DU QUOIN — The Du Quoin Indians’ 2019 football season ended in the second round of the 3A playoffs at eventual champion Williamsville. Little did Derek Beard and company know that not only would they open their next season against those very same Bullets, but that it would not begin for 16 months.

How Williamsville ended up in Du Quoin in March of 2021 is an interesting tale. The Bullets and Indians both found themselves without a game for week one, so it seemed to be a natural fit for both teams. But, rules put in place by the Illinois Department of Public Health say schools may only play teams out of their Covid region if they are conference foes.

So Williamsville was invited and joined the Southern Illinois River to River ostensibly for one game. Solution and game found.

The Bullets made the most of their foray into the SIRR, beating the Indians 64-20. Du Quoin trailed 8-0 in the first and was driving deep into Williamsville territory for a potential tying score, but the Bullets returned an interception 90 yards for a touchdown and were off and running.

Williamsville led 23-0 before Du Quoin got on the board. The Bullets added two more touchdowns before the Indians scored late in the half to cut it to 37-12. Williamsville tacked on three more scores in the third quarter to set up the running clock. Each team scored in the fourth for the final margin.

Du Quoin (0-1) will open SIRR Mississippi play next week at home against Sparta.