WEEK 8 PREVIEW: Benton (5-2)(3-1) at Murphysboro (1-6)(1-3)

October 13, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

This high school football season has flown by.  It seems impossible that week eight is coming up.

The Benton Rangers 5-2 on the year and 3-1 on the Southern Illinois River to River, Ohio Division, will be travelling to Doc Bencini Field to take on the Murphysboro Red Devils.

Murpry Comes in to tonight’s game with a 1-6 record, and 1-3 in the conference.  Their only win was against Massac County who they defeated 42-20.  They had a heartbreaking loss to West Frankfort 42-36 in overtime.  They lost another heartbreaker to Harrisburg last week 17-14 on a last second field goal.

Here is what Benton coach Bob Pankey had to say about the Red Devils,  “Murphy is playing a lot of young guys. They are athletic but inexperienced. They do have the ability to make big plays. Their style of offense incorporates lots of motion and misdirection, so we have to play defense with disciplined eyes and be assignment-sound.”

Bailey Hopson, along with Cade Thomas, one of Hamilton Page’s favorite targets throughout the season.

Murphysboro Coach Gary Carter had this to say about the matchup with the Rangers.  “Benton is good at what they do on offense. The QB can throw and run and the spread formations makes it even more difficult to defend. The receivers from Benton do a nice job with their routes and catch the ball well. Defensively, I am impressed with their linebackers especially the Pankey kid, he is a good football player. We will have to play well to have a chance to win.”

Jamarr McZeke  can scramble out of the pocket.  The start against WF was either his first or second start.  He liked hooking up Jordan Haskins on that drive against the Redbirds that tied the game up in the closing seconds,  Haskins also ran back the 95 yard fumble in the closing seconds and had an interception.

Braden Caldwell is good both sides of the ball, and shows some senior leadership to this young team.   Sophmore Zane Caraway will be one of the best running backs in the Ohio his senior year.  He is one of the top ones already.  Another sophomore Jake Hoppendstedt, will be a good one as well, and is a significant contributor for the Red Devils.

Benton will have a big advantage on the line.  Offensively, Hamilton Page will have a lot of time to pass.  He could hit 200 yards.  Defensively, the linebacker corps of the Rangers could cause McZeke some problems.

I thought the linebacker corps for Benton and Harrisburg are comparable.  McZeke was 1-5 with two interceptions against Harrisburg.  However Murphy picked up 287 yards on the ground.

This is a must win for the Rangers tonight.  They will not have enough playoff points to get in at 5-4.  It is going to be a war down at A-J next week.

I am going with the Rangers by 20.  This game has the potential to be a shootout.  It is a great atmosphere for High School football and I would encourage you to make the trip down there tonight.

Links

Ranger Stats

https://stats.digitalscout.com/illinois/school/benton-consolidated-rangers-ettes/football/varsity/boys

Story of the Murphysboro-Harrisburg Game from the Harrisburg Register

http://www.dailyregister.com/sports/20171006/prep-football-cowserts-kick-keeps-harrisburgs-playoff-hopes-alive

 

 

 

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

WEEK 8 PREVIEW: Massac County (0-7)(0-4) at West Frankfort (4-3)(2-2)

October 13, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

The 2017 Redbird Seniors

The West Frankfort Redbirds (4-3) and (2-1) in the Southern Illinois River to River close out conference play by facing the winless Massac County Patriots.  It is Senior Night and Black Out Night for the Redbirds.

I asked West Frankfort Coach Brian Beery for a few thoughts on his seniors. “This year’s seniors have been a pleasure to coach. They have battled through injuries and have played hard nosed football over the past four years. They played a support role last year when we made the playoffs for the first time in nine years, and this year have combined well with our Juniors and Sophomores to put together some nice wins. ” 

This is what Coach Beery had to say about tonight’s matchup with Massac County. “Massac’s offense has the ability to score points quickly. They have a tall, strong-armed QB (Mason Corzine), that also has the ability to run the ball. Their receiving core is lead by 6’5” Isaiah Thompson that can catch the “jump ball” and make catches in clutch situations. Their running game is lead by a hard-nosed sophomore, Blake Baird that is low to the ground and is hard to tackle. Defensively we will have to do a better job defending the pass, while boxing in their QB and running back.”

Here is what Massac County coach John Warren said about tonight’s matchup with the Redbirds, “ I know we came up on the lower side of the score last week, but I thought we had really played a good first half. With two games remaining, we are really putting our focus on putting those 4 quarters together and seeing what the end result might be. We told the kids this week that we were proud of their toughness and ability to battle when the odds were far off. This week will be no different, another quality R2R team that needs this win to keep their playoff picture open.”

“With that being said, I know emotions will be high on their side. We have to match that intensity and then some to try and steal some of that energy. Like in any league, momentum carries a lot of weight. We would love to play with a lead instead of trying to mount a comeback every week. I haven’t done a good job of getting our offense to help out our defense. This week our focus remains on trying to establish a run game to be able to control the clock, have a close game at the end and be able to steal one on the road.”

I did not realize that Isaiah Thompson was still in high school.  It seems like he has been playing basketball for Joe Hosman for years.

The Redbirds hold their own destiny in their hands.  The have two winnable games in front of them, and they will be playing in week 10.  In a rebuilding year, being in contention for a playoff birth means there will be some good times over the next couple of years in West Frankfort.

I am going with the Redbirds by 14 and a third place finish in the Ohio division.

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

Week 8 Southern Illinois River to River- Ohio schedule and playoff outlook

October 12, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

Week 8 Schedule

Benton (5-2)(3-1) at Murphysboro (1-6)(1-3)

Massac County (0-7)(0-4) at West Frankfort (4-3)(2-2)

Harrisburg (4-3)(2-2) at Herrin (6-1)(4-0)

Playoff Outlook

IN

Herrin (6-1)  – The Tigers have cruised through the SIRR-Ohio field and have not been tested.  They should beat the Harrisburg Bulldogs tomorrow night.  It is senior night at the Graveyard II.  The Tigers will go to Breese Central on Week 9.  The Cougars has snuck up on the Tigers in the past.  Benton, West Frankfort and Harrisburg will turn into big Tiger fans, hoping for another playoff point.

On The Bubble

Benton (5-2)  –  The Rangers might have the best record of the three but they could be the most vulnerable.  The Murphy game is a must win, however I think the Rangers will be favorites. They have 28 playoff points right now.  It will be an uphill battle going to A-J on Week 9.  If they happen to get upset tomorrow night, they will be big Harrisburg Bulldog, West Frankfort, and praying that Murphysboro could turn into spoilers against the DuQuoin Indians.  A win tomorrow night and Benton will breathe easier.  Benton is 4A by eight students.  There is an outside chance they could be bumped down to 3A.

West Frankfort (4-3) –  Of the three on the bubble, West Frankfort has the easiest schedule.  They will take care of Massac County on Senior Night, and they travel to Nashville on Week 9 as the favorites.  The Redbirds in the playoff conversation again this year is great for the program, basically in a rebuilding year.

Harrisburg (4-3) –  It would be one of the upsets of the year if they beat Herrin tomorrow night.  They should beat Carbondale in Week 9.   Their tough schedule should help them pick up a lot of playoff points in week 9, so they should get in at 5-4.  If Fairfield, S-V-W-W or Anna Jonesboro go undefeated, they would be likely first round opponents, however the state is sliced up.  The Bulldogs are listed as 3A, but there is a chance they could be bumped up to 4A.

 

 

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

Week 8 Black Diamond Conference Schedule and Playoff Picture

October 12, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

Week 8 Schedule

 

Chester (3-4) at Chirstopher-Zeigler-Royalton (0-7)

Vienna-Goreville (4-3) at Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn (7-0)

Johnston City (2-5) at Edwards County (2-5)

Hamilton County (0-7) at Carmi White County (4-3)

Farifield (7-0) at Eldorado (6-1)

Playoff Picture

IN

Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn (7-0)  –  The next two weeks they will be playing for seeds and a conference crown.  Vienna will be playing to stay alive.  It seems like in the BDC things are still up for grabs in the last two weeks.  It is no different this year.  It has been several years since the Devils have been in this position.  It is very hard not to look ahead to their trip to the Train Yard on Week 9. The IHSA uses quadrants a lot in 3A.  There could be a very good possibility the Devils could draw the West Frankfort Redbirds, or the Harrisburg Bulldogs in the first round.  Benton has a slim chance of sneaking in as a 3A team.  Wouldn’t that be something to watch.

Fairfield (7-0)  –  They are in the same shape as the Devils.  They are playing for a conference title and a better seed.  The Mules are solidly in 3A.  They could also have a first round matchup with Harrisburg or WF if these teams get in.

Eldoroado (6-1)  – It will be a war hosting the Mules tomorrow night. They go to Johnston City on week 9, which they should be the heavy favorites in, but the Indians have tradition on their side.  Most likely they will go in the playoffs at the worst with a 7-2 record.  They are solidly 2A and could go very far.

Good Shape

Chester-  (3-4) –  The Yellow Jackets will be facing C-Z-R and Edwards County to finish it out.  They will definitely be 1A, where strength of schedule will help them tremendously.   I see them winning out.  A 5-4 record with 45 playoff points since the BDC is a closed conference is a guarantee of  getting in the playoffs.

Carmi-White County  (4-3) –  They host Hamco tomorrow night to clinch.  Stranger things have happened, but I think it is safe to say the Bulldogs will win this one.   There will be multiple Southern Illinois teams that will be rooting for the Bulldogs down at Vienna Saturday.  That game could have a ton of playoff implications around the state.

On the Bubble

Vienna-Goreville (4 -3) –  Coach Rude has came back and in two years, the Eagles into playoff contenders again this year, after his sabbatical of taking over the reigns of the now defunct Morthland College program.   I do not see them going to Caroll Kelly Field on Senior night and pulling the upset.  Their week nine game with Carmi could be a dandy.

 

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

IHSA October Board Meeting Recap

October 12, 2017 By Leave a Comment

The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Board of Directors met at its regularly scheduled meeting at the IHSA office in Bloomington on Wednesday, October 11, 2017, where the Board voted to elect its officers for the 2017-18 school year.

Erie High School Principal Tim McConnell  was voted as the Board President, becoming the 37th individual in the Association’s history (dating back to 1903 when Aurora’s C.P. Biggs was named the first President) to serve in that role. McConnell has served on the Board as the representative from Division 4 since 2012, and was re-elected to his seat for a three-year term earlier this month. McConnell served as the Board’s Vice-President in 2016-17, and was interim President for the meetings in August and September, filling in for East Peoria’s Chuck Nagel, who was the President in 2016-17, but retired over the summer.

“I feel humbled that the that the principals in Division 4 nominated and elected me to my third and final term on the Board,” said McConnell. “I feel a great sense of responsibility to the Association and its membership in my service to the Board, and now as the President. I was fortunate to have served under three previous Presidents (Anna-Jonesboro’s Jim Woodward, Wauconda’s Dan Klett & Nagel) who were great mentors and friends. It’s an honor and privilege to have a small part in leading the IHSA and promoting its mission.”

Andrew High School Principal Robert Nolting was voted by his fellow Board members to the Vice-President position after serving as the Secretary last year, while Rockridge High School Principal Katy Hasson was tabbed to succeed Nolting as Secretary.

 

ACTION ITEMS

1. The Board approved a recommendation to appoint the following individual to fill a vacancy on the Legislative Commission:
District 4: Jeff Wardle, Principal, Buffalo Grove

2. The Board approved a recommendation to create an ad hoc committee to review IHSA Policy 17 (classifications, multiplier, waiver policy & success adjustment formula).

3. The Board approved a recommendation to modify the definition of a custodial parent definition in the IHSA Handbook. The definition now reads:

“Custodial Parent – A parent (mother or father) who has been assigned custody or joint custody by a court of proper jurisdiction or, where applicable, who has been designated as the parent with the majority of parenting time in a court approved parenting plan (“Parenting Plan”) unless the address of the parent who does not have the majority of parenting time is listed in the Parenting Plan as the child’s residential address for school enrollment purposes only, in which case the latter shall be considered the address of the custodial parent for purposes of these by-laws.”

4. The Board approved a recommendation to make Champro Sports the official lacrosse ball of the IHSA Boys Lacrosse State Series and IHSA Girls Lacrosse State Series for the 2018, 2019 and 2020 seasons. The Champro lacrosse balls will be used in all IHSA Boys Lacrosse postseason contests and all IHSA Girls Lacrosse postseason contests, including the inaugural State Finals this spring.

Craig Anderson, IHSA Executive Director:

“We appreciate all the companies who showed interest in becoming the Official Ball of IHSA Lacrosse. We felt like we couldn’t go wrong with the selection, but Champro had several factors that set it apart, starting first and foremost with the feedback from our coaches who told us that Champro makes a quality ball that will hold up throughout the season. In addition, Champro offered a great price point for our member schools to purchase balls if they choose to do so, while having them be a local company (Wheeling) will only help customer service and their efforts to help grow the game here.”

5. The Board approved a request to amend the host facility payment for the IHSA Football State Finals at Huskie Stadium.

6. The Board approved a change to IHSA Board Policy 37, increasing the maximum Baseball Pitch Limit in State Series games to 115 pitches.

Craig Anderson, IHSA Executive Director:
“When the Board established the IHSA’s pitch count guidelines last December, we anticipated that the committee would have some potential tweaks after the first season. The committee felt that adding ten pitches to the total (105 in regular-season) in the postseason, when arms are stretched and players are acclimatized, would be a reasonable accommodation. The Sports Medicine Advisory Committee was ultimately in agreement, which was an important factor in the Board’s decision to approve this change.”

7. The Board conducted its annual election of officers, with the following results:
President: Tim McConnell, Erie High School
Vice-President: Robert Nolting, Andrew High School
Secretary: Katy Hasson, Rockridge High School

 

ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
Minutes from all Advisory Committees can be viewed by clicking here.

1. The Board approved the consent items from the Advisory Committees in the following sports & activities: Girls Badminton, Baseball, Softball, Track & Field, Water Polo, Bass Fishing, Athletic Administrators, Athletes with Disabilities and News Media.

Consent items are recommendations that received approval from the sport/activity advisory committee, the Athletic Administrators Advisory Committee and the IHSA staff. Consent items can be viewed by clicking here.

Non-consent items are recommendations from sport or activity committees that did not receive a majority vote from the Athletic Advisory Committee or IHSA staff.

One Non-consent item was approved:

Baseball/Softball
1. The number of officials assigned to work the IHSA Baseball & Softball State Finals will increase from six officials to 12 officials per weekend.

Some consent items of note include:

Track & Field
1. State final qualifying standards for the 2018 season approved.

Bass Fishing
1. Sectional dates moved from Friday to Thursday.

 

APPEALS & ELIGIBILITY RULINGS
1. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Mundelein (Carmel). The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.030 and 3.040.

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS
At each meeting of the Board of Directors, there are certain items the Board discusses, but upon which no action is taken. The following is a report of those items from the October 11, 2017, agenda:

1. The Board heard a report from the Executive Director on the NFHS Section IV Meeting which was held September 21-22 in East Lansing, Michigan.

2. The Board heard a report from the Executive Director on the by-law proposals that have been submitted for the upcoming legislative process.

3. The Board heard a report from the Executive Director on the IHSA New Administrators Workshop held at the IHSA office on October 4, 2017.

3. The Board heard a report from the Executive Director on the upcoming IADA Division Meetings. The IHSA will have a staff member at each meeting, which are scheduled on the following dates:
Division 1 – Oct. 19- 10:00 a.m. – De La Salle High School
Division 2 – Oct. 26- 9:00 a.m. – Forest View Educational Center
Division 3 – Oct. 26- 1:00 p.m. – Homewood-Flossmoor High School
Division 4 – Oct. 24- 9:00 a.m. – Sterling High School
Division 5 – Oct. 25- 9:00 a.m. – BSN Sports, Rantoul
Division 6 – Oct. 17- 10:00 a.m. – Pekin High School
Division 7 – Oct. 24- 9:00 a.m. – Governor’s Run Golf Course, Carlyle

4. The Board heard a report from the Executive Director on the IHSA’s role in the recent IASA Conference in Springfield, as well as the IHSA’s plans at the upcoming IPA Conference in Springfield.

5. The Board heard a report from the Executive Director on a recent meeting with CPS Athletic Administration officials.

6. The staff and Board welcomed new IHSA Coordinator of Special Programs Raye McDonald, as well as new Board members Diana Brown (De LaSalle), Amy McMahan (PORTA), and Kurt Tenopir (Fremd).

Matt Troha  -IHSA Assistant Executive Director

Filed Under: High School Sports, Sports

Hamilton Page up for WSIL-TV/Banterra Player of the Week

October 11, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/33771417/banterra-player-of-the-week

For the third time this season,  Benton QB Hamilton Page is in the running for WSIL-TV-Banterra player of the week.  Page, had another 200+ yard passing game against Massac County last week.

Previous winners from Franklin County have been West Frankfort running back Madison Allen, and S-V-W-W fullback Peyton Rock.

Voting ends at midnight tonight.

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

Week Seven HS Football Scores

October 7, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://areasports.net/

Click on the link above from areasports.net

Filed Under: High School Sports, Sports

Links to Week 7 football stories involving Franklin County Schools

October 7, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Benton 53 Massac County 13

Link to the story from Rick Hayes – Benton  News

http://www.bentoneveningnews.com/article/20171007/sports/171009865/

Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn 62 Hamilton County 34

Link to the story from Richard Blakley – Benton News

http://www.bentoneveningnews.com/sports/20171007/svww-red-devils-move-to-7-0-with-win-over-hamilton-county-foxes

Johnston City 54 Christopher-Zeigler-Royalton 0

Link to the story from Jimmy Dean – Benton News

http://www.bentoneveningnews.com/sports/20171006/johnston-city-indians-earn-shutout-win-over-czr-bearcats

Herrin 52  West Frankfort 6

Link to the story from Dave Broy – westfrankfortsports.com

 

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

The Benton Rangers Golf Team advances, three from WF at Carbondale Regional

October 4, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Results from IHSA Regional at Hickory Ridge

Carbondale- 311 (advances to sectional)
BENTON – 315 (advances to sectional)
Massac – 316 (advances to sectional)
Herrin – 324
West Frankfort- 336
Marion – 339
Mt. Vernon – 341
Benton Scoring:
Eldon Owens – 75
Brendan Luster – 76
Robbie Moore – 81
Brad Hammond – 83

Up Next: Salem Sectional Monday Oct. 9th

From the Benton Rangers Golf Facebook Page

For West Frankfort results, please click on the following link from westfrankfortsports.com

http://westfrankfortsports.com/dorris-johnson-wolfe-advance-to-the-class-a-golf-sectional-p785-165.htm

SD

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

Kurt Tenopir of Fremd, Amy McMahan of PORTA Join IHSA Board of Directors; Legislative Commission Voting

October 4, 2017 By Leave a Comment

BLOOMINGTON, IL – Voting for seats on the Illinois High School Association Board of Directors and Legislative Commission closed at midnight on Sunday, October 1, and the results were tallied and certified Monday morning, October 2.
Kurt Tenopir, Principal at Fremd High School in Palatine, was elected to the Division 2 seat, replacing former Board president Dan Klett. Amy McMahan, Principal at PORTA High School in Petersburg, was elected to the Division 6 seat, replacing outgoing Board president Chuck Nagel. Re-elected to the board were Board vice president Tim McConnell of Erie High School, representing Division 4, and Dan Tully of Notre Dame High School in Niles, an at-large member representing private schools.
The Board will elect its officers for the 2017-18 school term at its regular meeting on Wednesday, October 11.

IHSA member schools nominated candidates for the Board of Directors and Legislative Commission beginning on August 11. The nominations were compiled on September 15 and votes were cast from September 20 through October 1.

Results of the election are listed below. The names of the candidates are indicated in the following list, with an asterisk preceding the name of the person elected to each seat.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

DIVISION 2:
*Kurt Tenopir, Palatine (Fremd)
Barb Villont, Elgin (St. Edward)

DIVISION 4:
*Tim McConnell, Erie
Drew Popejoy, Rockford (R. Christian)

DIVISION 6:
*Amy McMahan, Petersburg (PORTA)
Timothy Kratochvil, Pawnee

AT-LARGE (PRIVATE SCHOOLS):
*Dan Tully, Niles (Notre Dame)
Dave Harris, Belleville (Althoff Catholic)

LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION — Principals
DISTRICT 3:
*Larry Tucker, Chicago (Marist)
Alahrie Aziz-Sims, Chicago (Bogan)

DISTRICT 5:
*Brett McPherson, Genoa (G.-Kingston)
Stacey Beebe, Aurora (A. Christian)

DISTRICT 6:
*Marsha Potthoff, McHenry
Debra Novy, Woodstock (Marian)

DISTRICT 7:
*Ron Hoover, Westchester (St. Joseph)
Mohammed Taher, Lombard (College Prep)

DISTRICT 9:
*Dave Stephens, Plainfield (Central)
John Harper, New Lenox (Providence Catholic)

DISTRICT 11:
*Jeremiah Johnston, Kewanee (Wethersfield)
Jason Spang, Manlius (Bureau Valley)

DISTRICT 13:
*Tom Davis, Broadlands (Heritage)
Phil Morrison, Tolono (Unity)

DISTRICT 18:
*Bill Reed, Athens
Artie Doss, Springfield (Lanphier)

DISTRICT 19:
*Vince Hughes, Marissa
(unopposed)

LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION — Athletic Administrators

DIVISION 2:
*Jerry Dobbs, Palatine (H.S.)
Tom Marcum, Wilmette (Regina Dominican)

DIVISION 5:
*Dan Sheehan, Monticello
Ryan Hornaday, Tuscola

LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION — At-Large Minority or Underrepresented Gender

DIVISION 2:
*Tina Woolard, Grayslake (North)
Jackie Randall, Elk Grove Village (E.G.)

DIVISION 3:
*Nick Browder, Olympia Fields (Rich Central)
Sue Tameling, Palos Heights (Chicago Christian)

DIVISION 6:
*Megan Doerfler, New Berlin
Kara Rapacz, Springfield (Sacred Heart-Griffin)

From Matt Troha, Illinois High School Association

 

Filed Under: High School Sports, Sports
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