A-J HOPES TO BUILD ON IMPROVED 1999

The Anna-Jonesboro (Ill.) High School football team has experienced primarily rough sledding since reigning as a state powerhouse in the mid-1980s.

But last year the Wildcats very nearly had a breakthrough season. They entered the eighth game of the campaign with a 4-3 record and needed a win over perennial power DuQuoin to gain their first playoff berth since 1986.

A-J led DuQuoin 21-20 after three quarters but finally wore down and suffered a 41-21 setback. The Wildcats also lost their last game but still finished a highly respectable 4-5 after going 0-9 in 1998.

This year, the Wildcats will look to continue the momentum they gained last season. Despite graduating a host of key performers, fourth-year coach Brett Detering is hopeful that the progress will continue.

"I think we made some pretty tremendous strides last year, more than if you just look at our record," said Detering, whose squad opens the 2000 season Friday night at home against Massac County. "I think last year has given us the experience that we've stood toe to toe with the big teams in our conference. We've been in tough situations and won and that should help us this year.

"I'm optimistic. I think we're carrying some momentum. It's my fourth year here and our seniors have only been in the program under this coaching staff. That's an advantage as to what we expect and what they need to do. I'm hoping that experience will pay early dividends."

As to whether the Wildcats can finally break through the playoff door, Detering knows it's going to be difficult.

"Right now, that's tough to say," he said. "We lost a lot of skill kids and a lot of our leaders. We're going to have to have some guys take on leadership roles."

A-J returns starters at 10 positions, eight of those on defense. Detering is hoping that an experienced defense will set the tone early while an inexperienced offense has time to gel.

Offensively, the lone returning regulars are junior quarterback Josh Alley (5-feet-8, 165 pounds) and senior guard Josh Jones (6-1, 275). Alley, who Detering describes as a fierce competitor, played running back last year.

A-J utilizes a three-back offense. The halfback spots figure to be filled by seniors Josh Stegle (5-9, 175) and Dustin Graham (5-10, 165) while three players are battling at fullback: senior Jake Smith (5-10, 170), junior Josh Hileman (5-8, 175) and sophomore Adam Casper (6-1, 215).

Joining Jones up front will be the likes of seniors Bill Sullivan (6-0, 185), Matt Houseman (5-8, 180), Phil McGrath (5-11, 210), Ryan Talley (6-3, 225), Alexis Stamatikos (5-10, 205) and T.J. Henderson (6-1, 180).

Tight end will be manned by big junior Nathan Neal (6-8, 225) while juniors Brandon Hoehner (5-6, 140) and Kyle Schuster (5-11, 160) are at wide receiver.

Defensively, returning starters are Jones, Smith, Sullivan and Stegle up front; Houseman and senior Ben Daniels (5-10, 170) at linebacker; and Alley and Graham in the secondary.

"I'm hoping our defense can kind of set the tone for us early while our offense has time to get going," Detering said.