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. 17 to Sept. 23.

• A.j. Epenesa - Edwardsville H.S.; Edwardsville, Illinois. Iowa Hawkeyes; 6-foot-5, 270-pound / Freshman / Defensive end.
  Penn State Lions vs Iowa Hawkeyes. Sept. 23, TBA.
• Andrew Deckard - Civic Memorial H.S.; Bethalto, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-1, 340-pound / Freshman / Offensive lineman.
  McKendree Bearcats vs William Jewell Cardinals. Sept. 23, 12:00 p.m.
• Brandon Deckard - Civic Memorial H.S.; Bethalto, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-1, 290-pound / Freshman / Offensive lineman.
  McKendree Bearcats vs William Jewell Cardinals. Sept. 23, 12:00 p.m.
• Brenden Dickmann - Edwardsville H.S.; Edwardsville, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-4, 190-pound / Freshman / Quarterback.
  McKendree Bearcats vs William Jewell Cardinals. Sept. 23, 12:00 p.m.
• Chris Zobrist - Triad H.S.; Troy, Illinois. Western Illinois Leathernecks; 6-foot-3, 270-pound / Sophomore / Offensive lineman.
  Western Illinois Leathernecks vs Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. Sept. 23, 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 Emporia State Hornets. Sept. 23, 2:00 p.m.
• Cole Foster - Columbia H.S.; Columbia, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-5, 290-pound / Junior / Offensive lineman.
  McKendree Bearcats vs William Jewell Cardinals. Sept. 23, 12:00 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 Memphis Tigers. Sept. 23, 7:00 p.m.
• Curt Mueller - Edwardsville H.S.; Edwardsville, Illinois. Northwest Missouri State Bearcats; 6-foot-4, 245-pound / Sophomore / Tight end.
  Missouri Southern State Lions vs Northwest Missouri State Bearcats. Sept. 23, 1:30 p.m.
• Curtis Deckard - Civic Memorial H.S.; Bethalto, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-4, 340-pound / Freshman / Offensive lineman.
  McKendree Bearcats vs William Jewell Cardinals. Sept. 23, 12:00 p.m.
• Darius Crochrell - Edwardsville H.S.; Edwardsville, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-1, 195-pound / Senior / Wide receiver.
  McKendree Bearcats vs William Jewell Cardinals. Sept. 23, 12:00 p.m.
• Deion Norfleet - O'fallon H.S.; Fairview Heights, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-9, 175-pound / Freshman / Wide receiver.
  McKendree Bearcats vs William Jewell Cardinals. Sept. 23, 12:00 p.m.
• Demarius Ward - Belleville East H.S.; Fairview Heights, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-7, 165-pound / Sophomore / Running back.
  McKendree Bearcats vs William Jewell Cardinals. Sept. 23, 12:00 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 Lincoln Blue Tigers. Sept. 23, 2:00 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 Grand Valley State Lakers. Sept. 23, 7:00 p.m.
• Eddie Lusk - Triad H.S.; Maryville, Illinois. Eastern Illinois Panthers; 6-foot, 195-pound redshirt / Senior / Running back.
  Southeast Missouri State Redhawks vs Eastern Illinois Panthers. Sept. 23, 6:00 p.m.
• Edwyn Brown - Belleville Althoff Catholic H.S.; Belleville, Illinois. Eastern Illinois Panthers; 6-foot-5, 180-pound / Freshman / Defensive back.
  Southeast Missouri State Redhawks vs Eastern Illinois Panthers. Sept. 23, 6:00 p.m.
• Grant Snow - Columbia H.S.; Columbia, Illinois. Drake Bulldogs; 6-foot-2, 262-pound / Senior / Offensive lineman.
  Valparaiso Crusaders vs Drake Bulldogs. Sept. 23, 1:00 p.m.
• Hayden Schmidt - Edwardsville H.S.; Glen Carbon, Illinois. William Jewell Cardinals; 6-foot-3, 210-pound redshirt / Junior / Tight end.
  McKendree Bearcats vs William Jewell Cardinals. Sept. 23, 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.
  Truman State Bulldogs vs Lincoln Blue Tigers. Sept. 23, 2:00 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 Lincoln Blue Tigers. Sept. 23, 2:00 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 Lincoln Blue Tigers. Sept. 23, 2:00 p.m.
• Jaylon Bester - Althoff Catholic H.S.; Belleville, Illinois. Miami Of Ohio Redhawks; 5-foot-8, 165-pound / Freshman / Wide receiver.
  Miami Of Ohio Redhawks vs Central Michigan Chippewas. Sept. 23, TBA.
• Jeffery Brown Jr. - Belleville East H.S.; Fairview Heights, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-1, 335-pound / Junior / Defensive lineman.
  McKendree Bearcats vs William Jewell Cardinals. Sept. 23, 12:00 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 Malone Pioneers. Sept. 23, 2:00 p.m.
• John Alvin Iii - Belleville East H.S.; Fairview Heights, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-10, 210-pound / Junior / Linebacker.
  McKendree Bearcats vs William Jewell Cardinals. Sept. 23, 12:00 p.m.
• Johnny McKinney - Triad H.S.; Troy, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-9, 225-pound redshirt / Freshman / Linebacker.
  McKendree Bearcats vs William Jewell Cardinals. Sept. 23, 12:00 p.m.
• Jordan Reichert - Collinsville H.S.; Collinsville, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-3, 200-pound redshirt / Freshman / Quarterback.
  McKendree Bearcats vs William Jewell Cardinals. Sept. 23, 12:00 p.m.
• Josh Lovings - Alton H.S.; Alton, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-10, 165-pound / Sophomore / Defensive back.
  McKendree Bearcats vs William Jewell Cardinals. Sept. 23, 12:00 p.m.
• Kenny Knight - East St. Louis H.S.; East St. Louis, Illinois. Ball State Cardinals; 6-foot, 255-pound redshirt / Sophomore / Defensive tackle.
  Ball State Cardinals vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Sept. 23, 7:00 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 Lincoln Blue Tigers. Sept. 23, 2:00 p.m.
• Kyle Kirkpatrick - Civic Memorial H.S.; Bethalto, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot, 210-pound / Senior / Linebacker.
  McKendree Bearcats vs William Jewell Cardinals. Sept. 23, 12:00 p.m.
• Liam Maher - Marquette Catholic H.S.; Alton, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-7, 185-pound / Freshman / Kicker.
  McKendree Bearcats vs William Jewell Cardinals. Sept. 23, 12:00 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 Memphis Tigers. Sept. 23, 7:00 p.m.
• Malik Giddens - O'fallon H.S.; O'Fallon, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-3, 270-pound / Freshman / Offensive lineman.
  McKendree Bearcats vs William Jewell Cardinals. Sept. 23, 12:00 p.m.
• Marquis Cherry - Belleville West H.S.; Belleville, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot, 280-pound / Senior / Defensive lineman.
  McKendree Bearcats vs William Jewell Cardinals. Sept. 23, 12:00 p.m.
• Marvin Holley - Ashland H.S.; Washington Park, Illinois. Lincoln Blue Tigers; 6-foot, 185-pound / Senior / Safety.
  Truman State Bulldogs vs Lincoln Blue Tigers. Sept. 23, 2:00 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 Lincoln Blue Tigers. Sept. 23, 2:00 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 Lincoln Blue Tigers. Sept. 23, 2:00 p.m.
• Nick Foster - Belleville West H.S.; Belleville, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-10, 185-pound redshirt / Freshman / Defensive back.
  McKendree Bearcats vs William Jewell Cardinals. Sept. 23, 12:00 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 Malone Pioneers. Sept. 23, 2:00 p.m.
• Oddie Granger - East Saint Louis H.S.; East Saint Louis, Illinois. Eastern Michigan Eagles; 6-foot-3, 315-pound / Senior / Defensive lineman.
  Ohio Bobcats vs Eastern Michigan Eagles. Sept. 23, TBA.
• Orlando Ward - Belleville East H.S.; Fairview Heights, Illinois. William Jewell Cardinals; 5-foot-7, 150-pound redshirt / Senior / Cornerback.
  McKendree Bearcats vs William Jewell Cardinals. Sept. 23, 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 William Jewell Cardinals. Sept. 23, 12:00 p.m.
• Ricco Gipson - Alton H.S.; Godfrey, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-1, 245-pound / Sophomore / Defensive lineman.
  McKendree Bearcats vs William Jewell Cardinals. Sept. 23, 12:00 p.m.
• Sean Bonham - Collinsville H.S.; Collinsville, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-8, 160-pound / Freshman / Running back.
  McKendree Bearcats vs William Jewell Cardinals. Sept. 23, 12:00 p.m.
• Shayeen Edwards - Cahokia H.S.; East St. Louis, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-8, 180-pound / Senior / Running back.
  McKendree Bearcats vs William Jewell Cardinals. Sept. 23, 12:00 p.m.
• Steven Leadlove - Belleville West H.S.; Belleville, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-1, 245-pound redshirt / Freshman / Offensive lineman.
  McKendree Bearcats vs William Jewell Cardinals. Sept. 23, 12:00 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 Northwest Missouri State Bearcats. Sept. 23, 1:30 p.m.
• Tanner Farmer - Highland H.S.; Highland, Illinois. Nebraska Cornhuskers; 6-foot-4, 305-pound / Junior / Offensive lineman.
  Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Nebraska Cornhuskers. Sept. 23, TBA.
• Tate Rujawitz - Edwardsville H.S.; Edwardsville, Illinois. Southern Illinois Carbondale Salukis; 6-foot-3, 288-pound / Freshman / Defensive lineman.
  Southern Illinois Carbondale Salukis vs Memphis Tigers. Sept. 23, 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 Emporia State Hornets. Sept. 23, 2:00 p.m.
• Wyatt Malcom - Westminster Christian H.S.; Columbia, Illinois. Emporia State Hornets; 6-foot-4, 300-pound redshirt / Freshman / Offensive lineman.
  University Of Central Missouri Mules vs Emporia State Hornets. Sept. 23, 2:00 p.m.
• Zac Rujawitz - Edwardsville H.S.; Edwardsville, Illinois. Drake Bulldogs; 6-foot, 235-pound / Junior / Linebacker.
  Valparaiso Crusaders vs Drake Bulldogs. Sept. 23, 1:00 p.m.
• Zachary Williams - Civic Memorial H.S.; Bethalto, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-1, 220-pound / Freshman / Linebacker.
  McKendree Bearcats vs William Jewell Cardinals. Sept. 23, 12:00 p.m.