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. 10 to Sept. 16.

• A.j. Epenesa - Edwardsville H.S.; Edwardsville, Illinois. Iowa Hawkeyes; 6-foot-5, 270-pound / Freshman / Defensive end.
  North Texas Mean Green vs Iowa Hawkeyes. Sept. 16, 2:30 p.m.
• Andrew Deckard - Civic Memorial H.S.; Bethalto, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-1, 340-pound / Freshman / Offensive lineman.
  McKendree Bearcats vs Hillsdale Chargers. Sept. 16, 7:00 p.m.
• Brandon Deckard - Civic Memorial H.S.; Bethalto, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-1, 290-pound / Freshman / Offensive lineman.
  McKendree Bearcats vs Hillsdale Chargers. Sept. 16, 7:00 p.m.
• Brenden Dickmann - Edwardsville H.S.; Edwardsville, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-4, 190-pound / Freshman / Quarterback.
  McKendree Bearcats vs Hillsdale Chargers. Sept. 16, 7:00 p.m.
• Cj Miller - Belleville East H.S.; Fairview Heights, Illinois. University Of Central Missouri Mules; 6-foot-1, 300-pound redshirt / Freshman / Defensive lineman.
  Missouri Western State Griffons vs University Of Central Missouri Mules. Sept. 16, 1:00 p.m.
• Cole Foster - Columbia H.S.; Columbia, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-5, 290-pound / Junior / Offensive lineman.
  McKendree Bearcats vs Hillsdale Chargers. Sept. 16, 7:00 p.m.
• Craig James - Edwardsville H.S.; Edwardsville, Illinois. Southern Illinois Carbondale Salukis; 5-foot-10, 191-pound / Senior / Cornerback.
  Southern Illinois Carbondale Salukis vs Southeast Missouri State Redhawks. Sept. 16, 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 University Of Nebraska At Kearney Lopers. Sept. 16, 2:00 p.m.
• Curtis Deckard - Civic Memorial H.S.; Bethalto, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-4, 340-pound / Freshman / Offensive lineman.
  McKendree Bearcats vs Hillsdale Chargers. Sept. 16, 7:00 p.m.
• Darius Crochrell - Edwardsville H.S.; Edwardsville, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-1, 195-pound / Senior / Wide receiver.
  McKendree Bearcats vs Hillsdale Chargers. Sept. 16, 7:00 p.m.
• Deion Norfleet - O'fallon H.S.; Fairview Heights, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-9, 175-pound / Freshman / Wide receiver.
  McKendree Bearcats vs Hillsdale Chargers. Sept. 16, 7:00 p.m.
• Demarius Ward - Belleville East H.S.; Fairview Heights, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-7, 165-pound / Sophomore / Running back.
  McKendree Bearcats vs Hillsdale Chargers. Sept. 16, 7:00 p.m.
• Desmond Chapple - Edwardsville H.S.; Edwardsville, Illinois. University Of Northern Iowa Panthers; 6-foot-5, 237-pound redshirt / Freshman / Defensive lineman.
  University Of Northern Iowa Panthers vs Southern Utah Thunderbirds. Sept. 16, 7:00 p.m.
• Dillon Weiss - O'fallon Township H.S.; O'Fallon, Illinois. Truman State Bulldogs; 6-foot, 182-pound redshirt / Freshman / Defensive back.
  Missouri Of Science And Technology Miners vs Truman State Bulldogs. Sept. 16, 7:00 p.m.
• Dontae Johnson - O'fallon Township H.S.; O'Fallon, Illinois. Northwood Timberwolves; 6-foot, 158-pound redshirt / Freshman / Defensive back.
  Ashland Eagles vs Northwood Timberwolves. Sept. 16, 1:00 p.m.
• Eddie Lusk - Triad H.S.; Maryville, Illinois. Eastern Illinois Panthers; 6-foot, 195-pound redshirt / Senior / Running back.
  Illinois State Redbirds vs Eastern Illinois Panthers. Sept. 16, 2:00 p.m.
• Edwyn Brown - Belleville Althoff Catholic H.S.; Belleville, Illinois. Eastern Illinois Panthers; 6-foot-5, 180-pound / Freshman / Defensive back.
  Illinois State Redbirds vs Eastern Illinois Panthers. Sept. 16, 2:00 p.m.
• Erik Furmanek - Althoff Catholic High H.S.; Belleville, Illinois. Missouri State Bears; 6-foot-3, 267-pound / Senior / Tight end.
  Murray State Thoroughbreds vs Missouri State Bears. Sept. 16, 2:00 p.m.
• Grant Snow - Columbia H.S.; Columbia, Illinois. Drake Bulldogs; 6-foot-2, 262-pound / Senior / Offensive lineman.
  Drake Bulldogs vs South Dakota Coyotes. Sept. 16, 6:00 p.m.
• Hayden Schmidt - Edwardsville H.S.; Glen Carbon, Illinois. William Jewell Cardinals; 6-foot-3, 210-pound redshirt / Junior / Tight end.
  University Of Findlay Oilers vs William Jewell Cardinals. Sept. 16, 12:00 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 Quincy Hawks. Sept. 16, 6:00 p.m.
• Israel Griffin - Belleville West H.S.; Belleville, Illinois. Truman State Bulldogs; 6-foot-4, 270-pound / Freshman / Offensive lineman.
  Missouri Of Science And Technology Miners vs Truman State Bulldogs. Sept. 16, 7:00 p.m.
• Jack Lanxon - Belleville West H.S.; Belleville, Illinois. Truman State Bulldogs; 5-foot-9, 185-pound / Freshman / Defensive back.
  Missouri Of Science And Technology Miners vs Truman State Bulldogs. Sept. 16, 7:00 p.m.
• Jaleel Ashford - St. Louis H.S.; Fairview Heights, Illinois. Kentucky State Thorobreds; , 0-pound / Freshman / .
  Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers vs Kentucky State Thorobreds. Sept. 16, 1:30 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.
  University Of Illinois Fighting Illini vs South Florida Bulls. Sept. 15, 6:00 p.m.
• Jawuan Johnson - New Boston [texas] H.S.; East St. Louis, Illinois. Niu Huskies; 5-foot-11, 218-pound redshirt / Junior / Linebacker.
  Niu Huskies vs Nebraska Cornhuskers. Sept. 16, 11:00 a.m.
• Jaylon Bester - Althoff Catholic H.S.; Belleville, Illinois. Miami Of Ohio Redhawks; 5-foot-8, 165-pound / Freshman / Wide receiver.
  Cincinnati Bearcats vs Miami Of Ohio Redhawks. Sept. 16, 8:00 p.m.
• Jeffery Brown Jr. - Belleville East H.S.; Fairview Heights, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-1, 335-pound / Junior / Defensive lineman.
  McKendree Bearcats vs Hillsdale Chargers. Sept. 16, 7:00 p.m.
• Joe Mersinger - Triad H.S.; Troy, Illinois. Missouri Of Science And Technology Miners; 6-foot-4, 285-pound / Senior / Offensive lineman.
  Missouri Of Science And Technology Miners vs Truman State Bulldogs. Sept. 16, 7:00 p.m.
• John Alvin Iii - Belleville East H.S.; Fairview Heights, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-10, 210-pound / Junior / Linebacker.
  McKendree Bearcats vs Hillsdale Chargers. Sept. 16, 7:00 p.m.
• Johnny McKinney - Triad H.S.; Troy, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-9, 225-pound redshirt / Freshman / Linebacker.
  McKendree Bearcats vs Hillsdale Chargers. Sept. 16, 7:00 p.m.
• Jordan Reichert - Collinsville H.S.; Collinsville, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-3, 200-pound redshirt / Freshman / Quarterback.
  McKendree Bearcats vs Hillsdale Chargers. Sept. 16, 7:00 p.m.
• Josh Lovings - Alton H.S.; Alton, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-10, 165-pound / Sophomore / Defensive back.
  McKendree Bearcats vs Hillsdale Chargers. Sept. 16, 7:00 p.m.
• Kenny Knight - East St. Louis H.S.; East St. Louis, Illinois. Ball State Cardinals; 6-foot, 255-pound redshirt / Sophomore / Defensive tackle.
  Tennessee Technological Golden Eagles vs Ball State Cardinals. Sept. 16, 3:00 p.m.
• Keyshone Young - Belleville East H.S.; East St. Louis, Illinois. Truman State Bulldogs; 6-foot, 285-pound / Sophomore / Offensive lineman.
  Missouri Of Science And Technology Miners vs Truman State Bulldogs. Sept. 16, 7:00 p.m.
• Kyle Kirkpatrick - Civic Memorial H.S.; Bethalto, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot, 210-pound / Senior / Linebacker.
  McKendree Bearcats vs Hillsdale Chargers. Sept. 16, 7:00 p.m.
• Liam Maher - Marquette Catholic H.S.; Alton, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-7, 185-pound / Freshman / Kicker.
  McKendree Bearcats vs Hillsdale Chargers. Sept. 16, 7:00 p.m.
• Lucas Davis - Edwardsville H.S.; Edwardsville, Illinois. Southern Illinois Carbondale Salukis; 6-foot-4, 285-pound / Freshman / Offensive lineman.
  Southern Illinois Carbondale Salukis vs Southeast Missouri State Redhawks. Sept. 16, 6:00 p.m.
• Malik Giddens - O'fallon H.S.; O'Fallon, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-3, 270-pound / Freshman / Offensive lineman.
  McKendree Bearcats vs Hillsdale Chargers. Sept. 16, 7:00 p.m.
• Marquis Cherry - Belleville West H.S.; Belleville, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot, 280-pound / Senior / Defensive lineman.
  McKendree Bearcats vs Hillsdale Chargers. Sept. 16, 7:00 p.m.
• Marvin Holley - Ashland H.S.; Washington Park, Illinois. Lincoln Blue Tigers; 6-foot, 185-pound / Senior / Safety.
  Lincoln Blue Tigers vs Quincy Hawks. Sept. 16, 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.
  Missouri Of Science And Technology Miners vs Truman State Bulldogs. Sept. 16, 7:00 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.
  Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs Minnesota Golden Gophers. Sept. 16, 2:30 p.m.
• Monty Sharp Ii - Edwardsville H.S.; Edwardsville, Illinois. Truman State Bulldogs; 5-foot-11, 180-pound / Sophomore / Wide receiver.
  Missouri Of Science And Technology Miners vs Truman State Bulldogs. Sept. 16, 7:00 p.m.
• Nick Foster - Belleville West H.S.; Belleville, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-10, 185-pound redshirt / Freshman / Defensive back.
  McKendree Bearcats vs Hillsdale Chargers. Sept. 16, 7:00 p.m.
• Nolan Mannino - Waterloo H.S.; Waterloo, Illinois. Missouri Of Science And Technology Miners; 5-foot-10, 160-pound / Senior / Kicker/punter.
  Missouri Of Science And Technology Miners vs Truman State Bulldogs. Sept. 16, 7:00 p.m.
• Orlando Ward - Belleville East H.S.; Fairview Heights, Illinois. William Jewell Cardinals; 5-foot-7, 150-pound redshirt / Senior / Cornerback.
  University Of Findlay Oilers vs William Jewell Cardinals. Sept. 16, 12:00 p.m.
• Os Moore - Belleville East H.S.; Belleville, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-11, 185-pound / Sophomore / Wide receiver.
  McKendree Bearcats vs Hillsdale Chargers. Sept. 16, 7:00 p.m.
• Rey Estes - East St. Louis H.S.; East St. Louis, Illinois. Minnesota Golden Gophers; 6-foot, 163-pound / Freshman / Quarterback.
  Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs Minnesota Golden Gophers. Sept. 16, 2:30 p.m.
• Ricco Gipson - Alton H.S.; Godfrey, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-1, 245-pound / Sophomore / Defensive lineman.
  McKendree Bearcats vs Hillsdale Chargers. Sept. 16, 7:00 p.m.
• Sean Bonham - Collinsville H.S.; Collinsville, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-8, 160-pound / Freshman / Running back.
  McKendree Bearcats vs Hillsdale Chargers. Sept. 16, 7:00 p.m.
• Shayeen Edwards - Cahokia H.S.; East St. Louis, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-8, 180-pound / Senior / Running back.
  McKendree Bearcats vs Hillsdale Chargers. Sept. 16, 7:00 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.
  University Of Illinois Fighting Illini vs South Florida Bulls. Sept. 15, 6:00 p.m.
• Steven Leadlove - Belleville West H.S.; Belleville, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-1, 245-pound redshirt / Freshman / Offensive lineman.
  McKendree Bearcats vs Hillsdale Chargers. Sept. 16, 7:00 p.m.
• Tanner Hails - Collinsville H.S.; Collinsville, Illinois. Missouri Southern State Lions; 6-foot-1, 225-pound redshirt / Freshman / Defensive lineman.
  Emporia State Hornets vs Missouri Southern State Lions. Sept. 16, 6:00 p.m.
• Tanner Farmer - Highland H.S.; Highland, Illinois. Nebraska Cornhuskers; 6-foot-4, 305-pound / Junior / Offensive lineman.
  Niu Huskies vs Nebraska Cornhuskers. Sept. 16, 11:00 a.m.
• Tate Rujawitz - Edwardsville H.S.; Edwardsville, Illinois. Southern Illinois Carbondale Salukis; 6-foot-3, 288-pound / Freshman / Defensive lineman.
  Southern Illinois Carbondale Salukis vs Southeast Missouri State Redhawks. Sept. 16, 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.
  University Of Illinois Fighting Illini vs South Florida Bulls. Sept. 15, 6:00 p.m.
• Trevore Sanders - Collinsville H.S.; Maryville, Illinois. University Of Central Missouri Mules; 5-foot-11, 180-pound / Freshman / Defensive back.
  Missouri Western State Griffons vs University Of Central Missouri Mules. Sept. 16, 1:00 p.m.
• Wyatt Malcom - Westminster Christian H.S.; Columbia, Illinois. Emporia State Hornets; 6-foot-4, 300-pound redshirt / Freshman / Offensive lineman.
  Emporia State Hornets vs Missouri Southern State Lions. Sept. 16, 6:00 p.m.
• Zac Rujawitz - Edwardsville H.S.; Edwardsville, Illinois. Drake Bulldogs; 6-foot, 235-pound / Junior / Linebacker.
  Drake Bulldogs vs South Dakota Coyotes. Sept. 16, 6:00 p.m.
• Zachary Williams - Civic Memorial H.S.; Bethalto, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-1, 220-pound / Freshman / Linebacker.
  McKendree Bearcats vs Hillsdale Chargers. Sept. 16, 7:00 p.m.