TERRE HAUTE —
Faithful readers of the Tribune-Star might peruse the rosters for today’s Wabash Valley Football Coaches Association All-Star Game and figure the Black squad is the favorite in the 7:30 p.m. game at Memorial Stadium.
The WVFCA is a far-flung operation, however — from Mattoon to Ellettsville, from Clayton to Charleston, from Roachdale to Olney, from Cayuga to Elnora — and is expanding on virtually a yearly basis. With some of the Gold team’s key players coming from North Putnam and Mattoon, neither team covered by this newspaper, the game could turn out closer than those readers think.
“It’s been good, a good week of practice,” coach Steve Weber of Linton and the Gold team said. “We got a lot [of offensive and defensive schemes] in.”
“It’s been a great week,” agreed coach Todd Burgess of South Putnam and the Black team. “Spending this much time with this good [a bunch of] coaches and players … I learn how little I do know.”
An obvious strength of the Black team is its running backs. Two of the four Indiana State recruits in this game — Tyler Evans of Terre Haute South and Andre Strohm of Marshall — are in a four-way battle for the position that also includes South Putnam’s Rob Gibson and Lawrenceville’s Tanner Volkman. “That’s four pretty good ones,” Burgess confirmed.
A few carries might also be found for Northview slotback Damon Hyatt, with quarterbacks Jacob Duncan of Marshall and Zach Lyday of North Central having receiving targets available that also include West Vigo’s Cody Thornton and Marshall’s Rodney Troutman and Taylor Sanders, among others.
The Gold team’s spread offense will be run by Mattoon’s Shaunesy Carlen and North Putnam’s Kolten Everts, Weber said. Carlen has two of his high school teammates — Jake Gates and Zack Myers — in addition to Turkey Run’s Matt Loudermilk to hand off to, but Everts also has familiarity with the backfield because two potential slotbacks, Tyler Shorter and Jake Smerage, are also former Cougars. Gates, Shorter and Strohm, in some order, are probably the three fastest players on the field tonight.
A third ISU recruit in the game is Terre Haute North’s Dakota Vermillion, who figures to anchor the offensive line for the Gold team and give Carlen and Everts time to throw to a list of receivers that includes North Vermillion’s Lane Clark, Linton’s Brad Thomas, Sullivan’s Ryan Vernelson and possibly Casey’s Colin Carver and Rockville’s Cody Jeffries.
Defensively the fourth future Sycamore, South’s Tsali Lough, figures to be one of the anchors for the Black team along with linebacker Chris Creek of Charleston. South’s Enreque Brown and Marshall’s Jared Boyll are other strong linebackers, but the defensive line isn’t quite as deep, meaning plenty of work for West Vigo’s Ben Bird and Harley Elkins, Northview’s Chance Talbot and Greencastle’s Levi App.
Defenders who have looked good for the Gold team have been North Putnam linebacker Nate Bryan; linemen Michel McKinney of Mattoon, Hunter Logan of North Putnam, Pat McCown of Casey and Blake Scharbrough of Linton; and safety Heath Huisinga of Casey.
The two teams have completed a week of practice in some of the most oppressive temperatures the WVFCA all-stars have had to face, and made it through without a whimper.
“The heat was fine,” Weber said. “[The players] are tired, but there are no heat problems. They all came in in good shape.”
Tonight’s game will enable the WVFCA to surpass the $25,000 mark in scholarships passed out to all-star participants. As in past year’s, there will be WVFCA/Pete Varda Sr. Hall of Fame Scholarships voted on by the players themselves; Coaches Pick scholarships to players on each team sponsored by Sir Thomas Automotive; and the Brett Eitel Memorial Scholarship based on academic performance.
Tickets are available at the gate. Players in the game include representatives from almost all of the 35 schools with WVFCA membership.
Sports
No favorite in WVFCA all-star game
- Sports
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Got it: Rex first baseman #29 Kurt Kudrecki fields a ball hit down the first base line during game action against the Quincy Gems Monday night at Bob Warn Field.
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Loss drops Rex into first-place tie
In a battle for first place in the West Division of the Prospect League baseball standings, the Terre Haute Rex fell just short Monday night at Bob Warn Field.
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Seven players from Terre Haute Rex taken in Major League draft
Seven players who are alumni of the Terre Haute Rex in the past four years achieved their dream of becoming professional baseball players when taken in the Major League Baseball draft earlier this month.
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RAMBLIN’ RECK: Catching up on some things
Catching up — on all-state softball honors and a new basketball coach in Illinois.
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METRO ROUNDUP: Hutson comes home, has personal best
Kylie Hutson returned to her home town Saturday to set a personal outdoor record, clearing 15-feet-5 in highlighting the Sycamore Open pole vault competition at Marks Field.
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Checking in with cancer survivor
The last time the Tribune-Star visited with Amy Bagnoche, July of 2012, she was fighting back tears talking about her own battle with breast cancer and the battles that others were facing.
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Post 346 rebounds to win Terre Haute Invitational
It’s an interesting dance that Wayne Newton Post 346 and Evansville Pate Post 265 have developed in American Legion baseball’s Terre Haute Invitational, and the last waltz was saved for the host team Sunday.
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DeNato proves IU can pitch too
Joey DeNato dispelled the notion that College World Series newcomer Indiana is all about offense.
The junior left-hander threw a four-hitter and the Hoosiers looked mighty comfortable at TD Ameritrade Park while beating Louisville 2-0 on Saturday night. -
Metro roundup: Givens, Mundy win two-man golf tournament
Scott Givens and Tim Mundy maintained their first-day lead to win the Show-Me’s Two-Man golf tournament concluded Sunday at Rea Park
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Goatee, Bertoli ran away with Spring Athlete of the Year
When honoring athletes after a season of excellence, the phrase “what might have been” doesn’t usually come up.
But in the case of Terre Haute South’s Jackson Bertoli and Terre Haute North’s TaPring Goatee – the Tribune-Star’s Athletes of the Year for spring sports – there’s an air of unfinished business despite obvious recent successes.
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TODD GOLDEN: Golf ... the beast within?
Like many sports fans, my interest in professional golf is confined to the four major tournaments. Many prefer the Masters, some like the back-to-roots British Open, but I’ve always liked the U.S. Open the best.
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Loss drops Rex into first-place tie
- Local Interest
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Score: Post 346 runner #6 Jacob Johnson scores after a collision with the Pate catcher in the fourth inning Sunday afternoon.
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Post 346 rebounds to win Terre Haute Invitational
It’s an interesting dance that Wayne Newton Post 346 and Evansville Pate Post 265 have developed in American Legion baseball’s Terre Haute Invitational, and the last waltz was saved for the host team Sunday.
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METRO ROUNDUP: Wayne Newton 2-1 on young season
Wayne Newton Post 346 improved to 2-1 in American Legion baseball with a late 8-3 victory over Effingham on Thursday night.
Craig Peters was winning pitcher for Post 346 and T.J. Decker and Cody Thornton led a 16-hit attack with three hits each. -
Rex looking to return to pitching dominance Sunday against Springfield
During a 7-1 start and franchise-best seven-game winning streak, Terre Haute Rex pitching was the catalyst. Through eight games, the Rex led the Prospect League with an earned-run average of 1.11.
Even after giving up 10 runs Friday night in a 10-6 loss to the Quincy Gems, the Rex (7-2) are still the league leader in ERA at 2.09. -
FROM TERRE HAUTE TO THE MAJOR LEAGUES: Former Scamore hurlers doing well in White Sox system
Brian Omogrosso was promoted to Chicago and appeared in 11 games. The big right-hander compiled a 5.14 earned-run average in 14 innings of relief. He struck out 14 and walked seven.
- COLLEGE REPORT: Wabash College All-American relay team has TH flavor
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Post 346 rebounds to win Terre Haute Invitational
- High School
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Goatee, Bertoli ran away with Spring Athlete of the Year
When honoring athletes after a season of excellence, the phrase “what might have been” doesn’t usually come up.
But in the case of Terre Haute South’s Jackson Bertoli and Terre Haute North’s TaPring Goatee – the Tribune-Star’s Athletes of the Year for spring sports – there’s an air of unfinished business despite obvious recent successes.
- Post 346 opens tournament with two victories
- North boys move up to 13th in golf state finals
- Big hill to climb for North golf
- Top of her game
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- College
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Indiana starting pitcher Joey DeNato (23) celebrates throwing out Louisville's Coco Johnson (20) at first for the second out in the bottom of the ninth inning in an NCAA College World Series game in Omaha, Neb., Saturday, June 15, 2013 (AP Photo/The World-Herald, Ryan Soderlin) MAGS OUT; ALL NEBRASKA LOCAL BROADCAST TV OUT
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DeNato proves IU can pitch too
Joey DeNato dispelled the notion that College World Series newcomer Indiana is all about offense.
The junior left-hander threw a four-hitter and the Hoosiers looked mighty comfortable at TD Ameritrade Park while beating Louisville 2-0 on Saturday night. -
Etherington, Moore happy to be with ISU basketball
Not even two weeks into their college experience, Indiana State freshmen men’s basketball players Alex Etherington and Demetrius Moore stood sentinel as 115 kids ran around them collecting basketballs and getting autographs at the Greg Lansing Basketball Camp on Thursday.
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ISU's Johnson invited to World University Games
Indiana State senior Felisha Johnson will be traveling the world this summer after being named to represent the United States in the women’s shot put at the World University Games in Kazan, Russia.
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FROM THE PRESS BOX: Close, but no cigar, theme for ISU sports in 2012-13
When I covered my first event of Indiana State’s 2012-13 season — ISU’s opening football game at Indiana — I was the first one in the press box at IU’s Memorial Stadium. I’m never the first one in the press box.
Maybe the prospect of ISU’s season had me so pumped that I decided to get it started close to three hours early? (Or more truthfully, maybe I was over-vigilent about predicted traffic horrors on the Indiana 46 bypass that never came to pass.) -
Q&A: ISU football coach Mike Sanford ready for fall
It’s hard to believe, but Mike Sanford has already been Indiana State’s football coach for six months.
Time flies, but Sanford’s task of preparing for his first season in charge of the Sycamores comes with few breaks.
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DeNato proves IU can pitch too
- Sports Columns
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RAMBLIN’ RECK: Catching up on some things
Catching up — on all-state softball honors and a new basketball coach in Illinois.
- TODD GOLDEN: Golf ... the beast within?
- Trackside: Midgets could be on rise in Wabash Valley
- RAMBLIN’ RECK: South grad helps VU to national golf title
- FROM THE PRESS BOX: Close, but no cigar, theme for ISU sports in 2012-13
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RAMBLIN’ RECK: Catching up on some things
- Pro Sports
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Colts not standing pat in looking toward 2013 season
Indianapolis Colts second-year general manager Ryan Grigson has quickly earned a reputation as someone who isn’t afraid to shake things up a bit.
- Deacon Jones of famed Fearsome Foursome dead at 74
- Seeking elite status
- Luck having fun with his first OTAs
- Colts hoping for more high marks on draft picks
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Colts not standing pat in looking toward 2013 season
- Terre Haute Rex
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Got it: Rex first baseman #29 Kurt Kudrecki fields a ball hit down the first base line during game action against the Quincy Gems Monday night at Bob Warn Field.
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Loss drops Rex into first-place tie
In a battle for first place in the West Division of the Prospect League baseball standings, the Terre Haute Rex fell just short Monday night at Bob Warn Field.
- Sliders’ frustration against Rex continues
- Sanchez stays hot to lead Rex to victory
- Rex fall at home to Sliders
- Rex looking to return to pitching dominance Sunday against Springfield
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Loss drops Rex into first-place tie
- Colts
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Colts not standing pat in looking toward 2013 season
Indianapolis Colts second-year general manager Ryan Grigson has quickly earned a reputation as someone who isn’t afraid to shake things up a bit.
- Landry believes he'll acclimate to Colts system
- Colts in harmony with new coordinator Hamilton
- Pagano amazed by collection of veterans
- Opening Day: Terre Haute Rex host Quincy
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Colts not standing pat in looking toward 2013 season
- Auto Racing
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Winner's kiss: Tony Kanaan of KV Racing Technology kisses the yard of bricks at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday. Kanaan won his first Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on Sunday and kissed the bricks as part of a tradition at the Motor Speedway.
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Kanaan can: Tony Kanaan finally wins Indy 500, ends heartbreak
Tony Kanaan had been so close so many times in the Indianapolis 500 until Sunday. Now he’s a winner.
- Crowd, competitors erupt in celebration for Brazilian driver
- Rookies fare well in 97th running of the Indy 500
- Top guns, again
- Looking for Indy breakthrough, Kanaan enjoying role as team mentor
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Kanaan can: Tony Kanaan finally wins Indy 500, ends heartbreak
Julien talks Stanley Cup Finals
Quenneville: Game 4 is must-win
Fantasy Preview: Top 5 quarterbacks
Madden 25 looks better than ever
NBA Live is back in '14
Rask, Seidenberg talk Game 3 win
Bruins take 2-1 series lead
Morosi: Closers on the trade market
Morosi: Scherzer could start All-Star Game
Chad Johnson released from jail
McReynolds: Ford's milestone win
McReynolds: Hamlin's hopes over?
Blackhawks lose Game 3
NBA Finals: Who gets the last big run?
Final Round Highlights
Rose on his late father: 'My dad was inspiration the whole day'
LeBron, D-Wade on being tested by Spurs
Julien: We know what we have to do
Quenneville: We have to be desperate
Highlights: Michigan
Inside Kim Kardashian's Premature Labor
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
Paige Butcher Scorches on Hawaii Beach
Video: worst way to load cargo onto a plane
Never-before-seen footage of '08 Times Square bomber
Obama: NSA Secret Data Gathering 'Transparent'
WATCH IT: Lil Wayne tramples American flag
Mariah Carey Looks Beautiful in a Tiny Cut-Out Swimsuit
Out of Control Boat Throws Passengers Overboard
See Lindsay Lohan in Rehab
Sofia Vergara Posts Perky Backside Pic in Thong
Gaga Ditches Her Crazy Couture
Caught on Tape: Teacher Accused of Beating Autistic Child
"Stay Classy" Campaign Aims to Curb Binge Drinking
Sesame Street Tackling Tough Topic Parents in Jail
Miss Utah Fumbles Interview Question
Deranged man claims Newark-bound flight was poisoned
Cameron Diaz and Kate Upton Show Off Their Amazing Bikini Bodies
NBA FINALS: Spurs Win Game 5, Lead Series
