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Rivalry game has high stakes

PERRY COUNTY - The Battle of the Beaucoup has a buzz brewing.

Du Quoin and Pinckneyville renew their rivalry on the football field Friday night and this year's meeting has more than pride on the line.

The Indians are undefeated at 4-0, while the Panthers are 3-1 with wins over Red Bud, Benton and Sparta - with the lone loss coming against also unbeaten West Frankfort.

The winner not only improves their overall record but moves to 2-0 in the SIRR Mississippi.

Du Quoin coach A.J. Hill was told of the Panthers' defeating Sparta just after his team's win over Carterville last Friday.

"That's awesome," Hill said. "That's a big win for Pinckneyville."

The rivalry has been a bit lopsided recently. Pinckneyville hasn't beat Du Quoin in football since 2011, when the Panthers snapped a 27-year losing streak dating back to 1983.

The game in 1983, known as the Mud Bowl, ended with Pinckneyville winning by the eye-gouging score of 3-2.

In 2011, Pinckneyville rolled to a 40-22 win at Van Metre Field, which was using its field turf for the first time. Led by quarterback Bryant Shute and running back Cole Kellerman, the Panthers jumped out to a 24-0 lead and handed Du Quoin its third loss in Week 7 - the Indians missed the playoffs that season.

The game in 2011 was Du Quoin's homecoming. This Friday's matchup is Pinckneyville's homecoming.

"Playing against your rival," Hill said. "I told the kids when you haven't lost you're going to get everybody's best game. And when it's Pinckneyville it's even more so. We're going to get their best game.

"It's going to be a sweet atmosphere. I'm looking forward to it."

Pinckneyville was led last week by junior Darian Harris, who rushed 31 times for 156 yards and two touchdowns. The Panthers have been led all season on both sides of the ball by Chase Fulkerson, with Stetson Lappin and Lucas Downard also being key contributors behind signal caller Hunter Riggins.

Du Quoin rolled to a 41-0 win over Carterville behind two long touchdowns from Westly Milam and more spectacular connections between quarterback Josh Heape and receiver Dasani Edward.

Shamar Adams might have had the play of the night, however, when he took a screen pass and picked up a first down on a second-and-40 play. Moving the chains led to a touchdown reception by Edward.

"It was great that we picked that up but you put yourself in first-and-40 too many times and the statistics say you're probably never going to get it," Hill said. "So those are just silly mistakes that put us in that situation."

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday night in Pinckneyville.

- Doug Daniels contributed to this article

Lucas Downard Daniel Herbst Photo