Fred Huff's look at the hallowed and proud history of Du Quoin High School Football

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[After opening the 1980s with only 18 wins as compared to 17 losses in the first four seasons, Du Quoin's football Indians finished in a flurry, posting an unprecedented 67-8 record in the final six years.

The last five seasons of the six-year run were even more spectacular. They provided the first double-digit win seasons ever in the program's history.

The Indians won 11 games in 1985, 12 in '86, 11 again in '87, 14 in '88 and completed the run in 1989 with 10 victories.

Included in the "golden years" was the overall 14-0 undefeated season in 1988 which included a state championship, four unbeaten seasons -- and titles -- in the Southwestern Egyptian Conference and extended a regular-season win streak to 36 games.

The first eight years of the decade came with Bob Karnes running the show prior to Al Martin's arrival in 1988. The period marked the absolute beginning of Du Quoin's reign as southern Illinois' prep powerhouse in the sport.

As so frequently is the case, figures and records offer interesting happenings.

The 1981, '82 and '83 seasons all were completed with identical 5-4 marks.

The next three -- 1984, '85 and '86 -- all produced identical 8-1 regular seasons.

The biggest difference, however, is that the latter three years marked Du Quoin's first trips to the state playoffs and produced eight additional victories prior to elimination.

As one might expect, there were many individual standouts who played major roles in the remarkable program.

For starters, Tris Greenwood rushed for just slightly more than 3,400 yards during the 1985 and '86 seasons. That's an all-time mark for the Indians.

Marty Nutter, a transfer from the small community of Farmington near Canton in central Illinois, sparked the start of the surge in 1984. His arrival resulted in immediate success as the Indians slipped through an 8-1 season marred only by a 30-20 loss to Murphysboro which forced them to share the league title.

Nutter, according to our research of the Du Quoin Evening Call files, accounted for only 50 of the Indians' 337 total points as they had an unusually well-balanced offense.

It included strong contributions from Tim Davis (46 points), Chad Metten (36), Dee O'Rourke (26), Stacey Maguire (24). Brent Robinson (12) and Aaron Harsy (12).

An interesting 1984 happening occurred when league coaches were asked to vote as to which of the co-champions -- Du Quoin or Murphysboro -- would represent the league in the playoffs. Karnes and the Indians were selected.

Nutter remained as Du Quoin's big scoring gun in 1985 while Greenwood, Davis, O'Rourke were making major contributions.

Greenwood dominated scoring the following year when he accounted for 23 touchdowns and 138 points while receiving strong support from junior quarterback Jeff Karnes who finished with 67, according to our findings.

The 1987 season belonged to Gonnie Morgan as he collected 16 touchdowns after gaining more than 1,200 yards rushing. Again, there were others.

Sid Boyett, Scott Baxter, who replaced Karnes after a serious knee injury, Bryce Eldridge, and Bryce Harsy all played roles.

At the same time, Brian Prior received the "Jim Lovin Award" which was presented to the top defensive player in southern Illinois.

Morgan maintained his role as Du Quoin's top offensive threat in 1988 when he scored 120 points ahead of Baxter's 66.

Both were replaced in 1989 when Eric Green collected 124 points and junior Jim Cravens had 80 on eight touchdowns and 32 PATs while at the same time passing for six more touchdowns. While victories and touchdowns, as usual, dominate the headlines, many others were receiving honors for their defensive play throughout the decade.

In 1987, Karnes' final season as head coach, Du Quoin allowed only two touchdowns during the regular season. Prior was playing a major role in that achievement while also receiving strong support from Sid and Shane Boyett, Howard Baxter, Lance Kearby, Brian Rodely and Morgan and J. Karnes.

And, there were others.

The 1980s were simply powerful seasons in Du Quoin's overall history.

EDITORS NOTE: This is the latest in a 10-part series previewing a soon-to-be-published book by Fred Huff on Du Quoin High School's football history. It will be available three weeks after Du Quoin's final game of the 2009 season.