HS Football Week 1 Scoreboard: S-V-W-W pulls big upset at Carmi-White County

August 26, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

I am going to give an upset of the week.  Congratulations to coach John Shadowens and the Sesser-Vailer-Waltonville-Woodlawn Red Devils for defeating the Carmi-White County Bulldogs on the road 27-12.  This is my upset of the week.

I had to go with the Franklin County School, however I think it is notable the Harrisburg Bulldogs went to the pit in Mt. Carmel and defeated the Purple Aces 17-14 tonight.

Here are the scores across Southern Illinois tonight.

Black Diamond

S-V-W-W  27 Carmi-White County 12

Vienna-Goreville  41  C-Z-R 6

Eldorado  42  Chester 22

Fairfield 48  Johnston City 0

Edwards County 21  Hamilton County 6

SIRR Ohio Non Conference Games

Carterville 28  Benton 15

 Anna-Jonesboro  43  West Frankfort 18

Harrisburg 17  Mt. Carmel 14

DuQuoin  48  Massac County  8

Carbondale 21  Murphysboro 6

Herrin 28  Waterloo  21

SIRR Mississippi Non Conference Games

Red Bud  21  Pinckneyville  7

Carlyle  34  Nashville  27

Freeburg  61  Sparta  14

South Seven Non Conference Games

Taylorville  42  Mt. Vernon 6

Marion  47  Mascoutah  35

Centralia  49  Salem  19

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Benton High School Sports, Christopher High School Sports, High School Sports, Sesser-Valier High School Sports, Sports, West Frankfort High School Sports, Zeigler-Royalton High School Sports

SVW takes three-game match victory over Woodlawn

August 25, 2017 By Leave a Comment

VOLLEYBALL: SVW takes three-game match victory over Woodlawn

Paul Wilcoxen – Jefferson County Sports Photo

WOODLAWN, IL – (Paul Wilcoxen – Jefferson County Sports.  Please click on the link for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

“I’m on the verge of tears,” said SVW coach Rachel Payne. “I’m so excited. We have a to-do list and it was to take Woodlawn to three. We did, so I was excited.”

The Lady Cardinals found themselves trailing 20-14 in the final set but tied it up (23-23) before the Red Devils rolled off two straight points to close it.

Payne credits her team’s serving as one of the key factors to the Red Devils’ victories in Games 1 and 3. SVW was trailing 11-9 in the third game when Dakota Quinn served eight straight points to put the Red Devils on top, 17-12, after the side-out.

Filed Under: High School Sports, Sesser-Valier High School Sports, Sports

AmeriCorps Funds Now Available from Serve Illinois

August 25, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Grants designed to improve and strengthen Illinois communities

Press Release from the Illinois Department of Public Health

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Serve Illinois Commission (Serve Illinois) today announced that funding is available for agencies interested in administering AmeriCorps programs in the state.  AmeriCorps members serve their communities by improving education and health care, protecting public safety, safeguarding the environment, providing disaster relief, and promoting civic engagement.

“Each year, AmeriCorps members dedicate a year of their lives to get things done in their communities,” said Scott McFarland, Executive Director of the Serve Illinois Commission. “Members work with disadvantaged youth, veterans and their families, people with disabilities, the homeless, and many other individuals who need a helping hand to succeed.”

Serve Illinois administers the AmeriCorps state programs in Illinois and is charged with enhancing and supporting community volunteerism.  Serve Illinois is funded by the federal Corporation for National and Community Service and currently supports 39 AmeriCorps programs throughout the state.

AmeriCorps members receive student loan deferment and training.  Full-time members are also eligible to receive a modest living allowance and health insurance.  Members who successfully complete their service receive an educational award to help pay for college, graduate school, vocational training, or to pay off student loans.  If the member is 55 or over, they may transfer the education award to a child, grandchild, or foster child.

Serve Illinois will host mandatory webinars in September and October.  Webinar details and information about the application process are available at www.Serve.Illinois.gov.  Applications are due by December 1, 2017.  Funded programs will begin their work in July or August of 2018.

About Serve Illinois
The Serve Illinois Commission is a 40 member (25 voting and 15 non-voting), bi-partisan board appointed by the governor and administered by the Illinois Department of Public Health.  Its mission is to improve Illinois communities by enhancing volunteerism and instilling an ethic of service throughout the state.  Serve Illinois is accomplishing this mission through the support of local community-based efforts to enhance volunteer opportunities and the administration of Illinois’ AmeriCorps program.  For more information on Serve Illinois, or to find one of more than 2,500 volunteer opportunities in the state, please visit www.Serve.Illinois.gov.

Filed Under: Breaking News, State News

The Top 10 architectural wonders of Southern Illinois

August 25, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Top 10 architectural wonders of southern Illinois

The Muddy mine tipple in Saline County made the top ten list. (From the website, places and things.com)

Are you visiting southern Illinois? Or are you in need of a weekend outing? If so, you may want to add some architectural wonders to your list of places to visit.

Baysinger Architects put together a list of the top 10 landmarks in the region.

The list highlights the area’s history and includes a fairground grand stand, a coal tipple, and one of the only octagon one room school buildings in the United States.

Filed Under: Featured

If you grew up in Du Quoin, this fair is a big part of your life

August 25, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.duquoin.com/entertainment/20170825/if-you-grew-up-in-du-quoin-this-fair-is-a-big-part-of-your-life

DU QUOIN, IL – (Fred Huff – DuQuoin Call.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Unless you grew up in Du Quoin, you probably don’t fully understand how much the Du Quoin State Fair is part of the life of this city — and one of the most exciting happenings each year.

Those of us who have lived in Du Quoin for more than 80 years remember well how years ago the carnival arrived by rail, unloading at night while most of Du Quoin was asleep.

Tractors would pull the huge rides and wagons through Du Quoin’s Main Street, down Rt. 51 and onto the fairgrounds, which until 1945 were just inside the main gate and adjacent to the half-mile track.

The huge trucks still arrive at night, with a relatively small group of workers who assemble the rides. They must pass safety inspections prior to the fair’s opening, which this year is Friday, Aug. 25.

 

Filed Under: Featured, Franklin Co. News

Armed Barbers hit their mark

August 25, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.bentongazette.com/news/armed-barbers-hit-their-mark/article_2b338c94-8382-11e7-b6fe-8b70c0f6a1cc.html

Ray Minor and John Sweet in Minor’s new barbershop and shooting range

BENTON, IL – (William McPherson, Benton Gazette.  Please click on the link for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Don’t dare call them stylists.

Retired State Police Master Sergeant Ray Minor is looking to bring back the barbershops of yesteryear with a twist. The new barber shop had a soft opening on August 8, and has seen a steady trickle of customers come out to the new business. The barber shop is connected to Minor’s shooting park, Extreme Exigency, which he said will open up for business on September 4, and will host a ribbon cutting and open house on September 2.

The business is located in Rural Benton, southwest of West City, and the property was once the home of Minor’s grandfather Theodore Nunlist, who for many years ran a successful barbershop in Benton.

Filed Under: Benton News, Featured, Franklin Co. News

The 2017 Christopher-Zeigler-Royalton Bearcats

August 25, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

C-Z-R Roster

3 Landen Bate 5’10” 160 QB/DB 9
7 Triston Shively 5’9″ 150 RB/LB 9
8 Austin Wampler 5’8″ 120 WR/DB 10
11 Gabriel Motsinger 5’11” 160 WR/DB 10
12 Bryce Pratt 6’3″ 175 QB/DB 10
15 Caleb Davis 5’7″ 147 RB/LB 9
16 Dustin Richard 5’10” 140 WR/DB 10
20 Grant Shaffer 5’7″ 146 QB/DB 10
21 Jason Cole 5’10” 140 RB/DB 11
22 Josh Davis 6’0″ 170 RB/MLB 10
26 Garrett Vanfossan 6’0″ 145 WR/DB 11
28 Trinton Bishop 6’0″ 160 WR/DB 12
30 Jeremiah Bright 5’10” 180 DB/LB 11
32 Dalton Humphrey 5’9″ 185 LB/RB 10
33 Greg Fletcher 6’0″ 170 TE/LB/QB 10
42 Chris Lane 5’7″ 145 RB/LB 11
52 Darrick Leiser 5’8″ 235 OL/DL 11
53 Scotty Killip 5’6″ 160 OL/DL 12
61 Camden Kirkpatrick 6’2″ 200 OL/DL 11
62 Christian Shadowens 6’0″ 205 K/OL/DL 11
65 Ryan Helfrich 6’2″ 190 OL/DL 11
68 Frankey Rebolledo 5’10” 180 OL/DL 11
70 Ryan Bond 5’11” 300 OL/DL 10
73 Gavin Jay 5’10” 170 OL/DL 11
74 Gannon Dollins 6’4″ 200 OL/DL 9
75 Zack Marvel 6’2″ 240 OL/DL 12
76 Adrian Ratajczyk 6’0″ 277 OL/DL 9
78 Aaron Abrahamsen 6’2″ 250 OL/DL 11
86 Noah Hervey 6’1″ 175 WR/LB 11
88 Cole Gelso 6’0″ 200 TE/LB 9

C-Z-R Schedule

Nickname: Bearcats
Head Coach: Anthony Hargrove
2016 Record: 0-9
2017 Classification Enrollment: 414.00

Aug 25 7:00 H Vienna [V.-Goreville Coop] 548.00
Sep 1 7:00 H Carmi (C.-White County) 370.00
Sep 8 7:00 A Fairfield 423.00
Sep 15 7:00 A Albion (Edwards County)  280.00
Sep 22 7:00 A Sesser (S.-Valier) [Coop] 488.00
Sep 29 7:00 H Eldorado 358.00
Oct 6 7:00 A Johnston City 334.00
Oct 13 7:00 H Chester 311.00
Oct 20 7:00 A McLeansboro (Hamilton County) 376.00

Link to WSIL Sports Extra Preview

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36122570/bearcats-ready-to-hit-in-first-full-pads-practice

Link to the story in the summer where Anthony Hargrove was hired as coach

Former NFL DE Anthony Hargrove takes over as C-Z-R head coach

As stated above, Anthony Hargrove has taken over as head coach of the Bearcats.  He was the defensive coordinator last season, and has been very active in establishing a junior high program in the community.

Even though the Bearcats were 0-9 last season, there is a good crop of sophomores coming up from Christopher and Zeigler-Royalton has a very talented freshman class coming in.  You can see several freshmen dotted along the varsity roster.

The three sport athletes of QB Bryce Pratt and RB/WR Gabriel Motsinger should lead the Bearcat offense.  At the freshman level, the Bearcats had a great year, either 7-2 or 6-3.

Pratt picked up some varsity experience against Vienna-Goreville last year, and held his own.

Tonight, this is a winnable game for the Bearcats.  There could be some week 10 football in the future with this young team.  I am going to put their record this season around the 3-6 mark.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Christopher High School Sports, High School Sports, Slider, Sports, Uncategorized, Zeigler-Royalton High School Sports

The 2017 Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn Red Devils

August 25, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

S-V-W-W Roster

 

S-V-W-W Schedule

Nickname: Red Devils
Head Coach: John Shadowens
2016 Record: 5-5
2017 Classification Enrollment: 488.00

Aug 25 7:00 A Carmi (C.-White County) 370.00
Sep 1 7:00 A Albion (Edwards County) 280.00
Sep 8 7:00 H Eldorado 358.00
Sep 15 7:00 A Johnston City 334.00
Sep 22 7:00 H Christopher [C.-Zeigler-Royalton Coop] 414.00
Sep 29 7:00 H Chester 311.00
Oct 6 7:00 A McLeansboro (Hamilton County) 376.00
Oct 13 7:00 H Vienna [V.-Goreville Coop] 548.00
Oct 20 7:00 A Fairfield 423.00

Link to WSIL-TV Sports Extra preview

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36170010/red-devils-hopeful-for-consecutive-playoff-appearances

The Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn Red Devils will try to improve on their 5-5 mark last season.  With it being a closed conference, a 5-4 record will get you in the playoffs with 45 playoff points.   They went on the road and fell to Mt. Carmel at the pit last season.

Clayton Smith will be calling the signals for the Devils this year.  Smith has a rocket for an arm and he hit WR Joshua Gunter a lot last season.  Peyton Rock, who missed some time last year because of injuries will be in the backfield again this year for S-V-W-W

The Devils will be on the road at Carmi-White County tonight, who will be one of the top contenders for a Black Diamond Conference Crown.  Coach John Shadowens says that going over there and facing a team that has 15 returning seniors and a first ballot hall of fame coach in Kurt Simon is an understatement for a tough opener.

S-V-W-W over the last few years has been caught right in the middle of being in a conference over the last several years been the have and have not’s.  They have went from 4-5 two years ago, improving to 5-4 last year.  A 6-3 mark would give them a middle of the road seed in class 3A.  With a football enrollment of 488, they would be guaranteed to be in 3A again.  This team has a great opportunity to play November football.

 

 

Filed Under: Sesser-Valier High School Sports, Slider, Sports

The 2017 Benton Rangers

August 25, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

Rangers Roster

Rangers Schedule

Nickname: Rangers
Head Coach: Bob Pankey
2016 Record: 4-5
2017 Classification Enrollment: 564.00

Aug 25 7:00 H Carterville 581.00
Sep 1 7:00 A Sparta 336.00
Sep 8 7:00 H Pinckneyville 418.00
Sep 15 7:00 A Herrin (H.S.) 757.00
Sep 23 12:00 A West Frankfort (Frankfort) 517.00
Sep 29 7:00 H Harrisburg 542.00
Oct 6 7:00 H Metropolis (Massac County) 591.00
Oct 13 7:00 A Murphysboro [Coop] 743.00
Oct 20 7:00 A Anna (A.-Jonesboro) 514.00

Link to WSIL-TV’s Sports Extra Preview

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36194120/veteran-skill-players-leading-bentons-offense

One more win last season, and the Rangers would have been playing in week 10.  With one of the better quarterbacks that I watched last year, Hamilton Page, and Blaine Pankey in the backfield, the Rangers will be in the thick of things in the SIRR-Ohio.

Pankey will be behind the line waiting on the oppositions backfield in the linebacker slot.  Besides Page and Pankey returning starters for the Rangers are WR/DB’s Joey Craig and Cade Thomas, OL/LB Warren Smothers, offensive lineman Carston Sanders, linebacker Andrew Dunn, and defensive backs Neal Carlton and Ty Gordon.

The Rangers will have a tall task, going against the veteran Carterville coach Dennis Drust and TE/LB Luke Ford.  Ford verbally committed to Arkansas last spring, and pulled his commitment.  Several publications have Ford listed in the top two high school tight ends in the country.   He has drawn interest in most of the Big 10 and SEC programs, with Alabama coach Nick Saban has been in frequent contact with him.

Here is what Benton Coach Bob Pankey had to say about facing the Lions tonight, “Expect Carterville to be well coached and have some athletic kids, obviously Luke Ford is the biggest threat. We have to play sound technique football with few mistakes.”

About the Rangers overall this year, Coach Pankey had this to say about his team, “Our skill positions have a ton of experience with most as returning starters. We are still having to plug some holes in the offensive line. Our biggest weakness this year is lack of depth. We will have to be smart with how we practice and play to keep kids healthy.”

Each week, when I preview a game I will have a game of the week the four programs in Franklin County are participating in.  This is the week 1 game of the week.  I have watched Luke Ford play on film several times and live on the basketball floor.  This will be the opportunity to see a power five conference recruit.

This might be the Rangers toughest test of the year out of the gate.  If Benton stays healthy, there could be some Saturday afternoon November football beyond week nine.

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Benton High School Sports, High School Sports, Slider, Sports

The 2017 West Frankfort Redbirds

August 25, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

The 2017 Redbird Seniors

Redbird Schedule

West Frankfort (Frankfort) (0-0)
Nickname: Redbirds
Head Coach: Brian Beery
2016 Record: 6-4
2017 Classification Enrollment: 517.00

Last Number = opponents enrollment

Aug 25 7:30 H Anna (A.-Jonesboro)  514.00
Sep 1 7:00 H Pinckneyville  418.00
Sep 8 7:00 A Sparta  336.00
Sep 15 TBA A Harrisburg  542.00
Sep 23 12:00 H Benton  564.00
Sep 29 7:00 A Murphysboro [Coop] 743.00
Oct 6 7:00 N Herrin (H.S.)  757.00
Oct 13 7:00 H Metropolis (Massac County) 591.00
Oct 20 7:00 A Nashville  411.00

Redbird Roster

2 Matt Reiger 11 6’2 175 WR/LB
3 Mason Clay 10 5’11 160 WR/DB
5 TJ Vanzandt 11 5’11 170 RB/DL
8 Brendan Johnson 11 6’1 210 RB/LB
10 Connor Eaton 10 5’11 189 QB/LB
12 Gavin Gaylor 10 5’11 150 RB/DB
13 Lane Short 11 5’10 175 WR/DB
14 Braxton Rose 11 5’10 170 WR/DB
15 Luke Smith 12 6’1 170 WR/DB
16 Shane Smith 10 5’8 130 WR/DB
17 Michael Velazquez 10 5’7 150 WR/DB
18 Brock Johnson 10 5’10 160 WR/LB
20 Bricen Forgatch 11 6’2 170 WR/DB
22 Lucas Davis 12 6’3 180 WR/LB
23 Kyle Hammers 11 5’11 175 RB/DB
26 Dennon Gilliam 10 5’9 160 RB/LB
27 Sam Cooksey 11 5’10 190 RB/LB
30 Jordan Brewster 12 6’1 155 RB/DB
35 Blake Engler 11 5’7 170 RB/LB
42 Madison Allen 11 6’0 190 RB/LB
44 Ben Souders 12 5’8 170 RB/LB
51 Shaun Williams 10 5’11 230 OL/DL
52 Tyler Broy 11 5’11 200 OL/LB
53 Bradley Croslin 12 6’6 245 OL/DL
56 Shane Richardson-Veil 12 6’1 230 OL/DL
57 Jackson Sailliez 11 6’5 265 OL/DL
58 Rylee Wilson 10 5’10 160 OL/DL
59 Johnny Simmons 11 5’10 260 OL/DL
62 Jimmy Drennon 11 5’10 230 OL/DL
64 Jaron Lindhorst 10 5’10 200 OL/DL
66 Greg Cooper 12 6’0 250 OL/LB
67 Zack Leschke 11 6’0 260 OL/DL
70 Max Pernitsky 11 6’3 270 OL/DL
71 Jacob Novak 12 5’10 160 OL/DL
72 Zane Uhls 12 6’3 290 OL/DL
75 Gabe Corzine 12 6’1 310 OL/DL
77 Jesse Helfrich 10 5’11 210 OL/DL
78 Andy Morris 11 6’7 335 OL/DL

Link to WSIL-TV’s Sports Extra Preview

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36194159/west-frankfort-football-adjusting-to-defensive-changes

 

The West Frankfort Redbirds were the Cinderella story across Southern Illinois in 2016, turning their fortunes from a  0-9 2015 campaign, to 6-4 in 2016.  They made the playoffs for the first time in several years.  They went up to the 309 area code and gave, Canton who made the final four in Class 4A, all they wanted before falling late 29-15.

The returning starters for this year are Jordan Brewster, Madison Allen, and Zane Uhls on defense, Bradlee Croslin on offense, and Greg Cooper on both sides of the ball.

I asked West Frankfort Coach Brian Beery who has stood out in practice and over the summer, he said,   “We are going to be a young team, with very few returning starters. I feel everyone has shown improvement throughout the summer and throughout practice. Madison Allen has worked hard in the off-season and has set our school Hang Clean record by cleaning 310 pounds. Furthermore, Jordan Brewster and Greg Cooper has shown steady improvement as well.”

The Redbirds will potentially have a very deep backfield.  Coach Berry mentioned that along with Allen and Brewster that he could see some big years out of,  Sam Cooksey, Connor Eaton, Brendan Johnson, Blake Engler and Kyle Hammers.

The Redbirds will be facing the tradition rich Anna-Jonesboro Wildcats this evening at home.  They fell to A-J in week one last season 12-6 on a Saturday night, as the game was moved because of some severe weather in Union County.

The Redbirds were driving deep into A-J territory, and there was just not enough clock left.  I feel the A-J game last year proved the Birds could be competitive and the win over Harrisburg proved they could be a playoff team.

Here is Coach Beery’s thoughts on the Wildcats coming into tonight,   I believe the A-J game will be a very physical game. I expect them to try to control the clock with their offense, while fielding a very well coached and aggressive defense.  We will have to be able to stop their ground game, and take advantage of any part of the field AJ’s defense is unable to defend.  I believe the key for us is to limit the number of turnovers and mental mistakes, if we can do that, it ought to be a great game to watch and be a part of.

Tonight’s game will be a 7:30 p.m. start, moved up from the traditional 7:00 p.m. start.  Tonight’s game is also the WSIL-TV sack for hunger game of the week.  Be sure to bring some non-perishable food items.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: High School Sports, Slider, Sports, West Frankfort High School Sports
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