A-J freshman football squad posts 9-0 record
<p class="p1">The Anna-Jonesboro Community High School freshman football team finished the 2015 season with an unblemished 9-0 record.</p><p class="p1">“I knew this was a special group from the beginning,” A-J freshman coach Dave Sullivan said. “They were an excellent group and worked well together. They functioned well as a team.”</p><p class="p1">In a season opening victory over West Frankort, which was the Southern Illinois River-to-River Conference Ohio Division winner, the junior Wildcats found themselves trailing 14-13 in the waning minutes.</p><p class="p1">“With three minutes left in the game we came back,” Sullivan said. “It seemed like from that point on we did a great job of keeping our composure. We had some tough games early and they impressed me.”</p><p class="p1">After the West Frankfort victory, the Wildcat freshmen went on to top Murphysboro 22-14, Massac County 32-6, Nashville 26-14, Carterville 18-6, Eldorado 46-32, Du Quoin 68-34, Chester 24-13 and Benton 60-42.</p><p class="p1">“This is one of the better groups I’ve had,” said Sullivan, who is in his 14th season as head coach. “This group understood the team concept. They had a goal to win the conference and they did.”</p><p class="p1">Sullivan recruited some help for this season’s success. Former Murphysboro coach Jim Hammers, a teacher and coach, came out of retirement to contribute. Two other assistants were former Harrisburg prep player Jimmy Page and former A-J prep player Chase Hargrave. All are volunteer assistants.</p><p class="p1">“It’s a unique situation and I’ve had a lot of help,” Sullivan said. “For all volunteers, its an incredible group to get that caliber.”</p><p class="p1">Sullivan also credits Jamie Yates and Hargrave as contributing as coaches to former players from the Anna youth tackle football program.</p><p class="p1">“They laid the foundation and it made my job a lot easier,” Sullivan said. “The junior football program is a wonderful tool.”</p><p class="p1">In Sullivan’s 14 seasons, his teams have won Southern Illinois River-to-River Conference Mississippi Division championships and he’s had four undefeated teams.</p><p class="p1">“I’ve had some success,” Sullivan said. “But we’ve had some unbelievable talent.”</p><p class="p1">This year the team started the season with 30 players and concluded with 29.</p><p class="p1">“We certainly made an effort in every game for everybody to play,” Sullivan said.</p><p class="p1">Sullivan can see the team contributing to future wins at the varsity level.</p><p class="p1">“I really believe four or five can make an impact next year (at the varsity level),” Sullivan said. “If they stay with it and get out and work and continue what they’re doing, I look for this group to come in and make an impact. People in this community have a lot to be excited about.”</p><p class="p1">For health reasons, this was his final season coaching.</p><p class="p1">“I’m going to take a break,” he said. “The guys we brought in are ready to take over.”</p>