On Friday, Aug. 22, the Galesburg High School Silver Streaks football team held their annual Meet the Streaks event at CBI Bank & Trust Stadium, where WGIL Radio’s Brad Bennewitz, the longtime voice of Silver Streaks sports, interviewed players about their offseason and expectations for the 2025 season. With the season opener against the Dunlap Eagles set for 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 29, at CBI Bank & Trust Stadium, the team shared insights on their growth, community involvement, and excitement for the upcoming campaign.
Senior Lavant Ritenour, a middle linebacker and right guard, highlighted the team’s unity, noting that this summer’s full offseason under Coach Shawn Hickey fostered a sense of “together[ness] as one team” compared to last year’s late coaching transition. Senior Demetrius Watson, a cornerback and wide receiver, echoed this, emphasizing how the team learned to “play better together.” Junior running back and middle linebacker Prosper Aremu added that the extended offseason improved the team “overall this year.”
When asked about improvements, senior receiver and defensive back Bradley Eaton stressed his commitment to giving “100-percent” effort, while senior outside linebacker and wide receiver Drew Hickey noted significant “improvement this year” in his skills. Ritenour focused on his role, aiming to “block and do my job” effectively.
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Community engagement was a key theme, with players appreciating summer service activities. Drew Hickey said these experiences go “a very long way,” and Watson appreciated how they reinforced the team’s drive to “play football.”
Looking ahead to the home opener, sophomore quarterback and safety Grady Hickey anticipated the thrill of the “first snap,” while sophomore quarterback and cornerback Day’vion Jones said he’d be “focused and ready.”
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Meanwhile, seven of the eight head coaches attended the 2025 Western Big 6 Conference Football Coaches “Kickoff” Banquet on Sunday night at the Quad Cities Botanical Center.
Galesburg Coach Shawn Hickey, entering his second season for the Silver Streaks, continued to promote a culture change within the program. He said the players have a greater buy-in, not only to the program but to each other, which Hickey said is showing up in the players' desire to improve. He told the gathering his returning players have a much better understanding of the offensive and defensive schemes now that they are in the second year of his tenure.
The favorites in the Big 6 this season are United Township and Quincy, which has won 15 straight conference games dating back to the 2022 season. Alleman introduced head coach Tom Barber as the Pioneers return to varsity football action for the first time since discontinuing the program after the 2022 season due to low numbers.
Fans can follow the Silver Streaks all season on WGIL 93.7 FM, 1400 AM, wgil.com, or the WGIL app.
