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.