Prep Football: Home is where the games are
As excited as Harrisburg football coach Matt Griffith is to begin his second season on the sidelines for the Bulldogs, the Marion native and former SIU standout might be more excited about showcasing the team's new turf field this fall.
Meanwhile, Eldorado's Joe Clark enters year No. 5 for the Eagles, who missed out on the playoffs for the first time last season.
The fall season will quickly replace the heat and humidity in southern Illinois and the two Saline County clubs will be on the gridiron later this month in preparation as both schools recently revealed their football schedules.
<b>Bulldogs will host five games</b>
Harrisburg will have a pair of road games to start the season as the Bulldogs open the year at East Alton-Wood River on August 26th, followed by a River-To-River cross conference matchup at Du Quoin on September 2.
The Bulldogs will welcome Paris on Sept. 9th for Military Appreciation night and then travel to West Frankfort on Sept. 16. Back-to-back home games against Massac County and Benton will follow on Sept. 23 and 30.
Harrisburg will close out the regular session at Murphysboro October 7 and play host Herrin (Oct. 14) and Carterville (21).
The Herrin game will be Pink Out, while the Carterville game will be Senior Night.
<b>Eagles pencil in Saturday game against Hamilton Co.</b>
Like Harrisburg, Eldorado will also host five games against Black Diamond Conference opponents this fall.
The Eagles will kick off the season Aug. 26 at Fairfield, followed by playing host to Johnston City on Sept. 2.
On Sept. 2, Eldorado will make the trek to Flora for a 7 p.m. date against the Wolves and then have a trio of home games at Boz Adams Field, starting with Vienna on Sept. 16.
EHS will host Hamilton County in its lone Saturday game this season on Sept. 24 at 1 p.m., followed by a home game against Sesser-Valier on Sept. 30
October will include two road games, starting with a trip to Carmi-White County on Oct. 7. The next week, the Eagles will host Christopher and close out the season at Edwards County on Oct. 21.
Spyder Dann covers prep and college sports for the Southern Illinois LOCAL Media Group. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.
ELDORADO SCHEDULE
Aug. 26 at Fairfield 7 PM
Sept. 2 JOHNSTON CITY 7 PM
Sept. 9 at Flora 7 PM
Sept. 16 VIENNA 7 PM
Sept. 24 HAMILTON CO. 1 PM
Sept. 30 SESSER-VALIER 7 PM
Oct. 7 at Carmi-White Co. 7 PM
Oct. 14 CHRISTOPHER 7 PM
Oct. 21 at Edwards Co. 7 PM
HARRISBURG SCHEDULE
Aug. 26 at East Alton-Wood River 7 PM
Sept. 2 at Du Quoin 7 PM
Sept. 9 PARIS 7 PM
Sept. 16 at West Frankfort 7 PM
Sept. 23 MASSAC CO. 7 PM
Sept. 30 BENTON 7 PM
Oct. 7 at Murphysboro 7 PM
Oct. 14 HERRIN 7 PM
Oct. 21 CARTERVILLE 7 PM