Prep Football: Equal Footing

Aside from being long standing football traditions in southern Illinois, the comparisons between Harrisburg and Du Quoin could go on and on.

They don't stop and this year is no different with both clubs entering Friday night's tilt at Van Metre Field 0-1, desperately looking to get off the schnide and get that first win of the season.

Both clubs will look to get its running game going, early and often, both of which struggled in Week 1 losses.

The Indians had just 122 yards on the ground, while Harrisburg had 168. The flip side was both clubs went against teams that had just as elusive offenses in Highland and Mt. Carmel, who too are very similar in what they do.

Du Quoin features a big front line that had a hard time defending Highland's spread offense, a lot like Harrisburg did against Mt. Carmel that runs the option.

"It puts you in an assignment conflict and it looked like Du Quoin had a hard time defending it on film," Harrisburg head coach Jason Roper said. "I think as far as talent-wise we're both very similar. It should make for a good matchup."

There wasn't much Roper could take away from his teams loss against the Aces.

The 168 yards of offense was not only on the ground, but all Harrisburg had in the game. They didn't get on the scoreboard until the second half and saw a saw a 15-0 lead skyrocket to a 27-0 lead in a matter of seconds.

Roper is hoping for better results against a Du Quoin team that Harrisburg has won five straight against, but also starts a week of three straight road trips for the Bulldogs.

"Looking at Du Quoin, they are kind of in the same boat we are," Roper said. "They're backs are now against the walls like ours are. They're looking at this game on the schedule the same way we are in the sense that this is a game 'we have to win.' We're playing Marion next week, Du Quoin is playing Herrin next week and I'm sure Al Martin (Du Quoin head coach) is looking at it the same way I am looking at it where it could determine how the rest of the season goes."

Michael Dann covers prep and college sports for the Harrisburg Daily Register. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.