2011 football season special for A-J, other members of league

The Southern Illinois River-to-River Mississippi Division Conference had a lot of parity in football this season.

About the only team in the league that fell short in competing this season was Sparta.

The rest of the teams, Pinckneyville, Nashville, Du Quoin, Carterville and Anna-Jonesboro, fielded very respectable squads.

The Panthers claimed the league title outright after the last week of regular season play but were rewarded with a lengthy road trip to Bismarck-Henning in the first round of the playoffs. Pinckneyville failed to advance with a loss on the road.

The Wildcats also snared a playoff bid and a first-round home game against Eldorado. A final regular season matchup and victory against a powerhouse Benton squad assured the home field nod for A-J.

A-J knocked off Breese Central on the road before returning to close out its season at The Pit in the quarterfinals of the Class 3A playoffs with a loss against a very solid Mt. Carmel squad.

Carterville and Du Quoin both uncharacteristically barely missed out on the playoffs because of a lack of playoff points with 5-4 records. Nashville, 3-6, also failed to qualify.

Ironically, Carterville topped A-J.

Pinckneyville also got the job done against the Wildcats, but it took two days to accomplish the feat. The game was called because of lightning and postponed until the next day.

A-J played well on the second day but couldn’t post a win.

The game I’m sure that will haunt the Wildcats this past season is the Carterville matchup. Missed opportunities, including dropped passes, missed field goals and other miscues led to A-J’s demise.

Outside of Sparta, all of the league’s teams had impressive quarterbacks, including the Panthers’ Bryant Shute, the Lions’ Jeff Aldridge, the Indians’ Sam Gossett and last but not least the Wildcats’ Brady Wright. Each signal caller dazzled the fans with his field antics. In the River-to-River Ohio Division of the conference, Tyler Leffler of Benton was also impressive.

Wildcat fans won’t soon forget the prowess of Wright, who dazzled opponents with his breakaway speed and ability to hit the open receivers.

Few fans will forget his final prep game against Mt. Carmel, where on one score he literally carried the Golden Aces defense on his back across the goal line behind an A-J offensive line that cleared a path in front of him.

The league boasted a good stable of running backs as well.

A-J’s Brent Taylor and Dalton Baker added a double threat to defenders. Both were very capable runners as well as receivers. Their rushing efforts helped both pick up added valuable yardage after it appeared tacklers had halted them dead in their tracks. And, fans will always remember some of those shoestring receptions they made that are usually reserved for the professional ranks of this sport.

A-J fullback Austin Noble also made some rushing noise during the season.

Another notable receiver Wright looked for downfield was the surehanded Jaden Ayers.

The offensive line was impressive behind the likes of Cole Grass, Michael Calhoun, Dylan Sturgeon, Michael Dillman, Jimmy Daniels and Logan Tripp.

The defense shined as well behind the likes of Damian Reed, Andrew McMahan, Dillman, Daniels, Ayers, Baker, Sturgeon and Calhoun continually coming to the forefront making huge stops.

Even though the team didn’t make it to the hallowed field for the final game, it was every bit as impressive as the 1985 Wildcat state championship team that did claim that coveted crown.

Congratulations also go to the members of the A-J coaching staff for their hard work and dedication behind the scenes that few people notice.

It was a very enjoyable season and one the players and fans will long remember. The 2011 Wildcats made some noise that will be hard to forget when future  A-J football teams are mentioned.