NORMAL - Wes Temples apologized for the raspy voice. The vocal cords took a beating on his first day of practice as Normal Community High School head football coach. | U Pick 'Em | Photo gallery

A few days later, the former NCHS assistant coach still was a bit hoarse.

It was perhaps the only tangible sign that Temples, defensive coordinator on last year's 12-1 team, had taken over as head coach for his mentor, Hud Venerable.

Venerable resigned in December after going 126-37 in 14 years at NCHS, including a 38-3 record the past three seasons. Since being named his successor in February, Temples has worked to facilitate a smooth transition.

Consider it his first victory as head coach.

"I think it's gone real well," said senior receiver/free safety Chad Hinshaw. "We all respect him a lot, so we've been doing whatever he says. They (Temples and Venerable) are pretty much the same style. They both have high intensity and like to work hard. I think that's what makes it a lot easier for us."

Temples coached six years under Venerable and called him "a big influence in my life." That influence extends to the NCHS program.

While Temples said there will be a few new wrinkles, he hopes to continue much of what Venerable employed during a run of 13 playoff appearances, seven Big 12 Conference championships and the 2006 Class 6A state title.

"It's not like we're going to throw away everything that's made this program successful," Temples said. "Hud did such a great job and our kids believe in it (his system). So why would you want to switch it? You build on that."

Already, Temples has built upon the relationships he forged with players as an assistant coach. He and his staff worked with this year's team throughout the offseason during camps, weightlifting, etc.

"I think there's a comfort level with everybody out here," he said.

Senior receiver Tate Musselman agreed, saying the current coaches, like Venerable, "expect a lot of us and bring a lot of intensity." The only difference, he said, has been hearing Temples' voice more often.

"Since he's stepped up to head coach, he's been on some people, but people don't take it personally," Musselman said. "I think it's just part of the job (as head coach) to bring out the intensity and make sure everyone's working hard."

Temples admits he "may be yelling a little more" - mostly to maintain the enthusiasm level - and hence, the raspy voice.

Off the field, he is gaining even greater respect for his father, Gerald Temples, a longtime head coach who retired after last season at Mattoon, and for Venerable. He has had to adjust to the administrative side of head coaching, from making sure paperwork is filled out to contacting parents, etc., if need be.

"They're all of those things that Hud had always taken care of," Temples said. "We were able to come and coach, and when Hud was done with us, we went home."

Now, Venerable will be a sounding board for Temples. Venerable is continuing at NCHS as a teacher and building leader for the physical education department. His office is across the hall from Temples.

"We've become pretty close," Temples said. "Hud is somebody I'm always going to be able to go to and talk to. He doesn't want to step on anybody's toes, but he doesn't have a problem sitting and talking with you. He's a friend, and that's how we approach it. I think I'm very lucky to have him still here."

Temples takes over a team with limited experience. The defense returns four starters in seniors Hinshaw, Andrew Hamer, Zach Liming and Chris Majercin. Hinshaw is moving from cornerback to free safety and Hamer from outside linebacker to defensive line. Liming and Majercin also are linemen.

The offense returns Hinshaw and Musselman at receiver, Liming on the line and Hamer and Majercin at tight end. Senior Brandon Caldwell also started on the line but is recovering from a dislocated knee.

"I think we have a lot of potential," Hamer said. "Our junior class has a lot of athletes. We've also had some seniors step up in the offseason and make a lot of improvement."

"We have some kids who are chomping at the bit," Temples said. "They want their opportunity to run out there on Friday night. We've talked a lot about, 'How does this team want to be remembered? What footprint do you want to leave?' "

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Five things to watch

- If you want a word with senior Chad Hinshaw, catch him before the opening kickoff. After that, he'll be too busy to talk. Hinshaw will start at wide receiver, free safety and as a standout kick returner.

- Speedy junior Travis Mullen takes over at tailback, where he has shown flashes of brilliance in part-time duty. The three-time junior high state champion sprinter looks to be "a pretty special kid for us," said head coach Wes Temples.

- Jason Drengwitz has moved up to offensive coordinator after serving as receivers coach and special teams coordinator. He is no stranger to the role. He was offensive coordinator on Pontiac's Class 5A state runner-up team in 2002.

- Temples will continue as defensive coordinator, and his biggest concern is inexperience with four starters back. The position hardest hit was linebacker, where Austin Kull was a three-year starter and Joey Anderson a four-year starter.

- The offense will have a new look with the graduation of standout quarterback Alex Buck. Senior Zac Johnson and junior Tre' Jones have competed for the job and both "throw the ball well," Temples said.

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Meet the Ironmen

Head coach - Wes Temples, 1st season

Conference - Big 12

2007 - 12-1 (9-0). Lost to Joliet Catholic, 45-13, in semifinals of Class 6A playoffs

Roster

SENIORS

Anthony Bellotti, WR, 5-10, 160; Brandon Caldwell, OL, 6-3, 280; Jay Capodice, WR, 5-7, 155; Brock Dunn, RB, 5-7, 160; Joe Economou, WR, 5-7, 135; Andrew Hamer, TE, 6-1, 230; Marquis Hightower, 6-2, 165; Chad Hinshaw, WR, 6-1, 180; Will Houk, OL, 5-11, 245; Zac Johnson, QB, 6-2, 185; Spencer Knapp, OL, 6-0, 190; Jared Lammers, OL, 6-3, 220; Ryan Lanham, TE, 6-0, 180; Zach Liming, OL, 6-4, 260; Chris Majercin, TE, 6-1, 185; Mike Matthews, OL, 5-10, 220; Keith Morgan, RB, 6-1, 220; Tyler Mulford, OL, 6-0, 235; Tate Musselman, WR, 6-4, 205; Colin Nolan, WR, 6-0, 165; Mason Shepherd, WR, 5-8, 160; Ronnie Westmoreland, RB, 5-10, 160.

JUNIORS

Brett Anderson, TE, 6-2, 180; Ryan Barnes, RB, 5-8, 160; Tyler Benson, WR, 5-8, 155; Devon Brown, OL, 6-1, 200; Chris Burke, OL, 5-8, 190; Matt Cable, OL, 5-9, 220; Dexter Celestin, WR, 5-11, 160; Vincent Chan, OL, 6-1, 210; Josh Donovan, TE, 5-9, 180; Tyler Fink, OL, 5-10, 230; Anthony Gillespie, TE, 6-2, 200; Keith Graham, TE, 6-0, 190; Marcus Harris, RB, 6-1, 175; Korey Higgins, OL, 6-1, 200; Tre Jones, QB, 6-1, 175; Justin Kretlow, OL, 5-10, 180; Brant Kreun, TE, 6-2, 180; Taylor Lierman, LB, 5-11, 200; Dylan Logue, OL, 6-0, 195; Nick Lucie, WR, 6-0, 180; Alex Martin, OL, 5-10, 220; Derek McGuffin, WR, 6-1, 175; Charlie Morris, WR, 5-10, 150; Travis Mullen, RB, 6-2, 185; Jared Mungo, RB, 6-0, 180; Connor Necessary, WR, 5-11, 160; Nolan Rapp, OL, 6-1, 225; Zach Sheehan, TE, 6-1, 185; Jamar Simon, RB, 5-10, 200; Matt Smith, RB, 5-10, 180; Aden Springer, RB, 5-8, 140; Bryce Starkey, OL, 6-0, 190; James Stokke, OL, 6-0, 200; Anthony Tucker, RB, 6-1, 205.

SOPHOMORES

Jared Cross, RB, 5-10, 170; Brent Turner, QB, 5-10, 150.

Schedule

Aug. 29 - Urbana^

Sept. 5 - BHS at ISU^, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 12 - At Mattoon^

Sept. 19 - Champaign Centennial^

Sept. 26 - At Normal West^

Oct. 3 - At Decatur Eisenhower^

Oct. 10 - Decatur MacArthur^

Oct. 17 - At Danville^

Oct. 24 - Champaign Central^

^ - conference game

Games start at 7 p.m. unless otherwise indicated

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Football Fever 2008 schedule

Football Fever 2008 will preview every high school football team in The Pantagraph area by taking a specific look at each team with a storyline on each team, schedule, roster and a photo. Check back for preview coverage of your favorite team:

Intercity previews

Today - Central Catholic

Monday - Normal Community

Tuesday - Normal West

Wednesday - University High

Thursday - Bloomington

Area previews

TUESDAY

Iroquois West

PBL

Clinton

Lincoln

Dwight

Tremont

Flanagan

Streator

WEDNESDAY

Fieldcrest

GCMS

Fisher

Le Roy

Lexington

Heyworth

Ridgeview

Tri-Valley

THURSDAY

El Paso-Gridley

Deer Creek-Mackinaw

Blue Ridge

Mahomet-Seymour

Pontiac

Eureka

Olympia

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High School Football Pick 'Em

Can you predict the future? Test your high school football knowledge by predicting the winners of area high school football games every week, and you can win prizes.

Go to www.pantagraph.com/upickem to enter.

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High School Football Pick 'Em

Can you predict the future? Test your high school football knowledge by predicting the winners of area high school football games every week, and you can win prizes. Go to www.pantagraph.com/upickem to enter.