| Illini 'always been a dream' for Ferguson |
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By MIKE CLARK Sun-Times Media
Josh Ferguson has never seen a University of Illinois football home game, but he knows his way around Memorial Stadium.
That's because the rising senior running back from Joliet Catholic played on the Illini's home turf in the state championship game. And it looks like he'll be carrying the ball a few more times there now that he's given Illinois a verbal commitment.
"It's always been a dream of mine to play for Illinois," Ferguson said. "My family and I went down for a visit (earlier this month). I left comfortable. We felt real good about the school as a whole, most importantly the education."
Ferguson picked the Illini over Ohio, Ball State, Memphis and East Carolina.
"My family wanted to get this over so we could focus on the season," he said.
The 5-10, 175-pounder rushed for 1,596 yards on 178 carries as a junior, scoring 20 touchdowns for the Class 5A runnerup Hilltoppers.
Joliet Catholic lost the title game 29-28 to Montini on a last-minute touchdown and two-point conversion, a result that has Ferguson and his teammates champing at the bit to get back on the field.
"We can't wait for the first game," he said. "We all have the motivation."
Football's Fastest Man
Plainfield South all-state and all-area running back/defensive back Dondre Adams is expected to shoot for his third straight title as Graf Speed Enhancement and EDGYTIM's Illinois Prep Spotlight, part of the Rivals.com network, present the 14th annual Football's Fastest Man contest beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday at Joliet West.
The event will be held rain or shine. Participants are asked to arrive no later than 12:30 p.m. for registration purposes. This also will be the first year it will be held on a Saturday.
This contest is open to all high-school aged football players (including incoming freshmen and players from the Class of 2010). The entry cost is $10 per player or $100 for any teams of 10 or more.
All contestants will receive a Football's Fastest Man T-shirt and medals are awarded for the top three finishers in each category.
A team plaque will go to the top team finisher. Romeoville won the 2009 team trophy.
Players will be grouped by the following positions: fullbacks/linebackers/tight ends; quarterbacks/tailbacks; wide receivers/defensive backs; offensive line/defensive line.
The winners of each position will then square off in the final heat to determine the overall football's fastest man.
Past winners: 2008 and 2009 winner -- Adams, Plainfield South; 2007 -- RB/LB Jacob Arnold, Plainfield North; 2006 -- RB Brandon Phillips, Providence Catholic; 2005 -- RB Jordan Farrell, Providence Catholic (Yale); 2004 -- FB Joe Benson, Joliet Catholic Academy (Minnesota Twins); 2003 -- WR Jeff Yarbrough, Rich South, Northwestern; 2002 -- LB Bob McClearen, Wheaton North (Northern Illinois); 2001 -- RB Jake Cunningham, Pontiac; 2000 -- Luke Steinberg, Joliet Catholic (Southern Illinois track); 2000 and 1999 -- LB Pat McShane, Joliet Catholic (Boston College).
"Thanks to athletic director Steve Millsaps and head football coach Jason Aubry at Joliet West High School for allowing us to have this event back home at Joliet West High School again this summer," said Tim Graf of Graf Speed Enhancement. "Joliet West was the original location of this contest and we are thrilled to be back again at Joliet West and the home of the Tigers."
For more details, contact Graf at 1-815-325-4004.
Kickoff show
WJOL Radio's annual Coaches' Kickoff Show, featuring "Edgy Tim," Dave Dwyer and head coaches of all high school football teams in the greater Will County area, is scheduled Sunday, Aug. 22 at McBrody's Restaurant. It will be aired at 5 p.m., or immediately following the Joliet JackHammers' game, which will begin at 2:10.
The public is welcome to stop at McBrody's and listen to the program on site.
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