2026 Football Preview: Led by strong lines, Metamora full of players eager to get their turn

METAMORA — Year one of the Nick Delinski era in Metamora was a success. 

The Redbirds were in Mid-Illini title contention right up until the end of the season, lit up the scoreboard with an explosive offense and won a playoff game for the fourth consecutive year.

Jaiduan Cranford, Stephen Petri, Kaleb Morrison and several others have left big shoes to fill on both sides of the ball. But Delinski notes that a program tradition ever since Pat Ryan paced the sidelines is that new batches of players are prepared to step up by the time their turn comes around.

Many Redbirds will get that chance and join several returning starters to help make Metamora a force yet again.