Okaw Valley(Black) Conference Preview
8/21/2007
by Dan Hyman

Central Illinois prep football fans are certainly in for a treat this upcoming fall. After years of a conference comprised of ten teams known as the Okaw Valley Conference, the conference has gone forth with a new plan of splitting the small school powerhouse conference into two separate divisions, the Okaw Valley Black and Blue. Not only should this new change give rise to even more competitive football this fall, but more importantly it should see some new matchups that should provide fans with big hits as well as big thrills.

Decatur( St. Teresa)

As the 2006 season came to a close for St. Teresa, the Bulldogs were devastated after a 22-21 hard fought battle against eventual state runner up St. Joseph-Ogden in the 3A Quarterfinals. However, led by head coach Scott Davis and his coaching staff, the Bulldogs look to rebound this fall and ideally move further in the playoffs than last season.

The Bulldogs look to improve upon their impressive 10-2 record in 2006. To do so, St. Teresa will have some tough competition to get past. The Bulldogs will be led in 2007 by returning Quarterback Junior Steve Matuscak as well as Senior Wide Receiver Jed Walker.

“The division will have a different dynamic this year,” explains Coach Davis. Now having a split division we won’t be playing every team in our division like we have in the past. It’s going to require us to step up against some new teams that we have yet to face in the past.”

 Division Round-Up

Joining St. Teresa in the Okaw Valley Black conference will be Tolono(Unity)(9-2), Monticello (6-3), Clinton (3-6), Sullivan (1-8) and Shelbyville(Coop)(0-9).