Reviewing The Play - A-L Football

OK, let's keep this up. Today, let's chat about the Arthur-Lovington Knights.

These guys are pretty impressive, or, wait...what's that word...? Starts with an Ama...ends with a zing...Amazing! They are 2-0 and a lot of that has to do with their coach, Dale Schuring, also a true mathlete.

I must admit, I was a little concerned when I saw the roster size, 22 kids, but he has repeatedly told me that he's been working with this team size for years and he's used to it. That's a small team, but they're making do with who they've got.

Senior kicker/linebacker Dan Bolsen is a great athlete and tops at leadership. He gives that team what most don't have, a solid kicking team, and they have already won in week one against Fithian-Oakwood because of the difference in kicking accuracy, and last week's last minute-win against Martinsville saw some good kicks on A-L's end and bad on the other, too.

It appears that Knights' running back Justin Schuring (Dale's son) didn't get moved to running back from quarterback as a demotion, but as a solution, because he has been an absolute factor on the ground in the first two weeks, and in limited play, too. He ran for 138 yards in Friday's game and that was only in the first half(!), having to leave in the second due to cramps. He ran for 92 yards in the week prior, but had to leave early in that game, too.

Fans will always wonder if a coach's son is getting special treatment, but in this case, I think Justin's talent is special enough that he more than deserves that role.

Also a threat on the ground, Andy Carver is a scrambling quarterback. He diced up the Martinsville defense and served them for breakfast at Steak N' Shake last week, running for 128 yards, including a 62-yard touchdown breakout.

For the moment, the Knights stand at the top of the Little Okaw Valley Conference alongside Villa Grove.

Things do get a little tricky for the Knights now, as in the next three weeks they are facing the top three finishers in the Little Okaw Valley conference last season, Arcola on Friday, Sangamon Valley on Sept. 19, and Cerro Gordo on Sept. 26. Arcola will likely be especially hungry this Friday, A. Because it's Arthur-Lovington, B. Because they are 0-2 after losing to two tough teams.

But Dale Schuring and the Knights (Not to be mistaken with the '50s doo-wop group), are ready, as in every interview they emphasize that they aren't going to get cocky. If they can ride out these nest three games with at least a win or two, they could have it made as the following three teams won a total of four games last season.

For anyone heading to Arcola tomorrow night to watch the game, I'll see you there!