This week on the Ballin4God Special episode, we were joined by Justin Holman, lead singer of Revis, a Southern Illinois-based post-grunge band. Justin is a Benton Consolidated High School graduate and grew up in Ewing.The band he is a part of, Revis, originally formed in Carbondale in 1999 as Orca and went on to sign with Epic Records and release their debut album Places for Breathing in 2003. The band found mainstream success with their hit song “Caught in the Rain,” which reached #8 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. After breaking up and reuniting multiple times over the years, Revis officially returned in 2024 and released new music, including their latest album Killing Time in 2025. Revis is currently on tour and has made multiple stops across the East Coast, but they are back home this Saturday, September 12th, in Ewing, Illinois. You can buy your tickets to the show at the link below: https://www.purplepass.com/events/381071-revis-w-special-guest-sons-of-stone-sep-12th-2026Justin talked about his journey with Revis and their recent travels along the East Coast. He also opened up about his walk with God and how, after the initial breakup with Revis, he went through a really difficult stretch in his life that ultimately led him to become a Christian. Justin spent the past eight years serving as a worship leader at Whittington Church in Whittington, Illinois, before stepping away from that role this past July.We also got into some of the lighter stuff, including Justin's love for Chick-fil-A chicken and that Raising Cane's has the better sauce of the two.SPONSORS:ALL STARS-N-STITCHESREND LAKE CABINS IN THE WOODSWEEKS IN BENTONJOE'S PIZZA & PASTAFOLLOW US: Instagram: @B4G_SILTwitter: @B4G_SILFacebook: Ballin4GodTikTok: B4G_SILSpotify: Ballin4GodApple Podcasts: Ballin4God

We featured a trio of Carterville Lions in our first segment: Gavin Johnson, Jack Dodson, and Jonathan (Jonny) Miller. The three are core pieces of Carterville's 2-0 start after beating Marion and Nashville on the road. Miller has rushed for nearly 400 yards through the first two weeks with four rushing touchdowns. Johnson has had more than 100 receiving yards in each of his first two games. Against Nashville, he received 155 yards, six receptions, one touchdown, and a 32-yard field goal. Beat Marion 28-24, Nashville 45-14, and play Charleston for their home opener this Friday in Week 3.

In our second segment, we had cubed Fletcher with Tripp senior for Christopher/Zeigler-Royalton/Elverado (CZRE), his brother, who graduated from Christopher in 2020, played at Greenville, and is currently one of the assistant coaches for CZRE. Then their father, Mike Fletcher, who played for CZR and graduated from Zeigler-Royalton in 1995. He has been on the CZR/CZRE coaching staff since 2005.

Tripp was our Week 1 Joe's Pizza & Pasta Player of the Week after rushing for 157 yards, three touchdowns, and 12 tackles in their win against Eldorado, 27-0.

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Timestamps:

0:00:00- Intro

0:16:10 - Carterville Lions

1:46:51 - The Fletchers

In our first segment, we spoke with Benton’s head coach, Justin Groves, alongside two of his seniors, Cole Copple and John Salatas. Groves is in his ninth season as head coach of the Rangers, and after their Week 1 win, he now has a career record of 57-24. He has made the playoffs six times, and five straight years. If it wasn’t for the COVID-19 pandemic, it would be seven straight seasons, as Benton went 5-1 in the COVID season. Salatas is an All-B4G returner from last year, as last season he broke the record for Tackles For Loss in a season at Benton.

Then in our second segment, we had another father & son duo with sophomore Brantley Kozuszek and head coach of the Nashville Hornets football team Stephen Kozuszek. Coach Kozuszek is in his 10th season, and after their Week 1 win, he has a career record of 72-26. Again, same thing with the COVID-19 pandemic, he would have eight straight playoff appearances, but it is only five. The Hornets have finished state runner-up in class 2A in his time in 2019 and 2021. Brantley is one of the top young receivers returning, as he had more than 700 receiving yards and also 200 more on the ground. Brantley was our week Player Of The Week last season in his first ever high school football game as he had 94 receiving yards and 121 total yards and three touchdowns.

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Timestamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:20:00- Benton Football

1:09:3u - The Kozuszek’s

For this special episode of the Ballin4God Talk Show, we sit down with Sons of Stone and Jacob Kuhns, a Southern Illinois music group bringing their gritty blues-rock sound to the area.The Benton based duo, made up of two brothers Jake and Josh Young have been making music and building their sound with a mix of blues, rock, and garage type of rock influences. They are playing for Revis at Wildfire Ranch in Ewing, Illinois, and we caught up with them to talk about their music, their journey, performing live, and what’s up next until Wildfire Ranch.At the end of the show, Sons of Stone performed their songs “Sedona Sun” and “44 Blues” live. Jacob Kuhns also performed an unreleased song.Sons of Stone & Jacob KuhnsPlaying for Revis at Wildfire Ranch September 12th in Ewing, ILSPONSORS:ALL STARS-N-STITCHESREND LAKE CABINS IN THE WOODSWEEKS IN BENTONJOE'S PIZZA & PASTAFOLLOW US: Instagram: @B4G_SILTwitter: @ConwellRussellFacebook: Ballin4GodTikTok: B4G_SILSpotify: Ballin4GodApple Podcasts: Ballin4God

Timestamps:00:00 - Interview39:06 - Sedona Sun42:39 - Jacob Kuhns46:37 - 44 Blues

In Episode #36 of the Ballin4God Talk Show, we preview the 2026 high school football season across Southern Illinois with Darren Kinnard.

Kinnard is the Digital Sports Director for River Radio and runs RiverRadioSportsCentral.com. We break down the new IHSA football playoff setup, conference realignment across Southern Illinois, returning players and coaches, teams to watch and much more.

High school football is back, and we get you ready for another season across Southern Illinois.

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We had two segments on this week’s show, Episode 35.

In our first segment was with Archie Goewey, a three-sport athlete for the Centralia Orphans. Archie plays baseball, basketball, and football and is entering his junior year of high school. He is already a six-time SICA All-South selection across those three sports. He became Centralia’s starting varsity quarterback as soon as he entered high school, also starting at guard for the basketball team and serving as a starting pitcher for the Orphans baseball team.

We also had Archie’s dad, Brad Goewey, who is the head varsity football coach and an assistant basketball coach for the Centralia Orphans. Coach Goewey is from Pittsfield, Illinois, just like Centralia boys basketball head coach Lee Bennett. Goewey has been at Centralia for 19 years and has worked in education for 22 years.

In our second segment, we were joined by Jim Kowzan, the 2025 IHSA Boys Basketball Official of the Year. Kowzan has been a football and basketball referee for more than 30 years. He is from Du Quoin, Illinois, and is currently a teacher at Benton Consolidated High School.

Alongside Kowzan was Jon Green, who officiates baseball, basketball, and football. Green is the president of the SIEOA, the Southern Illinois Egyptian Officials Association. He is also the superintendent of Goreville Schools and is entering his second year at Goreville.

Watch or listen to the full show on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

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Timestamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:05:36 -Archie & Brad Goewey

1:17:58 - Jim Kowzan & Jon Green

B4G Talk Show #34 with Marion and West Frankfort Football (read more).

This week we had Marion Wildcats Head Football Coach Jason Dunning and his son Peyton Dunning, who is a sophomore at Marion, on the show. We talked Marion football, Coach Dunning’s time at Carterville as player and coach. The impact the people around him has on had on his life, his workout routines, and some of the crazy challenges he’s taken on. He shares the story behind doing the Murph 100 days straight, running 75 miles in 24 hours, and competing in the World’s Toughest Mudder 5 DIFFERENT TIMES!

We also had the West Frankfort Redbirds on with seniors Chris Samples, Nick Hefner, and Jacob Spence (2025 2nd Team B4G All-South). We talked about the success this senior class has had all the way back to middle school, and building on back to back playoff appearances, preparing for this season, what it means to be a Redbird. We also talked about some of the biggest rivalries they’ll be a part of this fall. West Frankfort has gone 11-9 over the last two seasons while making the playoffs both years.

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Timestamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:10:33 - Jason & Peyton Dunning

1:28:04 - West Frankfort Football

Episode 33 of the Ballin4God Talk Show features three guests who are entering exciting new chapters in Southern Illinois sports.

Joel Dallas was recently named the new head football coach at Anna-Jonesboro High School after serving on the Wildcats coaching staff since 2010. A 2004 Anna-Jonesboro graduate, Dallas played during one of the school's most successful eras under Brett Detering before later coaching alongside him. He shares what it means to lead his alma mater, why restoring the Wildcats' brotherhood is a top priority, and his vision for the future of the program.

Zack Essex takes over as the new boys basketball coach at Johnston City. After successful head coaching stops at Galatia, Joppa/Maple Grove, and other area schools, along with assistant coaching experience at Meridian and Pinckneyville, Essex is stepping into his first larger-school opportunity. He discusses building on Johnston City's strong athletic culture, changing the basketball program's trajectory, and the expectations he has for the Indians.

Tyler McConnell joins the show after transferring from Pinckneyville to Du Quoin. One of Southern Illinois' top returning football players, McConnell is drawing interest from multiple Division I FCS programs and is also one of the area's top returning basketball players. He talks about the decision to transfer, his expectations at Du Quoin, the recruiting process, and how he hopes to make an immediate impact on the football field and basketball court alongside his younger brother, Colin.

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Timestamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:07:40 - Joel Dallas

1:01:28 - Zack Essex

2:04:23 - Tyler McConnell

3:07:38 - Outro

Episode 32 of the Ballin4God Talk Show shines a light on the world of Southern Illinois dirt racing with four guests who continue to make an impact. J

Jaxton Wiggs is a Micro Sprint driver/Sprint car driver and Benton Rangers student-athlete. Entering his senior year at Benton Consolidated High School, Wiggs competes in basketball and golf while racing throughout the Midwest. One of Southern Illinois' top young drivers, he discusses his racing journey, balancing athletics with competition, and his goals for the future.

Jeff Wiggs is a longtime supporter of dirt racing and former racer himself. He is the father of Jaxton and Jagger Wiggs (younger brother). Having spent years traveling the racing circuit with his family, Jeff shares the sacrifices, commitment, and behind-the-scenes work that go into helping his sons compete at a high level.

Caleb Hilliard is the president of the Southern Illinois Raceway Club and helps oversee operations at Southern Illinois Raceway in Marion, Illinois. Hilliard works to grow dirt racing through race promotion, facility improvements, and community engagement while helping lead one of the premier micro sprint facilities in the Midwest.

Shane Cockrum is the Benton Fire Chief, a dirt racing competitor, and a longtime member of the Southern Illinois racing community. Cockrum has spent years competing on area dirt tracks like Du Quoin, but also all across the country. He competed in Silver Crown, Sprint cars, and Midgets cars. He also has been serving the Benton community through the fire service for the last 27 years, and 12 years as the fire chief.

The episode also previews this weekend's Terry Sprague Memorial at Southern Illinois Raceway, one of the nation's premier Non-Wing Outlaw Micro Sprint events. The annual race honors the late Terry Sprague while attracting many of the country's top drivers to Marion for one of the biggest weekends on the Southern Illinois racing calendar as it is $13,000 1st Place Prize.

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Timestamps:

0:00:00 - INTRO

0:07:46 - JEFF & JAXTON WIGGS, CALEB HILLIARD

1:17:06- SHANE COCKRUM

2:41:29 - OUTRO

We had two Benton Rangers alumni and Benton Rangers golf coach Reggie Norman on the podcast.Father and son Cy Norman and Reggie Norman joined us. Cy graduated in 2023, attended the University of Central Florida, and transferred back to Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 2025. Cy won an individual state championship and was part of two state runner-up teams in high school. Reggie has been coaching since 2014 and has set the standard and expectations at Benton as the top golf school in the area.We also had Gavin Genisio on, who graduated from Benton in 2024. He attended Tennessee for the first two years of his college career and transferred to Arkansas heading into this year. The Razorbacks have won 53 SEC championships and 33 national championships in track & field. Genisio won four individual state championships in high school and was part of the 2024–25 cross country state runner-up team and the 2024–25 track & field third-place finish for the Benton Rangers. He was an All-American in high school and ranked among the top 20 in the nation.SPONSORS:ALL STARS-N-STITCHESREND LAKE CABINS IN THE WOODSWEEKS IN BENTONFOLLOW US: Instagram: @B4G_SILTwitter: @ConwellRussellFacebook: Ballin4GodTikTok: B4G_SILSpotify: Ballin4GodApple Podcasts: Ballin4God

Timestamps:

0:00:00 - INTRO

0:03:30 - CY & REGGIE NORMAN

0:59:52 - GAVIN GENISIO