McKendree nabs 12 players for football team

BY ROD KLOECKNER

News-Democrat

http://www.bnd.com/sports/story/238568.html 

LEBANON --

McKendree coach Carl Poelker said the Bearcats will sign more players before the Feb. 6 national signing date, with another push afterward.

"Usually what happens is, the carnage hits after the signing date," Poelker said. "Kids think they are going to Missouri or Illinois, well, Missouri or Illinois didn't offer me anything."

Poelker said the Bearcats, who finished 6-4 and missed the NAIA playoffs in 2006, have to do a better job of recruiting in central and Southern Illinois.

"The thing we had to do is stop the bleeding," Poelker said. "We were losing good kids locally and in the central part of Illinois by allowing that to happen. Those are the kind of kids we need to win in this program.

"This is a good start. We're out of the blocks; now we have to keep running."

Former Cahokia High standout Byron Gettis heads the list of transfers. Gettis, a former major-league baseball player for the Kansas City Royals, was a starting tight end for Southern Illinois University Carbondale last year.

Gettis caught eight passes for 169 yards and one touchdown for the Salukis (12-2). The 27-year-old Gettis, who has three years of eligibility remaining, will fill a similar role with the Bearcats.

Other transfers include running back Tommie Gayfield (Missouri Valley College) and defensive lineman Daniel Rivera (Civic Memorial, Lindenwood). Three players -- defensive back Lafayette Tucker, wide receiver Travis Brown and running back/strong safety Garrett Gross -- are coming in from junior colleges.

Gayfield, a 5-foot-9, 185-pound freshman from Mehlville High in St. Louis, is a speedster who placed seventh in the 100 meters at the 2007 NAIA national track meet.

Two offensive linemen -- Belleville East's Ben Bergt (6-4, 280) and Columbia's Aaron Rohr (6-5, 260) -- top the list of prep commitments.

"I think those are two of the best offensive linemen in the area," Poelker said. "Both of those kids are big, rangy kids, and both are really good students. They are our type of guys."

Victor White, a 5-11, 210-pound linebacker/fullback from O'Fallon, graduated at the semester break and is already enrolled at McKendree.

White had a team-high 385 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 80 carries for the Panthers. He was second on the team in tackles with 68.

"Here's a kid that's 17 years old and is such a good student, he graduated at mid-term," Poelker said. "He's going to be a good one."

McKendree gained another speed demon in running back-defensive back Richard Bailey from Mascoutah. Playing behind Chris Montgomery, Bailey rushed for 685 yards and 11 TDs on 57 carries. He had 81 tackles with two interceptions.

"That kid is a football player," Poelker said. "He's the fastest kid on the team and just has great instincts in that secondary. He will hit you."

Robert Mosher, a wide receiver-defensive back from Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin, and offensive lineman Andrew Beckham (6-1, 270) from Du Quoin round out the commitments.

Mosher was the Springfield area player of the year.

Contact reporter Rod Kloeckner at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 239-2663.