Completed a perfect regular season with a 9-0 record

Captured the NCIC title

Ranked second in Class 5A

The 2005 Sterling Golden Warriors football team accomplished what only eight other elite Sterling squads had done before.

The Golden Warriors, coached by Greg King, completed a perfect regular season, finishing with an undefeated 9-0 record. Sterling captured the NCIC title and was ranked second in Class 5A before falling to Rochelle in the first round of the IHSA playoffs.

Sterling made a statement in their opening game of the 2005 season. The Golden Warriors traveled to Metamora, the number one ranked team in Class 5A.

In the first quarter, the Redbirds took a 7-0 lead before a 52-yard touchdown run from Graham Hall '06. Sean Bright '06 added the extra point to even the score at 7-7. Metamora scored early in the second quarter before the Golden Warriors took the lead for good. Bright connected with Christian Temiquel '06 for a 19-yard touchdown pass and Temiquel scored his second touchdown of the game with a 42-yard run to give Sterling a 21-14 lead at the half.

Hall started the third quarter with a touchdown and the Redbirds responded with one of their own. But the fourth quarter was all Sterling, as Codtey Albright '07 added a 3-yard touchdown and the Golden Warrior defense held Metamora scoreless in the quarter for a 34-20 Sterling win.

The Golden Warriors defeated Peoria Notre Dame (47-14), Blue Island Eisenhower (67-14) and Ottawa (40-20) before losing quarterback and kicker Bright to a broken collarbone. Cory Renner '07 stepped in as the new signal caller for Sterling and led them to a 26-0 win over Streator.

Next up for Sterling was one of the best matchups in the state. The Golden Warriors, now ranked third in Class 5A, went on the road to face top-ranked Geneseo. Both teams were off to a 5-0 start and undefeated in conference play.

On the game’s first play from scrimmage, Renner deceived the defense with a fake and ran for an 80-yard touchdown. Brandon Rodriguez '06 scored a 1-yard touchdown in the second quarter and Hall ran the ball in after Colt Preston '07 recovered a muffed punt. Sterling held a 21-7 lead at the half, as the Maple Leafs could only manage one touchdown.

It would be the only points Geneseo would score, as the Sterling defense stifled the Maple Leafs’ offense in the second half. Renner and the Golden Warrior offense added another touchdown and Sterling soundly defeated Geneseo 28-7 for the first time since 1995.

Now the only undefeated team in the NCIC, Sterling continued their winning streak by defeating Dixon (35-14) and LaSalle-Peru (42-6) in dominating fashion. The win against the Cavaliers earned Sterling their first NCIC title since 1994.

Sterling hosted United Township for the opportunity to add their names to the Golden Warrior football record books and complete an undefeated regular season. Hall scored three touchdowns in the first quarter, and Sterling achieved perfection, routing United Township 48-16.

Sterling received a top seed and hosted Rochelle in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs. In a heartbreaking game, the Golden Warriors were victims of an upset, falling 9-6 to the Hubs. Sterling suffered their only loss of the season and dreams of a lengthy playoff run came to an end.

The Golden Warriors put eleven players on the NCIC All-Conference First Team: Michael Trobaugh '07 (Tight End), Joe Megli '06 (Offensive Line), Colin Fane '06 (Offensive Line), Renner (Quarterback), Temiquel (Running Back-Unanimous), Hall (Running Back-Unanimous), Preston (Defensive Line), Sheldon Hubbard '07 (Linebacker), Dave Minnick '06 (Defensive Back), Joe Schneiderbauer '07 (Defensive Back) and Albright (Defensive Back).

DJ Jones '07 (Offensive Line), Nick Weir '06 (Tight End), Rodriguez (Running Back), Raciel Ocampo '09 (Kicker) and Eric Baker '07 (Defensive Back) were named to the second team. Bright (Quarterback) and Alex Meiners '06 (Defensive Line) earned Honorable Mention.

Hall was also named to the IHSFCA 5A All-State team.

The members of the 2005 Sterling football team are the following: Head Coach: Greg King Assistant Coaches: Elroy Wylde, Steve Walton, Donnie Dittmar ’89, Shad Bailey ’93, Alex Barajas ’00, Bryon Megli ’99, Cory Bielema ’90, Jeff Neubauer ’79, Chris Palmer, Jason Fargher ’99, and Brett Vosburgh.

Players: Raciel Ocampo ’09, Jake Hermes ’08, Lazaro Sifuentes ’08, Colt Preston ’07, Sean Bright ’06, Cory Renner ’07, Adam Osterhaus ’07, Weston Henry ’06, Nolan Anderson ’08, Kymin Hussung ’07, Macarthe Folkers ’08, Eric Cantu ’08, Codtey Albright ’07, David Minnick ’06, Thomas “Michael” Vercillo ’07, Brandon Rodriguez ’06, Adam Olds ’07, Christian Temiquel ’06, Joe Schneiderbauer ’07, Sheldon Hubbard ’07, Graham Hall ’06, Mason Temiquel ’07, Dan Megli ’07, Matt Koster ’06, Eric Baker ’07, Josh Leal ’07, Mike Gustafson ’06, Dan Gutierrez ’06, Alex Meiners ’06, Colin Fane ’06, Gary “DJ” Jones ’07, Ian Mills ’07, Joe Megli ’06, Miles Ripsky ’07, Vance Gustafson ’07, JP Villegas ’07, Jacob Lengfelder ’06, Fred Moore ’08, Ryan Freed ’07, Brandon Bittner ’07, Brandon Cassady ’06, Nathan Swope ’07, Michael Trobaugh ’07, Nick Weir ’06, Chris Buchholz ’07, Brad Geiger ’07, and Anthony Asbury ’07