Friday Night Lights: Traditional Rival Senior Night Visitor to Van Metre Field

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Despite being assured a state-record 26th consecutive trip into the state playoffs, there's still plenty of incentive for the Du Quoin High School Football team entering Friday's home game with Murphysboro (3-5).

A victory would move Du Quoin up the seeding ladder when the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) playoffs begin next week.

There's a even a chance-a very good one at that-of Du Quoin (7-1) securing another first round home game by a notching an eighth victory.

Seeking a 16th straight win over its once biggest and most intense gridiron rival, Du Quoin meets Murphysboro for the 73rd time.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Van Metre Field. Senior Night activities include the Athletic Boosters annual Chili Supper in the DHS cafeteria from 4-7 p.m.

Winning just seven times in its last 54 outings dating back to early 2003, the Red Devils once held a 26-year win streak over Du Quoin (1941-66).

That stretch covered about three generations of players in Southern Illinois' self-proclaimed "Football Capital." In fact, Murphysboro still owns a commanding lead in the all-time series vs. Du Quoin.

Dating back to 1939, the Indians trail Murphysboro 41-28-2.

Murphysboro once ran roughshod for decades as the largest school in the old Southwestern Egyptian Conference, dominating the pre-playoff days of local football.

The Red Devils, however, haven't beaten Du Quoin since 1994's 31-29 thriller and will -for the 16th straight year-miss the playoff party.

"Murphysboro has continued to be just a great and traditional rival of ours for so many years," Du Quoin coach Al Martin (22nd, 221-44; 18-3 vs. Murphysboro) said. "For so long we all kind of used Murphysboro as a program measuring stick," Martin admitted. "They've always been a bigger school and even bigger rival."

Murphysboro's posted 2009 wins over Sparta (28-14), Benton (43-36) and West Frankfort (7-0). They've lost to playoff eligible Carbondale (35-0), Anna-Jonesboro (36-21), Massac County (35-13), Herrin (46-0) and Harrisburg (69-35).

Coached by Bob Stilley (5th year, 7-37), Murphysboro has demonstrated plenty of offensive potential despite its sub-.500 record.

"Murphysboro's a good football team with very talented kids at the skilled positions," Martin said. "We'll need to play good football in order to win this game. They have an oustanding quarterback with several good-sized kids who can flat out run and catch the football."

Quarterback Eben Brooks (6'3, 175, jr.) torched Harrisburg for 303 yards and four touchdowns last week. Speedy halfback Orlando Jarrett (5'11, 185, jr.) and junior wideout Jeremy Marshall (5'10, 150) joined Brooks to have hands in all five Red Devil TD at Harrisburg.

All-State sprinter Jaelen McWilliams (5'9, 180, sr.), Dre' Shean Payne (6'1, 180, sr.), Adrian Harris (6'1, 200, jr.), Dylan Craig (6'3, 180, jr.) and Brendon Cook (6'2, 150, sr.) add plenty of speed and talent.

Up front, Bradley Sauer (6'7, 290, jr.) and senior Neill Hutchings (5'11, 180) are the leaders.

Linebacker Matt Ahlfield (6'1, 185, sr.) is also an effective place kicker for Murphysboro, which dresses only eight seniors.

Quarterback Matt Gossett eclipsed the 1,000-yard passing mark last week (1,001) and has 15 TD while boasting a completion percentage rate of just under 60%.

David Rose (6'0, 185, sr.) already holds most of Du Quoin's career and single season receiving records. He's scored five times this season, despite drawing double and triple-team attention from most opponents. Rose (444 yards), Marcus Clarry (274 yards, 4 TD) and Brandon Williams (165 yards, 3 TD) are Gossett's favorite target.

David Gayton (622 yards, 10 TD) and Aaron Smith (545 yards in six games) are the rushing leaders.

Defensive stalwarts Clarry and Kenny Kabat (6'0, 191, jr.) share the tackles lead with 64 stops each. Jamor Reed, Rose, Alex Heape, Jerel Holmes, Patrick Jones and Evon Stolhands all have 50 or more tackles.

"There's a lot at stake for us," Martin said. "We want to keep improving and a victory could give us another game on our home field. This will be kind of like our first playoff game. And its always big for Murphy, they'd love to knock us down and build some momeuntum for next season."

Prior to the contest, which marks the 37th trip to Van Metre Field for Murphysboro, Du Quoin honors its senior gridders.The 17-player group includes Marcus Clarry, David Rose, Danny Sizemore, Logan Carson, Matt Gossett, Jamor Reed, Evon Stolhans, David Gayton, Chuckie Payne, Alex Heape, Kyle Kelley, Josh Heatherly, Alex Carter, Patrick Jones, Jon Tennyson, Josh Morris and Ozzie Britton.

"This group of seniors has just been so good for Du Quoin High School," Martin said of the talented and diverse group. "They are not only good students and athletes, but they are all just very good young people. They've been and continue to be, a great group to work with."

WDQN-AM (1580) airs the game live Friday night, starting at 6:45.

Saturday night- regardless of Friday's outcome- the Indians will again wait word from the IHSA for its playoff assignment. As of Thursday's latest projection, the Tribe seems destined to be again one of Class 3A's smallest schools. Last year, Du Quoin was the smallest of all 3A entries and advanced all the way into the state title game.

A victory all but insures an opening round home game. A wide range of possible opponents range from SIRR rivals Anna-Jonesboro and Nashville ; to Fairfield, Breese Central or Columbia.

Pana, Auburn, Monticello and Hillsboro are also projected as possible foes.