Friday Night Lights: Surprising HamCo visits E-T

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ As the Black Diamond Conference football race enters its stretch run, there have been few surprises.

Despite a season opening loss to undefeated Sesser-Valier/Waltonville-Woodlawn, Carterville is again near the top of the league standings.

Johnston City and Fairfield are once again challenging for playoff berths.

Carmi-White County likely on the outside looking in when post season rolls around is somewhat of a change from year's past.

However, the biggest surprise could very well be the resurgence of Hamilton County.

The Foxes-with a 3-2 record-and on a three-game win streak-visit Isom Field in Elkville Friday night for a 7 p.m. battle with Elverado-Trico (0-5).

HamCo, despite a 30-28 overtime loss to Vienna-Goreville in week #1 and 33-6 setback to S-V/W-W, has bounced back nicely with wins over Carmi-White County (18-6), C-Z-R (14-6) and Eldorado (41-22).

A win Friday means the Foxes would need just one victory in its last three games to claim its first playoff berth since 2005.

HamCo has games remaining against Johnston City, Carterville and Fairfield to close 2009.

Quarterback Adam Irvin (5'10, 180, jr.), halfback Orry Rogers (6'0, 180, sr.), twin brother wide receivers Brandon and Justin Webb are both 6'4, 195 pound seniors.

Up front, leaders are Clint Hopfinger (5'10, 185, jr.), Cameron Shelton (5'8, 175, jr.) and Cole Webb (5'10, 195, sr.).

E-T counts heavily on its triple option attack, built around fullback Randy Goetz and quarterback Andrew McGill.

In last week's loss to Vienna-Goreville, Goetz rambled for 60 of his team-high 64 yards on the first E-T offensive series of the season.

McGill and Zach Robertson scored TD for the Falcons, who've put only 42 points on board this season.