Cougars in state playoff Friday, Nov. 16, in CJ
(Photos by Jennifer Newsted, Illinois Valley News)
From our weekly issue dated November 7, 2007
There might have been a slight sinking feeling among Cougar football fans Friday night, Nov. 2, as arch-rival North Valley took a 12-0 lead in the first quarter.
But not to worry: Illinois Valley, which entered the home game with a 9-0 mark in the Skyline Conference, shook off its jitters; took control; and achieved a perfect 10-0 season record (5-0 in the Skyline).
To their credit, the Knights fought hard, but the Cougars triumphed 30-24.
What’s that mean?
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It means that the 2007 Illinois Valley varsity team made history.
IVHS earned first place in the league, and most definitely cemented its first-place seeding in the Class 4-A state playoffs. I.V. will line up against the Marist Spartans from Eugene, the runner-up in the Sky-Em Conference, Friday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m., on the IVHS field.
(Photos by Jennifer Newsted, Illinois Valley News)
With less than a minute remaining in Friday’s game, the always-tough Knights (5-4 overall, 2-3 in the Skyline) charged hard for a win. But it was not to be.
With the board reading 24-12, and with approximately 60 seconds on the clock, the Knights scored on a 25-yard screen pass. Score: I.V. 24, NV 18.
Not to be outdone, the Cougs tore upfield, driving close to nine minutes. The drive ended with a 10-yard pass from quarterback Doug Hoskins to tight end Chad Tardie. Score: I.V. 30, NV 18.
With some 43 seconds on the clock, the Knights’ Keith Suits took the kickoff and ran 87 yards down the left sideline for a TD. An onside kick was attempted, but I.V. recovered, and the final game of the regular season was over.
(Photos by Jennifer Newsted, Illinois Valley News)
Final score: Illinois Valley 30, North Valley 24.
Cougar head coach Bob Thornhill, a 1986 graduate of IVHS, expressed his extreme happiness at the outstanding season. He gave all the credit to the team.
Besides seniors Hoskins and Tardie, IVHS will be losing seniors Robert Parsons, Eric McConico, Jacob Miller, Jesse Swift, Jarred Miller, Jacob Ellis, Steven Paul, Jeff Crocker, Larry Ragsdale, Garrett Fisher and Jared Anderson. The rest of the ‘07 Cougar squad consists of 10 juniors and two sophomores.
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Ragsdale, who has been a super running back this season, rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown. He scored first for the Cougars, in the second quarter, turning in a TD and successful PAT run.
Also in the second quarter, Ellis ran in for 6, and McConico added a victorious PAT run.
The Cougars amassed 320 offensive yards vs. 218 by the Knights. And on first downs, I.V. earned 19 first vs. HV’s nine. More Photos -->
