Redbirds improve to .500 with a win over Pinckneyville

September 4, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.bentoneveningnews.com/sports/20170903/panthers-come-up-short-against-redbirds

WEST FRANKFORT, IL (Amanda Jarzynski, DuQuoin Call.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Panthers’ senior Tyler Rice came up big in his team’s 36-14 loss Friday night to the West Frankfort Redbirds. The wide receiver, who also plays linebacker for the Pinckneyville squad, stripped the football from the Redbirds’ quarterback Connor Eaton, scooped up the loose ball and sprinted 90 yards for the touchdown.

This put the Panthers on the board in the second quarter, but West Frankfort still led 12-7.

The Redbirds clicked for 469 rushing yards as Madison Allen led the way with 213 and three touchdowns. Eaton followed with 168 rushing yards.

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

Rangers roll past Sparta with big 2nd quarter; improve to 1-1 on season

September 4, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.bentoneveningnews.com/sports/20170902/rangers-roll-past-sparta-with-big-2nd-quarter-improve-to-1-1-on-season

SPARTA, IL – ( Rick Hayes, Benton News.  Please click on the link for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

A scoreless second half resulted in the Rangers’ first win of the season.

Benton, now 1-1, will host Pinckneyville on Friday.

Five different players found the end zone for Benton in its first road test of the season.
The Rangers had three rushing touchdowns of four yards each from Hamilton Page, Blane Pankey and Andrew Dunn. Benton rushed for 188 yards while the defense held Sparta to 157 yards, and no single rusher getting more than 55 yards.

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

Southern Illinois High School Scoreboard: WF Redbirds-Team of the week.

September 1, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

The Redbirds in the final three minutes of halftime, getting ready to put together an impressive second half. Thank you Caryn Novak for letting me use your pictures.

There is not any upsets tonight.  I have to give the team of the week to the West Frankfort Redbirds.  I thought it would be a low scoring tight game.  Michael Marlo did an outstanding job brining it to me tonight.  I wish I was there .

There will be another homer pick tomorrow on Sportsvoice.  I look for Mike Murphy and Scott Hudson to give the Herrin Tigers the team of the week.  It is well deserved.

S-V-W-W makes the long trip to Albion tonight, pulled off another impressive win against the Edwards County Lions.  They were last weeks team of the week, they deserve some special mention.

 

Black Diamond

Carmi-White County 40 (1-1)   Christopher-Zeigler-Royalton 0 (0-2)

Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn 34 (2-0)  Edwards County 7 (1-1)

Fairfield 56 (2-0)   Chester 22 (0-2)

Johnston City 14  (1-1) Hamilton County 0 (0-2)

Eldorado (1-0) at Vienna-Goreville (1-0) (Sat 1 p.m.)

 

Southern Illinois River to River- intra division games

Benton 29 (1-1)  Sparta  13 (0-2)

West Frankfort  36 (1-1)  Pinckneyville  14 (0-2)

Herrin 49 (2-0)  Carterville 20 (1-1)

DuQuoin 33 (2-0) Harrisburg 27 (1-1)

Anna Jonesboro 43 (2-0)  Murphysboro 14 (0-2)

Nashville 17 (1-1)   Massac County 12 (0-2)

 

 

 

Filed Under: Benton High School Sports, Christopher High School Sports, High School Sports, Sesser-Valier High School Sports, Slider, Sports, Thompsonville High School Sports, West Frankfort High School Sports

Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn 1-0 at Edwards County 1-0

September 1, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

The Red Devils in Week one pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the night, by defeating Carmi-White County 27-12 on the road.

With this win, this establishes them as one of the potential  upper division teams in the Black Diamond.  In conversations that I have had with coach John Shadowens, one of the goals of the team is to improve on the 5-5 record of last year.

They make the long trip to Albion tonight to take on the Edwards County Lions, who defeated the Hamilton County Foxes, 21-6 last Friday night.

I am curios how this game will go.  The Lions improved on their record, going 3-6.  When they were in the Little Illini, they were a 1A school playing in a 3A-4A conference.

If the Lions could have at least a 5-4 season, they could be a force one day in the 1A playoffs.

I am going with the Red Devils by 10 in this one tonight.

Here is a link to Richard Blakely’s tape delay broadcast on WXAN in Ava.

Here is a link to WOKZ in Fairfield that is the voice of the Edwards County Lions.

https://www.network1sports.com/broadcast/today.php?page=2&state=IL

 

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

Carmi-White County 0-1 at Christopher-Zeigler-Royalton 0-1

September 1, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

C-Z-R’s Greg Fletcher hauls in the catch against Vienna in Week one. (Thank you to Randall Risley)

In a game that I thought would be more competitive, the Bearcats struggle continues in the first quarter, as Vienna-Goreville spoiled Bearcat Coach Anthony Hargorve’s debut, 41-6.

The Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn Red Devils came into Carmi, and upset the Bulldogs 27-12 last week.

Carmi-White County coach Kurt Simon had to say this about tonight’s game against C-Z-R,   “With a new coach and some new faces on their team, I expect them to come out with a lot of enthusiasm.  I’m sure they addressed the way they came out in their first game all week and want to come out ready to play.and I’m sure they will.

We have a few gimpy players that will still play tonight but are not 100 percent.  Our best lineman/linebacker is out for our game tonight Mitchell Nelson who is sick. So we will be a little short handed.”

Looking at the box score against SVWW, there were a lot of familiar names for the Bulldogs from last football season and on the hardwood.

I am going to be honest, the very young Bearcat team will take their lumps this year.  The goal is to get better every game.  The best thing that could happen to their program is to win a game.

There are a lot of freshman and sophomores at the skill positions.  The freshman team had a very good year last season, finishing either 6-3 or 7-2.

The Bearcat fan support was unreal last year, as I was at every home game.  I am going with Carmi by 21 tonight.  Later in the year, the Bearcats will upset someone, mark my word.

Around the Black Diamond, I was surprised that Fairfield went down to Johnston City and spanked them 48-0.  Eldorado beat Chester 42-22,  I think they have to be the favorites again this year.  You could see the Bulldogs, SVWW, or Chester sneaking up and posting a 7-2 mark.

The future will be bright for this young Bearcat team.  The goal is to improve every week.

Link to Randall Risley’s Story on the Vienna game in the Benton News

http://www.bentoneveningnews.com/sports/20170830/christopher-bearcats-get-rolled-by-vienna-goreville-in-opener

Link to WRUL in Carmi who will be carrying the game

https://www.network1sports.com/broadcast/today.php?page=3&state=IL

 

 

 

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

Pinckneyville 0-1 at West Frankfort 0-1

September 1, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

The Redbirds opened the 2017 campaign with a 43-18 loss to the Anna-Jonesboro Wildcats.  The Redbirds are very young with mainly sophomores and juniors in the skill positions.  They did not have an answer for Jayce Turner, who rushed for 200 yards.

Here is what West Frankfort Coach Brian Beery had to say about tonight’s matchup with the Panthers.   “Pinckneyville has a lot of size and their running backs have great speed. They run a spread offense and try to spread the defense out to cover the entire field. Running the ball is what they are best at, but also have an efficient passing game.

Their defense is lead by their two inside and two outside linebackers. They are big, strong kids, that have a nose for the football. In order for us to be successful our defense will have to play a very physical game, and contain Pinckneyville’s speed. Offensively, we will have to do a better job of taking care of the football, take what Pinckneyville’s defense gives us, and get off to a quick start.

Pinckneyville  fell to Red Bud last week 21-7 in their opener.

This young Redbird team showed last week how explosive they could be.  They scored two TD’s and was deep in the Anna-Jonesboro end zone in the closing seconds of the first half.

They ended their long losing streak last year on the turf in Perry County, against the Panthers.  I just have a good feeling about tonight.  They played a much cleaner game after the first quarter last week.  This might be a team that will have growing pains at times, but were successful at the lower levels.  I am going with the Redbirds by 3, especially at home.

As far as the SIRR Ohio, I feel that Harrisburg established early they are the team to beat, after upsetting Mt. Carmel in week one.  I will be keeping a close eye on A-J and Murphysboro, and Herrin-Carterville to night to see how things might stack up in the conference.

If you can’t make it to tonight’s game please tune into Rick Westemeyer and Michael Marlo on WFRX 95.5 FM/1300 AM “The Fan”

 

Filed Under: High School Sports, Sports

Benton 0-1 at Sparta 0-1

September 1, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

The Benton Rangers in Week One put together  a stellar effort against the Carterville Lions, before falling late 28-15.  The game was tied going into the fourth quarter.

The Rangers against Carterville last Friday night. (Thank you Lana Schilli for use of the picture.)

Watching the game film last week, two of the things that impressed me was how Hamilton Page threw strikes to his intended targets, spreading it out to their intended receivers.  Also he called several names as well, as they spread the wealth among their running backs.

Both the offensive and defensive lines kept Luke Ford in check most of the game, especially the O’line.

Tonight Benton travels to Sparta, who lost to Freeburg last week 62-18.  Here is what Ranger Coach Bob Pankey had to say about tonight’s matchup.    “The keys for us will be to establish offensive momentum early, just like we did last Friday against Carterville, and defensively, to not give up big plays.”

We will go with the same lineup for the most part. We will also make a conscious effort to try to keep kids as fresh as possible as the game progresses. Having watched the game film from last Friday night, I felt like we played very hard and competed well to the end.

Defensively, we flew around and played physical. Offensively, we have to control the line of scrimmage a bit better, but we were able to work our pass game well, especially early on in the game. I feel like are poised to be able to climb and continue to get better, there are lots of good things we can continue to build on.”

From what I watched last Friday night, this could be a Ranger team that will be in the thick of things in the SIRR Ohio.  Harrisburg established themselves as the frontrunner after what they did at Mt. Carmel last Friday.

There are two games that I am going to pay close attention to tonight to see how the SIRR-Ohio will stack up.  That will be A-J and Murphysboro, and Carterville and Herrin.  I will watch the video of Carterville and Herrin this weekend.  If Muphy archives it (I know they have live video), I will watch the other game as well.

One thing I am starting to learn is keep game notes, programs, and every scribble mark from each game.   I remember from last year there was a very good QB and receiver that were freshmen that came in against West Frankfort last year when the game got out of reach.

Sparta always has good athletes and known as a track school.  Their football program has suffered over the last few years.  Tonight I am going with the Rangers in a 20 point win.  I will be writing a preview for a game in week 10 if this Benton bunch continues to build on week one.

If you can’t make the trip to Randolph County tonight, join Travis Severin and Danny Czerwinski on Q106.

Link to the Benton News preview.

http://www.bentoneveningnews.com/sports/20170831/benton-rangers-look-to-get-in-win-column-this-coming-friday

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Bearcats take three games over the weekend in Junior High Softball

August 28, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

The Christopher Junior High girls win three in a row over the weekend.  In the first game of three on Friday, they beat Sesser-Valier Red Devils 7-3.   Amiah Hargrove and Cortney Park go 3-4 from the plate, both have in doubles.  Hanna Burzynski goes 2-3, and Regan Gilbert goes 2-4 with an RBI.

The Bearcats play a DH on Saturday.  In game one, Mackensie Jackson goes 4-5 at the plate as the Bearcats defeat the Trico Pioneers, 13-2.

Makayla Dejaer was 3-5, Courtney Parke was 3-4 with 3 RBIs  Amiah Hargrove goes 2-2 with three walks driving in four.

Tori Crain was 2-4 on the afternoon with an RBI.   RyAnn Clark, Reagan Gilbert, Hannah Burzynski  pick up base hits. with Clark driving in two.

In the second game of the afternoon Amiah Hargrove goes a perfect 4-4 at the plate and drives in four runs, as Chirstopher defeats the Chester Yellowjackets 9-1.  Malayala Dejear, Addison Furlow, and Tori Crain, all pick up two hits for the Bearcats.  Amila Ahner picks up a hit as well.

Christopher improves to 6-3 and is playing at home against Unity Point now.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Christopher High School Sports, Sports, Uncategorized

A-J executes thier game plan, defeat the WF Redbirds in opener

August 26, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

WEST FRANKFORT, IL –  Both coaches, Brett Detering, of Anna-Jonesboro and Brian Beery of West Frankfort told both teams in practice on Thursday, what they needed to do to pick up a victory last night.

Detering said they needed to pick up more yards on the ground, as the Redbirds held them to 56 in Week 1 down at Anna last year.  Beery said they needed to limit turnovers and penalties.

A-J rushed for 257 yards last night, WF coughed up the ball five times, three in the first quarter.  Wildcat running back Jayce Turner ran wild for the Wildcats, as I had him picking up 196 yards on the night.  (My good friend Moury Bass, the voice of the Anna-Jonesboro Wildcats on WIBH, had him for an even 200).

Turner scored three touchdowns, and came up with some key tackles playing in the A-J secondary, as he led them to a 43-18 victory over the Redbirds last night at Johnson Field.

A-J wins the coin toss and elects to receive in the second half.  West Frankfort starts at their own 27,  Madison Allen has a 14 yard run on the first play of the game to get the ball close to the 50,  Two plays later, sophomore QB Connor Eaton was picked off at the Wildcat 43 yard line at the 9:44 mark.

A-J gets on the board at the 5:58 mark of the first quarter,  on the first of three touchdowns by Turner, on a nine play drive that Turner had his number called a lot on that drive.  The extra point was good and the score was 7-0.

The Redbirds take over at their own 28.  On the second play from scrimmage, Brendan Johnson breaks loose and has the ball stripped deep in the A-J red zone.  The ball rolls in the end zone, and the Wildcats get a touchback.

Both teams swap possessions quickly as A-J was three and out, and the Redbirds fumble and give the ball right back.

The Wildcats play their signature grinding smash mouth as I call it, football, in an 11 play, six minute drive.  Quarterback Bryce Osman scores on a two-yard quarterback keeper.  The extra-point was good, and the score was 14-0, A-J at the 9:28 mark of the second quarter.

West Frankfort is three and out, and Arieh Hart, comes up with a 35 yard punt return, to give Anna-Jonesboro very good field position.    They punch it in on a two yard run by Turner, his second touchdown of the night.  They miss the extra point, and it was 20-0 Wildcats at  the 6:16 mark of the second quarter.

The Redbirds give it right back to A-J on a six play drive near mid-field.  The Wildcats score again at the 1:15 mark of the first half with Osman running another QB sneak.  Hart picks up the two point conversion, and it was 28-0, Anna-Jonesboro.

I was thinking the game would see a running clock toward the end, and with the 7:30 p.m. start, it might be over before a lot of the other games across Southern Illinois that started at 7:00 p.m.

Things became a little interesting in the last few seconds of the first half.  Kyle Hammers, has a 75 yard kick return for a touchdown.  The extra point was blocked, which the score was 28-6, Wildcats.

Anna-Jonesboro fumbles the kickoff and the Redbirds take over around the A-J 40.  The Redbirds go to the air and Eaton finds Sam Cooksey for a 17 yard pass.  He finds Kyle Hammers in the end zone after two incomplete passes.  The two point conversion failed as the score was 28-12, Wildcats.

Brendan Johnson kicks an on side kick successfully.  Eaton hits Kyle Hammers with a 35 yard pass.  Eaton then takes two more shots at the end zone before the horn sounds and both passes were deflected in the end zone.  It still remains 28-12 at the half.

On the opening drive of the second half, Turner marches the ball down the field.  A-J is faced with a third and long.  The Wildcats run the Wildcat with wide out Dalton Goddard finds Damien Crisp in the end zone for a 28 yard touchdown pass.  The two-point conversion was good, to make the score 36-12, Anna-Jonesboro at the 8:00 minute mark of the third quarter.

The teams then trade fumbles and the Redbirds have a seven play drive in which they had to punt.

Turner gets his third and final TD of the night on a three yard run completing a nine yard drive.  The drive was highlighted by a 30 yard pass from Ozamn to Kyle McMahan.  The extra point was good and the score is 43-12, with 8:04 left in the third.

The Redbirds really looked sharp on a 12 possession drive, as Madison Allen scores on a five yard run.  The extra point was blocked.  AJ runs out the last two minutes.  As the final was 43-18.

Anna-Jonesboro (1-0) hosts Murphysboro (0-1) Friday night.  The Redbirds (0-1) will play the Pinckneyville Panthers (0-1) on Friday night as well.

Box Score

RUSHING

A-J:  Turner  35-195, Hart 5-26, Osman 5-26;  Kisat 1-5; Goddard 1-2

WF:  Allen 7-76;  Bre. Johnson 3-35; Cooksey 3-33;  Hammers 2-20

PASSING

A-J:  Osman 7-9 120, Goddard 1-1 28

WF:  Eaton 5-13 85

RECEIVING

A-J:  Sisk 1-39, McMahan 1-30 Crisp 1-28, Hart 2-26,  Kisat 1-4

WF:  Hammers 3-58, Cooksey 1-17 Rieger 1-10

TACKLES

A-J;  Turner 4, Latham, Jeralds, McMahan, Fabic 2 1/2  Crisp 2 1/2, Hart 2, Sanders, Morrison, Pyle, Kisat 1   Team 3

WF:  Allen 5 1/2, Engler, VanZant 5, Bre. Johnson 4, Bro. Johnson, Saunders, Broy 3, Clay 2 1/2, Cooper 2, Kahl, Cooksey. Uhls, Croslin 1, Hammers, Richardson-Veil, Forgatch 1/2

Score by quarters

Anna – Jonesboro (1-0)   7   21 8   8 – 43
West Frankfort (0-1)        0   12 0   6 – 18

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Sports, West Frankfort High School Sports

S-V-W-W pulls huge road upset over one of the BDC favorites, Carmi-White County

August 26, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

CARMI, IL-   The Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn Red Devils went over to Carmi last night as underdogs to the Bulldogs.

The Devils race out to a 21-6  halftime lead and hold on to defeat Carmi-White County 27 to 12,

Three-year starting quarterback Clayton Smith liked throwing to Lukas Gunter last night as the duo combined for 147 yards.

Eli Gunter had two rushing touchdowns for the Devils.

I talked with S-V-W-W coach John Shadowens and he had this to say about last night’s victory, “ It’s always nice to win on opening night, especially on the road against a conference favorite.  Our athletes came through with some big plays in the first half that set the tone.” 

The Devils (1-0) will make the long road trip to Albion Friday night to take on the Edwards Co. Lions.  Carmi-White-County (0-1) will be coming to Franklin County in week two, facing the C-Z-R Bearcats.

Box Score

RUSHING

S-V-W-W:    E. Gunter 12-58 2TD’s , Rock 16-41 TD, Malone 9-31, Smith 3-11, Gunter 2-6, Basso 1-5

C-WC:  Yates 17-87, Weinbrect 15-85, TD, Norcott 6-59, Pugsley 1 (-8)

PASSING

S-V-W-W:  Smith 7-8 147, TD

C-WC:  Pugsley 1-3  8

RECIEVING

S-V-W-W:  L. Gunter 5-147, TD

C-WC:  Thompson 1-8

Score by Quarters

Sesser-Valier-Waltonville Woodlawn (1-0) 7   14  0   6 –    27
Carmi-White County (0-1)                              6    0  0   6 –     12

Link to WSIL Sports Extra  (2:45-3:42)

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36222203/sports-extra-august-25-2017

 

 

 

Filed Under: High School Sports, Sesser-Valier High School Sports, Sports
« Previous Page
Next Page »
Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News