Moderator: Greetings! It's that time again, so lets open the door for questions. Good to see that there are several already.

jimmy, danville, illinois: Salt fork proved once again that they can come through with every level of there game from throwing to running, they have shown so who is your pick to go to the turf, and what is the outlook on the sophmore cody davis from salt fork for years to come he had a good sophmore season racking up over 350 on only 70 carries

Moderator: Hi Jimmy. Thanks for the question. You bring up a good point about Cody Davis. I'm sure the coaches in the preseason did not project him as one of the team's top rushers this season. And yet, due to injuries which sidelined both Matt Ford and Chet Moreland at times, Davis has played a much more prominent role and is third on carries right now (79), just three behind Moreland entering the state semifinals. What it means is that if the Storm need to play for a time with either Ford or Moreland out of the lineup, they can put in something with extensive varsity experience. The time he has received this year will make Davis more ready to step in next year when Ford and Moreland have graduated. As for my pick, I see there are a couple or more questions about Salt Fork's Saturday game at Concord Triopia, so I will get to those and share my thoughts on the outcome in a few minutes. Thanks!

Dan Brown, St. Joseph, IL: Fred, I assume you will be in Concord on Saturday. Tell us what you know about Concord Triopia and what their strengths and weaknesses are. Lets hope for no wind and a little sun. I think Salt Fork needs to pass the ball and if the weather is OK then we may very well be playing in Champaign a week later.

Moderator: Hi Dan. You assume correctly. I'll be making my way to Concord. Sounds like the school location is similar to Jamaica ... out in the middle of nowhere! But, it should be a heck of a matchup. I think you hit the nail right on the head as far as what Salt Fork needs to do this week to be successful. The Storm needs to effectively pass the ball, which they can do well as long as the weather conditions are favorable. It may be cold (well, it WILL be cold), but if it's dry, that will be a step in the right direction for the Storm. As I study Concord, it appears the overall program is very similar to Salt Fork's. Each has been to the playoffs for eight straight seasons now. Concord has had some deep runs in the past. As you know, this is the best advancement ever for Salt Fork or its schools, Catlin and Jamaica. How much of a factor will that be in the semifinals? How much of a factor will be playing at Concord? How much of a factor will Concord's late-game comeback from last week mean now. Rich Thompson, the Triopia coach, told me that win over Tuscola was a huge confidence-booster and said, "it makes the kids believe they are a team of destiny." I think Concord's strength offensively is the ability to run the ball. They passed five times at Tuscola and have thrown fewer than 50 passes ALL season. The team's top rusher for the season has almost 1,700 yards. Put in perspective that means Concord's top back has gained more yards rushing than Salt Fork's top three leaders have combined through 12 games. Obviously, if he runs wild, the Storm will be in trouble. If Salt Fork limits his big gains, that will be huge. But, Concord is not a one-back team. They had two others, I believe, who had gains of at least 20 yards against Tuscola. Defensively, Concord is best at stopping the run. Amazing as it seems, Triopia has yielded fewer than 400 yards rushing for the ENTIRE season. Salt Fork will have its hands full, no doubt. Brian Plotner calls this the best team the Storm has played thus far and that's not coach speak.

Tom, Champaign, IL: Fred,

how does Salt Fork match up with their opponet on Saturday?

Moderator: Hi Tom. I think it's a tough matchup both ways. I expect it will be a relatively low-scoring game. It could come down to a battle of field position, the ability to execute under pressure and keep drives going with big third (or fourth!)-down conversions. Concord had no turnovers of any kind last week in the come-from-behind quarterfinal win at Tuscola. Now, the team is back at home, playing in front of familiar and friendly fans, that should give them as edge as well. From Salt Fork's side, this is a winnable game. The Storm must be at their best defensively against the run, but then not forget about the pass. Concord surely will throw the ball, not out of necessity, but out of surprise and Salt Fork must avoid allowing a 40- or 50-yard play at those times. Offensively, Salt Fork needs the kind of production Matt Ford has been spectacular at during the three postseason games thus far and maybe the team's special teams unit, or kickers will be the difference. My pick is Salt Fork by a point. As you can tell, that's not much margin for error.

John Chambers, Tuscola, Illinois: when will the all area high school football team be announced as well as the all state team. I believe my nephew Zach Bosch may have made both the all area and all state.

Thanks John Chambers

Tuscola

Moderator: Hi John. The News-Gazette All-Area football team won't be out for a while yet. The publication date is Thursday, Dec. 4. Traditionally, our All-Area teams are printed the week following the IHSA state finals. As for All-State, The News-Gazette team has been released on Thanksgiving Day for as long as I can remember. That will be the case again this year. Bob Asmussen is coordinating that venture and I'm sure he is considering Tuscola players, as well as several others from the area for some sort of recognition. The All-State team in football, incidentally, is the only one The News-Gazette puts out that is released prior to the All-Area team! You'll be happy to know, too, that we got information today from the Illinois Football Coaches Association and that Tuscola's Zach Bosch was one of the 18 players (17 of whom are seniors) picked for All-State. From our area in Class 1A, other selections by the coaches were Salt Fork quarterback J.D. Learnard, Villa Grove running back Rob Renfrow, Cerro Gordo/DeLand-Weldon lineman Derek Shay and Fisher running back Colten Unzicker. In case you're wondering, Salt Fork's Saturday opponent, Concord Triopia, had one selection: its 1,700-yard rusher David Arendt, a 6-2, 205-pounder.

Moderator: Boy, time goes fast. I enjoyed the questions. Lets all enjoy a nice Thanksgiving Day next Thursday and I will return in two weeks for more questions! Happy holidays.