Stormin' Pointers protect their QB

CENTER POINT -- Ryan Wilkin isn't a big talker.That was apparent by a recent interview, on the first day of football practice at Center Point-Urbana."Everyone's just excited after last year," said the junior quarterback. "We can definitely make it further if we play as a team."Not earth-shattering copy, but certainly print-worthy."Bet you didn't get much from him, did you?" laughed CPU Coach Dan Burke. "He doesn't say much, but he's a leader. The kids make sure nobody messes with him."That's called protecting your quarterback.Wilkin was elevated to the varsity QB last season when the Stormin' Pointers were limping along at 0-5. He helped guide CPU to four straight wins, including critical victories over Marion and DeWitt Central, and a Class 3A playoff berth.Now, with the majority of the top players back and a drop to Class 2A, Center Point-Urbana is capable of more than just making the postseason. The Stormin' Pointers figure to push Dyersville Beckman for the 2A District 4 title."We've got two good classes -- our seniors are really strong at football, and our juniors are really good, too," said receiver Josh Jirak. "We've just got to go out and perform."CPU returns its QB (Wilkin), its top rusher (Brandon Roseberry netted 984 yards) and its top receiver (Jirak caught 20 passes for 351 yards). Gus Gifford, Gage Silker and Logan Holtz ranked 2-3-4 in tackles last year."Last year, we were kind of a smash-mouth team, but we're not a one-man show (with Roseberry)," Burke said.It won't be long until the Stormin' Pointers get a barometer on their progress. They travel to defending 3A state champion Union on opening night, Aug. 24."They're the champs; we wouldn't want to start any other way," Jirak said. "We'll see how we match up with a very good team right away."

CENTER POINT-URBANA, at a glance

Coach: Dan Burke (5th year, 13-25)

Last year's record: 4-6 overall, 4-3 Class 3A District 5 (4th place), 3A playoffs first round

Key losses: Sawyer Henry, Adam Greenfield, Sebastian Hollandsworth

Key returners: QB Ryan Wilkin, RB Brandon Roseberry, WR Josh Jirak, OL-DL Sawyer Krotz, DT Gus Gifford, LB Gage Silker

Key to making playoffs: Build on the momentum that began in the second half of last season. The talent is there for far more than a simple playoff berth.

Game to watch: The opener Aug. 24 at 2011 3A state champion Union is big, but the red-letter date has to be Sept. 21, when Dyersville Beckman comes calling. That could be the night the 2A District 4 championship is decided.

Schedule (*2A District 4 games):Aug. 24 -- at UnionAug. 31 -- Benton Community (home)Sept. 7 -- at Camanche*Sept. 14 -- East Marshall (home)Sept. 21 -- Dyersville Beckman* (home)Sept. 28 -- at Monticello*Oct. 5 -- Northeast* (home)Oct. 12 -- at Cascade*Oct. 19 -- Mount Vernon* (home)

Roster:3 Ryan Wilkin, jr.8 Marcus Carolan, jr.9 Nick Thibault, jr.20 Dustin Smith, sr.23 Tate Sullivan, jr.24 Brandon Roseberry, sr.27 Josh Jirak, sr.30 Gage Silker, sr.32 Nicholas Dighton, jr.34 Tyler Cady, jr.35 Nick Tritle, sr.37 Malick Brown, jr.40 Conner Jones, sr.42 Dillon Sarchett, sr.43 Ryan Liercke, sr.44 Austin Shaffer, sr.45 Brayton Brandt, jr.50 Reed Sagert, jr.52 Sawyer Krotz, sr.53 Michael Seibert, jr.54 Trent Holst, jr.55 Dalton Cress, jr.57 Sabestian Saddler, jr.58 Brett Boddicker, sr.59 Bobby Rathbun, jr.60 Trai Shakespeare, jr.61 Andrew Reeves, jr.64 Dane Salow, sr.65 Quincy Kay, jr.68 Jon Eiklenborg, sr.70 Joe Gosnell, jr.71 Cass Fox, sr.72 Nick McVay, sr.73 Dalton Pennington, sr.74 John Krogmann, jr.76 Gus Gifford, sr.77 Austin Knapp, sr.81 Dillon Boevers, jr.83 Domminick Shakespeare, jr.85 Kyle Sarchett, sr.87 Sam Halsor, sr.88 Kyle Holzman, sr.89 Jacob Bruce, sr.92 Dustin Lindsey, sr.