DANVILLE — The Danville football team wants to get back into being a playoff team.
On Friday, they got a look at a team that could be on its way in Crete-Monee.
The Vikings could not get into the scoring column as they fell to the Warriors 51-0 at Ned Whitesell Field.
“This was a really good team, They are a team that we aspire toward being. They are a polished team and they did what they were supposed to do,” Danville coach Marcus Forrest said. “They played hard and physical and that is what a playoff team that has kids that will play in college and can advance in the playoffs can do. That is where we want to be and it was a learning experience. I can take the positive and say that last year, they scored 70 and today it was 51.”
“They came out and ran over us. They were playing their heart out like they always do,” Danville senior Jayden Rowell said. “I feel that since we had a young team, they didn’t know how hard they would play and how they were going to the ball.”
The Warriors built a 22-0 lead after the first quarter and kept going, using a passing offense that brought in most of their points. That emphasis on the pass meant a busy night for Rowell, who mostly had to deal with Crete-Monee receiver Dorian Patterson, who is 6-foot-3 inches and 190 pounds.
“They had a good receiver I went against last year,” Rowell said. “I won the fight last year, but I think he won this year. He has Division 1 experience and he’s a good receiver. For our team, we have to have confidence, but we didn’t give up.”
“There were times where we had them on a third and 27 and they had a 6-4, 190 pound receiver that can go up and get the ball when our defensive backs are 5-8. That’s a struggle,” Forrest said. “They have a QB that throws it up and they can get it. It is a testament that we kept fighting. Missed assignments, missed blocks, they all came back.”
By halftime, the score was 44-0 and while the Vikings did make plays in the second half, they could not capitalize to even put an dent in the Warriors’ lead.
“When you have the opportunity to make plays, you have to make plays and they were able to do more of that in the second half,” Forrest said. “Is it tough? Yes. Is it disheartening? No. I let them know what they are going against. Those same kids that we played we played last year and we were more experienced last year. So we competed a little better than last year. Each game is a learning experience and you learn from it.”
It was the second straight season the Vikings played the Warriors. They knew the assignment and learned a lot from the series.
“We knew physically of what we were looking at. It wasn’t a mystery that they were a good team and it was a great experience for our kids,” Forrest said. “They saw what a real, playoff team can do. I am happy we don’t play them again until we can get to a level where we can play them in the playoffs. I have nothing but respect for what they do and how they do it.
Before the game, there was a moment of silence for Danville Athletics Director Gary Gritton. All of the Danville athletes, coaches and District AD Mark Bacys attended.
“To have every athlete from every sport come together was amazing,” Forrest said. “It is a tough time and you hate to be there for, but at the same time, to have everyone at that moment, It was great. You hate the moment but to go through that as a school to come together. Mark Bacys and Gary has given that comradery and school spirit here. We are one huge team and we did that in honor of him.”
“He gave me my award for player of the game at Bloomington and he told me how good a player I was,” Rowell said. “He told me to make good choices, stay around people who don’t get me into trouble and always go hard and never give up. In my sophomore year, he told me how good I was and that I should try more. Mr. Gritton was a great AD and he always made everything fun and kept a smile on his face.”
The Vikings return home to face Champaign Central on Friday. Not only will Danville will be taking on a rival, a new set of expectations will be there because of it being the homecoming team.
“We have a Central team that has improved. We had a tough time with them last year and they have added some pieces which makes them an athletic team,” Forrest said. “It is the perfect time to win because it is Homecoming, but it brings another new experience to the younger kids because it will be their first homecoming and the first game with an expectation because everyone expects to win on homecoming. There will be a larger crowd and people coming in for reunions, so they will have a lot of support. so now it will be up to them to use the support they have and focus it on having the best game and if they grow and have a good week of practice, we should be alright.”