Murphysboro rolls to 49-7 win over Du Quoin

MURPHYSBORO -- After six weeks of dominant football, the Du Quoin Indians were riding high.
But now vultures are swirling after Du Quoin suffered a third straight loss Friday night, this time a running clock 49-7 rout at the hands of the Murphysboro Red Devils.
Du Quoin now takes a 6-3 record into the Class 3A playoffs, while Murphysboro (7-2) goes into the 4A bracket with a four-game win streak after rolling on Senior Night at Doc Bencini Field.
The Indians had a promising start to the game as Ethan Zettler snagged an interception and Braeden Pursell recovered a Red Devils fumble, but Du Quoin couldn't take advantage.
A big punt return by Hunter Meade led to Murphysboro's first touchdown, a 4-yard run by Zane Caraway with 4:51 left in the opening period.
And it didn't take long for the Red Devils to build a 28-0 lead with touchdown runs by Dezmond Clark 32, 26 and 3 yards in the second quarter.
Du Quoin's most promising drive in that stretch ended in the red zone when Josh Heape was intercepted by Logan Sullivan at the 7-yard line. Sullivan later blocked a punt for a touchdown as well.
Jake Hoppenstedt, who rushed 14 times for 134 yards, and Clark, who also had 14 totes for 126 yards and four total touchdowns, both reached the century mark in the first half. Murphysboro finished the night with 433 rushing yards and six touchdowns with 52 carries.
Murphysboro's lead grew to 35-0 in the second half before Heape connected with Dasani Edward for a 33-yard touchdown with 9:10 remaining. Edward caught six passes for 82 yards and had two nice kickoff returns in the game.
Heape finished 13 of 29 for 163 yards on a night when the ground game compiled just 84 yards -- with the biggest individual total being 31 yards by Westly Milam on 13 carries.
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The Indians learned Saturday night they'll open the Class 3A playoffs on the road at Williamsville, which is 8-1 and plays in the Sangamo Conference.
Williamsville is north of Springfield and roughly 165 miles from Du Quoin taking Interstate 55, estimated as a 2-hour, 40-minute drive.
The Bullets have won five straight since their only loss of the season to undefeated Maroa-Forsyth.
Williamsville is led by junior running back Grant Ripperda, who has rushed for 832 yards, but the Bullets have three other players with impressive stats, including dual-threat quarterback Damon Coady.
Game time has already been announced by Williamsville as 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.