DU QUOIN -- Running back Konner Harris and quarterback Alex Zimmerman produced all five touchdowns Friday in the Du Quoin football team's 35-10 victory over Herrin.
Harris helped the Indians cap off an impressive six-minute drive with a one-yard run to put Du Quoin on top, 14-3, with three minutes left in the second quarter.
The Tigers answered just before halftime. Chance Karnes tossed a 33-yard scoring pass to Billy Braid. It was a 14-10 contest at that point, but it was all Du Quoin after that.
"At halftime, we knew it wasn't going to be easy but we had to respond well," said Du Quoin coach Derek Beard. "Jason (Karnes) does a good job, and we knew Herrin would be excited to play in this game, and so were we."
Dasani Edward intercepted a pass (one of three on the night) halfway through the third quarter. Zimmerman completed crucial passes to Kadin Mays and Braeden Pursell shortly thereafter. Harris ran for a 2-yard score to put the Indians up 21-10 with 4:26 on the clock in the third quarter.
Harris caught a short pass from Zimmerman and ran for an 86-yard score, which gave the Indians a commanding 28-10 advantage.
"That was a huge play for us," Beard said. "That was a big momentum swing."
Earlier in the third quarter, Herrin had the ball at the Du Quoin 19. The Indians came up with a huge defensive stop.
Zimmerman ran for a 33-yard touchdown with 3:25 left to put the game away. For good measure, Edward picked off another pass.
"We've had a lot of good ballgames over the last 10 or 15 years with Herrin," Beard said. "With Jason being from Du Quoin, I was a little kid when he was playing. My dad was his baseball coach. I have a lot of respect for him and the Karnes family. I've known them my whole life. It's always fun to play them, and we are fortunate to come out with a win."
Karnes was unhappy with what he described as undisciplined play from his team, pointing to multiple penalties, including two unsportsmanlike calls, and a hold that nullified a touchdown pass; dropped passes; and four interceptions.
"I told the kids I was embarrassed. That's not Herrin Tiger football," Karnes said. "I will take the responsibility for that."
Herrin enjoyed a 3-0 lead after one period of play thanks to a 37-yard field goal by senior Jake Baumgarte. Just minutes earlier, Baumgarte had attempted a 57-yarder. The kick was blocked, the ball bounced right back to Baumgarte who scooted around the left end for a first down. Players on both sides basically froze after the block, thinking the play was dead.
The lead was short-lived, however.
Zimmerman delivered a nice fake in the backfield and outran everyone for an 84-yard touchdown in the second quarter. It set the tone for Du Quoin, and the Indians improved to 3-0. Herrin fell to 1-2.
