Simelton expected to play big role for West Frankfort

Anna-Jonesboro High School head football coach Brett Detering pretty well knows what to expect in the season-opener at West Frankfort this Friday.

“Their best player is back and we hope to contain him,” said Detering, referring to senior running back Kendrick Simelton, 6-1, 185 pounds.

Simelton was the quarterback last year and has switched to the backfield this season.

Simelton returns with five other starters from last year’s 2-7 West Frankfort squad.

“We don’t have a lot of numbers,” West Frankfort head coach Chad Spence said. “But the kids we have are working really hard.”

Spence has the luxury of three quarterbacks vying to lead the squad.

“All of our quarterbacks are pretty good,” Spence said. “They’re all pretty good athletes and do a good job.”

Spence said he won’t decide until later in the week on who will start.

Vying for the quarterback position are junior Ben Cunningham, 6-0, 165 pounds; senior Kyle Weeks, 5-9, 165 pounds; and sophomore Addison Eggertsen, 6-1, 190 pounds.

Two of the top offensive linemen are junior Dustin Moss, 6-3, 245 pounds, and senior Jared Moake, 5-8, 215 pounds.

Defensive standouts are Simelton and junior Nathan Butler, 6-1, 170 pounds, at linebacker, and senior Keelan Garza, 5-8, 145 pounds, at safety.

“Our skilled guys bring back some experience,” Spence said. “We’re pretty young up front. But we’ve got some very smart kids.”

Spence is glad to see one member of the Wildcat offense  missing from the lineup.

“I’m glad to see that (Rik) Hicks kid gone,” Spence said. “But they’ll be pretty good without him. Brett does a great job. They’ve got a great program going on down there.”

The Wildcats dominated last year’s game, winning 41-0.

“We’ve usually played them to within one touchdown since I’ve been here until last year,” Spence said. “Hopefully, that season is behind us.”