Wildcats set to face Massac County in first road game of season

The 2-0 Anna-Jonesboro Wildcats are scheduled to play their first road game of the 2012 season this Friday night when they travel to Massac County to face the Patriots in high school football action.

Game time has been changed to 6 p.m. because of the threat of bad weather.

The Patriots boast a potent running threat in Daz Nickerson, a 5-11, 160-pound senior running back.

“He scored all five touchdowns for them against Herrin,” A-J football coach Brett Detering said.”Certainly, he’s a strong runner and receiver.”

The Patriots lost 60-35 to Herrin in the season-opener  and lost 42-28 to Calloway County, Ky., last week.

In last week’s game, the Patriots trailed 29-0 at halftime and it appeared as if a rout was on.

The Patriots fought back to get within 8 points when Nickerson scored a pair of rushing touchdowns.

Calloway County scored a final touchdown with 5 minutes remaining to put the game away.

Nickerson finished the game with 90 yards rushing.

Another top running back for Massac County is junior Jordan Troutman, 5-10, 185 pounds. He rushed for 85 yards against Calloway County.

The Patriots quarterback is junior Cameron Koch, 5-11, 172 pounds. He passed for 227 yards in the loss to Herrin.

Top receivers are Nickerson, Troutman and junior Eli Rose, 6-2, 175 pounds.

The offensive line is anchored around seniors Curtis Kerley, 6-3, 335 pounds; and Zach Trumpower, 6-4, 288 pounds; juniors Payton Hall, 6-2, 290 pounds, and Austin Kendall, 6-6, 202 pounds.

Massac County’s defensive leaders are linebackers Troutman and senior Trey Copley, 5-9, 210 pounds.