Morrison's next playoff foe has overcome adversity

Orion features balanced attack

By Erik Smith

For the Herald

ORION, Ill. — It seems like business as usual for the Orion football team.

It’s November and the Chargers (10-1), who will hit the road Saturday for an Illinois Class 2A quarterfinal tussle with top-seeded Morrison, are in the playoffs for the fourth straight season and seventh in the past eight.

But on the first day of preseason practice, the Orion program was forced to call an audible.

That’s the day that Chip Filler — plus the players and the rest of the coaching staff — found out he would take over for longtime head coach Jason Van Houtte.

After 11 seasons, Van Houtte was dismissed because of legal issues. The 37-year-old pleaded innocent to three counts of criminal sexual assault of a minor in Rock Island County Circuit Court. Court records allege that Van Houtte, who also was a teacher at United Township High School, committed sexual acts with one of his students during June and July.

“They told me right before we were heading out for practice,” Filler said. “I got the whole team together and told them, ‘Coach Van Houtte won’t be with us. I’ll be your head coach, and expectations won’t change.’ ”

As the offensive coordinator for Van Houtte the past nine seasons, it has been a difficult situation for Filler.

“When this came open, I had some reservations,” Filler said of the circumstances.

He had interviewed for at least two other head-coaching jobs in the past few years, admitting he was torn as to whether he would take either position if offered. Fortunately, he said, an offer never came.

“I’m from Orion,” Filler said. “This is where I want to be. I bleed red and black.”

And Filler insists that he and the team have moved on when it comes to football.

“This season could have gone awry, but they’ve battled through all the adversity and worked hard every day,” Filler said. “We have a great group of kids and a close-knit group of seniors. It’s a tribute to their character, and I’m very proud of that.”

The Chargers’ balanced offensive attack features an all-senior backfield.

Kennen Hutchison (691 yards rushing), Evan Viager (669) and Brad Walker (627) keep opposing defenses from keying on one running back.

“We don’t have a 1,600-yard back like (Morrison’s Josh) Vos,” Filler said.

Orion quarterback James Matson has completed better than 50 percent of his passes for 1,675 yards and 27 touchdowns. His favorite target is senior Tyler DeDecker, who has 32 catches for 503 yards and nine touchdowns.

“Offensively, they can do a variety of things,” Morrison coach Cory Bielema said. “They run the ball well, but they can also spread you out and go five wide. They mix it up with their formations and try to catch you out of position.”

But facing a defense that held Eastland/Pearl City to 50 yards of total offense last weekend, Filler — who still calls the offensive plays — knows nothing will come easy.

“From what I see, they warrant being No. 1 in the state,” Filler said of the 11-0 Mustangs. “This whole season has been such a whirlwind. To have the opportunity to play probably the best team in the state is just a surreal, amazing experience.”

Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. Saturday, with the victor earning a trip to the semifinals against the winner between Gibson City and Kewanee Wethersfield/ Annawan.

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