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. 24 to Sept. 30.

• A.j. Epenesa - Edwardsville H.S.; Edwardsville, Illinois. Iowa Hawkeyes; 6-foot-5, 270-pound / Freshman / Defensive end.
  Iowa Hawkeyes vs Michigan State Spartans. Sept. 30, TBA.
• Andrew Deckard - Civic Memorial H.S.; Bethalto, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-1, 340-pound / Freshman / Offensive lineman.
  Southwest Baptist Bearcats vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 30, 1:00 p.m.
• Brandon Deckard - Civic Memorial H.S.; Bethalto, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-1, 290-pound / Freshman / Offensive lineman.
  Southwest Baptist Bearcats vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 30, 1:00 p.m.
• Brenden Dickmann - Edwardsville H.S.; Edwardsville, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-4, 190-pound / Freshman / Quarterback.
  Southwest Baptist Bearcats vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 30, 1:00 p.m.
• Chris Zobrist - Triad H.S.; Troy, Illinois. Western Illinois Leathernecks; 6-foot-3, 270-pound / Sophomore / Offensive lineman.
  South Dakota Coyotes vs Western Illinois Leathernecks. Sept. 30, 3:00 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.
  Northwest Missouri State Bearcats vs University Of Central Missouri Mules. Sept. 30, 4:00 p.m.
• Cole Foster - Columbia H.S.; Columbia, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-5, 290-pound / Junior / Offensive lineman.
  Southwest Baptist Bearcats vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 30, 1:00 p.m.
• Craig James - Edwardsville H.S.; Edwardsville, Illinois. Southern Illinois Carbondale Salukis; 5-foot-10, 191-pound / Senior / Cornerback.
  University Of Northern Iowa Panthers vs Southern Illinois Carbondale Salukis. Sept. 30, 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 Central Missouri Mules. Sept. 30, 4:00 p.m.
• Curtis Deckard - Civic Memorial H.S.; Bethalto, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-4, 340-pound / Freshman / Offensive lineman.
  Southwest Baptist Bearcats vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 30, 1:00 p.m.
• Darius Crochrell - Edwardsville H.S.; Edwardsville, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-1, 195-pound / Senior / Wide receiver.
  Southwest Baptist Bearcats vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 30, 1:00 p.m.
• Deion Norfleet - O'fallon H.S.; Fairview Heights, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-9, 175-pound / Freshman / Wide receiver.
  Southwest Baptist Bearcats vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 30, 1:00 p.m.
• Demarius Ward - Belleville East H.S.; Fairview Heights, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-7, 165-pound / Sophomore / Running back.
  Southwest Baptist Bearcats vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 30, 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.
  University Of Northern Iowa Panthers vs Southern Illinois Carbondale Salukis. Sept. 30, 6:00 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 University Of Indianapolis Greyhounds. Sept. 30, 6:00 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 Tiffin Dragons. Sept. 30, 3:00 p.m.
• Eddie Lusk - Triad H.S.; Maryville, Illinois. Tennessee State Tigers; 6-foot, 195-pound redshirt / Senior / Running back.
  Eastern Illinois Panthers vs Tennessee State Tigers. Sept. 30, 6:00 p.m.
• Edwyn Brown - Belleville Althoff Catholic H.S.; Belleville, Illinois. Tennessee State Tigers; 6-foot-5, 180-pound / Freshman / Defensive back.
  Eastern Illinois Panthers vs Tennessee State Tigers. Sept. 30, 6:00 p.m.
• Grant Snow - Columbia H.S.; Columbia, Illinois. Drake Bulldogs; 6-foot-2, 262-pound / Senior / Offensive lineman.
  Drake Bulldogs vs Butler Bulldogs. Sept. 30, 12:00 p.m.
• Hayden Schmidt - Edwardsville H.S.; Glen Carbon, Illinois. William Jewell Cardinals; 6-foot-3, 210-pound redshirt / Junior / Tight end.
  Missouri Of Science And Technology Miners vs William Jewell Cardinals. Sept. 30, 1:00 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 University Of Indianapolis Greyhounds. Sept. 30, 6:00 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 University Of Indianapolis Greyhounds. Sept. 30, 6:00 p.m.
• Jaleel Ashford - St. Louis H.S.; Fairview Heights, Illinois. Kentucky State Thorobreds; , 0-pound / Freshman / .
  Kentucky State Thorobreds vs Morehead State Eagles. Sept. 30, 4:00 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.
  Nebraska Cornhuskers vs University Of Illinois Fighting Illini. Sept. 29, 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.
  Niu Huskies vs San Diego Toreros. Sept. 30, 9:30 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 Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Sept. 30, 5:00 p.m.
• Jeffery Brown Jr. - Belleville East H.S.; Fairview Heights, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-1, 335-pound / Junior / Defensive lineman.
  Southwest Baptist Bearcats vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 30, 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.
  Missouri Of Science And Technology Miners vs William Jewell Cardinals. Sept. 30, 1:00 p.m.
• John Alvin Iii - Belleville East H.S.; Fairview Heights, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-10, 210-pound / Junior / Linebacker.
  Southwest Baptist Bearcats vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 30, 1:00 p.m.
• Johnny McKinney - Triad H.S.; Troy, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-9, 225-pound redshirt / Freshman / Linebacker.
  Southwest Baptist Bearcats vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 30, 1:00 p.m.
• Jordan Reichert - Collinsville H.S.; Collinsville, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-3, 200-pound redshirt / Freshman / Quarterback.
  Southwest Baptist Bearcats vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 30, 1:00 p.m.
• Josh Lovings - Alton H.S.; Alton, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-10, 165-pound / Sophomore / Defensive back.
  Southwest Baptist Bearcats vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 30, 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.
  Ball State Cardinals vs Western Michigan Broncos. Sept. 30, TBA.
• Keyshone Young - Belleville East H.S.; East St. Louis, Illinois. Truman State Bulldogs; 6-foot, 285-pound / Sophomore / Offensive lineman.
  Truman State Bulldogs vs University Of Indianapolis Greyhounds. Sept. 30, 6:00 p.m.
• Kyle Kirkpatrick - Civic Memorial H.S.; Bethalto, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot, 210-pound / Senior / Linebacker.
  Southwest Baptist Bearcats vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 30, 1:00 p.m.
• Liam Maher - Marquette Catholic H.S.; Alton, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-7, 185-pound / Freshman / Kicker.
  Southwest Baptist Bearcats vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 30, 1:00 p.m.
• Lucas Davis - Edwardsville H.S.; Edwardsville, Illinois. Southern Illinois Carbondale Salukis; 6-foot-4, 285-pound / Freshman / Offensive lineman.
  University Of Northern Iowa Panthers vs Southern Illinois Carbondale Salukis. Sept. 30, 6:00 p.m.
• Malik Giddens - O'fallon H.S.; O'Fallon, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-3, 270-pound / Freshman / Offensive lineman.
  Southwest Baptist Bearcats vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 30, 1:00 p.m.
• Marquis Cherry - Belleville West H.S.; Belleville, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot, 280-pound / Senior / Defensive lineman.
  Southwest Baptist Bearcats vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 30, 1:00 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 University Of Indianapolis Greyhounds. Sept. 30, 6:00 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.
  Maryland Terrapins vs Minnesota Golden Gophers. Sept. 30, TBA.
• Monty Sharp Ii - Edwardsville H.S.; Edwardsville, Illinois. Truman State Bulldogs; 5-foot-11, 180-pound / Sophomore / Wide receiver.
  Truman State Bulldogs vs University Of Indianapolis Greyhounds. Sept. 30, 6:00 p.m.
• Nick Foster - Belleville West H.S.; Belleville, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-10, 185-pound redshirt / Freshman / Defensive back.
  Southwest Baptist Bearcats vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 30, 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.
  Missouri Of Science And Technology Miners vs William Jewell Cardinals. Sept. 30, 1:00 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 Kentucky Wildcats. Sept. 30, TBA.
• Orlando Ward - Belleville East H.S.; Fairview Heights, Illinois. William Jewell Cardinals; 5-foot-7, 150-pound redshirt / Senior / Cornerback.
  Missouri Of Science And Technology Miners vs William Jewell Cardinals. Sept. 30, 1:00 p.m.
• Os Moore - Belleville East H.S.; Belleville, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-11, 185-pound / Sophomore / Wide receiver.
  Southwest Baptist Bearcats vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 30, 1:00 p.m.
• Rey Estes - East St. Louis H.S.; East St. Louis, Illinois. Minnesota Golden Gophers; 6-foot, 163-pound / Freshman / Quarterback.
  Maryland Terrapins vs Minnesota Golden Gophers. Sept. 30, TBA.
• Ricco Gipson - Alton H.S.; Godfrey, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-1, 245-pound / Sophomore / Defensive lineman.
  Southwest Baptist Bearcats vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 30, 1:00 p.m.
• Sean Bonham - Collinsville H.S.; Collinsville, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-8, 160-pound / Freshman / Running back.
  Southwest Baptist Bearcats vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 30, 1:00 p.m.
• Shayeen Edwards - Cahokia H.S.; East St. Louis, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 5-foot-8, 180-pound / Senior / Running back.
  Southwest Baptist Bearcats vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 30, 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.
  Nebraska Cornhuskers vs University Of Illinois Fighting Illini. Sept. 29, 7:00 p.m.
• Steven Leadlove - Belleville West H.S.; Belleville, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-1, 245-pound redshirt / Freshman / Offensive lineman.
  Southwest Baptist Bearcats vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 30, 1:00 p.m.
• Tanner Hails - Collinsville H.S.; Collinsville, Illinois. Missouri Southern State Lions; 6-foot-1, 225-pound redshirt / Freshman / Defensive lineman.
  Nebraska-Kearney Lopers vs Missouri Southern State Lions. Sept. 30, 3:00 p.m.
• Tanner Farmer - Highland H.S.; Highland, Illinois. Nebraska Cornhuskers; 6-foot-4, 305-pound / Junior / Offensive lineman.
  Nebraska Cornhuskers vs University Of Illinois Fighting Illini. Sept. 29, 7:00 p.m.
• Tate Rujawitz - Edwardsville H.S.; Edwardsville, Illinois. Southern Illinois Carbondale Salukis; 6-foot-3, 288-pound / Freshman / Defensive lineman.
  University Of Northern Iowa Panthers vs Southern Illinois Carbondale Salukis. Sept. 30, 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.
  Nebraska Cornhuskers vs University Of Illinois Fighting Illini. Sept. 29, 7:00 p.m.
• Trevore Sanders - Collinsville H.S.; Maryville, Illinois. University Of Central Missouri Mules; 5-foot-11, 180-pound / Freshman / Defensive back.
  Northwest Missouri State Bearcats vs University Of Central Missouri Mules. Sept. 30, 4:00 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 University Of Central Oklahoma Bronchos. Sept. 30, 2:00 p.m.
• Zac Rujawitz - Edwardsville H.S.; Edwardsville, Illinois. Drake Bulldogs; 6-foot, 235-pound / Junior / Linebacker.
  Drake Bulldogs vs Butler Bulldogs. Sept. 30, 12:00 p.m.
• Zachary Williams - Civic Memorial H.S.; Bethalto, Illinois. McKendree Bearcats; 6-foot-1, 220-pound / Freshman / Linebacker.
  Southwest Baptist Bearcats vs McKendree Bearcats. Sept. 30, 1:00 p.m.