ROXANA – Roxana's football team goes into Friday night's home opener against Hillsboro facing a big assignment. The Shells go into the game 0-2 overall and in the South Central Conference, having dropped decisions to Carlinville and Pana, both on the road.

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The Hilltoppers enter the game 2-0, having thrown shutouts at Piasa Southwestern and Staunton, scoring 92 points in their first two games. Kickoff at Charlie Raich Field is set for 7 p.m.

“They've got some good size,” said Shell coach Pat Keith. “We're a younger team than we have been for a couple of years, but the kids have had a good week of practice and they come in every day working hard.”

The key to the game, in Keith's eyes, is to play textbook Shell football – control the ball and sustain drives. “That's something we always look to do,” Keith said. “It's a long season and we've got some time left.

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“Being at home and having the support of the community will be a good thing. We'll have our fans backing us and we do like playing at home.”

Joey Johnson leads the Shells in rushing, having gained 79 yards on 15 carries, with a longest run of 22 yards. Jordan Hawkins is right behind with 72 yards on 20 carries so far this year. Johnson has a touchdown for Roxana.

Marcus Hartnett is the Roxana quarterback; he's gone 2-for-15 passing this season for two yards; Johnson and Marcus Nash have caught Hartnett's passes.

“There is a learning curve for our younger players,” Keith said, “but we're always looking to get better each week.”

Roxana will host Vandalia in Week 4 and travel to Greenville for a Week 5 encounter.

More like this:

Feb 8, 2024 - Piasa Birds' Logan Keith Signs Letter Of Intent To Play Football At University Of Wisconsin-Plateville

Mar 21, 2024 - Shells Hold On For Close Win Over CM To Remain Undefeated

Oct 20, 2023 - Piasa Birds Get Revenge On Hillsboro, Become Playoff Eligible After Dominant Win

Oct 26, 2023 - Round One Preview - After "Winning The Riverbend" Roxana's Triple Threat Will Be Tough For Paris To Handle

Nov 17, 2023 - Roxana Looks To Get Past Final Hurdle – Host Mt. Carmel In State Semifinals On Saturday

 

Feeney, 56, is a native of Granite City and graduated from Granite City South in 1978. He was a part-time writer for the old Granite City Journal from 1979-84 before attending Eastern Illinois University in Charleston,
from which he earned his BA in journalism in 1988. He has worked for newspapers in Sikeston, Mo., Rocky Mount, N.C., Seneca, S.C. and in Charleston-Mattoon. He also worked for the old St. Clair County Suburban
Journals.

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