IHSA PLAYOFFS: Defensive Pana First Stop on Treacherous 3A Road
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Saturday will mark the return of <span id="lw_1225515252_0" class="yshortcuts" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;">high school football</span> the way it was meant
to be played. In the afternoon sunshine...in November...on Van Metre Field.
That's when the 10th ranked <span id="lw_1225515252_1" class="yshortcuts">Du Quoin Indians host</span> Pana (5-4) in a 1 p.m.
<span id="lw_1225515252_2" class="yshortcuts" style="border-bottom: medium none; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;">Illinois High School Association</span> (IHSA) Class 3A first round playoff game.
Pana comes into the contest as the #11 seed in a loaded southern half of the
state bracket. Du Quoin, 8-1, is picked sixth among a 16- team group that
includes nine squads with seven or more victories.
Saturday is the 38th post season home for the Indians, who appear in the
playoffs for a state record 25th consecutive year.
Du Quoin, 21-3 in first round games since 1984, is 33-4 at Van Metre during
that same stretch.
"To play 8-1 against our schedule deserves a home first round playoff game,"
veteran Indians coach Al Martin said.
"They've worked hard all season and worked very hard during the off-season.
Now's the time of year where that all really pays off."
While Martin's team eclipsed an all-time school record for regular season
scoring (40.1 per game), they will face a challenging test from Pana's
rugged defense.
The Panthers, employing an aggressive 3-5-3 attack, are surrendering just a
smidgeon over two touchdowns per outing.
Senior linebackers David Maziarz (6'0, 210) and Tom O'Brien (6'0, 197) have
combined for 186 tackles. Alan Handy (6'4, 312, jr.) and Travis Gullett
(6'3, 274, sr.) make running lanes hard to come by for opposing squads.
"It's a very physical defense that just doesn't seem to allow many points or
big plays," Martin said.
"They have two very big defensive tackles up front and two outstanding
linebackers. We've got a big test ahead of us. This (Pana) is a good
football team."
O'Brien (390 yards, five TD) and Justin Vernon (5'11, 180, sr.) are the top
rushers offensively.
Vernon runs from the tailback spot and has 367 yards.
Senior quarterback Michael Lesser (6'1, 176, sr.) spreads out 1,180 passing
yards to four quality receivers.
Track standouts Eric Miller (6'3, 175, sr.) and Xavier Rice (5'7, 150, sr.)
are the favorite targets, along with O'Brien and Vernon out of the
backfield.
"Offensively we are getting better each and every week," first-year Pana
coach Al Stupek said.
"We've probably been blessed with as much size, speed and strength as team
I've seen in my years at Pana."
Stupek‹a banker who coached Pana's freshman program for the last 17
seasons‹stepped in last summer after Brad Hilbert resigned following a 1-8
campaign.
Carl Marcin (5'10, 225, sr.), Matt Eddy (6'2, 253, jr.), Jacob Washburn
(5'8, 249, sr.) and Gullett anhcor a very physical line.
"They haven't scored a lot of points," Martin admitted. "But Pana does a lot
of things with their offense. There are certain things they do very well.
We'll need to get around the football. Pana has enough speed to keep you
honest."
Du Quoin's high-octane offense certainly garners Stupek's attention.
All-state quarterback candidate A.J. Hill (1,156 yards passing) has played a
part in 31 touchdowns and four two-point conversion. The senior lefty throws
to wideouts <span id="lw_1225515252_3" class="yshortcuts">David Rose</span> (34 catches, 555 yards) and Seth Flint (21 catches,
269 yards) frequently.
Dalton Morgan‹another all-state hopeful‹starts at tight end. He's scored six
times with 314 yards worth of receptions.
"The quarterback is such a precise passer," Stupek said. "And he's a threat
to run. The tight end (Morgan) looks like a load and #9 (Rose) is so good
after the catch. They have several other kids who can catch the ball, too."
An improved running game leans on Hill and the junior halfback tandem of
Jamor Reed and David Gayton. Combining for 1,110 yards, the duo boasts 15
touchdowns.
Hill's ran for 11 more.
"Du Quoin's the total package offensively," Stupek said. "They can throw it,
block well and have some nice <span id="lw_1225515252_4" class="yshortcuts" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;">running backs</span>. We can't get into a scoring
contest. We'll have to generate some offense and figure a way to stop them.
If we can't, its going to be a long afternoon."
Martin's first string defensive unit has allowed barely over one touchdown
per outing and hopes to be at near full-strength by game time Saturday.
Tackle Seth Heape (knee) began practicing mid-week after missing the last
two games.
Junior linebacker Evon Stollhans‹also with a knee problem‹is out for at
least another week.
Martin will alternate seniors Ben Conner and Garrett Hopkins in Stollhans'
spot.
Morgan (DE) and Matt Gossett (OLB) are the leading Du Quoin tacklers along
with Flint (S) and Kyle Paxton (DL).
"Its going to be a game where we'll need to find ways to get yards and keep
the sticks going, " Martin concluded. "And we'll have to continue playing
great defense."
Pana¹s losses have came against Class 3A qualifiers Vandalia (20-15)
andGreenville (35-6), along with 4A¹s Newton (27-6) and Litchfield (17-16,
overtime).
³Our record really is a little deceiving,² Stupek said.
³Looking back, Greenville¹s the only game that really got away from us. I
feel like we could have easily won a few more with a break or two. Things
just didn¹t go our way and that¹s the way football goes for you sometimes.²