beat good teams. We don't value the basketball the way the really good international teams do; bleeding production from every possession. I fear Tuesday's lackluster effort against Australia is the first real sign of danger that Coach K has no idea how to control this team or make it play the style necessary to succede in this forum. Call me kooky, but I am too far out of sorts here envisioning Kobe throwing away the script to chuck up ill advised 22 footers because his team is down seven to Greece and "only the Mamba can save us?" Hope I am wrong...

As a Sacramento Kings fan, the Ron Artest deal works for me big time. I could care less what Geoff Petrie got back in return as long as money worked in the Kings favor. In this case, the Kings dealt the headache of Artest for the expiring contract of Bobby Jackson and two number one draft choices. Bottom line, the Kings will have 25 million dollars in free cap space in 2010 to chase what might be the greatest free agent class in the history of sport. The rules of NBA trades have changed and it annoys me that so many fans are criticizing teams like Denver and Sacramento for "throwing in the towel." Cap space is the most valuable trade commodity now. The Philadelphia 76ers have set the new model in improving your buying ability for the future and I like that Sacramento might be good enough in 2010 to add a really nice piece to a very good young nucleus (Hawes, Jason Thompson, Kevin Martin, Beno Udrih, and Donte Greene) By the way, love what Philly has done this off-season. As much as I have come to like Spencer Hawes (kicking and screaming) I still wished my beloved had drafted Thaddeus Young.

Am I wrong to want to shell out the bucks to sit at Wrigley Field this winter and watch Patrick Kane and the Hawks take on the Red Wings? Why does this frigid experience bewitch me so?

Look, whatever respect I had for Brett Favre has completely eroded over the last four weeks. Still, is it not a fool's errand to trust the fate of your NFL franchise to a Jeff Tedford-sired Quarterback? Cal hasn't produced a meaningful passer since Joe Kapp.

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Five Favorite Movie Cameos of All Time:

1) BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN in "High Fidelty"

Short of "The Almighty" coming down from Heaven and making a star turn in a Scorsese flick, this is about as good as it gets. Completely thrown to see the notoriously camera shy Springsteen pop up in a dream sequence, strumming his guitar and giving romantic advice to John Cusack. How do you not accept high counsel from the genius who wrote "Jungleland?"

Personal Duerr Aside, I do a really bad Springsteen imitation (so bad in fact that it makes Ben Stiller's look good) and I have for years toyed with intro-ing American League Highlights with the growling opening line, "The Rangers had a homecomin'...In Arlington Late Last Night" but have yet to work up the courage in two decades of TV Work. May never happen...or I may pop it off some day ala Jason Williams and the off-the-elbow redirected circus pass he talked about in Sports Illustrated, but never did in an NBA game.

2) ALEC BALDWIN in "Glengarry Glen Ross"

"I am here from Mitch and Murray. And I am here on a mission of mercy..." So begins one of the most intense, uncomfortable and amazing moments you will ever see on celluloid. For all of the garbage on Alec Baldwin's IMBD resume, this two minute verbal emasculation of Jack Lemmon singularly redeems his career. Coffee is, indeed, for closers and the aging Shelly Levene isn't closing real estate deals anymore. Baldwin's motivation tactics include a lesson in the alphabet (A-Always, B-Be, C-Closing) and a motivational sales contest where the difference between second and third place is new steak knives or a new place of employment. I had a really lucky trip to Vegas a couple of years ago, bought a really nice timepiece and when the then KHQA employee and GGR fan Kurt LaBelle saw it, he literally ripped it off my wrist, screamed at me to look at my watch, and told me it cost more than is car. Genius. In fact, Kurt and former Herald Whig writer Matthew Sprague could do every single line of the movie, in character voices. You haven't lived until you've heard LaBelle's Al Pacino. If you get nothing else from this column this year...I beg of you to see this scene from this movie...and check out LaBelle's genius level comedy contributions to the YouTube community.

3) TERRY FUNK in "Roadhouse"

I truly believe that every three seconds in this country, this cheesy guilty pleasure flick is being played on a cable station somewhere in America. The Funkster has like, one line in the movie and he delivers it with the kind of acting bravura, cinematic charisma, and depth of character usually displayed by the local Car Wash magnate channeling Willie Loman in Community Theatre. Still, how do you not mark out for the hardest working man in Pro Wrestling history. Like 'Rassling, however, Cinema draws its power from our ability to suspend disbelief. Swayze could not beat Mallia Franklin, the Queen of Funk in a fair fight and I am expected to believe this ex-Chippendale Dancer took out Dory's little brother? Please. NO ONE PUTS FUNK-Y IN A CORNER.

4) BEN STILLER, LUKE WILSON, TIM ROBBINS in "Anchorman"

You had to know this was coming. And if I ever end up dead by Trident in vicious rumble, Brian Inman better be arrested on the spot.

Reader participation segment: In a KHQA/WGEM Over-the-Top Battle Royale, who is the last person standing? The smart money says avoid yours truly. My manhood suffered a serious hit this weekend when I twisted my ankle on the golf course and hit the deck like Barbaro, reduced to 235 pounds of Quiche Eater by a couple of torn ligaments. In fact, steer clear of all the Sports Guys for that matter. The Weekend guys are kind of puny and Ben Marth's fall off the donkey in Carthage made Nancy Kerrigan's post-Gillooly crying jag look understated by comparison. (I kid, I kid) I like Sarah Deien in a walk-through in the Diva Division and I got sleeper pick Rich Cain on the men's side, if only because he bares a striking resemblance to Boxing's Rock Newman.

5. DAVID LETTERMAN, "Cabin Boy"

He is credited in the film as Ed Hofert (his uncle's name) playing the role of "Old Salt in Fishing Village" but Letterman was never more himself than in this 40 second cameo in this otherwise unwatchable Chris Elliott movie. He is a stuffed monkey salesmen. If you are Letterman mark like I am, find this on YouTube and save yourself the agony.

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THE SEVEN COOLEST PEOPLE IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD AT THIS VERY MOMENT (AT LEAST FOR THIS WEEK)

1. TOM LITTLE

Not only has the Brown County Football boss juggled a rigorous off-season workout schedule, the guy is actually building his own house this summer. I find this most impressive because the only thing I ever built was a fly swatter holder in High School Wood Shop and that got a crowd pleasing C- from Mister Clower.  Little, the crazy devil,  has been up until 4:30 am every night so he can have the thing done before Two-a-days. More impressively, he has recruited his entire coaching staff to help in the building process and turned esteemed line coach Heath Fullerton into "The Duke of Drywall" Brava, Senior Little. Brava.

2. ANTHONY BOURDAIN

I only watch about three television shows with any regularity and Bourdain is a major player in both "Top Chef" and the incredibly entertaining "No Reservations" on the Travel Channel. Every week, Bourdain goes off to some crazy world locale, plays snarky New Yorker, and eats  things that would make a Billy Goat lose its lunch. He's actually on my list of the 10 people in the world I would must like to hang out with. Plus he has forgotten more about food than I will ever know.

3. BILL LATOUR

I am not sure I could return the Quincy City Tennis Champions serve with an oversized guitar, let alone a racquet. Sat behind Latour foe Joe Bier-Fauble, a nice player in his own right, at the Quincy Doubles Tournament and watched the ball dance away like a Tim Wakefield knuckle-ball, only thrown at Jeff Samardzija velocity.  The guy gives up both some age and agility to the younger players in town and no one can find a way to beat him. Bill has the kind of Arvidis Sabonis-surprise athleticism when he hits the court. He's fun to watch.

4. LACEY EMRICK

She might actually have more moxie  than big brother Daman and more talented that her other big brother Nathan. As part of the Pike County All Stars this week, Lacey hit the first out-of-the park home run in Junior League Regional Tournament history. She also had a hand in half of a no-hitter

5. LYNNE SIMS

Mother of much celebrated Hannibal Kicker extraordinare Mat Sims and long time HHS teacher who is recovering from a catastrophic health scare this summer. The Pirates need her in the stands this fall and we wish Lynne, one of the really good people in the education business, nothing but the speediest of recoveries.

6. SEAN SECREASE/TIM KINSCHERFF

Lets not mince words here: there have been some unspeakably awful Gems games this season. And as someone who has to sit and listen to them for a living, I really appreciate the fact that Sean and Tim can actually entertain me on the WTAD broadcasts in the 7th inning of a game that has already long been decided, when I should have otherwise zoned out. There have been a least a dozen times this year when these guys have turned Lemons into Radio Lemonade, a thankless job that both gentlemen do very well.

7. RYAN DUERR

My genius level four year old nephew. My brother Mark and sister-in-law Jennifer are set to have a baby girl in November, but refuse to tell anyone, even their beloved first born son what the girls is to be named. So Ryan has taken it upon himself to refer to alternately to his unborn sister as "Pickle" and "Miss Pickle" I don't care how old the child gets or how much it makes her cringe at kooky Uncle Chris, but she will be forever known as Pickle in my book.