HIGH SCHOOL: A-J WILDCATS END PLAYOFF DROUGHT

It's easy to see why the Anna-Jonesboro (Ill.) High School football team has its entire community buzzing these days.

During the early to middle part of the 1980s, the Wildcats were a state powerhouse, fielding a host of successful squads and even winning a state championship.

But the Wildcats struggled for most of the 1990s and they had not reached the playoffs since 1986 until this season. A-J has finally made it back to the postseason and the Wildcats will host Johnston City at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in a Class 3A battle of 7-2 squads.

"The community is really excited," said A-J fourth-year coach Brett Detering. "It's our first home playoff game since 1985 and the first time we've been in the playoffs since 1986. It really has been a drought for the community, and for us to be back in the playoffs, it's great for the community and our program.

"We've had two huge crowds the last two weeks for home games and we expect the same type of excitement (Saturday). We're really looking forward to it."

Detering was hopeful entering this season, even though the Wildcats lost numerous senior starters from last year's 4-5 squad that was competitive but fell just short in a few key games.

"We knew we had some question marks, but we felt like if some things came together for us and if things worked out like we thought they could, we could have a successful season," Detering said. "We had 12 senior starters last year that graduated, but I think our senior leadership this year has really stepped up."

While the Wildcats' offense took a major graduation hit from last year, the defense returned eight starters so Detering felt good about that. And the unit hasn't disappointed as A-J has allowed just 110 points in nine games.

"I thought we could be good defensively and that has turned out to be a strength," he said.

Offensively, junior quarterback Josh Alley and sophomore fullback Adam Casper have been two of the keys to the Wildcats' wishbone attack. Casper, a bruising 225-pounder with some speed, has rushed for more than 1,000 yards.

"Adam is strong inside but he can get to the outside and run a little," said Detering. "We ask Josh to get us in the right reads and he makes so many good decisions."

A-J, which finished in a three-way tie for the title in the River to River Conference's Mississippi Division, has posted some impressive wins, including knocking both Chester and Carterville from the undefeated ranks late in the season.

"It's been a very good year so far and hopefully we can keep it going," Detering said.