Friday, Aug. 28, 2009

CIVIC MEMORIAL: For the Eagles, the only way to go is up this season

BETHALTO -- When Scott Tonsor left his native Jerseyville to take on the task of rebuilding the Civic Memorial football program following 18 strong years under Rick Reinhart, he knew the challenge would be arduous.

But not even Tonsor could have envisioned a 2-16 start, including 0-9 a year ago.

"Obviously, you'd think we would have more (wins), but we struggled," said Tonsor, preparing his team for a 7 p.m. home opener today against Du Quoin. "Last year, when you lose so many kids ... we were real young early and we've been really young.

"That's always difficult, and you start a freshman quarterback your first year, you're going to go through some growing pains."

Tonsor said things are definitely looking up.

"I don't think anybody talks about last year," he said. "When I was at Staunton being 9-0, we didn't talk about it. I think that's just the natural progression of kids as well."

The Eagles will begin the season without starting quarterback Zach Tobin, a 5-foot-10, 175-pound junior. Tobin will miss the first two games after breaking the radius bone in his non-throwing arm just above the left wrist.

Tobin also missed the first two games in 2008 with a staph infection in his elbow.

Tonsor doesn't feel like his starting signal caller will miss more than two games but feels good about junior Michael Czeschin (6-1, 180) filling in as he did in 2008.

"He filled in for Zach last year and did a great job and ended up playing a lot of other positions for us," Tonsor said. "He's smart, works hard, he's got some athleticism and uses it right. If Zach's (No.) 1, he's 1A. We're pretty lucky to have that situation."

Tonsor said the Eagles will rely heavily on the spread and option plays.

"We spent two years getting it in and getting our kids to understand it," he said. "This is the first year we've got to sit down and not re-teach everything. Now, we've been able to teach details, so we're not going to vary from the past."

Missed tackles plagued the CM defense on numerous occasions. Former Alton assistant coach Dwight Tungett comes in to handle the defensive chores after spending 10 seasons with the Redbirds.

"We've got to be a lot better tackling. Our kids have to know their alignments and they have to know their assignments and they have to carry those out," Tonsor said.

All-Mississippi Valley Conference senior defensive back Devin Caldwell (6-0, 185) anchors a defense that also boasts senior lineman Chase Karrick (6-0, 224), senior linebacker Ryne Cherry (6-0, 210), senior lineman Alex Belloso (6-2, 177) and junior tackle Isaac Gowin (6-5, 325).

"We can't control the scoreboard, but we can control how hard we work. We can control how well we prepare, how hard we play," Tonsor said.

Following Du Quoin, the Eagles replace Herrin in Week 2 with a date against Richmond (Burton), a game that will be played on Saturday, Sept. 5 at Illinois State University's Hancock Stadium.

As for the MVC, Tonsor says Triad is the team to beat, with Mascoutah and Highland also in the hunt.

Is CM ready to climb into the ranks of the upper MVC squads?

"I think we're ready to do it now.," Tonsor said. "We'd better be."