EAST PEORIA — A dozen years ago, Sam Durley was an NCAA record-setting college quarterback.

Now, the first-year East Peoria coach is taking his program to new heights, guiding the Raiders to their first 3-0 start in 10 years. East Peoria beat Limestone, 47-28, to open Mid-Illini Conference play Friday night at Corwin Clatt Field.

“This is exactly what we envisioned,” Durley said following the victory as his players celebrated with classmates, family and friends. “It’s awesome. You can just kind of feel it throughout the school. … There’s some excitement in community. You have random people reaching out.

“I think that’s great for our kids to see, because I do think it’s a community that’s kind of starving for that success.”

The confident rookie coach

The former Eureka College offensive coordinator, who in December was hired as the fifth EP coach since 2013, says he knew EP had talented players, observed from the start of offseason workouts. It was just a matter of getting those guys in the weight room and changing the mindset and outlook of Raiders football.

"Create the Culture" has become the team’s official motto under Durley, who in 2012 threw for an NCAA all-levels single-game record of 736 yards for Division-III Eureka College in a 62-55 victory at Knox College.

“It’s a fresh start for our players, and for us,” Durley said. “But they’ve listened from Day 1. They’ve bought into the vision.”

East Peoria (3-0, 1-0) has taken its fair share of lumps in recent years, entering the 2024 campaign having gone 17-76 since its last winning season. In 2012, the Raiders were 7-3 and earned a berth in the Class 5A playoffs under Doug Martin.

But Durley knew throwing a complicated playbook at his team could ultimately work out well. They watched film, asked questions and absorbed nearly everything, Durley said.

“It’s what you wanted,” he said, “and you just had to see if things went the right way, and they’re definitely going the right way, and guys are eating every minute of it, so it’s perfect for right now.”

The hard-working running back

Sophomore RJ Jackson was the ideal fit for the East Peoria offense against Limestone. The running back rushed for 201 yards on 22 carries, scoring three touchdowns from 5, 5 and 6 yards out behind the offensive lineman of Aaden Hasty, Connor Liescheidt, Devin Hinkle, Keegan Barnes and Gavin Eppers.

His time spent lifting — he squats 420 pounds, benches 250 and dead lifts 550 — has increased his mobility, giving him a chance to show off his athleticism.

“I just want to score every single time,” said Jackson, who rushed for 197 yards and a TD in a Week 1 victory over Springfield Southeast. “That’s the plan. I feel like I just wanted to run as hard as I can tonight and that’s what I did.”

Was this what Durley expected from Jackson?

“Yes,” he said. “100 percent. We knew that would translate to the field. … We knew he was going to be kind of the ‘bell cow’ this year. He’s loving every minute of it.”

The experienced quarterback

And having an experienced QB doesn’t hurt, either.

Dalton Oakman was surgical in throwing for 223 yards and a 30-yard score off 13-for-18 passing. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound junior says the game plan was to keep a balanced offense.

“Run the ball,” Oakman said, “pound it down and then beat them over top. … We’re just starting. We still got a lot a more games and a lot more opportunity to show who East Peoria is.”

According to Durley, he’s enjoyed mentoring the "laid back" Oakman.

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“He’s so poised and he never panics,” Durley said. “… He’s not afraid of the moment. He’s not afraid of trying to make the big play. Right now, he’s making them and he’s doing a really good job.”

Defensively, East Peoria forced a pair of turnovers — fumble recovery by Henry Kaufman and interception from Joe Clark. Kaufman, Hasty and Eppers all recorded sacks with the secondary having several pass breakups.

However, the Raiders were plagued by "dumb" penalties including two 15-yarders in the fourth quarter.

“Once we can figure that part out, and we can just play smart football and get off the field," Durley said, "we’re going to be in a lot better situation moving forward for the second half of the year. Again, focusing on those little things.”

Limestone (0-3, 0-1) was paced by Kamar Sanders, who caught a 34-yard TD and added a 5-yard score on the ground. The senior running back piled up 171 total yards (92 receiving, 79 rushing) with QB Boh Johnson throwing for 143 yards and two scores.

Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: IHSA football scores: East Peoria football off to best start since 2014