Tribe Visits Longtime Grid Nemesis
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Despite being assured a state-record 25th consecutive trip into the state playoffs, there's still plenty of incentive for the Du Quoin High School Football team entering Friday's game at Murphysboro (3-5).
A victory would move Du Quoin up the seeding ladder when the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) playoffs begin next week.
There's a even a chance-a very good one at that-of Du Quoin (7-1) securing another first round home game by a notching an eighth victory.
Seeking a 15th straight win over its once biggest and most intense gridiron rival, Du Quoin meets Murphysboro for the 69th time.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Bencini Field.
Winning just four times in its last 46 outings dating back to early 2003, the Red Devils once held a 26-year win streak over Du Quoin (1941-66).
That stretch covered about three generations of players in Southern Illinois' self-proclaimed "Football Capital." In fact, Murphysboro still owns a commanding lead in the all-time series vs. Du Quoin.
Dating back to 1939, the Indians trail Murphysboro 39-27-2.
However, the Red Devils haven't beaten Du Quoin since 1994's 31-29 thriller.
In 2007, Du Quoin cruised to a 48-8 triumph.
"Murphysboro's been just a great and traditional rival of ours for so many years," Du Quoin coach Al Martin (21st year, 209-43) said.
"I know on a personal level, I remember some great games as a player and then coaching underclass levels here. We've had a lot of games between the two decide conference championships, undefeated seasons and playoff berths. The emotion will again be very high."
For Indian Nation members over the age of 35, just seeing the crimson helmets with the blazing corn-colored "M" logo is more than enough to get the blood boiling and adrenaline pumping.
In the pre-playoff days of Southern Illinois football, Murphysboro ruled the roost. The Red Devils ran roughshod for decades as the largest school in the old Southwestern Egyptian Conference.
"For so long we all kind of used Murphysboro as a program measuring stick," Martin admitted. "They've always been a bigger school and even bigger rival."
Murphysboro's posted wins over Carbondale (30-28), Sparta (47-13) and West Frankfort (42-26). Losses have came against Anna-Jonesboro (47-6), Massac County (33-7), Herrin (42-6), Harrisburg (42-14) and Benton (26-20). Three weeks, the Red Devils appeared poised to becoming playoff eligible and reaching post season for the first time in 15 years. Successive losses to Herrin, Harrisburg and Benton killed those chances.
Coached by Bob Stilley (4th year, 4-31), Murphysboro has shown remarkable improvement in 2008.
"Murphysboro's a good football team with very talented kids at the skilled positions," Martin said. "Where they've really improved is along the offensive and defensive lines. We'll need to play good football in order to win this game."
Speedy halfback Nick Jones (6'0, 150, jr.) and quarterback Dylan Craig (6'2, 185, so.) have especially drawn Martin's eye.
William Davis (5'10, 150, sr.) and Adrian Harris (5'11, 185, so.) are also solid running threats.
Through the air, Jeremy Marshall (5'9, 145, so.) and Shea Baker (6'0, 170, sr.) are Craig's favorite targets.
Up front, seniors dominate Stilley's line-up. C.J. Worthen (6'0, 320), Stephen Herring (6'0, 215), Ashden Black (6'0, 220) and Kevin Gottlieb (6'5, 210) are the biggest Red Devils.
Du Quoin plays without injured defensive starters Seth Heape and Evon Stollhans, both who sit out at least this week with knee ailments.
Junior quarterback A.J. Hill (1,272 yards, 19 TD) is now one scoring pass away from tying older brother Nick's single season record of 20 established in 2002.
David Rose (32 catches, 536 yards) is now just 200 yards from erasing the single season receiving record of Jordan Campanella (2003) as the Indians are on par to become Du Quoin's highest scoring team ever in regular season play.
David Gayton (117 yards) turned in Du Quoin's fourth consecutive 100-yard rushing game in last week's win over Sparta.
Defensive stalwarts Matt Gossett and Dalton Morgan share the Tribe's tackle lead with 56.
"There's a lot at stake for us," Martin said. "We want to keep improving and a victory could give us another game on our home field. This is kind of our first playoff game. And its big for Murphy, they'd love to knock us down."