Advertisement

Who's the toughest to face? Peoria small-school football players make their picks

adam duvall, peoria journal star
·2 min read

Hard work, dedication and an unmatched work ethic make the good players great.

This is the eighth of a multi-part series where the Journal Star talks with high school football coaches and players about topics ranging from memorable moments, to the toughest players they've faced, to their favorite pre-game meal and program traditions.

As we head into Week 8, here is what Peoria-area small-school players have to say about who is their toughest player to face. Look for the large-school players' list ahead of Week 9.

Get to know Peoria football: Small-school player memories | Large-school player memories | Coaching memories | Small-school traditions | Large-school traditions | Small-school meals | Large-school meals

Current teammates

  • "Collin Behrens and Jack Wheelwright. They pull no punches and make me the best football player I can be." — Hunter Darsham, Farmington

  • "Riley Miller. He goes hard every play and is a hard worker. Also, hits like a bus." — Brett Bane II, Tremont

  • "Toughest player I know — John McDonald." — Mason Boles, Eureka

Farmington running back Jack Wheelwright (6) takes a handoff from his brother, and quarterback, Lane Wheelwright in the second half of their varsity football game Friday, Sept. 22, 2023 in Farmington. The Farmers defeated the Trojans 30-26.
Farmington running back Jack Wheelwright (6) takes a handoff from his brother, and quarterback, Lane Wheelwright in the second half of their varsity football game Friday, Sept. 22, 2023 in Farmington. The Farmers defeated the Trojans 30-26.

Opposing players

  • "As a running back, I'd have to say inside linebacker Mathew Lucas from (Aledo) Mercer County. (He) watched a lot of film, read his keys amazing, studied our habits and played and hit with no fear." — Tayshaun Kieser, Princeville

  • "Shemar Williams — running back from Tremont — and he could move very fast and was very strong for position." _ Aydin Stimpert, Fieldcrest

  • "(Farmington's) Jack Wheelwright because he was a hard runner but also very elusive." — Dawson Dorn, Eureka

  • "I don't know his name but he was #27 on Tolono Unity. I've never been hit so hard in my life." — Connor Buchanan, Illinois Valley Central

  • "(El Paso-Gridley's) Kamren Schumacher. He was quick out of the pocket and was shifty." — Brent Denniston, Deer Creek-Mackinaw

  • "(Downs Tri-Valley's) Blake Regenold — very tough player. Runs hard every play and very disciplined." — Jackson Hakes, Fieldcrest

El Paso-Gridley's Kamren Schumacher bolts through the pouring rain and the Tremont defense for a touchdown on the first play from scimmage Friday, Oct. 14, 2022 in Tremont. The Titans ran over the Turks 34-8.
El Paso-Gridley's Kamren Schumacher bolts through the pouring rain and the Tremont defense for a touchdown on the first play from scimmage Friday, Oct. 14, 2022 in Tremont. The Titans ran over the Turks 34-8.

Former teammates

  • "Tyler Van Antwerp because he was not only super fast but hit like a truck and would never go down." — Caleb Edwards, Tremont

  • "Slone Windish because he hits very hard at all times." — Layne Durst, Elmwood/Brimfield

  • "Jake Barnewolt because I was a freshman and he was a senior and he didn't hold back and always pushed us to be better." — Jacob Balsimo, Tremont

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: Toughest football players picked by Peoria-area small-school players