Herrin hosts A-J in must-win game

The Anna-Jonesboro Community High School football team closes out the  regular season this Friday at Herrin.

“Herrin needs to win,” A-J football coach Brett Detering said.

Herrin is on the bubble when it comes to the 2012 playoffs and will be looking for a victory.

The 6-2 Wildcats are already assured of a playoff spot, while the Tigers are 4-4 and  have to win just to have a chance of making the postseason.

“It’s a big game for us,” Herrin coach Jason Karnes said. “It’s do or die if we want to get in the playoffs.”

The Tigers are coming off a 63-21 win over Massac County in last week’s game.

Senior Austin Starkweather, 5-11, 165 pounds, is Herrin’s quarterback.

“He was injured and didn’t start the season with us,” Karnes said. “But he has gotten healthy and he’s doing a good job for us.”

Starkweather was 8 of 15 passing for 105 yards against the Patriots.

His main receiver is the area’s leading receiver. Senior Austin Butler, 6-2, 185 pounds, had 80 yards on 6 receptions in last week’s game.

Butler is one of the Tigers’ rushing leaders as well. He rushed for 169 yards on 14 carries last week. The other running threat is sophomore Chase Merrill, 5-10, 175 pounds. He rushed for 106 yards on 18 carries last week.

The offensive line is built around senior Artur Romanishyn, 6-1, 195 pounds, and sophomore Brent Milner, 5-11, 190 pounds.

Defensive standouts are Milner, Butler, junior Patrick McCowen, 6-1, 170 pounds, and junior Joseph Hawkins, 5-6, 185 pounds.

“We’re a young team and we have a lot of guys playing on both side of the ball,” Karnes said.

Both teams are looking to end their regular season with a win.

“We were humbled last week and our kids need to respond,” Detering said. “They’ve got to come out hungry.”

“It’s going to boil down to whoever makes the big plays,” Karnes said. “We’re going to have to take care of the football.” The Wildcats lost five fumbles last week against Carterville.

“I expect this to be a big game for both teams,” Karnes said. “We’ve got to get some big stops on their offense.”