Boot Camp: Peoria Heights hopes physical style leads to elusive playoff berth

PEORIA HEIGHTS, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — Peoria Heights head coach Kendal Parker says he knows what it takes to win.

“In small school football, you have to be able to run the ball,” Parker said. “Be physical.”

He thinks he has the right guys to be physical. Parker says the biggest strength is his team this preseason camp is the fact his players are physical.

“I think that’s our calling card. We are not afraid to get hit,” said junior lineman Tim Lyon. “Not afraid of laying people down. I think we are just a smash-mouth team.”

Peoria Heights, which plays 8-man football, hasn’t made the playoffs since 2015 but the Patriots took a step closer to their postseason goal last year when they won three games, up from just one victory in 2022.

“We are very physical. We’ve been working on getting stronger in the weight room. So, of course, our hits are going to be stronger,” said senior Dare Jones. “We always look for contact, never stop on contact wither. We look forward to running through somebody.”

Peoria Heights opens the season at home against Bushnell-Prairie City on Friday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.