Sports Update - August 29, 2009

Local Teams Win Big In Opening Football Weekend

All of the local high school football teams won their opening games Friday evening. It was Columbia at home over Sparta, 28-15, Red Bud traveled to Pinckneyville and came home with a 33 to 29 win, Waterloo shut out Freeburg 26-0 on their home turf and Dupo edged out Olney 28-26. Next weekend’s big gridiron match-up will feature Columbia heading south to play their cross-county rival Waterloo. The new WHS grandstands are expected to be jammed with fans.

The Waterloo Bulldogs quickly burst out of the gate at their new facility. They led Freeburg 14-0 at halftime and held on for a 26-0 victory.            – photo by Gage Wienhoff

Waterloo senior running back Tyler Fickas, right, had a big game for Waterloo as he slashed through line. He gained nearly 190 yards on the ground..    - photo by Bob Haentzler - game photos online at www.gatewayphoto.net

Columbia running back Clayton Revelle, left, plows through the defense for a big gain in the first half.

Lifelong Waterloo resident Bill Schmidt, center, handles the coin toss before Friday night’s football game between Waterloo and Freeburg. Schmidt was honored as the first representative from WHS to a make it to a state final. The 1948 graduate excelled in track his senior year. He was also a star athlete in baseball and basketball. Also during the pre-game festivities, five key members of the Waterloo community were honored for all they have done for the Waterloo athletic program, especially their efforts at the new Waterloo High School complex. They were H. R. Gentsch of HTC, Dave Baxmeyer of Baxmeyer Excavating, Twyla Luhr of Luhr Bros., Steve Frank of the Waterloo Booster Club and George Obernagel.           - photo by Bob Haentzler - game photos online at www.gatewayphoto.net

Punt, Pass And Kick: Waterloo High School’s Athletic Booster Club’s 13^th annual NFL/Pepsi Punt, Pass and Kick competition is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12. The competition tests distance, accuracy and skill in punting, passing and kicking a football. Free registration is from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., for boys and girls ages 8 to 15 (birth or baptismal certificate required). It will take place from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the old Waterloo High School football / baseball field. All participants will receive an authentic Punt, Pass and Kick certificate. Students on an Illinois high school football team are not eligible to participate. No football shoes, cleats or turf shoes permitted; only soft-soled sneakers allowed. Four boy and four girl winners will be awarded a trophy and advance to the Waterloo Sectional competition on Saturday, Oct. 24. Sectional winners could advance to the Team Championship competition Nov. 29 before the Seattle Seahawks/St. Louis Rams game. For more information, call Lenny Voelker at 618-939-3570.

Recent Obituary

George Cralle, 91, died Aug. 24, 2009. He was born Sept. 20, 1918 in East St. Louis. After growing up in Monroe County, Mr. Cradle graduated in 1950 from Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., with a Bachelor’s Degree in Geological Engineering. In 1960, he earned a law degree from South Texas College of Law. He was a charter member and treasurer of Delta Theta Phi Fraternity (Townes Chapter). He retired from Exxon and practiced law in Houston, Tex. Mr. Cralle served as an Army officer in the Americal Division of the South Pacific during World War II. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Air Medal and Oak Leaf Cluster on the Island of Bougainville. He retired from the Army Reserves in 1978. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Phyllis Archer; a daughter, Nan (Larry) Esker of Sealy, Tex.; and granddaughters Lisa (Charles) Matz of Dallas, Michelle McDorman of Abilene, Christy Johnson and Tracey Rucker; along with his best friend Willie of Sealy, Tex. Visitation is Sunday, Aug. 30, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home in Waterloo. A graveside service will be Monday, Aug. 31, at 10 a.m., at St. Paul Evangelical Burial Park (Kolmer) in Waterloo.