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Sports Column | John Homan: SIU football goes for postseason magic beginning Saturday

B.James3 months ago

The Saluki football team will have a second season, a reprieve if you will.

After getting off to a stellar 4-0 start to the season, which included an impressive road win over FBS opponent Northern Illinois, SIU struggled within the Missouri Valley Conference, winning only three of its next seven games.

Losses came at the hands of Youngstown State (31-3), South Dakota State (17-10), South Dakota (14-7), and North Dakota State (34-10). Those four teams, however, have posted a combined record of 35-9 to date.

Largely because of strength of schedule, SIU (7-4) earned a FCS postseason bid from the NCAA on Sunday and will play host to Nicholls State (6-4) in a 2 p.m. contest Saturday at Saluki Stadium.

There is one common opponent between the two schools – Southeast Missouri State. SIU slipped past SEMO, 26-25, on Sept. 16. Nicholls State lost at home to SEMO, 35-31 on Oct. 28.

Should SIU get past Nicholls State on Saturday, it would advance to face No. 4-ranked Idaho on the road on Dec. 2.

The postseason is an opportunity for Coach Nick Hill and the boys to prove that they not only belong in the tournament but are good enough to go deep into the tournament by beating some elite teams.

The road to a championship begins this Saturday. Hopefully, Saluki fans will turn out in droves and give the team a true home-field advantage. It would be a shame to see a half-empty stadium.

FOOTBALL All-STATERS

In Class 1A, Sesser-Valier/Waltonville senior quarterback Colt Packer was selected an Illinois High School Football Coaches Association All-Stater at linebacker and quarterback.

Earning Honorable Mention was SVW senior running back/defensive back Dez Malone.

In Class 2A, senior Briar Rowland of Christopher/Zeigler-Royalton was selected as a running back/defensive back. Nashville senior quarterback JT Malaway was chosen at quarterback.

Named Honorable Mention was Nashville junior wide receiver Isaac Blazier.

In Class 3A, Du Quoin senior offensive lineman Aaron Fikuart was the lone representative from the region.

Selected Honorable Mention were Benton defensive lineman/tight end Luke Barry and Du Quoin senior defensive lineman Dwayne Wilmington.

In Class 4A, Carterville senior quarterback Brandon Skelcher was named to the squad as was Murphysboro senior linebacker/running back Sam Herring.

Earning Honorable Mention honors were senior linebacker/running back Jakai Vaughn and Murphysboro senior defensive back/wide receiver Karmelo Abernathy.

In Class 5A, the lone selection was senior running back Navontae Nesbit of Mount Vernon.

Receiving Honrable Mention status was Centralia senior quarterback Daryle Jones.

Congratulations to all those young men.

THE OVERLOOKED

Of kids I saw play this fall, but who were omitted, I would liked to have seen at least some of the following included:

Senior quarterback Brock Bowlby and senior running back Mozzy Graham of Carbondale; senior running back Karmello Downey and junior quarterback Owen Rann of Harrisburg; senior running backs Jordyn Beverly and Patrick Walker of Marion; senior quarterback Camden Waller and junior running back Luke Bauman of Du Quoin; junior quarterback Gibson Fager and junior running back Tyjaire Kellum of Murphysboro; junior defensive back Kyrese Lukens of Herrin; junior quarterback Tiffin Kouzoukas of Benton; junior wideout Nick Bisching and senior wideout Braden Wakey of Carterville.

I learned over the weekend that when Murphysboro defeated Harrisburg on Nov. 11 it marked the 150th career win for Red Devils coach Gary Carter. He’s well on his way to a Hall of Fame career much like his namesake, the former All-Star catcher with the Montreal Expos and New York Mets.

Congratulations, coach!

John Homan is a sports reporter for The Southern. He can be reached at or 618-925-0563.

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