Welcome To the Class 4A Playoffs

Oct 28, 2016
2 min read

The 2016 IHSA Football Playoffs kick off tonight. Going in to October, there was some question whether or not the Carterville Lions would even be playing this weekend. But after winning their last three games of the season over Sparta, Pinckneyville and Massac Co, the Lions get rewarded by playing the #1 team in class 4A, Althoff Crusaders.

That's what happens, when you are the 16th seed in a tournament, you play the #1 seed. As Coach D and I talked this week, you might as get the tough game under your belt.

There is no question the Crusaders are deserving of the number one spot in class 4 A. 9-0 on the season, averaging 47.5 points offensively while giving up on 16.5 points per game.

But what might have been for the Lions. After a heartbreaking 7-6 loss at Herrin in week two and then to follow that up with a 6 point loss to Murphysboro in week three. Both of those loses are a direct result of a team that was making too many mistakes with penalties and turnovers. Win those games and your record is 7-2 and you are a 8 or 9 seed. But it is what it is.

This is not the same team that lost those games however, The Lions have virtually everyone available for tonight's game, and the Lions in recent weeks have come together as a group and have limited the turnovers and have reduced the number of penalties, some that were absolute drive killers.

Carterville does have it's hand full, but anything can happen in playoff football. They play the games for a reason. The Lions without a doubt will have to play the very best game of the year. They are completely capable of this, but things will have to go their way.