WEEK 9 PREVIEW: West Frankfort (5-3) at Nashville (3-5)

by Steve Dunford 

In a do or die situation, the West Frankfort Redbirds travel to Washington County to take on the Nashville Hornets this evening.

Here are the common opponents between the two teams:

ANNA-JONESBORO:

West Frankfort lost 43-18 Week 1

Nashville lost 71-41 Week 4

PINCKNEYVILLE:

West Frankfort won 36-14 Week 2

Nashville won 34-7 Week 7

SPARTA:

West Frankfort won 33-16 Week 3

Nashville won 35-14 Week 5

MASSAC COUNTY:

West Frankfort won 49-8 Week 8

Nashville won 17-12 Week 2.

West Frankfort Coach Brian Beery had this to say about tonight’s matchup. “Nashville has a tall dual threat QB that can run and pass, as well as several talented receivers. Furthermore, their offensive line is big and physical. They have a good downhill running game to compliment their passing game. Thus, I expect a very physical game in terms of the run, but at the same time our defensive backs will have to do a good job of covering their receivers.”

“Offensively we will have to take care of the football, and compliment our run game with more balance in the passing game. They have two very big defensive ends, backed up by quick linebackers.”

I asked Nashville Coach Stephen Kozuszek to give some background information on the Hornets.  He said, “We are a young team, with only 3 seniors on the roster. Our QB is senior Cameron Parker, who was an all-conference WR last year. He is a dual threat player, who has been solid for us all year (1,333 Passing Yds, 8 TD, 7 Int / 572 Rushing Yds, 10 TD). Our leading rusher is sophomore Jullian Metcalf (805 Rushing Yds, 9 TD). Our receptions have been spread out between 3 primary WR’s, all of which are juniors: Tanner Bergmann (19 Rec, 329 Yds, 3 TD), Tabor Kozuszek (33 Rec, 365 Yds, 3 TD), and Dalton Novak (38 Rec, 456 Yds, 2 TD).”

“We dropped a couple close games early on to Carlyle and Wesclin (both playoff qualifiers), which made things tough on us going into conference play, as we then needed to steal a game from Carterville, A-J, or DuQuoin to give us a shot at a playoff berth going into Friday.”

I asked him what his thoughts were about coming into tonight’s game with the Redbirds.  West Frankfort appears to be a physical team, whose running game is the strength of their offense. We need to be able to limit their big plays on the ground and try and force them into passing situations. Both their QB and RB are good looking players, and their offense creates confusion with all of their different formations and motions.  

I am going out on a blind date with this one.  Last years Hornet squad was loaded with seniors.  Other than a few highlights on MaxPreps, I have not watched them play.

I had a few conversations this week with some individuals that are familiar with both programs.  They said that Nashville could put up some points in a hurry as well as give up some in a hurry as well too.

In their opinions, the Redbirds would be the definite favorite.  I am going with West Frankfort by 14.