To get ready for last Friday's game against Peoria Richdwoods, Quincy Notre Dame offensive tackle Jimmy Holtschlag slipped the war epic "300" into his DVD player on Thursday night. After losing to the Raiders by a combined score of 50-20 in his first two varsity seasons, the 6-foot-4, 315-pound lineman felt playing Richwoods was like fighting a million-man army with only 300 soldiers.

"I needed to get super-pumped for this game," Holtschlag said. "I kind of liked the story line for it, three hundred going against a million, because we're a school of 435 enrollment. They have a school of about 1400 enrollment, so they're a higher class than us. I just love that movie."

Despite their famed bravery, the 300 Greek soldiers eventually lost to the million Persians. Holtschlag and QND, however, came out victors, defeating Richwoods 21-20 in overtime. The win secured the first conference title for QND (7-0) in 11 years.

"It was awesome because they've put it to us the last two years pretty bad," Holtschlag said." They easily came out as the victor. But this year we came in with a little more focus, a little more planning, a little more confidence, so that helped us out a big deal."

The big win was the highlight of the season thus far for Holtshlag, a two-way starter. The mammoth offensive tackle is also being recruited heavily by several Division I schools.

"Recently, Kansas told me I'd be a backup for them," Holtschlag said. "So it's pretty much the same situation with Illinois."

Holtschlag remains in contact with Illinois through mail and e-mail. But Holtschlag is not holding his breath for an offer from the Illini.

"They're just trying not to burn bridges with me. I'm trying to do the same," Holtschlag said. "You know, just keeping the line open just in case something happens, but I'm not getting my hopes up. I'm content with what I have right now."

What he has includes offers from Western Illinois and Northern Illinois, Holtschlag's two favorites at the moment.

"I got offers from them, so I just have to keep a realistic eye out," Holtschlag said. "I got to figure out which one of those two probably."

Holtschlag has also received interest from Indiana, Missouri and Vanderbilt, but is trying to concentrate more on QND's success rather than where he will play college football.

"I try not to let all this recruiting get to me in season, because I got to keep my head straight," Holtschlag said. "I can't think about it too much because I got a feeling it's going to affect my play."