2013 Prep Football Preview: SIRR Mississippi Division
CARTERVILLE: Hoping for another solid season FROM PAGE 5 offensive line last year. Brayden Bisaillon and Cam Lenzini had good seasons and are back up front as well. “Having the offensive line back, you’ve got a great starting point there,” Drust said. “Offensively, we’re looking for some big things this year.” Drust and his coaching staff will have to make sure the players don’t get overconfident, despite the expectations that others are placing on them. “We will continue to push them in practice and not let them get caught up in themselves,” Drust said. “It’s not what you read in
the paper or on the Internet or what people are saying about you, it’s all about how you perform on Friday night. It’s not about potential, it’s about performance.” Dalton Hoch returns as one of the team’s most versatile players. Hoch was an all-conference selection at kicker and defensive back. He’s also the team’s only experienced wide receiver. Matt Bigelow, one of the fastest players in the conference, will play football for the first time and try to contribute at the receiver spot as well. Joe Behan, second team all-conference, and Dylan Samuel will give Carterville a solid core at
the linebacker spot. The one-two punch of Michael Aschemann, an all-state selection at quarterback, and Phillip Frangello, a first team allconference running back, is what could set the Lions apart this year. “Those two complement each other real well,” Drust said. “There is no animosity between them as far as who is getting the yards or carries. They really respect each other and root for each other to be successful. Their work ethic sets them apart. When your two best players are your hardest workers, that usually leads to success for the rest of the team as well.”
A-J: Wildcats bring consistency to the table FROM PAGE 4 Zane DeWitt returns to the defensive line after a second team all-conference selection a year ago. “Jay and Damian both have big play capability, and if we get the play blocked right they can take it all the way to the end zone,” Detering said. “You can keep them bottled up for a quarter or two, but there can be that explosive play that can kind of change the
tempo of the game.” Josh Merriman returns at running back/defensive back, and he can do some damage as well. “Josh is an undersized kid, but he is hard nosed,” Detering said. “We get a lot of mileage out of him on both offense and defense.” One of the biggest problems Anna-Jonesboro faced last year was turnovers and just fumbles in general. It seemed to snowball at times, and that obviously
has to be corrected. “It wasn’t like it was something that happened to us late in the season,” Detering said. “I think the difference was that early in the season we put the ball on the ground, but we got back on it. It wasn’t a turnover necessarily so it doesn’t always show up in the stat sheet. But it shows up when you watch the film. We’ve made ball security and taking care of the football a high priority this year.”
Go Panthers! Wishing you a Great Season!
Lodge of the Four Paws 2942 Fairgrounds Rd., Pinckneyville
618.357.8627 Page 6 Thursday, August 29, 2013 The Southern Illinoisan
PINCKNEYVILLE PANTHERS Coach: Todd Thomas 2012 Record: 4-5 Conference: SIRR Mississippi (Class 2A) Returning Starters (8): Colton Nelson (QB), Chase Lazenby (RB/P/LB), Dalton Bathon (WR/DB), Justyn Rushing (WR/DB), Colin Hagene (LB), Zach Hagene (DL), Jacob Schmidt (OL), Zach Hester (DB). Schedule Aug. 30 RED BUD Sept. 6 At West Frankfort Sept. 13 At Benton Sept. 20 SPARTA-STEELEVILLE* Sept. 27 At Du Quoin* Oct. 4 ANNA-JONESBORO* Oct. 11 At Nashville* Oct. 18 CARTERVILLE* Oct. 25 DUPO *conference game Seniors Colton Nelson Chase Lazenby Justyn Rushing Brayden Cowley Lucas Carter Zach Hester Dalton Bathon
Ht. 6-1 6-0 5-8 5-10 5-7 5-8 6-1
Wt. 200 190 160 150 135 170 160
Pos. QB/DB RB/LB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB
Colin Hagene C. Wyciskalla Nick Bauersachs Andrew Huggins M. Daugherty Juniors Jacob Downard Adam Banach Tristan Fisher Trent Hicks Chris Hagan Jakeb Jackson Zach Hagene Nolan Bruns Jake Schmidt Travis Laird Richard Jones Quinin Baker James Davidson Hayden Swain Sophomores Jackson Brand Caulden Lazenby C. Houghland Dalton Peradotto Sam Simpson Andrew Kelly Peyton Emling Dakota Hinkle Hunter Hicks
6-1 5-9 6-0 6-0 5-10 Ht. 5-9 6-1 5-11 5-11 5-6 5-11 6-1 5-10 6-0 6-1 5-8 5-8 5-7 5-11 Ht. 5-8 5-8 6-2 5-9 6-3 6-0 5-7 5-8 6-2
205 210 260 210 275 Wt. 155 195 155 180 140 165 210 150 235 265 180 190 185 215 Wt. 155 145 190 165 210 210 130 220 215
OL/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL Pos. WR/DB RB/LB WR/DB RB/LB WR/DL WR/LB WR/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL Pos. WR/DB WR/DB QB/DB RB/LB WR/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL
Pinckneyville Panthers BY SCOTT MEES THE SOUTHERN
Todd Thomas takes over heading coaching duties for the Pinckneyville Panthers football program. Thomas replaces Tod Rushing, who was not rehired. Thomas previously served as an assistant coach on the staff. Pinckneyville finished 4-5 last year after a conference championship season in 2011. “It’s been whirlwind, but that’s kind of the way it happens your first year,” Thomas said. “We’ve had a good summer and gotten a lot done. The kids have been very focused and
‘It’s been a whirlwind, but that’s kind of the way it happens your first year.’ TODD THOMAS FIRST-YEAR PINCKNEYVILLE FOOTBALL COACH
committed. We’ve had to bring on new staff people, and that’s kept us busy getting them ready to go. But all in all, we had a very productive summer.” The Panthers suffered some key injuries last year, including starting quarterback, Colton Nelson, who was probably on his way to an all-conference selection. “We do have some pieces back,” Thomas said.
“There is no question our strength is our skill kids. Colton threw for 750 yards last year in only four games. Our offensive line is doing pretty well, and we’ve gotten stronger, too.” Dalton Bathon, defensive back, Chase Lazenby, punter, and Justyn Rushing, wide receiver, earned all-conference SEE PANTHERS / PAGE 7