2025 Football Preview: IVC focusing on playing hard with young group

CHILLICOTHE — Tim Heinz knows a thing or two about the game of football. 

He’s one of the longest-tenured football head coaches in the Peoria area, entering his 22nd season and picked up his 100th win with the Grey Ghosts last fall. 

So what does he do with a team that’s looking to get back to the playoffs, but is also short on experience?

“We just want to go out and play hard and do what we've been taught, do our fundamentals,” Heinz said. “Whatever happens after that, we don’t look at the scoreboard, just play hard all the way.”

If any Grey Ghosts players did sneak a quick peek at the scoreboard near the end of last season though, they likely were pretty happy. IVC won three of its last four games of the season and hung around against Bloomington Central Catholic despite a 49-28 loss.