Division title on line when A-J, Du Quoin face off Friday night

The Southern Illinois River-to-River Conference Mississippi Division race could be decided when the Anna-Jonesboro Community High School football team travels to Du Quoin this Friday.

“For us, this game is for the conference championship,” A-J coach Brett Detering said. “It’s a tough place to play and I hope our kids respond with a good effort.”

Game time is set for 7 p.m. The game will be aired on WIBH radio in Anna.

Both teams are 3-0 in the conference. The Indians are undefeated at 6-0 and the Wildcats are 4-2 overall and are on a four-game winning streak.

Du Quoin comes into the game after a convincing 52-8 win over Sparta. A-J enters after a 35-7 win over Pinckneyville. Both teams played in their homecoming games last weekend. This game will be Senior Night for the Indians.

Senior Westly Milam, 5-10, 210 pounds, is the main running threat for the Indians.

“He had at least five games of 50 yard runs for a touchdown this season,” Detering said. “He’s really an explosive runner. We’ve got to find a way to stop him.”

Another top running back is senior Shamar Adams, 6-0, 190 pounds.

Quarterbacking Du Quoin is senior Josh Heape, 6-3, 185 pounds.

Targets downfield Heape looks for are juniors Dasani Edward, 5-6, 130 pounds, and Braeden Pursell, 6-4, 195 pounds.

Protecting Heape on the offensive line are seniors Logan Robinson, 6-1, 240 pounds, and Garrett Burke, 5-10, 190 pounds, and juniors Braden Higgins, 6-6, 270 pounds, and Dalton Moore, 6-2, 205 pounds.

Key defensive players are Burke, seniors Shawn Adams, 6-0, 190 pounds, Milam and Nick Cole, 6-1, 225 pounds, and juniors Nick Depyiatic, 5-6, 135 pounds, and Dalton Moore, 6-2, 205 pounds.

Detering knows why the Indians have been successful so far.

“Their offense will try  to control the tempo of the game,” said Detering, who points to a big key to winning the game. “We’ve got to hold on to the football.”