A-J travels to Carterville for opening playoff game

Carterville will drop out of the Black Diamond Conference this season and join the Southern Illinois River-to-River Conference.

The Anna-Jonesboro High School football team will get a chance to preview next season's opponent early as it travels to Carterville to play in first-round action of the Class 3A IHSA playoffs.

The game, which kicks off at 1 p.m., Saturday, will be aired on WIBH radio in Anna. The game also can be heard online at <a href="http://www.annanews.com">www.annanews.com</a>.

 There won't be a lot of surprises and both teams bring something similar to the table.

"It's going to be a unique situation playing up there," A-J coach Brett Detering said. "We're good friends and we both run the option offense."

 "We've gone to (football) clinics together," Carterville coach Dennis Drust said. "We talk a lot about football. And, our offenses are very similar."

Running the Lions option offensive attack is sophomore Jeff Aldridge, 5-11, 162 pounds.

"He's a good athlete with good speed," Drust said.

"Their quarterback is very athletic," Detering added.

The Lions opened the season with a loss to Sesser-Valier behind starting quarterback Dalton James, who has since been switched to the backfield.

Carterville, 8-1, has  won its last eight games with Aldridge at the controls. A-J enters Saturday's game at 6-3.

"This group of seniors has never beaten Sesser-Valier," Drust said. "Since week one, we've come together and played better defensively. It's allowed our offense to get better each week."

James, a 5-7, 140-pound senior, has been switched to the backfield. James had 41 yards rushing in Carterville's 41-0 win over Vienna-Goreville last Friday.

Another backfield threat is senior Zac Novak, 5-7, 145 pounds, who added 64 yards rushing last Friday.

The offensive line is built around seniors Anthony Lenzini, 6-1, 206 pounds, Bill Filla, 6-1, 239 pounds, Matt Bouligmann, 5-10, 189 pounds and Derek Ehlers, 6-0, 211 pounds.

Top defensive players include senior middle linebacker Dustin Bagwell, 6-0, 203 pounds; junior linebacker Conner Rossi, 6-0, 156 pounds;  and end Lenzini.

Backfield defenders are juniors Bryce Usher, 5-11, 151 pounds, Ryan Bonnifiezo, 6-3, 164 pounds, and Novak.

Key defenders on the line are senior Trevor Pullum, 5-10, 180 pounds, and junior Tyler Baker, 5-11, 235 pounds.

"I think we've got to control the ball and that is the key to beating A-J," Drust said. "We can't put our offense in tough long yardage situations. And, we have to eliminate our mistakes as well."

Drust said the Lions will have their hands full on defense.

"They have three very explosive players (J.R. Woodward, Gabe Pecord and Jordan Chamness)," Drust said. "We'll have to stop them as well."

Detering said Carterville has played some tough teams this season in its conference, with other playoff league hopefuls Sesser-Valier and Johnston City advancing to the postseason.

The River-to-River Conference Mississippi Division has four teams advancing.

"The Black Diamond has three teams in the playoffs and we have four," Detering said. "They've played some good teams to get there."

Carterville is No. 6 among area teams in the area offensively, while A-J is No. 8.

The Lions are No. 5 overall defensively, while the Wildcats are No. 8.

Detering noted there will be a big difference this Saturday compared with the last three games where the Wildcats have played in  muddy field conditions.

"It's a new field and new turf," Detering said. The field "won't be an issue."