By NORM SANDERS — News-Democrat
As if the usual Belleville West-Althoff football rivalry wasn't enough of an attraction, there are more intriguing aspects that should help spark interest.
The teams will be playing Friday in the newly renovated Lindenwood Stadium, once the home field for all three Belleville schools. School officials are hoping the weather will cooperate with heavy storms predicted for the weekend as the remnants of Hurricane Isaac move north.
Althoff and Belleville West each opened with victories and the Maroons have won four straight over the Crusaders in a rivalry that dates back to 1933.
"It's a little bit crazy being able to play on a field like that, everybody's excited," Althoff coach Ken Turner said. "They did a great job with the stadium and I think it's going to be a nice showing by the community for the first game."
West coach Cameron Pettus agreed, noting Lindenwood University's maroon-and-gray color scheme on the new turf matches the Maroons' uniforms.
"It's the old stadium and the one where all the Belleville high schools used to play on Friday night," Pettus said. "It's a neat place and we like the colors, but it's a great tradition to go back to that stadium. What's so cool about that stadium is the fans are right there in the mix of it."
Turner is concerned about West's athletic, experienced defense and speed in the offensive backfield led by quarterback Sherand Boyd and running backs Antoine Davis and Brian Hill.
"They've got some athletes, they have athletes every year," Turner said. "We've got to be disciplined. We knew their defense was going to be good, they've got nine guys back. We can't let the quarterback get loose on the option and flip the ball to the backs. They're trying to get those guys in space."
Althoff has an experienced quarterback in junior Eric Mertens and a talented group of receivers led by Nick Hawthorne, Garland Henley and Luke Frazier.
"I think this is one of the best Althoff teams I've seen in an awfully long time," Pettus said. "They've got some really talented football players over there, and it's going to be a challenge."
Pettus said the Maroons must find a way to corral Althoff defensive lineman Merrick Jackson, an Illinois recruit who returned an interception for a touchdown against Collinsville.
"He's a stud, he's a very good football player and the rest of that line are big kids," Pettus said. "They're athletic and move around a lot."
Rivalry weeks typically produce some back-and-forth exchanges between players, students and fans.
"It's huge," Pettus said. "I know everybody's excited and there's a lot of stuff flying around out there. I told the kids you've just got to focus in on what you can do, and go out and play football."
Today's game: Belleville West (1-0) at Althoff (1-0) at Lindenwood Stadium, 7 p.m.
Last meeting: West won 24-6 last season, its fourth straight win in the series.
West players to watch: QB Sherand Boyd (9-15 95 yds. passing; 16 carries, 66 yards rushing, 2 TDs); RB Antoine Davis (8 carries, 114 yards, 1 TDs); RB Brian Hill (8 carries, 80 yards, 1 TD); WR-DB Mech Spraggins (4 catches, 50 yards; 2 tackles, 1 int.); LB Tremont Davis (10 tackles); DL Marquis Cherry (9 tackles); LB Tori Millender (8 tackles); LB Pierre Gee-Tucker (6 tackles); Kicker Austin Seibert (5 extra points).
Althoff players to watch: DL Merrick Jackson (10 tackles, 1 int.); OL-LB Erik Furmanek (9 tackles); QB Eric Mertens (13-24, 138 yds.); LB Brett Silvestri (7 tackles); DB Michael Harris (5 tackles, 2 int.); WR Nick Hawthorne (4 catches, 30 yards); WR Luke Frazier (4 catches, 36 yards) Note: It's a battle for Mertens family bragging rights with Althoff quarterback Eric Mertens squaring off against his uncle, Belleville West, Principal Rich Mertens.
Contact reporter Norm Sanders at nsanders@bnd.com or 239-2454
Read more here: http://www.bnd.com/2012/08/31/2303292/althoff-and-belleville-west-ready.html#storylink=cpy
