Metro East Sun

Athletes in Action tracks players with ties to communities within the Metro East Sun coverage area as they compete at the collegiate level. The following football players will compete during the week of Sept. 3 to Sept. 9.

• A.j. Epenesa - Edwardsville H.S.; Edwardsville, Illinois. Iowa Hawkeyes; 6-foot-5, 270-pound / Freshman / Defensive end.
  Iowa Hawkeyes vs Iowa State Cyclones. Sept. 9, 11:00 a.m.
• Andrew Deckard - Civic Memorial H.S.; Bethalto, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-1, 340-pound / Freshman / Offensive lineman.
  Kentucky State Thorobreds vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 9, 1:00 p.m.
• Brandon Deckard - Civic Memorial H.S.; Bethalto, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-1, 290-pound / Freshman / Offensive lineman.
  Kentucky State Thorobreds vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 9, 1:00 p.m.
• Brenden Dickmann - Edwardsville H.S.; Edwardsville, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-4, 190-pound / Freshman / Quarterback.
  Kentucky State Thorobreds vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 9, 1:00 p.m.
• Chris Zobrist - Triad H.S.; Troy, Illinois. Western Illinois Leathernecks; 6-foot-3, 270-pound / Sophomore / Offensive lineman.
  Western Illinois Leathernecks vs Northern Arizona Lumberjacks. Sept. 9, TBA.
• Cj Miller - Belleville East H.S.; Fairview Heights, Illinois. University Of Central Missouri Mules; 6-foot-1, 300-pound redshirt / Freshman / Defensive lineman.
  University Of Central Missouri Mules vs Fort Hays State Tigers. Sept. 7, 7:00 p.m.
• Cole Foster - Columbia H.S.; Columbia, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-5, 290-pound / Junior / Offensive lineman.
  Kentucky State Thorobreds vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 9, 1:00 p.m.
• Craig James - Edwardsville H.S.; Edwardsville, Illinois. Southern Illinois Carbondale Salukis; 5-foot-10, 191-pound / Senior / Cornerback.
  Mississippi Valley Devils vs Southern Illinois Carbondale Salukis. Sept. 9, 6:00 p.m.
• Curt Mueller - Edwardsville H.S.; Edwardsville, Illinois. Northwest Missouri State Bearcats; 6-foot-4, 245-pound / Sophomore / Tight end.
  Northwest Missouri State Bearcats vs Washburn Ichabods. Sept. 7, 6:00 p.m.
• Curtis Deckard - Civic Memorial H.S.; Bethalto, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-4, 340-pound / Freshman / Offensive lineman.
  Kentucky State Thorobreds vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 9, 1:00 p.m.
• Darius Crochrell - Edwardsville H.S.; Edwardsville, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-1, 195-pound / Senior / Wide receiver.
  Kentucky State Thorobreds vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 9, 1:00 p.m.
• Deion Norfleet - O'fallon H.S.; Fairview Heights, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-9, 175-pound / Freshman / Wide receiver.
  Kentucky State Thorobreds vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 9, 1:00 p.m.
• Demarius Ward - Belleville East H.S.; Fairview Heights, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-7, 165-pound / Sophomore / Running back.
  Kentucky State Thorobreds vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 9, 1:00 p.m.
• Desmond Chapple - Edwardsville H.S.; Edwardsville, Illinois. University Of Northern Iowa Panthers; 6-foot-5, 237-pound redshirt / Freshman / Defensive lineman.
  California Polytechnic State Mustangs vs University Of Northern Iowa Panthers. Sept. 9, 4:00 p.m.
• Dillon Weiss - O'fallon Township H.S.; O'Fallon, Illinois. Truman State Bulldogs; 6-foot, 182-pound redshirt / Freshman / Defensive back.
  Truman State Bulldogs vs Morningside Mustangs. Sept. 9, 1:00 p.m.
• Dontae Johnson - O'fallon Township H.S.; O'Fallon, Illinois. Northwood Timberwolves; 6-foot, 158-pound redshirt / Freshman / Defensive back.
  Northwood Timberwolves vs Missouri Of Science And Technology Miners. Sept. 9, 8:00 p.m.
• Eddie Lusk - Triad H.S.; Maryville, Illinois. Niu Huskies; 6-foot, 195-pound redshirt / Senior / Running back.
  Eastern Illinois Panthers vs Niu Huskies. Sept. 9, 2:30 p.m.
• Edwyn Brown - Belleville Althoff Catholic H.S.; Belleville, Illinois. Niu Huskies; 6-foot-5, 180-pound / Freshman / Defensive back.
  Eastern Illinois Panthers vs Niu Huskies. Sept. 9, 2:30 p.m.
• Erik Furmanek - Althoff Catholic High H.S.; Belleville, Illinois. Missouri State Bears; 6-foot-3, 267-pound / Senior / Tight end.
  Missouri State Bears vs North Dakota State Roughrider. Sept. 9, 4:00 p.m.
• Grant Snow - Columbia H.S.; Columbia, Illinois. Drake Bulldogs; 6-foot-2, 262-pound / Senior / Offensive lineman.
  Southwestern Moundbuilders vs Drake Bulldogs. Sept. 9, 6:00 p.m.
• Hayden Schmidt - Edwardsville H.S.; Glen Carbon, Illinois. William Jewell Cardinals; 6-foot-3, 210-pound redshirt / Junior / Tight end.
  William Jewell Cardinals vs Texas A&m-Commerce Lions. Sept. 9, 6:00 p.m.
• Isaiah Gray - East St. Louis H.S.; East St. Louis, Illinois. Lincoln Blue Tigers; 6-foot-2, 200-pound / Junior / Linebacker.
  Lincoln Blue Tigers vs Lincoln Blue Tigers. Sept. 9, 6:00 p.m.
• Israel Griffin - Belleville West H.S.; Belleville, Illinois. Truman State Bulldogs; 6-foot-4, 270-pound / Freshman / Offensive lineman.
  Truman State Bulldogs vs Morningside Mustangs. Sept. 9, 1:00 p.m.
• Jack Lanxon - Belleville West H.S.; Belleville, Illinois. Truman State Bulldogs; 5-foot-9, 185-pound / Freshman / Defensive back.
  Truman State Bulldogs vs Morningside Mustangs. Sept. 9, 1:00 p.m.
• Jaleel Ashford - St. Louis H.S.; Fairview Heights, Illinois. Kentucky State Thorobreds; Freshman / .
  Kentucky State Thorobreds vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 9, 2:00 p.m.
• James Knight - East St. Louis H.S.; East St. Louis, Illinois. University Of Illinois Fighting Illini; 5-foot-10, 205-pound / Freshman / Linebacker.
  Western Kentucky Tops vs University Of Illinois Fighting Illini. Sept. 9, 7:00 p.m.
• Jawuan Johnson - New Boston [texas] H.S.; East St. Louis, Illinois. Niu Huskies; 5-foot-11, 218-pound redshirt / Junior / Linebacker.
  Eastern Illinois Panthers vs Niu Huskies. Sept. 9, 2:30 p.m.
• Jaylon Bester - Althoff Catholic H.S.; Belleville, Illinois. Miami Of Ohio Redhawks; 5-foot-8, 165-pound / Freshman / Wide receiver.
  Austin Peay State Governers vs Miami Of Ohio Redhawks. Sept. 9, 3:30 p.m.
• Jeffery Brown Jr. - Belleville East H.S.; Fairview Heights, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-1, 335-pound / Junior / Defensive lineman.
  Kentucky State Thorobreds vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 9, 1:00 p.m.
• Joe Mersinger - Triad H.S.; Troy, Illinois. Missouri Of Science And Technology Miners; 6-foot-4, 285-pound / Senior / Offensive lineman.
  Northwood Timberwolves vs Missouri Of Science And Technology Miners. Sept. 9, 7:00 p.m.
• John Alvin Iii - Belleville East H.S.; Fairview Heights, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-10, 210-pound / Junior / Linebacker.
  Kentucky State Thorobreds vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 9, 1:00 p.m.
• Johnny McKinney - Triad H.S.; Troy, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-9, 225-pound redshirt / Freshman / Linebacker.
  Kentucky State Thorobreds vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 9, 1:00 p.m.
• Jordan Reichert - Collinsville H.S.; Collinsville, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-3, 200-pound redshirt / Freshman / Quarterback.
  Kentucky State Thorobreds vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 9, 1:00 p.m.
• Josh Lovings - Alton H.S.; Alton, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-10, 165-pound / Sophomore / Defensive back.
  Kentucky State Thorobreds vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 9, 1:00 p.m.
• Kenny Knight - East St. Louis H.S.; East St. Louis, Illinois. Ball State Cardinals; 6-foot, 255-pound redshirt / Sophomore / Defensive tackle.
  Uab Blazers vs Ball State Cardinals. Sept. 9, 3:00 p.m.
• Keyshone Young - Belleville East H.S.; East St. Louis, Illinois. Truman State Bulldogs; 6-foot, 285-pound / Sophomore / Offensive lineman.
  Truman State Bulldogs vs Morningside Mustangs. Sept. 9, 1:00 p.m.
• Kyle Kirkpatrick - Civic Memorial H.S.; Bethalto, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot, 210-pound / Senior / Linebacker.
  Kentucky State Thorobreds vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 9, 1:00 p.m.
• Liam Maher - Marquette Catholic H.S.; Alton, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-7, 185-pound / Freshman / Kicker.
  Kentucky State Thorobreds vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 9, 1:00 p.m.
• Lucas Davis - Edwardsville H.S.; Edwardsville, Illinois. Southern Illinois Carbondale Salukis; 6-foot-4, 285-pound / Freshman / Offensive lineman.
  Mississippi Valley Devils vs Southern Illinois Carbondale Salukis. Sept. 9, 6:00 p.m.
• Malik Giddens - O'fallon H.S.; O'Fallon, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-3, 270-pound / Freshman / Offensive lineman.
  Kentucky State Thorobreds vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 9, 1:00 p.m.
• Marquis Cherry - Belleville West H.S.; Belleville, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot, 280-pound / Senior / Defensive lineman.
  Kentucky State Thorobreds vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 9, 1:00 p.m.
• Marvin Holley - Ashland H.S.; Washington Park, Illinois. Lincoln Blue Tigers; 6-foot, 185-pound / Senior / Safety.
  Lincoln Blue Tigers vs Lincoln Blue Tigers. Sept. 9, 6:00 p.m.
• Mason Hewitt - O'fallon Township H.S.; O'Fallon, Illinois. Truman State Bulldogs; 5-foot-11, 195-pound / Freshman / Running back.
  Truman State Bulldogs vs Morningside Mustangs. Sept. 9, 1:00 p.m.
• Merrick Jackson - Iowa Western Cc H.S.; East St. Louis, Illinois. Minnesota Golden Gophers; 6-foot-2, 316-pound redshirt / Senior / Defensive lineman.
  Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Oregon State Beavers. Sept. 9, 9:00 p.m.
• Mike Ford - Marquette Catholic H.S.; Alton, Illinois. Southeast Missouri State Redhawks; 5-foot-11, 196-pound / Senior / Cornerback.
  Southeast Missouri State Redhawks vs University Of Dayton Flyers. Sept. 9, 12:00 p.m.
• Monty Sharp Ii - Edwardsville H.S.; Edwardsville, Illinois. Truman State Bulldogs; 5-foot-11, 180-pound / Sophomore / Wide receiver.
  Truman State Bulldogs vs Morningside Mustangs. Sept. 9, 1:00 p.m.
• Nick Foster - Belleville West H.S.; Belleville, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-10, 185-pound redshirt / Freshman / Defensive back.
  Kentucky State Thorobreds vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 9, 1:00 p.m.
• Nolan Mannino - Waterloo H.S.; Waterloo, Illinois. Missouri Of Science And Technology Miners; 5-foot-10, 160-pound / Senior / Kicker/punter.
  Northwood Timberwolves vs Missouri Of Science And Technology Miners. Sept. 9, 7:00 p.m.
• Oddie Granger - East Saint Louis H.S.; East Saint Louis, Illinois. Eastern Michigan Eagles; 6-foot-3, 315-pound / Senior / Defensive lineman.
  Eastern Michigan Eagles vs Rutgers Old Queen's. Sept. 9, 3:30 p.m.
• Orlando Ward - Belleville East H.S.; Fairview Heights, Illinois. William Jewell Cardinals; 5-foot-7, 150-pound redshirt / Senior / Cornerback.
  William Jewell Cardinals vs Texas A&m-Commerce Lions. Sept. 9, 6:00 p.m.
• Os Moore - Belleville East H.S.; Belleville, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-11, 185-pound / Sophomore / Wide receiver.
  Kentucky State Thorobreds vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 9, 1:00 p.m.
• Rey Estes - East St. Louis H.S.; East St. Louis, Illinois. Minnesota Golden Gophers; 6-foot, 163-pound / Freshman / Quarterback.
  Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Oregon State Beavers. Sept. 9, 9:00 p.m.
• Ricco Gipson - Alton H.S.; Godfrey, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-1, 245-pound / Sophomore / Defensive lineman.
  Kentucky State Thorobreds vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 9, 1:00 p.m.
• Sean Bonham - Collinsville H.S.; Collinsville, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-8, 160-pound / Freshman / Running back.
  Kentucky State Thorobreds vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 9, 1:00 p.m.
• Shayeen Edwards - Cahokia H.S.; East St. Louis, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-8, 180-pound / Senior / Running back.
  Kentucky State Thorobreds vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 9, 1:00 p.m.
• Stanley Green - East St. Louis Senior H.S.; East St. Louis, Illinois. University Of Illinois Fighting Illini; 5-foot-11, 195-pound / Sophomore / Defensive back.
  Western Kentucky Tops vs University Of Illinois Fighting Illini. Sept. 9, 7:00 p.m.
• Steven Leadlove - Belleville West H.S.; Belleville, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-1, 245-pound redshirt / Freshman / Offensive lineman.
  Kentucky State Thorobreds vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 9, 1:00 p.m.
• Tanner Hails - Collinsville H.S.; Collinsville, Illinois. Missouri Southern State Lions; 6-foot-1, 225-pound redshirt / Freshman / Defensive lineman.
  Missouri Southern State Lions vs Missouri Western State Griffons. Sept. 7, 7:00 p.m.
• Tanner Farmer - Highland H.S.; Highland, Illinois. Nebraska Cornhuskers; 6-foot-4, 305-pound / Junior / Offensive lineman.
  Nebraska Cornhuskers vs Oregon Ducks. Sept. 9, 3:30 p.m.
• Tate Rujawitz - Edwardsville H.S.; Edwardsville, Illinois. Southern Illinois Carbondale Salukis; 6-foot-3, 288-pound / Freshman / Defensive lineman.
  Mississippi Valley Devils vs Southern Illinois Carbondale Salukis. Sept. 9, 6:00 p.m.
• Tony Adams - St. Louis University H.S.; Belleville, Illinois. University Of Illinois Fighting Illini; 6-foot, 190-pound / Freshman / Defensive back.
  Western Kentucky Tops vs University Of Illinois Fighting Illini. Sept. 9, 7:00 p.m.
• Trevore Sanders - Collinsville H.S.; Maryville, Illinois. University Of Central Missouri Mules; 5-foot-11, 180-pound / Freshman / Defensive back.
  University Of Central Missouri Mules vs Fort Hays State Tigers. Sept. 7, 7:00 p.m.
• Tyler McLemore - Alton H.S.; Godfrey, Illinois. Southeast Missouri State Redhawks; 6-foot-1, 216-pound / Senior / Wide receiver.
  Southeast Missouri State Redhawks vs University Of Dayton Flyers. Sept. 9, 12:00 p.m.
• Wyatt Malcom - Westminster Christian H.S.; Columbia, Illinois. Emporia State Hornets; 6-foot-4, 300-pound redshirt / Freshman / Offensive lineman.
  University Of Nebraska At Kearney Lopers vs Emporia State Hornets. Sept. 7, 7:00 p.m.
• Zac Rujawitz - Edwardsville H.S.; Edwardsville, Illinois. Drake Bulldogs; 6-foot, 235-pound / Junior / Linebacker.
  Southwestern Moundbuilders vs Drake Bulldogs. Sept. 9, 6:00 p.m.
• Zachary Williams - Civic Memorial H.S.; Bethalto, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-1, 220-pound / Freshman / Linebacker.
  Kentucky State Thorobreds vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 9, 1:00 p.m.