By Fred Kroner
Villa Grove football coach Heath Wilson is thankful that 256 high schools qualify for the football playoffs.
Had the number been 255, the Blue Devils would have been on the sidelines after dropping a 49-22 decision in their regular-season finale on Friday (Oct. 22) at Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond.
Instead, the 5-4 Blue Devil are preparing for a first-round Class 1A playoff game at Camp Point Central, which was ranked fourth in last week’s state poll.
For Wilson, this will be a difficult week. His father, Mike, passed away on Saturday. Mike Wilson was a person that some at his son’s various coaching stops lovingly referred to “as the real Coach Wilson,” Heath Wilson said.
Heath Wilson is appreciative that his VG coaching staff features a solid group that includes former St. Thomas More head coach Dan Hennessey.
“It will be tough, but we will get through it,” Heath Wilson said.
Not only did Villa Grove grab the last playoff qualifying spot, but they also had to endure a day when several 4-4 teams that were playing had to lose.
One of those 4-4 teams (Von Steuben) wound up on the short end of a 26-24 score against Urban Prep in the final minute.
“Part of me felt that Dad was there to help us get over the hump,” Heath Wilson said. “Camp Point is a great team with great tradition.
“We knew we were getting a top dog, but in the playoffs, it’s a fresh new season and everyone is 0-0.”
Against A-L/A-H, Liam Barr connected on 10 of 22 passes for 139 yards. Two of the completions were for touchdowns.
Layne Rund and Luke Zimmerman – each of whom had three receptions – were on the receiving end of scoring strikes. Run gained 63 yards on his three catches.
Zimmerman rushed for a team-high 96 yards on 14 carries.
Villa Grove’s first TD came 31 seconds before halftime after Hunter Butts recovered a blocked punt.
Defensively, Zimmerman had a team-high 16 tackles, his fifth game in double figures this season. Barr had eight stops, Brady Clodfelder had seven and Alex Jensen ended with five tackles.
