In the landscape of southern Illinois prep football, only six teams from four different conferences remain winless on the season.
Among those, Mt. Vernon (South Seven), Waterloo (Mississippi Valley), Carlyle (Cahokia), Christopher-Zeigler-Royalton (Black Diamond) and two teams that will clash Friday night in the SIRR Ohio when Harrisburg and Massac County meet at Taylor Field are still searching for its first win.
The matchup between Harrisburg and Massac County also features the return of one-time Bulldog head coach Jason Roper, who guided HHS to a semifinal matchup against Rochester in 2012. The Bulldogs went 11-2 that season, thier best finish under Roper.
Roper spent nine years as Harrisburg's head coach, replacing Al Way in 2006. Roper then resigned in 2014 compiling a record of 48-43 with a winning percentage of .533.
This season is Roper's first at Massac County as he replaces John Warren, who went 0-9 last year.
The Patriots are currently in the midst of a 20-game losing streak, with their last win coming back on September 2, 2016 when Massac County edged Nashville 14-13. That year, the Patriots closed out the season losing seven straight.
This year, both ballclubs have struggled as a by-product of not having any wins. Harrisburg has scored just 34 points in four games, while Massac County has 19. Defensivley, Harrisburg has given up 131 points, while Massac County has given up 156.
Harrisburg is 16-7 against Massac County since 1996 and are riding a eight game winning streak against the Patriots. The Patriots' last win against the 'Dogs came back in 2009, in a 29-28 MCHS win.
Eldorado continues to keep its Saturday tradition going and will host Hamilton County Saturday, in a week that is considered Rivalry Week in the Black Diamond Conference.
The Eagles, 3-1 in conference play, is 15-7 against Hamilton County since 1996 and have won eight straight, including last year's 30-6 win in McLeansboro.
Hamilton County, 1-3, beat Johnston City 18-14 Week 2 for its one win this season. The Foxes have just 30 combined points, the second lowest in the BDC this year, while giving up 114, which ties them for second most with Chester.
With the exception of Eldorado's Week 3 hiccup against Sesser-Valier-Waltonville, the Eagles have scored 104 points and have given up 114.
Spyder Dann covers prep and college sports for the Southern Illinois Local Media News Group. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.
