Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
CHRISTOPHER, IL – Thompsonville held of a late New Athens rally as the Tigers beat the Yellow Jackets 53-52 last night.
In the nightcap Webber Township was better than advertised, as the Trojans defeated the Zeigler-Royalton Tornadoes 83-33.
Click below for the link form WSIL-Sports director Darren Kinnard.
http://www.wsiltv.com/story/36903063/thompsonville-webber-township-win-at-christopher
Wayne City Coach Jeff Morris sent this to me he said it was from a local paper where he filled out a questionnaire. I assume the Wayne County Press
How many starters did you lose from last season?
We lost four starters and some valuable players off the bench. The lone returning starter from last year’s team is Jaxon King.
Who, if you have an idea yet, do you look for to fill those roles?
I look for Senior Remington Henson to step into a starting position. He is a big body that should supply a solid inside presence. Transfer (Overton High School, Memphis, TN) Jayzale O’Neal (Junior) is extremely quick and has great court instincts. I look for him to share duties at PG with King. Juniors Dane Horton and Dalton Smith are both high energy players that are very athletic. Sophmore Travis Dickey has really improved and will be able to spread the floor with his ability to shoot. Junior, Nate Barbee is a high energy defensive specialist who should be able provide depth at the guard position. Foreign exchange student Enrico Carbonetti has been impressive in practice and has shown good instincts on both sides of the basketball. Several other players will provide valuable minutes in the rotation.
What areas do you look to improve on from last year?
Wayne City was really good last year. To try and compare a team with so much experience to a team with so little varsity experience returning would be a little unfair. Ultimately, we are going to work hard and try to get better every day. Best case scenario, we are playing our best basketball by seasons end.
Who do you see being leaders on this team?
I look for King to be our floor leader with his previous varsity experience and high basketball IQ. I also look for O’Neal to help lead the team, he has already shown his ability to communicate and help other players in practice. Henson will also supply senior leadership for the team.
What style of game do you want to play this season?
On the defensive side we want to pressure the ball and play tough hard nose defense. Offensively we would like to push the basketball in transition, but look for a high percentage shot if nothing is available on the break.
What are some goals you have for this season?
We haven’t really sat down and talked a whole lot about team goals for the upcoming season. I believe most teams’ main goal for season is winning a Regional Championship and see what happens after that. I think competing for MTC Conference among other tournaments would be our secondary goals. I just try to tell the kids to work hard and get better every day.
What are the biggest challenges you face coming into a new program?
I would say the biggest obstacle is that everything will be new for both the kids and me. I didn’t get hired until after summer contact day period and didn’t have any days to work with or see them play. The kids are learning a new system and how I expect things to be done. I’m trying to learn about all the kids and their strengths and weaknesses. Trying to do this and have a game after 2 weeks of practice is tough. The kids have had a great attitude about everything and are working extremely hard.
What are you looking forward to the most, coming into a new program?
I enjoy the challenge and the process of being a part of a new program. The kids are extremely excited about what we are trying to do. It’s definitely going to be a challenge, but if the kids continue to work we should have successful year.
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.
1, Goreville
2. Sesser-Valier
3. Christopher
4. Chester
5. Vienna
6. Trico
7. Zeigler-Royalton
1. Murphysboro
2. Harrisburg
3, Benton
4. Massac County
5. West Frankfort
6. Herrin
1, Gallatin County
2. Thompsonville
3. Hardin County
4. Pope County
5, Crab Orchard
6. Galatia
7. Norris City Omaha-Enfield
8. Carrier Mills
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.
MVP – Jacob Traxler – Eldorado
Offensive Captain – Bryce Jones – Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn
Defensive Captain – Lance Jolly – Fairfield
QB – Clayton Smith – Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn
SKILL – Colten Yates – Carmi-White Co.
SKILL – Calvin Clendenin – Chester
SKILL – Dylan Hefner – Fairfield
SKILL – Jayden Lewis – Fairfield
SKILL – Luca Gualdoni – Johnston City
SKILL – Jacob Traxler – Eldorado
SKILL – Eli Gunter – Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn
SKILL – Lukas Gunter – Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn
OL – Bryce Jones – Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn
OL – Alex Hunsinger – Carmi-White Co.
OL – Jacob Simpson – Fairfield
OL – Nathan Foss – Vienna-Goreville
OL – Kyle Worley – Eldorado
K – Luca Gualdoni – Johnston City
DL – Braden Attebury – Eldorado
DL – Theron Stewart – Fairfield
DL – Dawson Metten – Eldorado
DL – Grant Tobin – Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn
DL – Mitchell Nelson – Carmi-White Co.
LB – Hunter Adams – Hamilton Co.
LB – Lance Jolly – Fairfield
LB – Peyton Rock – Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn
LB – Wyatt Weinbrecht – Carmi-White Co.
LB – Wyatt Roth – Chester
DB – Jaxson Crnovich – Fairfield
DB – Skylar Gray – Fairfield
DB – Nolan Dahnke – Vienna-Goreville
DB – Joe Mayberry – Eldorado
DB – Tyler Thompson – Carmi-White Co.
P – Luca Gualdoni – Johnston City
QB – Nick Meyer – Chester
SKILL – Bryce Northcott – Carmi-White Co.
SKILL – Payton Massey – Vienna-Goreville
SKILL – Cade Rivers – Edwards Co.
SKILL – Waylon Webb – Hamilton Co.
SKILL – Kobi Dagg – Fairfield
OL – Bryce Lane – Fairfield
OL – Brody Conley – Vienna-Goreville
OL – Justin Mace – Eldorado
OL – Addison Page – Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn
OL – Cole Carter – Carmi-White Co.
DL – Ethan Debose – Eldorado
DL – Trenton Kittinger – Carmi-White Co.
DL – Brady Kelkhoff – Chester
DL – Hunter Mabrey – Edwards Co.
LB – Josh Gunter – Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn
LB – Nick Heffernan – Chester
LB – Aiden Kuhn – Vienna-Goreville
LB – Johnny Steed – Johnston City
DB – Reed Basso – Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn
DB – Justin Lamp – Carmi-White Co.
DB – Wyatt Gilbert – Fairfield
HONORABLE MENTION
Caleb Champan – Hamilton Co.
Thomas Combs – Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn
Hunter Creamer – Johnston City
Jacob Ferguson – Carmi-White Co.
Logan Frassato – Vienna-Goreville
Braden Grimes – Edwards Co.
Houston Hall – Johnston City
Jace Jenkins – Eldorado
Kadin Kiselewski – Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn
Reese Lee – Fairfield
Darrick Leiser – Christopher-Zeigler-Royalton
Austin Lemmons – Hamilton Co.
Ethan Mahon – Carmi-White Co.
Curt Meyer – Chester
Lincoln Moore – Edwards Co.
Gabriel Motsinger – Christopher-Zeigler-Royalton
Kale Oglesby – Eldorado
Bryce Pratt – Christopher-Zeigler-Royalton
Ethan Rice – Vienna-Goreville
Martin Schmittler – Edwards Co.
Logan Trent – Fairfield
Garrett Walker – Chester
by Steve Dunford
Thank you Randall Risley for allowing me to use your photos.
The Chester Yellow jackets make the trip to Franklin County tonight to face the C-Z-R. Chester is coming off of a 34-7 loss to Carmi-White-County. The Bearcats fell to the Johnston City Indians 54-0.
it is Senior Night for three seniors, Trinton Bishop, Scotty Killip, and Zach Marvel.
I have been keeping up with their JV team and they picked up a forfeit win over JC on Monday.
I asked Yellow Jacket coach Billy Belton fill me in on the S-V-W-W and Carmi game. “We played Sesser very well. We lost 20-6, and it was 12-6 with 3 mins left in the game. Sesser and Chester both played very hard. I was proud of our boys, and how hard they played. It was a very physical game, and fun to be a part of.”
“We lost to Carmi 34-7. Carmi is a very good football team, a playoff team. They have 15 Seniors. They were big up front and they ran the ball very well. They are always well coached. Coach Simon does a great job. Nick Meyer was 10/24 133 passing, 1 TD. Keith Kiner lead the team in receiving 6-61, Curt Meyer 2-27, Calvin Clendenin 1-11 1 TD. Nick Meyer Lead the rushing attack with 69 yards. Mason Westerman added 3 Carries for 19 Yards. Over all we are healthy. We still have a great chance to make the playoffs. I feel like we have a very good football team.”
When you have three seniors and 24 kids in your program, it has been a struggle for the Bearcats. They need a game where they can play a full 48 minutes, then make a good showing at winless Hamilton County next Friday night.
by Steve Dunford
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)
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.
Link to the story from Rick Hayes – Benton News
http://www.bentoneveningnews.com/article/20171007/sports/171009865/
Link to the story from Richard Blakley – Benton News
Link to the story from Jimmy Dean – Benton News
Link to the story from Dave Broy – westfrankfortsports.com
(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)
(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
(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)
(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
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.
