FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Herrin, RB Gosha will test Indians' run defense

One big play on fourth-and-long from midfield is all that separates the Du Quoin Indians from a 2-0 start to the 2015 season, but just as a win is a win, a loss is a loss, and Harrisburg was able to put DHS in the loss column last Friday night.

Despite the disappointing end to the game, Indians head coach A.J. Hill was encouraged by his team's ability to battle back from a 13-0 halftime deficit to take the lead before the Bulldogs found an answer late.

"It shows a little bit about us and the character and make-up of this team, that they're not afraid to come from behind," Hill said. "We were in the game throughout and we played a really bad game up front on both sides of the ball. I think the fact that we were still in the game, after watching the film and seeing the mistakes and mental errors that we made up front, is also encouraging because they're things that we can get corrected and fix."

Du Quoin's defense also had a solid game overall, aside from the errors up front. Take away the interception for a touchdown and the Indians allowed 13 points to a team that was able to put up 31 points in week one against powerhouse Mt. Carmel.

"That's not a bad outing for a defense," Hill said. "They made a couple big stops on fourth down. The defense didn't play too bad, but after seeing the film, I know there's a lot of things that we can correct that will make them a tougher defense to run against and pass against. We're working on those things this week and just try to get them ready for Friday."

While the run game was still there - Zayne Fornear had 108 yards on 18 carries to bring his season rushing total to 216 yards - the passing game saw some struggles. Dealing with some breakdowns in pass protection, junior quarterback Caleb Vogel was able to connect on just 3-of-17 passes with a pair of interceptions in his second varsity start for Du Quoin. Hill said Vogel has worked on correcting a few things this week in practice, but added that his QB's confidence hasn't been shaken.

"(We're working on) getting the ball out of his hands quicker, making sure he knows where to go with it," said Hill. "The quarterback always takes the brunt of things, but it wasn't all on Vogel. He could have done a few things better, but he's a confident kid and I think this week he's forgotten about it. He's looked good in practice this week."

"I always tell him I had a quarterback coach tell me one time 'don't let a bad play be a bad day.' So, it's the same thing, don't let a bad game be a bad season. It's going to be a new game on Friday night, and he'll have a chance to come out and start from scratch."

The schedule doesn't let up on the Indians in week three as former Indian Jason Karnes brings his Herrin Tigers to Van Metre Field after impressive wins over Waterloo and Carbondale to start the schedule. They'll be led by star running back Gavyn Gosha, who has already racked up 485 yards this season, and quarterback Gavin Pickel, who threw for 115 yards on 10-of-15 passing last week against the Terriers.

"They're well-coached on both sides of the ball," Hill said of the Tigers. "You know what they're going to do - they're going to bring it right at you. They mix it up a little bit more this year than they have in the past with more spread looks and the shotgun a little bit, but when it gets down to it, they want to grind it out at you. A lot of times you know what they're doing, but they're going to make you stop it."

"It'll be a testament to our kids this week if they can do their job, be disciplined, not try to be the hero too much. Herrin does a lot with misdirection, and they've definitely got one of the most complete backs in the south right now. They're going to be a load to stop, but I think our kids have prepared well this week and are going to be ready to go on Friday."

Herrin has been scoring a lot of points, but they haven't been quite as dominant on the defensive side of the football as they have on offense.

"Teams have moved the ball on them a little bit," Hill said. "Waterloo made some mistakes in the film we saw, Carbondale just didn't have the gas in the tank to finish the game but really played them pretty tight. Herrin is definitely an explosive team and at any time they can score from the one-yard line or the 50-yard line - they're a play away from a touchdown every down. We've just got to be able to contain them a little bit, make sure we wrap up and tackle."

Du Quoin had beaten Herrin in four consecutive meetings prior to the last two, which the Tigers have thoroughly dominated - 23-0 in 2013, 56-8 in 2014. If the Indians hope to reverse that trend, Hill says they're going to have to minimize their mistakes.

"The first week we didn't put the ball on the ground, we didn't have any interceptions," Hill said. "Last week we turned it over twice and had a couple fumbles that we got back. If we take care of the ball and get our guys to do their job and not try to be the hero, we're going to be ok and in a position to be competitive and win the game.