Female football player faces long road to recovery after wreck

October 3, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36504781/female-football-player-faces-long-road-to-recovery-after-wreck

JOHNSTON CITY, IL –  (Joe Ragusa, WSIL-TV.  Please click on the link for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Vickie Mueller is one of just a few female high school football players in the region, but now she’s just happy to be alive.

Mueller, 17, was on her way back from a bonfire early Sunday morning when she dozed off behind the wheel.

“I remember all of it,” Mueller said from her hospital bed in St. Louis. Her car flipped several times after she drove off Interstate 64 in Wayne County, gruesomely tearing apart her left arm.

“I woke up to blood everywhere and my car was upside down,” Mueller said. “I picked up the pieces of my arm and put them on my leg and was just trying to find a way to get out of my car

Filed Under: High School Sports, Sports

Redbirds win in OT in a Wild One at Murphysboro Friday Night

October 1, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

MURPHYSBORO, IL – “That was crazy, I am glad we came out of here with a win.  I will have a much better weekend”, said West Frankfort coach Brian Beery.  “We are coming a long way as a team.  I am proud of my guys.  They never quit, said Murphysboro coach Gary Carter.  Carter was honored last night for picking up his 100th win as a coach.  In week five the Red Devils defeated Massac County 42-20, for the Devils first win of the season.

Carter was an eyelash away from picking up win 101 Friday night.  I have been around sports a long time.  Last night down at Murphy is one of those games I will tell my grandkids one day when they are sitting on my knee.

Here is where things started.  The Redbirds just went up 36-20 at the 7:48 mark on a three yard run by Madison Allen.  Ben Souders forced a fumble on the first play of the fourth quarter.  The Redbirds were very conservative on that drive, being a one possession game and the clock was their best friend.

On the second play of the drive at the 7:14 mark of the fourth quarter the Johnson brothers came up big.  Brendan stripped the ball and Brock recovered a fumble.

With West Frankfort up 14 with the ball, there was a mass exodus of Red Devil fans.The Redbirds were taking their time on what was an eight play drive.

I was making my way to the field, as time was under the two minute mark to catch up with the coaches.  The Redbirds were taking their time, on what was an eight play drive.  They were smelling victory.  They get the ball to the Murphysboro five.

I was thinking on the next play WF would take a knee. There was a low snap that Connor Eaton fumbled.  It was loose on the field.  Jordan Haskins recovered at his own 15, broke several tackles, and scored.  Braden Caldwell ran in the two point conversion to cut Frankfort’s lead to 36-28.

The pandemonium continued.  The Red Devils attempted an on side kick.  The ones across the way were claiming Muphy touched the ball.  On my end, it looked like it struck Madison Allen’s ankle, and he was out of bounds.  Caldwell recovers and the ball is awarded the Murphysboro.  There was a lot of barking from the Redbird faithful, who was outnumbering the Red Devil fans at this point in the game.

The next drive started at the Murphysboro 48.  The Red Devils had all their time outs left and went to the air.  Quarterback Jamar McZeke finds Haskins in the end zone with a 22 yard pass with :28 to go.  Caldwell runs it in for the two point conversion to tie it at 36.

The Redbirds come out and run one play and the game goes into overtime.  Murphy wins the coin toss, and elects to defer.

Madison Allen scores on fourth down and six inches to put the Redbirds up 42-36.  It was the sixth fourth down conversion on the night for the Red Devils.

Murphy goes to the air on first and fourth down.  Allen came up with two big tackles on Caldwell.  The Big Red Army goes nuts, as they escaped out of Jackson County with the win.

Now lets rewind to the beginning.  On the kickoff Brock Johnson recovers a fumble.  Four plays later Eaton scores on a five yard run at the 10:30 mark.  He rushed for 180 yards on 21 carries.  The two point conversion failed and West Frankfort led 6-0.

Murphy answers back at the 6:52 mark with an 11 yard run from Zane Caraway.  He led Murphysboro with 115 yards on the night.  The extra point failed, and it was all knotted up at six.

The Redbirds did not waste anytime answering back.  Allen scores with 15 of his 151 yards on the night.  He took in in on the two point conversion, and it was 14-6 WF.  The eight yard drive was featured by Eaton hitting Kyle Hammers for a 20 yard pass. Allen also broke loose for a 26 yard run on the drive on fourth down.

Murphy answers back with an eight play drive.  Caraway scored a TD with a five yard run at the :48 mark of the first quarter.  The conversion failed and it was 14-6 West Frankfort at the end of the quarter.  Caldwell had a 30 yard run on the drive.  He had 73 yards on the night.

The Redbirds get back on the board again with a ten yard run by Eaton.  Allen picks up the conversion and it was 22-12 Redbirds at the 8:11 mark in the first half.

Murphysboro answers back at the 3:48 mark of the first half with an 11 play drive.  Jake Hoppenstedt picks up a touchdown with a five yard run.  McZeke completes a pass to Caldwell for the two point conversion.  The Red Devils cut the West Frankfort lead to 22-20,

The Redbirds don’t waste any time to answer back.  Eaton runs it in from mid field at the 1:05 mark.  He also picks up the two point conversion as both teams go to the locker room 30-20.

The score remained the same until the bizarre events of the night broke out at the top of the story.

Going into the game, It was a must win for the situation for the Redbirds to keep their playoff aspirations alive.  They currently sit at 23 points.  To get in, they will have to be 6-3.  I think WF is in good shape.   It would be the upset of the decade if they knock off the Herrin Tigers next week at the Graveyard II.

I think you could count them as heavy favorites against Massac County and Nashville.  If the Redbirds take care of business, they are in.

With the enrollment falling, I see the Redbirds solidly in 3A this year.  I need to do some research this week on some teams in the central part of the state in case the IHSA divides the state into quadrants.  In 3A they do that a lot.

Potential opponents for the Redbirds would be, the Fairfield Mules, a rematch with Anna-Jonesboro, or possibly an all Franklin County matchup facing the S-V-W-W Red Devils at Carroll Kelly field.

Dropping to 1-5, Murphysboro was officially eliminated from the playoffs.  With all the sophomores they play, they will be a very dangerous team in the River-to-River.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

SVWW Red Devils remain undefeated with 20-6 win over Chester

September 30, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.bentoneveningnews.com/sports/20170930/svww-red-devils-remain-undefeated-with-20-6-win-over-chester

SESSER, IL (Richard Blakley, Benton News.  Please click on the link for the full story.  Here is an except below.)

NOTE:  Richard is the voice of the Devils on WXAN-Ava, 103.9 on your FM dial.

The Sesser-Valier/Waltonville/Woodlawn Red Devils remain undefeated on the season at 6-0 after a hard-fought, take-no-prisoners, playoff-style game against visiting Chester, Friday night.
The Red Devils prevailed, 20-6, at Carroll Kelly Field.

Eli Gunter had scoring runs of 22 and 63 yards in a five-minute span from late in the first quarter through the early part of the second. He finished the game with 175 yards rushing on 10 carriers.

Link to WSIL-TV Sports Extra

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36490018/sports-extra-september-29-2017

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

C-Z-R loses to Eldorado last night 54-6

September 30, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.dailyregister.com/sports/20170929/prep-football-eldorado-cruises-to-bdc-road-win-at-c-z-r

CHRISTOPHER, IL-  (Michael “Spyder Man”  Dann.  Harrisburg Register.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below)

If there has been one common theme for the Eldorado football team — at least in EHS head coach Joe Clarks’ eyes — it’s been the Eagles’ decision to play to their opponent.

“All season long, we have played some decent teams, but at times we have played to our competition and tonight was one of those times when came out and played to our capabilities and essentially just took advantage of a developing program,” Clark said. “I’ve been on the other end of this and its no fun and being on this end isn’t really all that fun, but the reality is you would rather be on this end, get the clock going, get your guys out and focus on the next step.”

C-Z-R coach Anthony Hargrove had this to say about the program in general last night, “Of course the scoreboard doesn’t reflect the way we want it to, but we’re not looking at that right now. We’re focusing on the little things like our effort, running plays and knowing situations. I think we took a good step in that direction tonight, as far as, learning the nuances of the game.”

Link to WSIL-TV Sports Extra (8:15-8:55)

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36490018/sports-extra-september-29-2017

 

Filed Under: Christopher High School Sports, High School Sports, Sports

Rangers move to 4-2 on the season with a 35-28 win over the Harrisburg Bulldogs

September 30, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

BENTON, IL –  Hamilton Page passed for 278 yards for three touchdowns and one rushing touchdown as the Benton Rangers hold on to a 35-28 victory over the Harrisburg Bulldogs last night at Tabor Field.

Division one prospect Jordan Bartok played on both sides of the ball for Harrisburg last night, as the big fullback/linebacker racked up 173 yards.  Last week he just played defense against Massac County.

Benton put their first points  the board in the first quarter as Page hit Bailey Hopson for a 28 yard touchdown pass.  The extra point by Ian McMahon was good to put Benton up 7-0.  Later in the quarter Page then finds Cade Thomas for a four yard pass the extra point was not good, and after one quarter it was Benton 13 Harrisburg 0

In the second quarter, Page rushes it in from 13 yards and the extra point failed and at the half it was Benton 19 Harrisburg 0.

Bartok puts the Bulldogs on the scoreboard in the third quarter with a 13 yard run.  The extra point was good and the score was 19-7 Benton.  Later in the quarter Page finds Thomas again for a 33 yard pass.  Page then finds Hopson in the end zone for the two point conversion to put Benton up 27-7.  Then, sophomore running back Carl Russ, who I am very impressed with runs a  68 yard run.   He tallied up 109 yards on the night for the Bulldogs.  The extra point was good, and at the end of three quarters it was Benton 27 Harrisburg 14.

Then a couple of sophomores hook up for the Bulldogs, QB Isaac Crabb hits Russ with a 50 yard TD pass, the extra point was good to cut into Benton’s lead of 27-21.  Ty Gordon comes right back with a 77 kickoff return.  Page finds Thomas again in the end zone to give Benton a 35-21 lead.  Late in the ball game Bartok rushes it in from three, the extra point was good to give Benton a 35-28 victory.

The Rangers improve to 4-2 on the season and are in a two way tie for second in the SIRR Ohio with West Frankfort who beat Murphysboro last night 44-28 in overtime. They currently sit at 24 playoff points, in addition to WF’s win, Herrin, Carterville, and A-J’s win gave them four additional points last night.

Harrisburg picks up close to six.  I have them sitting at 26.8  Along with Benton and West Frankfort,  victories by Booneville IN, Herrin, Carbondale, and DuQuoin, if I have how the IHSA weighs Booneville’s victories right.  Indiana plays a 10 week high school schedule.

Last nights victory by the Rangers puts them in much better shape for playoff aspirations.  With hosting winless Massac Co, next week, and having a look at Murphysboro last night,  I see Benton as the heavy favorites in the next two weeks.

It is very possible on week nine, the Rangers could be facing an Anna-Jonesboro team that will come into the game undefeated.  There are a lot of good running backs in Southern Illinois this year, and I think Jase Turner is the cream of the crop.  Hopefully WPSD-TV will pick it up as one of their Gridiron Glory games.

Link to the box score and stats

https://stats.digitalscout.com/football/boys/game/8790489

Link to other media sources

Rick Hayes – Benton Evening News

http://www.bentoneveningnews.com/sports/20170929/benton-rangers-outscore-harrisburg-bulldogs-for-homecoming-win

WSIL-TV Sports Extra (5:40-6:40)

http://www.wsiltv.com/category/301475/sports

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Week Six High School Scoreboard

September 30, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Black Diamond

(6-0)  *Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn 20  Chester 6 (3-3)

(5-1)   *Eldorado 54  Christopher-Zeigler Royalton 6 (0-6)

 (6-0)  *Fairfield 50  Edwards County 0 (2-4)

(3-3)  Carmi-White County 44  Johnston City 14 (1-5)

Hamilton County (0-5) at Vienna-Goreville (3-2)

Southern Illinois River to River Ohio

(4-2)(2-1)  West Frankfort 44  Murphysboro 38 OT (1-5)(1-2)

(4-2)(2-1)  Benton 35  Harrisburg 28 (3-3)(1-2)

(5-1)(3-0)    Herrin 49  Massac County 0

Southern Illinois River to River Mississippi

(6-0)(3-0)  *Anna Jonesboro 35  Pinckneyville 0 (0-6)(0-3)

(4-2)(2-1)  Carterville 54  Nashville 21 (3-3)(1-2)

(5-1)(2-1)  DuQuoin  55  Sparta 20 (1-5)(1-2)

South Seven

(5-1)(2-1)  Belleville Altoff 32  Marion 28  (3-3)(2-1)

(5-1)(3-0)  Centralia 41  Cahokia 30 (2-4)(1-2)

(2-4)(1-2)  Carbondale 41  Mt. Vernon 8 (0-6)(0-3)

*Clinched playoff spot

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

Week Six Preview: Harrisburg (3-2)(1-1) at Benton (3-2)(1-1)

September 29, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

Benton football players and cheerleaders visit a BGS classroom during homecoming week.

Both teams enter tonight with identical record.  Benton is coming off a big 47-14 victory over West Frankfort.  Harrisburg  went down to Metropolis and beat Massac County 34-14 without their two top running backs.

I talked to Bulldog coach Gabe Angelly this afternoon.  He said that Hunter Smith is out for the season with a torn ACL.  Division 1 prospect Jordan Bartok played defensively against Massac, but not on offense.

I asked Coach Angelly what the keys of the game will be against the Rangers and he said. “How well we contain number 10 (Benton QB Hamilton Page) will be the key.  His passing game is at a new level.  He put on a clinic against West Frankfort.”

When I watched Harrisburg in game one against Mt. Carmel on film, one thing that stuck out was that Mt. Carmel had to go to the air to move the ball.  As far as when they played West Frankfort, all I can say was it was a different team that played down at Harrisburg than showed up at Johnson Field last Saturday.

Here is one thing that I noticed when West Frankfort played down at Harrisburg.  When they had to go to the air, they were able to execute.

Hamilton Page is going to cause the Bulldogs some problems.  They are not as strong in the secondary as they are at the linebacker position.  I would be one bit surprised if he passes for over 300+ again tonight.  I can also see the Ranger linebacker corps led by Blaine Pankey, causing QB Isaac Crabb some problems as well if he has to roll out of the pocket.

Bartok is going to be limited, but he is key to playing the grind it out style of Harrisburg football.   I say how much he is able to answer the bell will be a huge factor.

I am going with the Rangers by seven.  It seems historically Harrisburg has the Rangers number over the years.  The more the game gets in a shootout, the more it is to the Rangers advantage.

This game will have potential playoff implications.   Tonight’s game could go along way in determining whether each team will be 6-3 or 5-4 on the season.  Harrisburg still has to face Herrin.  Benton will have Anna-Jonesboro staring down their necks on Week 9.  I would not be one bit surprised if the Wildcats will be 8-0 coming into that game.   Harrisburg will face the Carbondale Terriers which has struggled.

Both teams will be in decent shape if they are 5-4.  What will hurt the Rangers is the strong possibility of only getting one point from Pinckneyville and Sparta combined.  Carterville will help Benton.  DuQuoin, Mt. Carmel and Booneville IN will help Harrisburg.

We are in the homestretch of the 2017 season which seems to have flown by.

 

 

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

Week Six Preview: Chester (3-2) at Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn (5-0)

September 29, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

Red Devils out of the tunnel last week against CZR (Sesser-Valier Booster Club photo.)

This is probably will be the best game of the week in the Black Diamond and will rival Benton-Harrisburg, not in Franklin County but all of Southern Illinois.

The Devils are coming off a week five 66-0 drubbing of CZR in the Route 148 showdown.   Fullback Peyton Rock was named WSIL player of the week with two rushing touchdowns and a pick six, averaging over 30 yards a carry on the night. Chester beat Johnston City 47-29 in which QB Nick Meyer passed for five touchdowns and rushed for a sixth.

Here is what Yellow Jacket coach Billy Belton had to say coming into the matchup with SVWW tonight,  “Nick Meyer(QB) has accounted for 20 TDs on the season. 12 passing and 8 Rushing. Clayton Richleman and Calvin Clendinen have done a great job on the outside for us(Wide Outs) they have combined for 8 receiving TDs. Curt Meyer, Nick Heffernan and Mason Westerman lead our rushing attack. Our Defense has played well in the 3 wins. Our D-Line is getting better each week, led by our senior Brady Kelkhoff. Brady has 6 Tackles for Loss, a caused fumble and a fumble recovery in our 3 wins. Everyone is healthy.” 

“SVWW is always well coached. they have a great mix of size and speed. They have several play makers on the offensive side of the ball. They are big and fast on the defensive side of the ball. They are 5-0 and we look forward to the challenge tonight.”

Coach Belton also told the Randolph County Herald-Tribune about tonight’s matchup,  “They’ve got some big linemen, they’re very athletic,” Belton said of S-V-W-W. “They run a buck sweep offense that tries to overwhelm you at the point of attack.
“We’ll have our hands full this week.”

I tried to see if there were film out there on the Hamco game from NewsChannel 15 in Mt. Carmel and there wasn’t.  From clips in the past and keeping my ear to the ground, I knew that Meyer was going to be a load for the Devils.

I am going with the Devils by 14, but it could be much tighter.  This is going to be their biggest test since Eldorado.  It will also be their biggest test before going to the Train Yard on Week Nine.

I have been talking about the playoffs in each preview, and with the BDC being a closed conference, the Devils have clinched.  Each win is for a better seed.  With a combined enrollment decreasing to 488, they will have a lock on being 3A.

Unless an earth shattering upset happens to the Yellow Jackets, they are in very good shape getting in.   I feel they are heavy favorites in weeks eight and nine against CZR and Edwards County.  I like their chances at home against Carmi next week.

Chester will be 1A, and a very dangerous 1A team in the playoffs.

 

 

 

 

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

Week 6 Preview: Eldorado (4-1) vs Christopher-Zeigler-Royalton (0-5)

September 29, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

CZR signal caller Bryce Pratt earlier in the year against Carmi-White County. (Thank you Randall Risley)

The Eldorado Eagles will be facing the C-Z-R Bearcats this evening at Spann Field.  The Eagles are in contention tonight to clinch another playoff berth, which they have several consecutive playoff appearances.

I spoke with long time Eldorado assistant and first year head coach Joe Clark yesterday.  He told me coming into tonight’s game the Eagles are a little banged up but do not have anyone out over nagging injuries.

We began to talk about the Bearcat program, he gave me some interesting insights.  He began to talk about the tough times the program went through in Saline County in Brandon Hampton’s first few years.  He said one year things would click.

He also compared it to the SVWW program as well, and coach John Shadowen’s second tour of duty.  He said it takes baby steps.  He said in year two they made the playoffs, and now they are sitting tied for the conference lead at 5-0.

He sees Anthony Hargorve making similar strides with the Bearcats.

Clark then talked about Bearcat QB Bryce Pratt.  “He said, I don’t know if he would be our QB but he would definitely be somewhere in the backfield for us.  One day the yards he has been passing for will add up into some TD’s.  That night might be tonight, and we have to be ready for it. ”

He went on to talk about the BDC race and how week eight and nine will be something to watch and see, as Fairfield will have them and SVWW back to back.

If C-Z-R would win tonight, it would probably be the upset of the decade. or maybe in the history of the program.   There have been some ugly comments on social media about the program in general.  I was in a conversation with someone over the summer.  I said a 2-7 record would be very optimistic.  This is going to take time.

I am going to make a bold prediction.  In 2019 the Bearcats will be playing in Week 10 in the 2A playoffs.  Fill the stands up at Spann Field with orange and blue tonight, and enjoy the homecoming festivities.

 

 

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

Week Six Preview: West Frankfort (3-2)(1-1) at Murphysboro (1-4)(1-1)

September 29, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

 

The West Frankfort Redbirds travel to Murphysboro this evening to take on the Red Devils at the mid-point of the SIRR Ohio seasons.  Both teams are coming of shellackings  in Week 5.  Murphysboro fell to Herrin 42-6, and the Redbirds fell to their arch rivals, the Benton Rangers 47-14.

This is what Murphysboro coach Gary Carter had to say about the season so far.  “We are 1-4, we are playing a lot of younger kids in every phase of the game. It has been a difficult season for us, but we like our younger players and feel they can compete.

“Our QB is Sophomore Jamarr McZeke, also in the offensive backfield is Senior Brandon Caldwell, Sophomore Zane Caraway and Sophomore Jake Hoppenstedt. Brandon, Zane and Jake will play on both sides of the ball for us.”

Here is what Coach Carter’s thoughts are on the Redbirds.  “West Frankfort has good size and their running backs and QB run hard. Defensively, I think their linebacker core is solid and can cause teams problems. Coach Beery does a great job with his program and we know that West Frankfort will play hard.”

West Frankfort Coach Brian Beery had to say about the matchup against the Red Devils tonight,  “Murphysboro is a very athletic/competitive team, regardless of their record. Their offense posses a lot of threats to our defense. They have great overall team speed, with a very athletic QB. Furthermore, they use a lot of motion and unbalanced formations that we will have to adjust to prior to the snap of the ball.

Their defense is very aggressive, and have defensive linemen that are not only big, but quick. In order to be competitive we will have to play good sound football. We can’t afford to lose the turnover battle, and we must limit our penalties.”

We are getting down the home stretch of the season.  It is the time of year that is fun for number crunching geeks and bracketologists like me.

Tonight’s game is a must win if the Redbirds have playoff hopes for two reasons, first it will be important to come out of the gates strong after last week’s loss to Benton.  Second, with the lack of points, the Redbirds will have to be 6-3 to get in.  Between Sparta, Pinckneyville and Nashville, there will probably only be at the most seven or eight points between the three.

Barring injuries and other unforeseen circumstances as of now the Redbirds will be the favorites against Massac County and Nashville.  Even though DuQuoin beat them earlier in the year,  I see Herrin running the table in the conference.

So that comes to tonight’s game.  I think last Saturday was some growing pains for the team.   I think we will see a Redbird team that will come out ready to play tonight.

I am going with the Redbirds by ten points tonight.

 

 

 

 

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