Prep Football: Marion takes top spot

By MICHAEL DANN

mdann@dailyregister.com

HARRISBURG - In the race to the end of the 2016 football season, a lot of area teams have been fighting for a playoff spot.

There's no better example of that than Marion, who for the past 12 years have represented southern Illinois in the postseason. The Wildcats have the longest running streak of playoff berths.

If the Wildcats (4-4) want to keep that streak alive, they'll have to do so with one more win Friday at Mattoon, another team trying to scratch and claw its way into the playoffs.

If nothing else, Marion ends the season as the third team to hold the No. 1 spot in the Southern Illinois News Group Super 10 Prep Football Poll.

Herrin, who was No. 1 last week, along with the season's other No. 1 team Centralia tied for second to close out the season.

The Tigers will host Breese Central Friday, while Centralia is at Mascoutah.

No. 4 Du Quoin will be at No. 7 Murphysboro. Du Quoin is already in the playoffs, while the Red Devils need one more win to be playoff eligible.

No. 5 Eldorado is in search of a second straight Black Diamond Conference championship when they make the long trek to Chester, a ballclub that is 4-4 and looking to get into the posteason.

No. 6 Anna-Jonesboro secured a playoff spot last week and will be at Benton Friday, while No. 7 Fairfield is also in the running for a BDC crown with Eldorado and will need to beat Johnston City to stay in the conversation.

No. 9 West Frankfort will host Nashville to close out the regular season and No. 10 Carmi-White County is in the same boat as Eldorado and Fairfield and will need to beat Sesser-Valier-Waltonville-Woodlawn to have a three-way split for the BDC championship.

By The Daily Register/Daily Journal

The Top 10 teams in The Daily Register/Daily Journal Southern Illinois News Group prep football poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through October 20. Total points based on 10 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 10th-place vote, and previous ranking:

Record Pts Pv

1. Marion (2) 4-4 54 2

2. Herrin (3) 7-1 52 1

tie Centralia (1) 6-2 52 3

4. Du Quoin 5-2 42 4

5. Anna-Jonesboro 6-1 32 6

6. Eldorado 7-1 32 5

7. Murphysboro 3-4 19 7

8. Fairfield 6-1 15 8

9. West Frankfort 4-3 14 9

10. Carmi-White Co. 6-1 12 10

Others receiving votes: Carterville 3, Nashville 2, Johnston City 1