WESTVILLE — With the playoffs entering the second round, the Westville football team await maybe its biggest and quickest challenge.
The Tigers are 10-0 and will host 9-1 DuQuoin today at 2 p.m. at Memorial Field.
While the Indians don’t have the multiple sets that Shelbyville did last week, Westville head coach Guy Goodlove said that less is more with DuQuoin.
“We don’t have as much to prepare for but what they do, they do it well,” Goodlove said. “They have an exceptional quarterback (Johnathan Brown) who is like a running back playing quarterback. He is strong and shifty, he can run for power and has ability and the wiggle to make you miss and he has a cannon for an arm. I don’t care if they are 50-60 yards out, you are going to have to cover the receivers.
“They have a whole cabinet full of receivers and the kid that jumps out is No. 2 (Jeremiah Jones). He’s probably the quickest and fastest kid on the field and we have to make sure that we find ways to slow him down. We talk all week about keeping him in front of us. I much rather have them run to the sidelines instead of the endzone. We are going to have to do a good job of stringing things out. When they do a play like a sweep, they will have four or five guys coming at you before you can think about tackling the ball carrier. We are going to have to toughen up and play physical football and make plays. Our team has done a great job of preparing, but this is the most unique offense we have seen this year.”
Brown has 1,122 yards rushing and 1,102 yards passing with 22 rushing touchdowns and 16 passing touchdowns, while Jones had 735 yards receiving and 741 yards rushing.
Goodlove also said the Westville offense will have challenges with a defense that will come at them quicker than any team.
“Defensively, they are quick defensively and when there is a hole, you better hit it or it will go quickly,” Goodlove said. “Their DB’s are up in your face and have the ability to turn and run to you. I told our quarterback that if you make a decision, you have to do it quickly because they can catch up quickly and can knock down the ball and make an interception. Everything this week has to be quicker than we used to, They fly to the ball and when they get there, they are physical. They are a good team and they are well-coached. It will be a great game and we are excited about it.”
To prepare for such work, the Tigers — especially their seniors — had to quickly put last week’s win over Shelbyville behind them and get to work.
“Our coaches told us that if we can get this done, we can get it all done,” senior OL/DL Grant Beckley said. “We are working real hard and focusing on doing our jobs and doing what we are taught and not let anyone pick on us. A good week of practice is what we needed. We are grinding through the days and we get to work with our position coaches and see what we need to do before we do it. “
“I tell them after every game, be happy and celebrate and enjoy the victory,” Goodlove said. On Monday, we go in and watch film. It is not been any different, because I am a coach of repetition and that is what I am used to doing. They know what’s at stake, if you win you stay on and if you lose, you are done. Most of the seniors have played for three years and they don’t want this to end yet. They have done a great job of preparation. They know this team inside and out and now it is about executing the game plan.”
“It is a big accomplishment for us. It was a big win since we hadn’t won a playoff game. So getting that win proves as a team that we are a contender as much as anyone is,” senior running back Jack Ajster said. “When I watch DuQuoin, I see a team that is not as high as caliber as us. We play a little grittier and more physical. When they step into Memorial Field, they will get a taste of that.”
Ajster is one of the reasons the Tigers usually have the great starts that have led them to an undefeated record. He had two touchdowns in the first quarter that helped them build a 42-6 halftime lead.
“I believe in setting the tone early and you have to be ready for us because I am coming, (Easton) Barney is coming, Lincoln (Cravens) is coming, and (Easton) Bolin is coming and everyone is at 110 percent. If they are keying on one person, it leaves opportunity for other people,” Ajster said. “I score a few times and I welcome teams to start keying on me because it just lets my boys eat.”
Beckley said that he wants to continue to play as long as he can with his fellow seniors and feels that the team can out-play the Indians.
“I have played since I was six and I have played with these guys every year,” Beckley said. “It is great to see everyone mature, just not in football, but in life. To see everyone that I have grown up with striving for their goals and it is amazing. I am happy to be with these guys and call them my brothers.
“The quarterback and running back are viable threats and they have a good wide receiver, but we have players to match that. I think they have three playmakers but have 11 playmakers on both sides of the ball. If we didn’t have faith in all 11 guys, they wouldn’t be in. They know they can play and we have faith in them.”
With the Tigers being the final team in the area still in the playoffs, the spotlight will be on Memorial Field and a home crowd hoping for at least one more victory.
“We don’t care where we play as long as we are playing,” Goodlove said. “If we are fortunate to win, we will be on the road and we will love every minute of it. There is nothing like playoff football in November. We are the only show in town this week and we will have a great crowd supporting the Tigers.”
“We knew how it was from going three hours to Chester last year. You get off the bus and you are so stiff,” Ajster said. “I am here and I can get used to the field Saturday morning, get loose, get a good meal in and hydrate. Homefield advantage is a real thing because this place is going to be popping on Saturday.”
“We are extremely thankful for that. The crowd is our favorite part,” Beckley said. “All the schools in the county except for Clifton lost, but it is great to have support from them because a lot of the kids from those teams have played us since we were young kids and we made friendships. This place will be full and I love the lights. The lights can never get too bright and the noises can never get too loud.”
The game will start at 2 p.m. and will be broadcast on WHRK-FM 102.1.