40 auction items, 25 players signed for football benefit

Team members from over 40 years of great Du Quoin football will celebrate the tradition and raise some money for the equipment fund Saturday, June 29 during the first-ever Old vs. New alumni flag football game to be held at VanMetre Field starting at 5 p.m. Participants are asked to be at the field between 3:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. to get the game organized.

The game will be followed by a benefit dinner at the Du Quoin VFW.

At this writing, some 25 players from past and current teams have shown an interest in participating. More than 40 auction items and door prizes have been donated.

The friends of Du Quoin football who are hosting the Old vs. New alumni reunion game in Du Quoin Saturday, June 29 got a wonderful and unique gift donated to the event this week.

Fred Huff has donated to the day's auction a football signed by the very first collegiate Heisman Trophy winner, Jay Berwanger from the University of Chicago.

Huff will also be one of the guest speakers for the 6 p.m. fundraising dinner at the VFW.

Money raised from the entire event is being donated to purchase new Du Quoin football equipment.

Du Quoin Indian football teammates from 1980 to the present are invited to play in a 50-yard wide field flag football game. Organizer John Kearbey, Jr. is hoping to enlist coaches Al Martin and Bob Karnes to call the plays for the two teams.

The dinner afterwards will include fried chicken and sides provided by BJ's restaurant and a drink. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Tickets are available at the Du Quoin State Bank, Du Quoin VFW or BJ's.

Auction and raffle items include a Remington Express 870 shotgun from Hicks Trading Station. Everything from large gift certificates to oil changes have been donated.

Kearbey said the event provides a family-friendly alternative to that weekend's Street Machine Nationals.