The brackets for the Eldorado Holiday Tournament were released this afternoon The West Frankfort Redbirds square off against the Fairfield Mules on December 28th, at 4:45 p.m. Here is the full bracket.
Steve’s Bracketology: The Eldoroado Holiday Tournament
December 10, 2017 By Leave a Comment
By Steve Dunford
Eldorado’s Duff-Kingston Gymnasium
The parings for the EHT will be coming out in the next couple of days. When I am asked by people in Franklin County, what is my favorite gym in Southern Illinois, Max Morris or Rich Herrin? I say neither. Duff-Kingston is my favorite gym.
It is on my bucket list one day to be at Eldorado for the 8:30 a.m. breakfast special all the way up to the 10:00 p.m. graveyard game. When I still lived at home, I would make the rounds across Southern Illinois. I would be at Eldorado at least one day for every game. I am sure my top seed will cause a little controversy right off the bat.
Harrisburg (#1 6-1) – Randy Smithpeters has been waiting for this club to become seniors for a long time. They might be as good as Pinckneyville.
Eldorado (#2 8-0) – It could be a rivalry game between the two heavyweights in Saline County for the championship. Eldorado barely got past West Frankfort on Tuesday. The Bulldogs gave the Redbirds a shellacking on Friday. Harrisburg has played a much tougher schedule so far.
Anna-Jonesboro (#3 6-1) – The Wildcats lost big at Nashville on Friday night. I had them as a three seed before them and still giving them the three
Carmi-White County (#4 5-2) – The Bulldogs are a veteran club. I know the pairings will probably be out before then, but I will be keeping an eye on their game with Benton on Tuesday to get a better read of the Bulldogs.
Union County KY (#5 3-2) – Thanks for all the information I received on Facebook. The Braves always seem to get in four games each year. If they were in Illinois, they would be a 3A school.
Fairfield (#6 4-4) – The Mules had a very good Thanksgiving tournament in Lawrence County. They have been upset prone over the last few years. Gallatin County has their number.
Hamilton County (#7 3-3) – I know Oakley Dial has graduated. The rest of the Foxes seems like they have been in high school for seven or eight years now. This is a team that could be in double digits in wins. Hamco is heading in the right direction after a long dry spell.
Herrin (#8 2-5) – It was a dilemma to me what to do with this group of SIRR-Ohio teams. I put the Tigers at the top of the heap.
Gallatin County ( #9 5-2) – The Hawks can slow it down against teams they are overmatched against and pull out a W. They have been giant slayers at the EHT in the past.
West Frankfort (#10 0-5) – The Redbirds playing Eldorado close bumped them up over Massac. They have a big weekend coming up against Benton and Goreville. Kevin Toney will have his troops well prepared. I am sure he has several yellow legal pads on each team in the tourney. It is on my bucket list to go with him when he scouts.
Massac County (#11 1-6) – Joe Hosman knows his way around the EHT. They have the potential to be a dangerous first round opponent for someone. I would not be one bit surprised if they play four games. Taking a beating from Sesser-Valier knocked them down a couple of notches.
Hardin County (#12 2-5) – Other than against Benton, they hung around with everyone at the Goreville tournament. The Cougars crossed the Ferry and picked up a nice win over Crittenden County KY last night. Rodney Lane’s bunch has the potential to make some noise in the post season. They play a brutal schedule.
Vienna (#13 4-3) – They are above .500 but their wins are over Century, Galatia, Carrier Mills and Z-R. They are pretty deep and could cause some matchup problems for teams in the field.
Edwards County (#14 2-5) – The Lions are in a rebuilding mode. They will most likely be two and out.
NCOE (#15 1-5) – The Fighting Cardinals are a totally different animal. Their goal is to put up 80 shots a game and half of them threes. If their press is broken, they have no problem to give up an uncontested layup. They shot close t0 50% behind the arc against Thompsonville earlier in the year and still got beat. They hung around with Carmi for a while on Tuesday night. On the other side of the coin New Athens beat them by 25 in the consolation championship of the Christopher Tournament.
Carrier Mills (#16 1-7) – No matter who they play, the Wildcats will struggle. They own a 25 point win over winless Dongola. I watched them against Thompsonville on You Tube this week. T’ville beat them by 30 with Pete Gordon subbing liberally in the first half. Coach Keil Peebles misses Will Gibbs bad, who is suiting up for Harrisburg now.
High School Basketball around the region tonight
November 28, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Benton (0-1) vs Hardin County (0-1)
The Rangers fell in a 67-65 overtime loss to the Anna-Jonesboro Wildcats last night to open their season at the Goreville Invitational Tournament.
Here is a link to the story from last night’s game from Jim Muir.
Hardin County out of the Greater Egyptian Conference is featured by 6′ 6″ three year starter Jamison Hicks in the middle, 6′ 1″ G-F Hunter Cullom, 5′ 10″ PG Jaron Austin, and 6′ 2″ forward Gabe Fowler. There could be a cast of four that will fill the fifth slot in the starting lineup for the Cougars tonight.
Hardin County Coach Rodney Lane stated that, “This is not the most athletic bunch that I’ve had but this is my favorite bunch.”
The Cougars, by far, play the toughest schedule in the GEC. Along with this week at Goreville, they play in the Eldorado Holiday Tournament, have a home and home with Crittenden County KY, and also face Kentucky schools Union County and Webster County. Webster Co., two years back, decimated the field at Eldorado.
I have the Cougars finishing third in the GEC, and Jack Bullock has the Cougars slated to finish fourth.
Here is the link to the box score from last night’s 35-25 loss by the Cougars to the Hamilton County Foxes from Jack Bullock of A Baseline view.
http://abaselineview.com/abvgorevilletourney.html
Thompsonville (1-2) at Pope County (3-2)
After the Tigers pulled off a barn burner win against New Athens, their fortunes were not very good last week at Christopher as they were blown out by Webber Township and Wayne City.
The Pirates had a good week at Crab Orchard with a nice 18 point win over Elverado, and took the hosts down to the wire for a two point loss.
Both teams open Greater Egyptian Conference play tonight in Golconda.
Coach Bill Simmons will be going with 6′ 6″ Josh Floyd in the middle. Floyd has been a three year starter since he transferred from Massac County. In the paint with Floyd will be 6′ 3″ Cole Blankenship, and 6′ 1″ Nick Walker.
In the back-court will be three interchangeable guards that can pop the three in 5′ 11″ Sebastian Fasolo, and Matthew Davis and Jackson Eddington, both at 5′ 8″
When I asked Coach Simmons how he thought the season would go a couple of weeks ago, he said, “I hope maybe we can win a conference game. I know it is between us and Carrier Mills but Keil (Peebles) will out coach me.” The veteran coach who came out of retirement to teach and coach at the Golconda school, always gives you the same song and dance that Joe Hosman gives and Bob Dallas used to by saying they would be lucky to win five ball games and ends up winning 15-20.
I was able to talk to Coach Simmons at halftime of the T’ville/Webber game. He says, “If Pete (Gordon) comes out in that 3-2, we will have a tough time passing around 11 (Reed Raubach) and 21 (Anthoney Darge). If we get the ball inside past them, I like our chances.”
Both Jack Bullock and I had Thompsonville finishing second in the GEC, and Pope County in the middle of the pack.
Girls
Harrisburg at West Frankfort
Herrin at Benton
Steve’s BDC West…SIRR Ohio…GEC……Turkey Tourney picks
November 18, 2017 By Leave a Comment
by Steve Dunford
You will see individual team previews of the Black Diamond, Southern Illinois River-to-River and Greater Egyptian Conferences. Also I have how the hardware will be distributed next Saturday night at Christopher.
In the GEC, I used a little of sabermetrics. Four through seven are even in my book. The rankings might not determine strength of the opponent. It is a tough league to win on the road, so I slotted these four spots who has the home schedule advantage.
The conference is divided into two divisions. One division is NCOE, Thompsonville, Crab Orchard, and Galatia, the other is Carrier Mills, Hardin County, Pope County, and Gallatin County. You have a home and home with each team in the division. The first game that you play against the team in your division counts as a conference game, the second a non-conference game.
I will do as many previews as ones I have made contact with from both divisions of the Black Diamond and River-to-River as well as the GEC of who I have made contact with.
I have did the same with the Christopher Turkey Tournament, as the teams outside the three conferences at Goreville and DuQuoin.
I only with predictions from the BDC West, and SIRR Ohio divisions.
Black Diamond West
1, Goreville
2. Sesser-Valier
3. Christopher
4. Chester
5. Vienna
6. Trico
7. Zeigler-Royalton
Southern Illinois River-to-River Ohio Division
1. Murphysboro
2. Harrisburg
3, Benton
4. Massac County
5. West Frankfort
6. Herrin
Greater Egyptian
1, Gallatin County
2. Thompsonville
3. Hardin County
4. Pope County
5, Crab Orchard
6. Galatia
7. Norris City Omaha-Enfield
8. Carrier Mills
Christopher Turkey Tourney
Champion: Webber Township
Runner up: Christopher
Third Place: Thompsonville
Fourth Place: NCOE
Consolation Champion: New Athens
Sixth Place: Wayne City
Seventh Place: Zeigler-Royalton
Eighth Place: Waltonville
I encourage you to get on social media, agree, disagree, or throw me under the bus even.
West Frankfort will not make the playoffs, Benton has a very slim chance of getting in
October 21, 2017 By Leave a Comment
by Steve Dunford
I was holding the antenna out the window to pick up WFRX in the last few minutes of the game tonight. I was heartbroken. I might get ran out of West Frankfort for saying this, I am, heartbroken for whom the late Bruce A. Fasol used to refer to as, the team six miles to the north.”
The Redbirds picked up playoff points from Nashville, A-J, and Herrin, which has them at 33. It was known they had to pick up a win to get in.
The Rangers are sitting at 36 points. They picked up three points as well from Carterville, Herrin, and AJ. They needed a lot of help. I was looking good in the “early returns.” Murphy was hanging around with DuQuoin. Harrisburg was beating Carbondale, and the Redbirds lost a heart-breaker.
Of all places, it was looking possible that both Benton and WF might get a point from Pinckneyville. The Panthers were tied with Carlyle at halftime.
One win between Pinckneyville and Sparta really hurt both the Redbirds and the Rangers getting at large bids at 5-4.
I will be writing two stories in the morning. I will be writing a season in review for the Redbirds, as well as the C-Z-R Bearcats.
I will also be writing an extensive breakdown for what could take place around 8:00 p.m. when the playoff parings are announced. I will mainly focus on Class 3A. There is one team that is for sure alive, the S-V-W-W Red Devils, who suffered their first loss tonight to the Fairfield Mules.
For what was supposed to be a rebuilding year in West Frankfort, the Redbirds were 15 seconds away from making the playoffs. Even though the results were not what we wanted tonight, it is a great day to be a Redbird.
WEEK 9 PREVIEW: West Frankfort (5-3) at Nashville (3-5)
October 20, 2017 By Leave a Comment
by Steve Dunford
In a do or die situation, the West Frankfort Redbirds travel to Washington County to take on the Nashville Hornets this evening.
Here are the common opponents between the two teams:
ANNA-JONESBORO:
West Frankfort lost 43-18 Week 1
Nashville lost 71-41 Week 4
PINCKNEYVILLE:
West Frankfort won 36-14 Week 2
Nashville won 34-7 Week 7
SPARTA:
West Frankfort won 33-16 Week 3
Nashville won 35-14 Week 5
MASSAC COUNTY:
West Frankfort won 49-8 Week 8
Nashville won 17-12 Week 2.
West Frankfort Coach Brian Beery had this to say about tonight’s matchup. “Nashville has a tall dual threat QB that can run and pass, as well as several talented receivers. Furthermore, their offensive line is big and physical. They have a good downhill running game to compliment their passing game. Thus, I expect a very physical game in terms of the run, but at the same time our defensive backs will have to do a good job of covering their receivers.”
“Offensively we will have to take care of the football, and compliment our run game with more balance in the passing game. They have two very big defensive ends, backed up by quick linebackers.”
I asked Nashville Coach Stephen Kozuszek to give some background information on the Hornets. He said, “We are a young team, with only 3 seniors on the roster. Our QB is senior Cameron Parker, who was an all-conference WR last year. He is a dual threat player, who has been solid for us all year (1,333 Passing Yds, 8 TD, 7 Int / 572 Rushing Yds, 10 TD). Our leading rusher is sophomore Jullian Metcalf (805 Rushing Yds, 9 TD). Our receptions have been spread out between 3 primary WR’s, all of which are juniors: Tanner Bergmann (19 Rec, 329 Yds, 3 TD), Tabor Kozuszek (33 Rec, 365 Yds, 3 TD), and Dalton Novak (38 Rec, 456 Yds, 2 TD).”
“We dropped a couple close games early on to Carlyle and Wesclin (both playoff qualifiers), which made things tough on us going into conference play, as we then needed to steal a game from Carterville, A-J, or DuQuoin to give us a shot at a playoff berth going into Friday.”
I asked him what his thoughts were about coming into tonight’s game with the Redbirds. West Frankfort appears to be a physical team, whose running game is the strength of their offense. We need to be able to limit their big plays on the ground and try and force them into passing situations. Both their QB and RB are good looking players, and their offense creates confusion with all of their different formations and motions.
I am going out on a blind date with this one. Last years Hornet squad was loaded with seniors. Other than a few highlights on MaxPreps, I have not watched them play.
I had a few conversations this week with some individuals that are familiar with both programs. They said that Nashville could put up some points in a hurry as well as give up some in a hurry as well too.
In their opinions, the Redbirds would be the definite favorite. I am going with West Frankfort by 14.
Playoff probabilities for S-V-W-W, West Frankfort, and Benton
October 20, 2017 By Leave a Comment
by Steve Dunford
First of all we need to continue prayers for Zeigler-Royalton head basketball coach Matt Morgan, who suffered a heart attack this evening. He is resting comfortably in an area hospital. Lets pray for a speedy recovery and that he will be back on the sidelines at the Christopher Turkey Tournament.
In something that I have been looking at being a possibility since week three, The Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn Red Devils and the Fairfield Mules will be facing off against each other at the Train Yard, undefeated, with a conference title on the line.
For 3A, I was looking at the possibility of quadrants. I found out today they were a thing of the past. So the south will be seeded 1-16.
Going into tomorrow night’s game there are four undefeated teams in 3A from Springfield, south. Along with the Devils and The Mules, the Anna-Jonesboro Wildcats and Carlinville.
If Carlinville beats Greenville (6-2) tomorrow night, there will be a tie for the Number one and Two seed for the south half of the bracket between the winner of the Train Yard Showdown.
The Number one seed will then have the possibility of drawing Vienna-Goreville, Mt. Carmel or Harrisburg, all with 4-4 records. If the Eagles beat Carmi-White County on Saturday, they will be in the best playoff point shape with 40. Harrisburg is sitting at 36, as they face Carbondale. Mt. Carmel has 33 and they face win less Mt. Vernon tomorrow night.
There is a chance that Harrisburg and V-G could be bumped up to 4A, as the cutoff line has been dropped to 548 which is the Eagles enrollment. Harrisburg is six below the cutoff at 542.
For West Frankfort it is as simple as this, they have to beat Nashville to get in. They are sitting at 30 playoff points, which if they beat the Hornets tomorrow night, would be the lowest 6-3 seeded team in the south. If all the 4-4 teams do not get in and the Devils win tomorrow night, there is a very good possibility you could see the Redbirds and the Devils match up at Carroll Kelly field a week from Saturday.
I have had a gut feeling for a couple weeks that however things turn out, the Redbirds would end up facing the winner of the Train Yard battle.
If S-V-W-W would lose and the teams on the bubble at 4-4 would get in, West Frankfort still could be a possibility. There is also an outside chance they could end up with the DuQuoin Indians. They have been bumped up to 3A, and that could be whether they win or lose to Murphysboro.
I went local with this. There are numerous possibilities from the Metro East. We can start breaking them down more around 9:00 p.m.
Now onto the Rangers. They have a task of facing an undefeated team in A-J on the road. They are in similar but better shape than their arch enemy’s the West Frankfort Redbirds. Win or lose the Rangers will be Redbird fans tomorrow night, for one thing, playoff points. They will get one if WF leaves Washington County with a win.
They will be rooting for the Harrisburg Bulldogs to beat Carbondale. They will be rooting for Murphysboro to beat DuQuoin. Carterville vs. Massac they will get a playoff point either way. They will also be rooting for Pinckneyville and Sparta to pull major upsets.
If they go down to A-J and lose they will be at a lot of teams mercy. The Rangers will be in a unfamiliar role, being underdogs. However, it is a very winnable game for Benton. It would be well worth taking the drive to Union County tomorrow night, enjoy the scenery on the way down, and watch what I would believe to be a whale of a football game.
Redbird QB Connor Eaton ….Devils RB Eli Gunter for WSIL/Banterra Player of the Week
October 17, 2017 By Leave a Comment
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/33771417/banterra-player-of-the-week#WNPoll156998
Click on the link to vote above. Previous winners from Franklin County are RB Madison Allen of West Frankfort, FB Peyton Rock of SVWW, and QB Hamilton Page of Benton.
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.
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.
