Streaks to go Lion hunting

Home game will end 2005 season Friday

Thursday, October 20, 2005

By MIKE TRUEBLOOD

The Register-Mail

GALESBURG - If you haven't seen a Galesburg High School football game this season, Friday's season finale at Van Dyke Field against Peoria Central might be the one to see.

- The 1-7 Silver Streaks feel they have a strong shot at beating the 3-5 Lions.

- The game will mark the end of a 35-year coaching career for Peoria Central coach Dick Issaacon.

- Led by senior Tarleatus Baham, the Lions have run what Isaacson calls a "trash can" offense which has resulted in two victories in their last three games and a total of 68 points.

- Former Peoria Central player La'Darryl Walker, playing for Galesburg after transferring last summer, will see - and no doubt talk - to many of his former teammates again.

- With several underclassmen playing at key positions, the Streaks will be putting on an unofficial preview for the 2006 season.

"I'm a little worried," said Galesburg coach Zac Chatterton. "I'm reading the (Peoria) Journal-Star and seeing this stuff about a trash can offense and I say, Holy Cow!' "

"They spread it out and snap it directly to the player who La'Darryl calls T.T."

The Lions enter the game coming off a 38-35 loss to Pekin last week, a game that saw Baham rush for 173 yards and two touchdowns. He also returned an interception 65 yards for a TD.

Meanwhile, Galesburg was losing its fifth straight game - 63-26 to Rock Island - in a disappointing season which left them winless in the Western Big 6 Conference. But Chatterton said his team will close the season in good spirits.

"We're excited to get out there," said Chatterton. "When you look at them on film, you get a sense this is a ver winnable game for us.

"We should be able to run the ball pretty well. Their 4-4 defense lends itself to being able to run the ball inside."

The team's leading rusher, Cody Mixon, will return to the lineup Friday after missing a game with an injury. His replacement, sophomore Ricky Diggins, has a full game of varsity experience behind him. Both should see plenty of action this week.

The loss of tight end-defensive end David Anderson to injury last week, however, may require more lineup juggling this week.

Zach Ricketts will start at quarterback, play linebacker on defense and could also play tight end. Sophomore Kyle Hunter will again see action at quarterback.

"In a nutshell, we've got to get this one to put some type of positive spin on our season," said Chatterton. "Our seniors deserve to go out on a win."