08/23/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - Historically speaking the Black Diamond Conference hasn't been one of the top football leagues in the state when it comes to playoff success.

Despite t he majority of the schools being below .500, the quality of play has improved overall recently.

This conference has been on a bit of a playoff role in the past two seasons.

Three teams from the league won first round playoff games in the past two fall campaigns (Johnston City, Fairfield, Sesser-Valier/Waltonville).

Coach Todd Thomas and his Johnston City Indians set many school records as they became the first BDC squad to reach the state semifinals in football since Carterville won the 3A state championship in 1996-97 last fall.

The Tribe rolled to a 12-0 mark before losing to eventual 2A champions Decatur St. Teresa in the semifinals.

Coach Thomas, like most coaches this season, has some important pieces missing heading into 2023-24.

So, too, does Coach Justin Townsend and his Fairfield squad.

The Mules got hit hard with graduation as they lost some key elements from a 7-4 club that won at Virden North Mac in the first round of the 2A playoffs before losing a 68-50 shootout against Pana in the second round.

Sesser-Valier/Waltonville has also had playoff success recently with two-consecutive first round wins in 1A.

Coaches' Mike Rude and John Shadowens share the head coaching duties for the program that went 7-4 a year ago with a playoff win over Moweaqua Central A&M in the first round.

Camp Point Central, who was the 1A runner up last fall, ended the Red Devils' run with a 24-0 win in the second round.

Again, the SV/W program will have to rebuild after another batch of kids graduated.

Flora and head coach Brian Tackitt has led his club to three playoff appearances in his tenure, with consecutive defeats to St. Teresa and Johnston City in first round.

The Wolves have never won a playoff game (0-13) but this coach would like to change that with a playoff run this season.

Carmi-White County, and head coach Kurt Simon, lost its all-time leading rusher to graduation and those missing numbers will be difficult to duplicate.

Speaking of numbers, the Edwards County program has struggled with participation and enrollment trying to compete against larger schools in The Diamond.

Coach Russ Gerlach keeps the kids working hard as the Lions head into another season.

Eldorado and head coach lost some important seniors from a 4-5 team that was close to becoming playoff eligible a year ago.

Graduation, among other issues, hit Hamilton County this spring and the Foxes' program led by Rhet Vaughan will try to get into the playoff hunt.

Christopher/Zeigler-Royalton has a new coach in place with some work to do.

The conference race should boil down to the usual suspects.

Perhaps the biggest news coming out of the conference heading into the 2023-24 school year is that Vienna/Goreville won't have a varsity team this fall, playing just JV games.

As it turned out, Sparta of the Cahokia Conference is now doing the same thing as V/G as they also won't be putting a varsity squad on the field this fall.

If there is a silver lining, seven of the 10 teams in the BDC found games as a cross-reference of the two team's schedules.

A few emails and phone calls later, and these non-conference match-ups should bring some interest and competitive contests.

The race to the top of the league and for a qualifying playoff win-loss mark looks like 'par for the course' as the top teams should produce some good games.

Last season the
Fairfield Mules got off to a rough beginning.

Head coach Justin Townsend watch his squad struggle with the toughest part of their schedule, dropping early games to Sesser-Valier/Waltonville, Johnston City and Carmi-White County and were sitting at 2-3 heading into Week 6.

Fairfield needed a winning streak to qualify for the playoffs and they rattled off four consecutive wins by a total of 216-12.

As it turned out, the Mules ended up in 2A when the playoffs started and they promptly went on the road and upended higher seeded North Mac, 20-19 to advance to the second round.

Max Lynch and the Pana Panthers outscored Fairfield 68-50 in the second round game at the Train Yard to end the season for Coach Townsend's club at 7-4.

Many outstanding players left the program via graduation, including quarterback Eric Rodgers and leading rusher and tackler Luke Sork.

Rodgers accounted for over 1,000-yards of total offense while Sork led the Mules with 913-yards rushing.

Tight end Luke Duckworth and wide receiver Reegan Taylor are also missing from a potent offense.

Coach Townsend mentioned seniors Payton Allen, Dawson Stewart and Kaleb Gonzalez who were dominant in the trenches for the Mules that have moved on.

The program will regroup as always and will be a playoff contender along with the conference championship.

There are some good returning players, including someone who missed nearly the entire 2022 season with a knee injury.

Senior running back Latrael Snyder (463-yards on 95 attempts) returns and his brother Jay Snyder comes off of the shelf after a Game 1 injury that sideline him for the rest of the campaign.

Senior running back Trey Mason (500-yards rushing) is another weapon for Fairfield this season.

They will form a formidable backfield trio, perhaps the best in the league.

Freshman Jaylen Maners is the new Mules' signal caller at quarterback.

Cale Milner, a 5-10 junior free safety, returns.

Senior Alek Couch, a strong safety and tight end, and senior lineman Vega Stanley are part of the returning crew from a year ago.

Bronson Rilea and Max Johnston are other linemen who will be part of the offense and defense success this season along with senior Trenton Mason.

“We return some really good skill players along with some linemen with playoff experience. I feel this gives us a good core to build around,” said Coach Townsend. “We also have over 65 players in the program which will gives us added depth and limit the amount of players playing both ways.”

It's a very unique situation at Sesser-Valier/Waltonville when it comes to coaching.

One would be hard pressed to find a high school sports program that has two head coaches and furthermore find that sort of situation that would be successful.

But if you look to the western part of Franklin County you find a Red Devils' program that have been two fine mentors sharing coaching duties and the success speaks for itself.

Coaches Mike Rude and John Shadowens have made it work and the program has become a perennial playoff squad because of the hard work of everyone involved.

SV/W has made six playoff appearances in the last six seasons besides the Covid19 spring.

The last two years the Red Devils picked up first round wins, something that hadn't happened since the Ross Babington led S-V program won three-straight playoff game openers from 1998-00.

The missing pieces are many as some important cogs in the wheel rolled out of the program last spring.

Seven seniors are missing from the 8-3 club that beat Fairfield during the regular season campaign for a signature win in the league and they hung tough with both Johnston City and Carmi-White County during its two BDC loses.

The coaches will look to fill the jerseys of running back/linebacker Gabe Gunter, quarterback Carson Hoffard, wide receiver/linebacker Colton Payne, running back/defensive back Brock Chelf, lineman Preston Nutt and Jacob Farmer and place kicker Gavin Dressler.

Chelf racked up over 700-yards on the ground last season while Hoffard totaled over 1,300-yards passing and rushing.

All of those seniors had a hand in the recent success.

The Red Devils do have experience returning (seven returning starters on both sides of the ball) which bodes well for a run at the league title and the program's seven consecutive playoff appearance.

Wide out 6-0 senior Wyatt Loucks and one of the fastest players in the South, 5-11 senior Dez Malone, return for the Devils.

Loucks received all-conference honors a year ago and Malone is a burner that will give SV/W an outside threat.

Colt Packer, who was a running back/defensive back last season, will run the show for the Devils at quarterback.

Sesser-Valier/Waltonville will get some help from sophomore Amiri Rose, a transfer from Johnston City.

Defensively the Devils could be even better than last season with experience returning at all positions.

The defense looks to be a strength as 6-3 junior Caden Hicks is back along with Packer, senior linemen Braden Genisio and Pacey Dudley.

Senior Jake Hicks, junior Hayden McMurray, senior Nathan Galant, senior Kendal Erwin, and junior Caden Hicks will be a part of a defensive effort.

“This is the strongest team (in the weight room) that we've had in my 33-years at Sesser-Valier. Couple that with the fastest man in school history, Dez Malone, and we have the makings of a good year as long as we stay healthy,” said Coach Shadowens.

I've always disliked the term “Magical” when used to describe a sports teams' playoff run. Mainly because it had nothing to do with “Magic.”

No one pulled a rabbit out of a hat or sawed a woman in half.

The Johnston City Indians' run deep in the playoffs last fall happened because of the hard work of a group of young men and leadership from good coaching.

The Indians set a school mark for most wins in a season and secured three consecutive playoff wins for the first time in the program's history.

Coach Todd Thomas got a great effort from his club as they advanced to the 2A semi-finals before losing to eventual champ Decatur St. Teresa.

Unfortunately like most programs, there are goodbyes to be said as a core senior group left their mark on the community and school.

Running backs Isiah Watson and Boston Peyton had special seasons running the football.

The 5-10 senior Watson punished opponents with 1,633-yards on 197 carries (8.3 yards per carry) last fall.

Peyton put teams in their place with another 663-yards on the ground.

Senior quarterback Connor Mowery and senior running back Kaden Dover added over 500-yards on the ground.

All-state lineman Logan Hunter and senior lineman Brock Baker were also important as they were also three-year starters for Johnston City.

In that span the Indians were 27-3.

All of those kids will be missed when the season opens.

As it turns out Coach Thomas has some quality returning with experience from last season's Black Diamond Conference champions.

Coach Thomas has some returning players that were part of the recent success, including starting tight end Jude Beer.

Upfront look for guards Brody Little and Diego Garza along with center Riley Randolph.

Junior Blake Peters is another lineman for Johnston City with key player Evan Sanders returning to play defensive tackle along with fullback duties on offense.

Ben Morgan, who missed last season injured, it back for the Indians at running back.

Running backs Cannon Ashmore and Jace Weaver will also be in action this fall.

Keaton Fort (outside linebacker) and Randy Fuqua are also in the mix as returning players looking to take on more prominent roles.

When your school's all-time leading rusher graduates, it goes without saying that there will be a major void left behind.

Carmi-White County saw that happen in the spring when Isaac King left the program following an outstanding career, which ended with the senior running going over 4,000-yards on the ground while scoring 46 TD's in his tenure.

King is a walk-on at Murray State University.

The second leading rusher last season, Drax Aud, ended up with 642-yards.

Other seniors missing include quarterback Warren Legg and lineman Bryson Moore from the

The Bulldogs won their first seven games last fall before dropping their final three contests to end up 7-4, including a 48-8 playoff loss to Athens.

Coach Kurt Simon has a squad returning that has experience in the trenches who will need to continue to shine.

Linemen Gavin Peyton and Austin Owens return for CWC.

Six-three senior Nelson Rider returns as both a running back and linebacker for the Dawgs.

Senior defensive back/running back Landon Driscoll returns as does senior running back/defensive end Andrew Dodgson.

Driscoll will take over at quarterback this season as the Bulldogs open the season with a contest at Flora.

Coach Simon also mentioned senior runners Caleb Seibers and Trayton Vickers as being part of the mix along with junior lineman Eli Bryant.

“Our senior leadership will be a must this season for us,” said Coach Simon. “We have very little experience in the skilled positions so we will need to take care of the ball (limit turnovers) and grow up fast.”

Head coach Joe Clark and his Eldorado Eagles were ever so close to making it to the playoffs last fall for the first time since 2019.

A tough loss at home versus Sesser-Valier/Waltonville (27-26) kept them from having enough wins as they finished the season 4-5 and out of the picture.

Eldorado did end the season on a two-game winning streak as they beat the teams they should late in the year.

The Eagles have significant numbers missing from last season.

Most notably the figures produced by 6-2 senior quarterback Parker Price.

Price accumulated over 1,400-yards in total offense with 16 combined touchdowns on the ground and through the air.

Teammate and classmate Josh Owens is also missing following a fine senior season at wide receiver for the Eagles where he caught 25 passes for 581 yards and seven touchdowns.

Coach Clark has a few kids returning with experience, including senior running back Ashton Robinson and junior running back Jake Phelps, who combined for 621-yards rushing last fall.

Up front the Eagles have two returning linemen; 6-4 junior Eli Awalt and 5-11 senior Cody Wolf.

Sophomore Maddex Rash and junior Oliver Burtis will also be a part of the club as they head into the season.

Colton Patrick, a 6-0 senior, will get the nod at quarterback for the Eagles as the campaign begins with an opening night game versus Edwards County.

“We need to stay healthy and get some breaks. We we should be competitive,” said Coach Clark. “The kids are meshing well right now and with a full coaching staff back we hope to build on last years strides made.”

Edwards County and head coach Russ Gerlach have had some tough times recently, as they enter the 2023-24 season on a 22-game losing streak.

But the spirits of the Lions haven't been dampened as Edwards County will field a varsity team this fall and suit up and play against the other Black Diamond Conference rivals.

The good news about having a lot of youth playing the past three seasons is that they all have varsity experience.

Coach Gerlach has ten returning starters as the season commences at Eldorado on opening night.

The quarterback duties will be handled by 5-11 sophomore Jax Duncan, who got some experience last season under center.

The running backs are also vets; 6-0 senior Max Gerlach, 5-10 junior Drew Seibert and 5-11 sophomore Jackson Henlsey.

Justin Davis, a 5-9 junior, is listed as one of the wide receivers for the Lions.

Six-one junior Jake Wiseman and 5-10 junior Jakob Shaw will be tight ends on offense.

Juniors JW Simms-Reiser and Jaron Weaver, senior Jacob Weber and sophomore Caden Hart are returning upfront while sophomore Kolter Case should round out the offensive line.

Wyatt Landingham, a 5-10 senior, will will be one of the Lions' defenders.

Senior place kicker Preston Wright hasn't had many opportunities but has been successful when called upon.

“We've been young for quite awhile. Hopefully all of that experience will help us make some strides in the win column. The kids are excited to get the season started,” said Coach Gerlach.

The Christopher/Zeigler-Royalton co-op is on its third mentor in three years as new coach Tommy Spillan takes over from Grant Gordon who had taken over after Coach Anthony Hargrove left.

The last two seasons the Bearcats were 3-6 and 2-7 and Coach Spillan wants to improve on all of those numbers heading into the 2023-24 season.

CZR had wins over Vienna/Goreville and Edwards County last season and they have some kids back that will continue to work towards getting better each week, starting with a opening night game against powerhouse Johnston City on the road.

From last season 10 seniors have left, including senior quarterback Trey Cole who finished with just under 1K in yards passing with nine TD's throws in 2022.

The good news for Coach Spillan is that the top rusher from a season ago is back.

Six-one senior back Briar Rowland returns after chewing up 806-yards rushing on just 113 carries, a 7.1 average.

CZR will have junior quarterback Carson Hobbs running the show from under center

Up front the Bearcats have some experience back with senior Kade Harbison, a 5-10 senior, returning.

Six-foot junior wide receiver/defensive back Aiden Skropka is back as well as 5-9 junior Kaden Anderson who is a wide out and linebacker.

Izreul Dejear, a 5-11 junior, is a wide receiver/defensive back for the Bearcats.

Gage Schlake, a sophomore defensive back/wide receiver, will add to the weapons that Coach Spillan will have to work with.

Defensively senior Reis Upton, a 5-10 senior, returns along with 6-5 junior Zaiden Ing and 5-9 junior Alex Peyton.

All three are defensive and offensive linemen for CZR.

“The CZR Bearcats Football team will compete in 2023! The players have been open to my new schemes, have been very coach-able, and have given maximum effort since I arrived. I am pleased with the steps that we as a team have taken since my arrival in June and we all have bought in that our number one goal is to compete in 2023,” said Coach Spillan.

Sadly the Vienna/Goreville football program will not be able to field a varsity team this fall, due mostly because of low numbers according to athletic director David Hill.

“We have been working to build a football program in a community that hasn’t had a long history of football. It continues to be our goal to build that program. We currently have approximately 40 plus 7th and 8th grade students that are actively participating and have been competitive in the youth league season. It takes building out the program at lower levels in order for it to maintain numbers into the high school program and we believe there is evidence of that,” said Vienna athletic director David Hill.

Hopefully this will be straightened out soon so the Eagles can get back on the field at the varsity level and compete.

Vienna/Goreville graduated the all-time leading wide receiver in Black Diamond Conference history a season ago as Ian Sopczak graduated as the single season yardage leader with 1,140-yards.

Sopczak scored 11 touchdowns last fall.

Quarterback Charlie Woodrome was the one feeding the ball to Sopczak the past two seasons as the 6-1 junior threw for 1,690-yards last season.

Hopefully a varsity campaign next fall can happen for the Eagles.

Evan Moore was another bright spot for Vienna/Goreville last season as was then senior John Bagby.