A group of twenty-three seniors will lead this year’s version of the "Rocks".   Included in that group of seniors are 22 returning letterman and one newcomer.   The senior group will be led by five returning starters on defense and four returning starters on offense.

    The defense will be led by Western Big Six All Conference and All Metro linebacker selection, Jason Amble.  Amble was the Rocks leading tackler in 2000 with 83 solos and 25 assists.  The Rocks leading interceptor (four interceptions + 31 tackles) Munchie Muskeyvalley returns to lead the defensive secondary in 2001.  Muskeyvalley an Honorable Mention Western Big Six All Conference selection last year will move to free safety this year.  The three remaining starters from 2000 include senior strong safety, John Gunter (10 Tackles + 2 interceptions) and junior defensive ends Chris Tuttle (35 tackles + 8 TFL) + Nathan Gibbs (12 tackles + 4 TFL).

    The offensive side of the ball will be led by Western Big Six All Conference running back Maurice Jones.  Jones gained 978 yards on 135 carries for a 7.2 average per carry and 12 TD’s in 2000.  He will be joined in the backfield by two year returning letterman Steve Burnett. Burnett gained 890 yards on 127 carries for a 7.0 average per carry and 6 TD’s last year.   The offensive line will be led by returning starters Brandon Hartleben and Clayton George.  Hartleben, a 6’ 220 pounder will return at offensive center and George a 6’ 6" 265 pounder will return at offensive tackle.

    The remaining seniors vying for playing time include Nick Anderson (DL), Mike Blanchard (DL), Ben Cobert (OL), E.J.Dye (DE), Jon Fier (DL), Damion Hall (DB), Sam LaMere (OL), Derek Lum (OL), Mike Matherly (RB), Dustin McFarland (OL), Jake Morehouse (DE), Jack Schneider (DE), Bill Schwab (DB), Ted VanDeSample (OL), Dan VonMotz (DL), Art Williams (RB).

    The incoming junior class includes thirty-two young men who will be pushing the seniors for playing time.  In addition to Tuttle and Gibbs, juniors expected to contribute early include Mike Adamson (OE), Tom DeBroeck (QB), Drew DeVore (DL), Mike Leonard (OL), Justin Morelock (LB), Seth Olson (DL), Brandin Smith (OE), Dillon Smith (RB), Chase Stephens (QB), Pat Watkins (DB), Terrell Williams (DB), Keenan Wright (RB).  This year’s squad will begin the season with three sophomores on the varsity squad – Jason Reda (K), Waylond Ryan (RB), Eddie Williams (OL).

    Many new challenges will face the Rocks in 2001.  As the Rock Island school district switches to its modified school calendar, the first day of two-a-day football practices (Wednesday August 8) will correspond with the first full day of classes.  The new schedule will greatly reduce the normal preparation time the Rocks will have before their first game.  The reduced preparation time is a great concern going into the season.  The Rocks will need to be very efficient with the time they have if they are to be ready for their very tough non-conference schedule.  In addition, for the first time in many years the Rocks will face a major shakeup in its coaching staff responsibilities.

Varsity defensive line coach Travis Mackey has left the Rocks to take over the athletic director position at Geneseo.  To fill Mackey’s position the Rocks have promoted freshmen coach Shawn Trask to the defensive line position.  Moline long time head freshmen coach, Dan Burns, has been hired to take Trask’s position with the freshmen.  Trask will also share sophomore defensive coordinator responsibilities with Pharaoh Gay.  Coach Gay will be moving from the varsity offensive end position to become the varsity defensive back coach.

Coach Craig Allison will be moving from the defensive secondary position to become the offensive running back coach.  Coach Allison will also assume the sophomore offensive co-coordinator position along with long time head sophomore coach Ed Lillis.  Coach Lillis will also be changing his major area of responsibility moving from coaching the offensive running backs to coaching the varsity offensive ends.   Coach Greg King will also take on additional responsibilities this year by taking over as the Rocks special teams coordinator.  The Rocks will also have two volunteer coaches to round out its staff in 2001.  Al Metz a long time varsity line coach at Peoria Heights in the 70’s will help with the sophomore offensive and defensive lines and David Bryant a four year letter winner at the University of Iowa in the early 70’s will volunteer with Coach Pat Mitchell’s freshmen staff.

    The Rocks early season strength appears to be its offensive backfield. With two returning starters (Jones + Burnett) and a host of additional quality running backs the Rocks look to be very solid two deep at each of the offensive backfield positions.  An interesting battle appears to be developing at the QB position between Tom DeBroeck and Chase Stephens.  Many questions surround the upfront positions. Hartleben will man the center position and George will fill one of the tackle positions.  Both of the guard positions, one of the tackle positions and both offensive end positions are up for grabs.  Filling those positions will be a priority during early practices.  With Amble and Muskeyvalley providing good leadership on the defensive side of the ball, the Rocks will have a good nucleus to build on.  The Rocks will be looking for answers at all three defensive line positions, one linebacker position and two defensive back positions.  Special teams will be receiving special attention this year, as it is an area that needs improvement.   Coach Greg King will be coordinating all special teams and more practice time will devoted to improving this area.  John Gunter appears to have the early lead for the punting duties.  Jason Amble handled kick off and place kicking duties in 2000 and will return in 2001.  Sophomore Jason Reda returns to football this year and has demonstrated a very strong leg during the summer.  Reda will challenge Gunter and Amble for the kicking and punting duties.

    Coming off of a 2000 season which produced a 9 - 2 record, a fourth consecutive Western Big Six Conference Title and a fifth consecutive IHSA Class 5A playoff berth, the key to this years season lies in how well some of our inexperienced young men answer the questions which were posed above.  The Rocks seem to find a way to get it done.  We hope with a lot of hard work the 2001 version of the Rocks will be competitive within the Western Big Six Conference and throughout the State of Illinois.