The 2012 Mercer County High School football team is making history as the first in the consolidated school district's history to play in the IHSA Class 2A State Finals in Champaign. Here are the players and coaches who have been a part of the Golden Eagles' 13-0 season, which concludes today at 1 p.m. against Belleville Althoff (10-3) at Memorial Stadium:
Seniors: Logan Snyder (RB/LB), Jesse Snyder (RB/LB), Tanner Matlick (QB/DB), Payton Holmes (WR/DB/KR), Bryce Skiles (RB/DB), Austin Rooth (WR/DB), Caleb King (RB/LB), Devin Morford (TE/LB), Nathan Fippinger (RB/DB), Zach Nelson (RB/LB), Jon Ricke (TE/DL), Brandon Schroeder (OL/DL), Matt Zimmerman (OL/DL), Tim Willet (OL/DL), Landon McIntosh (OL/DL), Brad Sabel (OL/DL).
Juniors: Tyson Nylin (WR/DB/KR), Preston Adams (WR/DB), Tyson Russell (RB/LB), Cole Peterson (WR/DB), Brody Lloyd (WR/DB), Chris Neeld (TE/LB), Buddy Shaw (OL/DL), Zeke Snyder (RB/LB), Bobby Lincoln (OL/DL), Hank Connor (OL/LB), Daryl Steinbeck (OL/DL), Alex Kisner (OL/DL), Ben Stevens (OL/DL), A.J. Line (WR/DB).
Sophomores: Curtis Van Winkle (RB/DB), Adam Huffstuttler (QB/DB), Blake Russell (WR/DB), Ben Fippinger (WR/DB), Drake Stim (WR/DB), Mark VanderHeyden (RB/LB), Tristen Finch (RB/DB), Kale Moreland (TE/LB), Matt Weeks (RB/LB), Mason Weeks (OL/LB), Shabie Dudley (OL/DL), Teryima Manta (PK), Tony Nylin (OL/DL), Michael Zug (OL/DL), Zach LeHew (OL/LB), Will Drowns (OL/DL), Dalton Murphy (OL/DL), Carl Dennison (OL/DL), Chase Nelson (OL/LB), Dalton Howard (TE/DL).
Freshmen: Spencer Wood (QB/DB), Lucas Mohrer (WR/DB), Logan Welch (RB/LB), Ty Taylor (WR/DB), Ashton Klingaman (QB/DB), Corey Cox (TE/DL), Quinton Ball (OL/DL), Cody Blaser (OL/DL), Tanner Heath (OL/DL), Jordan Monson (OL/LB), Alex Brown (OL/LB), Cole Thomas (OL/DL), Zach Stubbs (OL/DL).
Captains: Matlick, King, Zimmerman, Ricke. Head coach: Nat Zunkel (4th year; 41-6 at Mercer County, 43-13 career). Assistants: Brian Dennison, Brian Adams, Eric Russell, Bill Osmun, Dustin Murray, Austin Skiles, Luke Boucher, Andy Russell, Dennis Runbom, Ryan Koresko, Jeremy Finch. Trainers: Monica Dennison, Johnny Swanson.
Today is Sunday, May 26, the 146th day of 2013. There are 219 days left in the year. 1863 -- 150 years ago: The information called for in yesterday's Argus, in relation to thechild abandoned in Moline, by its mother two years ago, was furnished us last evening.The child was found by a Swede and has been kindly cared for. 1888 -- 125 years ago: The annual review and inspection of the Rock Island volunteerfire department took place today, and there will be a firemen's ball tonight. 1913 -- 100 years ago: Captain H.F. Young, former Mississippi river pilot, and T.W.Chapman left Rock Island today for Alaska to enter river service there. 1938 -- 75 years ago: Poppies were blooming today at the headquarters of the Rock Islandunit of the American Legion auxiliary at the Y.M.C.A. as the little red memorial flowers, which the people of Rock Island will wear in honor of veterans. 1963 -- 50 years ago: One hundred and fifty of the best show horses in Illinois and Iowaare expected to compete tomorrow for some $500 in trophies, ribbons and prize money inthe first major horse show of the season. 1988 -- 25 years ago: Moline Public Hospital presented blue ribbons to the winnersof a recent poster contest, held in conjunction with National Hospital Week. Utilizingthe theme of "You're Our Specialty," the following were grand prize winners: MindyBenson, Moline; Thao Dang, Moline; Gared Laux, Moline; John Murphy, Rock Island;Justin Pulford and Bennie Jo Starkey, Moline.