DuQuoin Fresh Impressive in Saturday's Debut
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Du Quoin High School's Freshman Football team emerged from its first-ever gridiron battle with a solid victory Saturday morning.
The young Indians scored the game's final three touchdowns and pulled away to defeat host Bethalto Civic Memorial.
The final score was 18-7. This Thursday at 6:30, Du Quoin visits Harrisburg (0-0).
Sam Gossett threw a pair of touchdown passes-both to Jonathon Boss-for the first two Tribe tallies.
Quivon Bledsoe returned a fumble 47 yards midway through the fourth quarter to complete the scoring.
After BCM scored following a Du Quoin fumble, Gossett found Boss wide open for a 38-yard TD strike. The conversion failed and BCM still held a 7-6 lead.
With just 10.8 seconds to go in the first half, the Indians went ahad for good when Gossett and Boss connected from six yards out. Again, the PAT try failed.
Dakota Wheatley's pass interception return of 26 yards put Du Quoin in position to score.
The 12-7 lead held up until Bledsoe scooped up a fumble and dashed untouched to the end zone.
Defensive tackle Brandon Spain, who ended with four quarterback sacks, jarred the ball loose from BCM's ball carrier to set Bledsoe free.
Spain, Dillan Pyron, Brandon Williams and Cayle Diggins were among the tackle leaders. Du Quoin's defensive effort also included two fumble recoveries from John Galik and a third by Diggins.
Wheatley and Josh Sanders intercepted passes.
Gossett completed four passes for 78 yards. Boss (62) and Williams (16) were the targets.
Dillon Beltz (48 yards) and Bledsoe (41) topped the rushing.
In other frosh action Saturday, Pinckneyville lost 46-8 to Red Bud and Fairfield defeated Elverado-Trico 22-6.
DHS Frosh 18,
BCM 7
DHS 6 6 0 6-18
BCM 7 0 0 0-7
First Quarte
BCM-10 yard pass (kick good), 9:20
DQ-Gossett 38-yard pass to Boss (run failed), 5:28
Second Quarter
DQ-Gossett 5-yard pass to Boss (pass failed), 10.8
Fourth Quarter
DQ-Bledsoe 47-yard fumble return (run failed), 5:25