The calendar says August and football is in the air at high schools across the state, including Prairie Central.
PC head coach Andrew Quain said the first full week of practice has been going well since Monday, with a high energy level and a great week of weather.
“The guys are really excited about the season,” Quain told Fairbury News Wednesday afternoon. “We are excited to take on the challenge that the Illini Prairie Conference gives us.”
A couple of senior running backs, Camden Palmore and Drew Fehr, are returning.
“We are really excited about Hudson Ault who is a sophomore this year who took some roles there in week nine and 10 in the playoffs so we are excited for him,” said Quain.
The Hawks return three linemen who are playing some different positions on the line this year.
This week’s practices have been all about fundamentals and building the base. Coach Quain has been stressing good habits which will hopefully pay off when it really matters on a Friday night.
“We had no shoulder pads the first two days and today we put shoulder pads on.”
PC is excited for the challenge of this year’s Illini Prairie Conference, which covers a good chunk of Central Illinois from east to west. This year, the conference loses Olympia which is heading to a conference by Springfield.
A non-conference away game has been added to the schedule for week seven as PC travels all the way to Mercer County, which many know as Aledo.
“That is a replacement for our Olympia game,” Quain explained.
While the Hawks lost a home game, the have gained a quality opponent in what should resemble a playoff atmosphere that week.
“I’m hoping that’s a good tune-up for us and kind of get us in that playoff mindset.”
The Hawk football season opens at home against Tolono Unity Aug. 26. That team was the runner-up in the conference last year. A short road trip to Pontiac is on the schedule for week two.
“Each and every week, it’s really a dogfight and it starts off with a tough one against Tolono Unity,” added Quain.
Both Palmore and Fehr are excited to be back for their senior seasons.
“I’m glad to be back,” admitted Fehr.
“Our team goal is to win conference and make a good playoff run,” noted Palmore.
If you would like to help out the program, Hawk cards are currently for sale. The cost this year is $20 and they are being sold by players all the way up until Aug. 20. Cards include discounts to several businesses.
Don’t forget Fairbury News is once again your home for Hawk football this fall with all of the game broadcasts. Also, be watching for our weekly Fairbury Newsmakers local news and sports show returning to Emancipation Brewing Company Thursday nights starting in September.
