The Derg-oh Game

Don’t know if you guys have heard of this; I came across it by chance on Facebook. I have no connection to Morris other than going to Illinois College with Wilky and a couple others...and I still feel this is one of the best high school football books I’ve ever read. Very well-done account of what went into this game and how it transpired!!

I heard the photos are fantastic.....

How did you order the book?

BirdWatcher wrote:I heard the photos are fantastic.....  

In all seriousness, they are!!

The Derg-Oh game is also the name of the Facebook page. I just sent them a private message and they hooked me up. If you don't have facebook, I can look up the email attached to the account for you.

center wrote:How did you order the book?  

Email - TheDergOhGame@gmail.com

wolverine55 wrote:The Derg-Oh game is also the name of the Facebook page.  I just sent them a private message and they hooked me up.  If you don't have facebook, I can look up the email attached to the account for you.

how much was it?

net wrote:

wolverine55 wrote:The Derg-Oh game is also the name of the Facebook page.  I just sent them a private message and they hooked me up.  If you don't have facebook, I can look up the email attached to the account for you.

how much was it?

$20 for the book and $5 for shipping. I had it in two days after telling them I wanted a copy.

Thanks for the help, I just sent an order this morning.

I'm going to order the book. I remember listening to the game on the radio.

What does "Derg-Oh" mean? I get the "Derg" part but not the "Oh".

The RB that put the Redskins on his back in this particular game is named John Dergo.

I'm assuming a play on his last name?

What were his stats in that game?

I remember watching it but can’t remember if that was film or a live broadcast.

He had an unbelievable game on both sides of the ball.

Teetime wrote:What were his stats in that game?

I remember watching it but can’t remember if that was film or a live broadcast.

He had an unbelievable game on both sides of the ball.

He had like 350+ yards rushing , at least 3 TDs and 2 INTs.

My copy arrived today.... thanks Horse!

My elder son's last game would be the next week after the Derg-oh game.. a loss to Morris at Malone Field. I don't think John D had quite the game against Meta that he did against the Hilltoppers..

Think you're off a year BW...unless you guys were 6A in 2005 also Played Crystal Lake South the week after the Derg Oh game...BTW...nice pictures...and great game plan by Horse.

https://youtu.be/nSrSTfi80vw

https://youtu.be/0rlOGZEAtKI

I don't think Metamora has ever played 6A.  I think BW is off a year. I know we played Metamora in the 5A Semifinal in 2006.

4a(6afornet)north wrote:Think you're off a year BW...unless you guys were 6A in 2005 also

Your are right. BW Junior graduated in 2005, so his last game was against Morris in 2004. BabyBird graduated in 2007, so his last game was against SHG in 2006.

You're welcome BW. I appreciate the pictures!

If anyone wants a copy, use the links in this thread or give me a holla. I can get one for you.

I cannot believe that game was 15 years ago!

OldTitan wrote:I cannot believe that game was 15 years ago!

It didn't occur to me until about halfway through the book that was the year I was at Mt. Vernon and we made the 6A quarters that year as well. We lost to Normal Community. Agree that it doesn't seem that long ago at all...

I read it cover to cover and I have never done that. I thought it was great. It was much better then I anticipated. Sounds cliche but I thought it was very "real". It did not pull punches and laid it all out. I also enjoyed the background upfront. The mutual respect with JCA was pretty apparent too. Just a great read if you are a fan of Illinois HS ball.

i should add i was pretty happy that my picture did not make it in the book. I watched from the NE endzone, and had done some tailgaiting prior. I went to storm the field and my shoelace got caught in the fence and I took a tumble.

I think that was enough of a reminder to climb back over and let others do the field thing.

wilky wrote:i should add i was pretty happy that my picture did not make it in the book. I watched from the NE endzone, and had done some tailgaiting prior. I went to storm the field and my shoelace got caught in the fence and I took a tumble.

I think that was enough of a reminder to climb back over and let others do the field thing.

can't be as bad as the pic i have of you from ic. i gotta look for that this weekend.

I remember someone here Horsefeather? posted highlights of the game a couple days after. An amazing performance!

OldTitan wrote:I remember someone here Horsefeather? posted highlights of the game a couple days after. An amazing performance!

Probably wasn't me as I was busy trying to figure out how we were going to beat Crystal Lake South the next week. That was the coldest game I've ever been involved with...

Might have been BW, or there were a number of other Morris guys here at that time. Maybe Divetwin.

After getting interviewed for the book, proofing it for Andy & Mick, & rewatching the game film, I remembered a few thoughts after the game was over...

1. It seemed as if the football gods were smiling on us that game as there were a number of times we were in bad spots and benefited from something unique. The botched snap on the punt to end the 3rd quarter for example. That could have been a huge turning point... we ended up with a first down.

2. After John's first interception, we stalled out near midfield & JCA ended up calling 2 timeouts in succession because they thought we might be going for it instead of punting. We quick kicked instead & they had nobody back. The ball trickled into the endzone and they started from the 20 & still damn near won the game. I still wonder if Sharp had 2 TO's in the at last drive if he would have coached it differently. I thought it was a huge mistake on their part to burn both TO's.

3. In the timeout before the last interception to seal the deal, I remember just trying to take it all in. It was surreal. Just a quiet buzz... everyone in the stadium focused on the south end zone. It was a bit nerve-tingling.

4. After John picked off the pass to seal it, our guys couldn't get organized in the huddle. Everyone knew we had it won, but we still had time to run off the clock. We had to call timeout to get them calmed down to take a knee. Literally had to tell them all to breathe, they were all just geeked & bawling, some to the point I thought they were going to hyperventilate. I told them we had to get the snap. Period. Get the snap, take a knee & it's done. Then our center snapped the ball on first sound. Our QB had to fall on it.

5. When the crowd stormed the field, I remember not knowing what to do. I was kinda numb.

6. I had forgotten about telling John to be patient earlier in the week. I knew we'd pop some big runs. I definitely didn't expect it first play.