Waterloo set to test out new field

Waterloo has never lost a game on its home field --but neither has anyone else.

Waterloo's new high school and sparkling new artificial turf field will get its prep football baptism tonight when the Bulldogs play host to the Freeburg Midgets.

Game time is 7 p.m. at the new school, located south of Waterloo on Illinois 3.

"The kids have got something to be proud of and so does the community," said Waterloo coach Dan Rose, nearly as excited as his players to get things under way. "It changes everything."

If nothing else, the Bulldogs don't have to negotiate a path through headstones and fences to reach their home field any more.

"We had a cemetery between the game field and the school," Rose said. "We had to use sheds for halftime and the visiting team usually just went into the baseball outfield unless it was raining or bad weather. This is going to be nice."

Both teams were 6-4 last season and received votes in The Associated Press Class 4A preseason state poll. Freeburg was 11th, while Waterloo was 16th.

"It's going to be fun to open the up the season in a new, big stadium like that," Freeburg coach Ronnie Stuart said. "It's going to be a great atmosphere."

The old Cahokia Conference rivals met in Week 9 last season in a game the Midgets -- and their 2008 defense -- would like to forget.

Waterloo posted a 48-24 victory behind the running of B.J. Grayson, who didn't stop moving his legs until he had a school-record 307 yards (on only 17 carries) and five touchdowns.

"We've been watching that film since the middle of summer," Freeburg coach Ronnie Stuart said. "They ran the ball down our throats and they did what they needed to do. It carries over a lot. They basically ran the ball at will and they had (464) yards of total offense."

Waterloo also picked off Freeburg quarterback Alex Fricke four times and led 28-8 at halftime.

Grayson won't be there tonight; he's now playing for Augustana College.

"B.J. had one of those nights where the kid couldn't do anything wrong," Rose said. "I wouldn't say we were dominating the blocking. I think we had people in the right positions at the right time and B.J. had one of those games.

"If there was the slimmest seam, he was sneaking through it running full speed."

Fricke and Waterloo quarterback Tim Kassebaum both return, one of several similarities shared by the teams. Both have questions marks on the offensive line, but return a lot of experience and toughness on defense.

Fricke (6-2, 210) returns for his second year as starter.

"He's a linebacker-type kid and if he can't throw it, he's going to put his shoulders down and come right at you," Rose said. "He's going to be tough to prepare for."

Central at Mascoutah, 7 p.m.: Big things are expected from the Central Cougars this year, and they'll be in for a big test today against the Indians.

The Indians feature one of the area's most dynamic two-way players in senior Matt Milton, a 6-foot-6 wide receiver/defensive back who has committed to Tennessee. Rivals.com ranks Milton as a four-star prospect and the No. 46 receiver in the nation.

Milton is the key returnee for the Indians, who must replace their quarterback and running back. They have a first-year coach in Scott Battas.

After several lean years, the Cougars are on the uptick. The Cougars return seven starters on offense, five on defense and could have one of the top running back tandems in the Cahokia Conference in seniors Matt Elliott (1,131 yards, 16 TDs) and Kevin Grayling.

Grayling rushed for 877 yards and 10 TDs as a sophomore but did not play last year because of academic and disciplinary reasons.