Finally...Lions & Tigers...Oh My!
- Sep 7, 2016
- 3 min read
This was a match up that A LOT of people in Williamson County and Southern Illinois had wanted during the high school regular season for a long time. The Carterville Lions vs. Herrin Tigers. This past Friday night they got it and the teams did not disappoint.
The last time these two teams met on the gridiron, it was November 15, 2014. It was the Class 3A Quarter-finals of the IHSA playoffs. Huge crowd! Huge expectations for both teams! Unbelievable atmosphere! Herrin walks away from the game the winner, advancing on to the semi-final round.
This time, a week two match up between two schools trying to find their 2016 team identity. The Lions came in to the game after a week one win over the Benton Rangers 33-6. Harley Vaughn is coming off a very impressive opener where he accounted for over 230 yards total offense. The Herrin Tigers suffered a season opening loss to Waterloo, after holding a lead heading to the 4th quarter.
Herrin came out firing on all cylinders as they were able to run 24 offensive plays on their first two possessions compared to the Lions 7. But the Lions defense was outstanding as they were able to get the big stops when they were needed. At the half the scoreboard showed the same score it started with, 0-0.
Carterville was finally able to get rolling on its second possession of the 3rd quarter, when they scored on a 10 play drive with 2:00 minutes left in the quarter on a 4 yard touchdown pass from Vaughn to Ford. The Lions missed the extra point. Little did we know how big that one play would be.
The Tigers answered on their next possession as Drew Merrel scored on an 85 td run from the 15 yard line. The Tigers however made their extra point and that was the game 7-6.
this was a hard fought game by both teams. There were some questionable calls from the officials, but it just a good football game between good teams. The Lions defense was fantastic the entire game. They were able to get the stops when the Tigers had the ball deep in Lions territory. And the missed extra point just goes to show you that every single play can make a difference in a game.
This week won't be any easier as the Murphsyboro Red Devils travel to Carterville. You can bet the Lions will be ready to roar, not only after last weeks loss at Herrin, but also after dropping both game to Murphy last year, including the season ending loss in the playoffs a year ago. I am surprised that the REd Devils have started the season 0-2, so you can bet they will be fired up when they take the field in Carterville. The Lions know they have a fantastic defensive team. This week the Lions need to put everything together both offensively and defensivley. If they do that, it "should" be a good night to be a Lions fan.
Props to the Herrin School District on the new press box. That was my first visit there, and it is a beautiful facility.
From What I can tell, the Lions came out of the Tigers game healthy. This week against the Red Devils, we could see the return of Markas Lazdinis, which would give the Lions a definitive edge in any game the rest of the year as they have three strong running backs with Max Grey and Brock Tuttle.
This week makes the 20th Anniversary celebration of the 1996 Class 3A Champion Carterville Lions. It is going to be a fantastic night to recognize this group of state champions. According to Athletic Director Brett Dial (Who played on that championship team), players from all over the country will be coming back to the Carterville for the celebrations. Should be a great night.
If you would like to go back and re-live that game on a cold rainy night back in 1996, you can watch the game on the video on the right.
This Friday, we will once again be streaming the Murphysboro/Carterville game live on YouTube. You can watch the game and listen to the radio call with Scott Hudson and myself at the . Feel free to share the link for the game with your friends and family.
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