by Steve Dunford

HARRISBURG, IL –  If Channel 3 would have still been shooting video Friday night, Darren Kinnard would have a Deuce and the Abuse to talk about on Sports Extra.

The three sacks by the West Frankfort defense of Bulldog QB Isaac Crabb. the third resulting in a Redbird safety, put a few exclamation points on a 37-24 win against the Harrisburg Bulldogs at Taylor Field Friday night.

The writers in the Southern Illinoisan picked Harrisburg to win.  In my preview, I picked the Bulldogs.  I used to do a little prognosticating in the past, and was told I pick with my heart and on my sleeve instead of my head.  It was a struggle, but I used my head on this one.

I did not get to talk to coach Berry after the game.  I will e-mail him either tomorrow or Wednesday.  I would be less intimidated approaching him than Kevin Toney.  I already found out what he has to say in those situations.   I am still not the level on previewing girls basketball yet, but from Matt Hampleman it would have been one of the lectures I’ve had for over 30 years starting with “little Stevie.”

Everyone knows that I am a film junkie.  I am not saying this to be cocky, but I do my homework as much as possible.  I reach out to the other teams coaches in my previews.

When I saw the linebacker corps of Jordan Bartok and company on film in week one against Mt. Carmel, being the Redbirds being a mainly run team, I thought the Harrisburg defense would give the Birds trouble.

When Connor Eaton on the second drive of the game broke out for 11 yards on the first play of the drive, then run it in for a 56 yard touchdown on the third play, at that point I began to say it is a winnable game.

After Harrisburg took a 14-7 lead late in the first quarter the Redbird defense took over.  One Bulldog drive is was Blake Engler, the other it was Ben Souders who was double digits in tackels.   I know Madison Allen ran for 215 yards against Pinckneyville but he was dominant defensively, which I had him for 13 tackles to lead the way, and rushing well over 100 yards.

T.J.  Vanzant and Brendan Johnson came up big in the second half.  Kyle Hammers and Sam Cooksey had great games on both sides of the ball.  Brock Johnson came up big defensively as well.  I had Bricen Forgatch with four tackles, with three coming on special teams.  I don’t want to leave anyone out, but a lot of kids had career games.

I was hearing rumblings starting with my trip to Casey’s before I left for Saline County,  that defensive coordinator Ryan Patton had the Birds fired up.

One of the things about being part of the media now is some of the great people you get to meet.  One is Sherman Owens, the voice of the Harrisburg Bulldogs on WEBQ.

One thing that I have learned, especially football games, is to be in earshot of one of the broadcasters or both.  When the Redbirds had it in the bag, I heard Sherman say something like this, “Berry and West Frankfort running the same thing, did it to us two years in a row.” 

He made sure I noticed his Cub hat and let me have it because the Cardinals lost that afternoon.  After the game when he went to a commercial, I told him one Redbird team evened the score.

Harrisburg falls to 2-2 on the season, and is on the road next Friday night to take on the Massac County Patriots.

I am going to try to find out the condition of Bartok and Hunter Smith over the next couple of days.  I had a sick feeling in my stomach when Bartok went down.  He is being looked at by some D-1 and what used to be 1-AA schools.  I hope he recovers soon.

The Redbirds improve to 3-1 on the afternoon, and it is the Turkey game against the Benton Rangers at high noon.  It is going to be a hotly contested game, as well as being hot and humid.