A-J, Du Quoin set to face off in big game Friday

Anna-Jonesboro High School football coach Brett Detering knows the importance of this Friday’s game at Du Quoin.

“They’re 4-0 in the conference and we’re 3-1,” Detering said.

“We knew we’d have to beat Chester and Du Quoin to win the conference (outright). If we beat them head-to-head we’ll win it and it will be our sixth win and we’re in the playoffs for sure.”

The Wildcats, who defeated Chester 7-0 last week, are 5-2 overall and the Indians are 6-1 overall.

The game, which kicks off at 7 p.m., will be aired on WIBH radio in Anna. The game also can be heard online by visiting <a href="http://www.annanews.com">www.annanews.com</a>.

The Indians nipped Nashville 21-20 last Friday.

“It was a tough ballgame,” Du Quoin coach Al Martin said. “Both teams played pretty good ball and there were a lot of mistakes made.”

Leading Du Quoin at quarterback this season is senior Matt Gossett, 6-3, 185 pounds. He was 3 of 13 passing for 77 yards against the Hornets.

“He’s done a good job at quarterback for us,” Martin said. “He’s a good, all-around athlete.”

Two of his main receivers are  a pair of seniors David Rose, 5-10, 185 pounds and Marcus Clarry, 6-0, 160 pounds.

The backfield is led by senior David Gayton, 5-10, 175 pounds. He had 53 yards rushing against Nashville.

“We’ve got decent quickness,” Martin said.

Another backfield threat is senior David Rose, 5-10, 185 pounds.

The offensive line boasts some good size in senior Jon Tennyson, 6-2, 240 pounds; senior Kyle Kelley, 6-0, 200 pounds; junior Cory Campanella, 6-5, 280 pounds; senior Alex Heape, 5-11, 210 pounds; and senior Ozzie Britton, 5-9, 260 pounds.

Defensive stalwarts are senior Jamor Reed, 5-8, 160 pounds; senior Patrick Jones, 6-0, 280 pounds; junior Bryce Hamburger, 6-1, 270 pounds;  junior Ken Kabat, 6-0, 185 pounds and sophomore Brandon Williams, 6-3, 215 pounds.

“We’re not a bad team,” Martin said. “We’re doing all right this season.”

Martin knows what it will take to defeat the Wildcats.

“We just have to be sound every year we play them,” Martin said. “We’ll have to defense the option and the pass (to win). We know they’ve got a very balanced offense.

“But we do feel comfortable playing them at home.”