Grid Tribe Preps for Chester's Challenge
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ There'll be plenty of excitment-just like always Friday night-when the football teams from Du Quoin and Chester hit the grass at Van Metre Field.
Each squad carries league title hopes as River-to-River Conference play begins for both in the Mississippi Division.
Du Quoin (2-1) tumbled three spots to #9 in the Associated Press Class 3A Top-10 following last week's frustrating 34-33 overtime road loss at undefeated Class 4A nemesis Herrin.
Chester-on the other hand-surprised Class 2A's Clifton Central 28-19 last week to gain its first win.
The 'Jackets (1-2) lost to Wesclin (16-13) and Fredericktown, Mo. (31-14) as 2008 began.
"Chester's a good ballclub," Indians coach Al Martin (21st year, 205-42, 19-2 vs. Chester) said.
"They execute very well and do a lot of good things. We will definitely need to be ready to play a good team."
With Murphysboro native and first-year coach Bryan Lee at the helm, the Yellowjackets have battled the injury bug while tackling a tough early schedule.
Talented senior runners Stephen Wallace (6'0, 210), Jordan Jones (5'9, 165) and Matt Roth (5'7, 185) are the primary ballcarriers behind another senior, QB David Winters (5'10, 165).
Up front, three more upperclassmen anchor the offensive line.
Tackles Zach Slavens (6'1, 230) and Nick Mathis (6'0, 250) are veterans along with tight end Alex Lankford (6'2, 180).
"Chester is pretty balanced offensively," Martin said. "And they'll try and mix things up quite a bit. They will throw the deep ball, run some jet motion to the outside and then pound Wallace right up the middle."
Defensively, Wallace and Roth are standout linebackers.
Tim Sullins (5'11, 205, jr.) and speedy sophomore John Baughman (5'8, 160) handle the other linebacking spots in Lee's 4-4 alignment.
End Carlo Marconi (6'2, 205, jr.) and tackle Kenny White (5'9, 225, jr.) bring back plenty of experience.
Winters, Lankford and Jones lead the secondary.
Lankford is one of the area's top kickers and punters.
Du Quoin starts pursuit of its 13th Mississippi Division title in the 17-year history of the SIRR smarting following last week's setback.
The Tribe's responded well during a crisp series of practices and should take the field with no significant injuries.
"Herrin's behind us and we just want to get another week better," Martin said. "That's really our goal. Our kids have responded well and are working hard to get better. " Martin said.
"We want to continue getting better with all parts of our game."
Holding a commanding 52-14-2 series advantage, the Indians face Chester for the 69th time Friday night.
In the last eight meetings-all won by Du Quoin-the margin of victory has been no less than 17 points.
Last year, the Tribe pulled away for a 43-12 victory.
A.J. Hill played a part in five of Du Quoin's six touchdowns. He ran for three scores and tossed two TD passes.
Du Quoin hopes to avoid losing consecutive regular season games for the first time since 2000 losses to Harrisburg and Herrin.
Prior to that, the last time the Indians dropped back-to-back decisions were narrow 1983 losses to East St. Louis Assumption and Sparta.
Hill has combined for almost 700 yards of total offense in the first three games.
The Indian senior has thrown six TD passes and ran for seven more scores. He's also ran or passed for three two-point PAT's.
The Du Quoin Athletic Boosters Tailgate 2008 will be held prior to Friday's contest, starting at 5:30.
Kickoff is set for 7 o'clock.
Probable Starters
CHESTER
OFFENSE
QB #13 David Winters 5-10 165 SR
FB #25 Stephen Wallace 6-0 210 SR
TB #1 Matt Roth 5-7 185 SR
WB #24 Jordan Jones 5-9 165 SR
SE #88 Dan Adams 6-1 180 SR
TE #36 Alex Lankford 6-2 180 SR
RT #70 Nick Mathis 6-0 250 SR
RG #55 Kenny White 5-9 225 JR
C #72 Wes Cowan 6-1 210 JR
LG #52 Randy Beam 5-6 160 JR
LT #73 Zach Slavens 6-1 230 SR
DEFENSE
DE #36 Alex Lankford 6-2 180 SR
DE #89 Carlo Marconi 6-2 205 JR
DT #64 Jake Rock 5-7 190 JR
DT #55 Kenny White 5-9 225 JR
OLB #1 Matt Roth 5-7 185 SR
OLB #40 John Baughman 5-8 160 SO
MLB #44 Tim Sullins 5-11 205 JR
MLB #25 Stephen Wallace 6-0 210 SR
CB #24 Jordan Jones 5-9 165 SR
CB #31 Shane Lawrence 5-9 145 SR
S #13 David Winters 5-10 165 SR
SPECIAL TEAMS
K-P #36 Alex Lankford 6-2 180 SR
Probable Starters
Du QUOIN
OFFENSE
QB #7 A.J. Hill 6-2 205 SR
FB #15 Cale Bastien 6-1 180 SR
TB #32 David Gayton 5-10 170 JR
WR #10 Seth Flint 6-3 190 SR
WR #9 David Rose 6-1 175 JR
TE #30 Dalton Morgan 6-4 230 SR
RT #64 Josh Cushman 6-3 225 SR
RG #55 Luke Montgomery 6-1 270 SR
C #52 Garrett Hopkins 6-0 190 SR
LG #65 Jon Tennyson 6-2 230 JR
LT #53 Alex Heape 5-11 200 JR
DEFENSE
DE #30 Dalton Morgan 6-4 230 SR
DE #64 Josh Cushman 6-3 225 SR
DT #66 Seth Heape 6-0 295 SR
DT #56 Kyle Paxton 6-2 235 SR
OLB #17 Matt Gossett 6-4 185 JR
OLB #31 Evon Stollhans 5-8 180 JR
MLB #50 Collin Jones 6-0 235 SR
CB #80 Marcus Clarry 6-0 155 JR
CB #23 Jamor Reed 5-9 165 JR
FS #10 Seth Flint 6-3 190 SR
SS #9 David Rose 6-1 175 JR
SPECIAL TEAMS
K-P #88 Nick Baskin 5-8 150 SR