Friday Night Lights: Indians vs. Chester...One Final Time

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ There'll be plenty of excitment-just like always Friday night-when the football teams from Du Quoin and Chester hit the grass on historic W.O. Smith Field inside the Chester Bowl.

Each squad carries league title hopes in the River-to-River Conference's Mississippi Division.

And with Friday's 7 o'clock kickoff marking likely the final regular season meeting ever between the two longtime rivals, the intensity and excitement could be amped up even more.

Du Quoin (3-1) holds steady as the 10th-rated team in Class 3A according to the Associated Press.

After rolling across a huge speed bump at Harrisburg in week two, the Indians have bounced back nicely with impressive wins over Herrin (19-14) and Sparta (48-7).

Chester mildly surprised Nashville-the preseason favorites to challenge Du Quoin for the Mississippi crown- 6-3 last week to gain its fourth win.

The Yellowjackets own lopsided wins over Wesclin (49-7) and Carlyle (41-6) while also beating Fredericktown, Mo. (24-11).

Indians coach Al Martin (22nd year, 217-44, 20-2 vs. Chester)

Holding a commading 57-16-2 series advantage, the Indians meet Chester for the 76h time -and perhaps final time-Friday night.

The contest will also mark the 65th consecutive year the schools have played, dating back prior to Chester joining the old Southwestern Egyptian Conference in 1946.

Chester swaps league affiliation's with Carterville next fall, moving to the Black Diamond Conference.

In the last nine meetings-all won by Du Quoin-the margin of victory has been no less than 17 points.

Last year, the Tribe pulled away for a 42-13 victory as A.J. Hill threw five touchdown passes and David Gaytan ran for 113 yards on just seven carries.

"Chester' speed and physically their team strength are probably their team strengths," Martin said.

" It's always a tough game with them and we know they'll be a very good football team. They are really solid defensively and do a good job of just getting around the football.

Murphysboro native Bryan Lee (2nd year, 9-5) has the 'Jackets sights set on a return trip to the Class 2A playoffs.

A four-headed backfield monster of Danny Roth (5'10, jr.), John Baughman (5'9, 170, sr.), Tim Sullins (5'11, 225, sr.) and Isaac McMullin (5'11, 165, sr.) have ground up big yardage in the first four games.

Aaron Grah (6'3, 180, sr.) is an effective runner and passer from the quarterback position with Dan Adams (6'2, 180, sr.) his favorite target.

Defensively, Chester's surge is paced by linebackers Wes Cowan (6'2, 190, sr.), Sullins and Baughman.

Martin admits running the ball against the 'Jackets might be a chore.

"We just want to stay balanced with our run and pass," Martin said. "I feel like our blocking continues to improve every single day."

Seniors Gaytan (350 yards rushing) and Matt Gossett (7 TD passes) leads Du Quoin.

WDQN-AM (1580) broadcasts Friday's game live at