DU QUOIN - The Southern's top-ranked squad and state-ranked Du Quoin lived up to their billing by using nearly twice as many plays from scrimmage to knock off Harrisburg 43-7 at Van Metre Field for their eighth straight win in the series.

Leading just 7-0 with less than two minutes to play in the second quarter, Du Quoin senior Dalton Morgan blocked a Harrisburg punt out of the end zone for a safety. Senior quarterback A.J. Hill then connected with Morgan for a 47-yard touchdown following the free kick, extending the Indian lead to 16-0 heading into halftime.

"That was a big lift. If we don't get that, it's a different ball game. That was a big turnaround," Du Quoin head coach Al Martin said. "Morgan really made some big plays on the punt block and then he made a good catch and showed some speed down the sideline. Those plays gave us the momentum."

Harrisburg tried to establish something offensively coming out of halftime when quarterback Reid Roper found teammate Cain Sheldon for receptions of 14 and 20 yards. But just as the Dogs were driving inside Du Quoin territory, a holding penalty and fumble all but halted any attempt at a Harrisburg comeback.

Hill and the Indians offensive line continued to wear down a Harrisburg defensive unit that had trouble staying off the field in the second half. After connecting with teammate Cale Bastien for a 16-yard touchdown early in the third quarter, Hill decided find the end zone on the ground with a one-yard score to put Du Quoin on top 29-0.

Du Quoin was able to turn three Harrisburg third quarter turnovers into 20 points and lead 36-0 heading into the fourth.

"We were able to cash in on some things, and that's something you've gotta be happy with your ballclub about," Martin said.

For the second straight week Harrisburg had trouble finding rhythm offensively, converting for just eight first downs.

"We knew we were gonna have to throw the ball to move it. We weren't gonna be able to line up and run it right at them to move the ball down and score, so we tried to go to the air some. At times we executed well, and at times we didn't, but we'll regroup," Harrisburg head coach Jason Roper said. "We came out in the second half and were able to move the ball some, but they're a great team."

The lone Harrisburg score came with 3:35 to play when junior Noah King scored from five yards out.

Du Quoin (2-0) travels to Herrin next week, while Harrisburg (0-2) will visit Marion.

Harrisburg 0 0 0 7 - 7

Du Quoin 7 9 20 7 - 43

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

DQ - D. Rose 18yd pass from Hill, (Baskin kick) 5:09.

Second Quarter

DQ - Saftey, blocked punt, 1:40.

DQ - Morgan 47yd pass from Hill, (Baskin kick) 1:19.

Third Quarter

DQ - Bastien 16 yd pass from Hill, (Baskin kick) 7:47.

DQ - Hill 1 yd run (kick failed) 4:39.

DQ - Reed 8 yd run, (Baskin kick) 2:40.

Fourth Quarter

DQ - Conner 2 yd run, (Baskin kick) 7:21.

HAR - King 5 yd run, (Brown kick) 3:35.

Team Stats

HAR DQ

First Downs 8 20

Rushes-Yds 21-63 54-194

Passing Yds 62 143

Comp-Att-Int 8-18-1 9-16-0

Punts 3-30.0 2-34.0

Fumbles-Lost 2-2 2-1

Penalties-Yds 7-45 6-60

Individual Stats

RUSHING-HAR: King 11-38, Behme 3-31, Davis 3-4. DQ: Gaytan 12-63, Hill 17-46, Bastien 10-33, Reed 6-30, Hester 5-12, Conner 4-10.

PASSING-HAR: Roper 8-18-1-62. DQ: Hill 9-16-0-143

RECEIVING-HAR: Sheldon 4-70, Dowdy 1-1. DQ:Morgan 2-54, D.Rose 4-52, Bastien 1-16, Clarry 1-14, Flint 1-7.