The Lions Pass Their First Playoff Test of the Season. Part II...This Friday Night!
- Sep 29, 2016
- 3 min read
Well, it wasn't a REAL playoff game, but it did have playoff implications. Lose, and you probably don't make em.
The undefeated Anna-Jonesboro Wildcats came to town to take on the 1-3 Carterville Lions. After talking with several people from both schools, the common denominator from their comments were "neither team is their record".
AJ came in to the game a perfect 4-0 on the season. With impressive wins over a MUCH improved West Frankfort 12-6 in week one. A tough fought 22-15 win over Murphysboro. A blow-out win over Massac County 34-7 and 26-20 win over Nashville. There was no reason not to think the Wildcats were not their record. They were doing what they needed to do to win.
Carterville on the other hand was 1-3 and riding a three game losing streak with losses to Herrin, Murphysboro and Du Quoin and NOT doing they things they needed to do to win. Penalties, turnovers, and just not playing good football against the good teams.
But, the Lions may have turned the corner on their season with a very impressive 35-7 win over the undefeated Wildcats. And what a night it turned in to for Senior quarterback Darien Miller! 238 yards rushing, 3 rushing touchdowns, 1 touchdown pass. But it wasn't just #7's effort that won the game. Major kudos to the offensive line for opening up the holes needed to run, and the Lions defense was fantastic. Case in point, the goal-line stand that set up Miller's 95 yd TD run. But you can't forget the three turnovers they forced and recovered!
With Darien Miller at quarterback and the running game of Tuttle, Lazdinis and Gray, the rushing attack of Lions should be on point. With the receiving corp of Ford, Griffin and Johnson, the Lions can hit from all sides, and the stout defense we've seen glimpses of all season, and the one that dominated last week.
Which will help going to Nashville this Friday. Nashville comes in with a 3-2 record. With wins over Carlyle, Wesclin and Sparta and losses to Massac County and to AJ, this won't be an easy game. It never is when you play Nashville, but it's homecoming for them this week, so you can expect that they will be pumped up. Plus, this game is equally as big for the Hornets and playoff implications are on the line as well.
This Week's 103.5 ESPN -
101.5 CIL-FM High School Team of the Week
Last Saturday on Sportsvoice (Saturday Mornings 8-10 AM on 103.5 ESPN & NewsRadio WJPF), Murf and I had a very lively exchange about who should get the TOTW honors. After a lot of discussion, the Lions were chosen and received their plaque and t-shirts this week. It is a well deserved honor after last weeks game.
SIRR Conference Golf Tournament
Congrats to Dylan Valerius on his second place finish at the conference golf tourney at Hickory Ridge in Carbondale.
Job Well Done!
The Carterville High School girls golf team packed over 400 bags of food for Gumdrops in Carterville. That's truly something to be proud of. Way to go Ladies! #LionPride
This Week's Radio Broadcast
Scott and I will have all the game coverage starting with our pre-game show on NewsRadio WJPF (AM 1340) and online at www.wjpf.com starting at 6:45 pm with kick-off slated for 7:00 PM.
And don't forget to turn in to "Overtime" with John Homan on 103.5 ESPN at the conclussion of Herrin football. John gives you a complete run down of Southern Illinois football and will talk with the players and coaches from many of the teams.
YouTube Live Stream
Yay! Last week’s live stream worked great. I appreciate everyone that watched. If you would like to go back and watch the best game the Lions have played this year, you can watch below.
Will have the stream up and running this week as we travel to Nashville. You can watch this week’s game below.
CHS Sports for the Week (Oct 1-7, 2016)
Saturday - October 1
- Co-Ed Cross Country vs. Multiple Opponents (Home) - 10:00 AM
- Boys JV Soccer @ Pinckneyville 11:00 AM
Monday - October 3
- Girls Varsity Golf @ Centralia - 4:00 PM
- Boys Sophomore Football vs. Nashville (Home) - 6:00 PM
Tuesday - October 4
- Boys Varsity Golf @ Marion - 9:00 AM
- Girls Varsity Volleyball @ Anna-Jonesboro - 7:45 PM
Wednesday - October 5
- Girls Varsity Golf @ Zeigler-Royalton - 9:00 AM
- Boys Varsity Soccer vs. Murphysboro - 4:30 PM
Thursday - October 6
- Co-Ed Varsity Cross Country @ Pinckneyville - 4:00 PM
- Boys Varsity Soccer @ Christ Our Rock Lutheran - 4:30 PM
- Boys Freshman Football @ Sesser-Valier - 6:00 PM
- Girls Varsity Volleyball vs. Nashville (Home) - 7:45 PM
Friday - October 7
- Varsity Football @ Sparta - 7:00 PM
Carterville Athletics Website
Finally, I want to remind you that Carterville has a new athletics website that is fantastic. Just go to www.cartervillelionsathletics.org
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