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IHSFW.com Metamora Redbird football

2007 Schedule

8/24 7:00 @
Riverside (R.-Brookfield)
8/31 7:30 @
*Washington
9/7 7:30 H
*Dunlap
9/14 7:30 @
*Pekin
9/21 7:30 H
*East Peoria
9/28 7:30 @
*Canton
10/5 7:30 H
*Bartonville (Limestone)
10/12 7:30 @
*Morton
10/20 1:00 H
Mt. Vernon (H.S.)

#### - Enrollment
*Conference Game
Malone Field Direction

 

2007 Team Preview;
Birds Flying Under the Radar
8/23/07
by Vincent Johnson

Metamora’s head coach Pat Ryan, knows what pretty much every fan of high school football in Illinois knows, “In 5A everybody is chasing Scared Heart. And rightfully so… They’re the team to beat right now.”

While the bad news is; that Scared Heart-Griffin is still the team to beat. The good news, at least for the Redbirds, is that not as many teams will be looking at them.

While Ryan, didn’t say as much in reference to the team as a whole, he did mention that, at least on a statewide level two of this year’s difference makers are currently flying under the radar.

According to Ryan, Brad Herman (LB/DE 6’5 220 sr.)  Is one of their best-kept secrets. Mainly because he was injured for most of last season and Caleb TerBush (QB 6’5 215 sr.) who seen some time on defense & at receiver, has been looking really good in summer work outs, but is virtually an unknown outside of the area. Both players are going to be very important parts of the season for Metamora.

TerBush is just am all-around good athlete, with the arm and legs to take a team into the playoffs. “We are going to be a little more diverse. Because he can do some more things.” Ryan said about his new QB.

Sound byte
Metamora's head coach Pat Ryan
Talking about the season offensive style.

Metamora will be returning leading rusher Brock Gray (RB 6’ 190 sr.) and
Adam Duvendack (RB 6’ 200 sr.) who lead the team in yards per carry and third year starter Alex Luhring (OL 6’3 265 sr.).

But even with those returners, Ryan hints at the fact that they may be airing out their fair share of touchdowns this year. “I’m an old conservative off tackle guy… Some times you just have to open up a chapter. The towns probably wanted that for two decades”.

Whether it’s on the ground or in the air the Redbirds should be putting a lot of points on scoreboards come Friday night each week.

Like most coaches Ryan is reluctant to look to far down the schedule, but knows that there will be a real good battle between Morton, Dunlap & Washington. All of which have a strong bunch of returns.

“Offensively we’re going to be able to put some points on the board.” Ryan said, adding that good offensive teams even each other out late in the post season.  “When you get down the stretch if you’re going to be around at the end, you have got to have a great defense. Our ability to plug holes on defense… Week in and week out will be key.”

Herman will be one of those keys along with returning defensive backs Ethan Zachman,
Lance Fandel & Adam Duvaden.

So what does Ryan have to say about the first test for this team, the pass happy Bulldogs of Riverside-Brookfield. “You concentrate doing what everybody else does. That you’re going to see for 8 weeks of the season. And dealing with what he throws at you the first week. I think the nice think about the 7 on 7’s is it helps you prepare a little bit for the coverages [at least] as much as you can.”

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Related Stories:
-2007 Season Preview
-2001 Week #1

Photo Archive:
-2001 Week #13
-2001 Week #1
-2000 4A State Finals
-1999 4A State Finals

Ordering Information

Team Accomplishments

State Champs
1975 3A

Runner up
2000 4A, 1999 4A, 1997 4A, 1996 4A, 1977 3A, 1976 3A

Semifinals
2006 5A, 2000 4A, 1999 4A, 1997 4A, 1996 4A, 1977 3A, 1976 3A, 1975 3A

Conference Champs
Mid-Illini
2006. 2004, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996

School Facts

Football Enrollment:
930.00

Conference:
Mid-Illini

Class:
5A

School Colors:
Red/White/Black

Nickname:
Red Birds

Head Coach:
Pat Ryan

Last Season's Record:
12-1

First Varsity Season:
1946

Past Player Watch
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School Related Links:
-Metamora HS (official)
-Bird Watcher (fan site)

2006 Schedule

8/25 7:00 @
Riverside (R.-Brookfield) 1414.00
9/1 7:30 H
*Washington 1089.00
9/8 7:30 @
*Dunlap 830.00
9/15 7:30 H
*Pekin 2183.00
9/22 7:30 @
*East Peoria 1212.00
@ EastSide Centre
9/29 7:30 H
*Canton 786.00
10/6 7:30 @
*Bartonville (Limestone) 1122.00
10/13 7:30 H
*Morton 955.00
10/21 1:00 @
Mt. Vernon (H.S.) 1330.00

2005 Schedule

8/26 7:30 H
Sterling (H.S.) 1093.00
9/2 7:30 H
*Bartonville (Limestone) 1087.00
9/9 7:30 @
*Washington 1073.00
9/16 7:30 @
*Chillicothe (Illinois Valley Central) 687.00
9/23 7:30 H
*East Peoria 1153.00
9/30 7:30 @
*Dunlap 805.00
10/7 7:30 H
*Canton 804.00
10/14 7:30 @
*Morton 967.00
10/21 7:00 @
Chatham (Glenwood) 1296.00

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