After an excellent 36-20 win over Fairfield on Monday, the Carmi-White County Bulldog football team will host Christopher-Zeigler Royalton at Harrington-Jeffries Sports Complex for the 2024 Homecoming Game.
The Bulldogs improved their record to 4-1 on the season, as they now sit in 3rd Place in the BDC. The 2024 season hasn’t been quite as friendly for the CZR Bearcats. After a 50-6 loss to Sesser-Valier last week, the Bearcats’ record now stands at 0-5. However, don’t overlook this team because of their record, they have some talented players who can make plays on offense.
CZR will run a full-spread offense. In the shotgun with two wide receivers on each side with a running back next to their quarterback, Landon Sveda (#3 5’10” 145 lbs Jr). Sveda leads the BDC in passing yards with 801 on 117 pass attempts, with 3 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. In week 2, Sveda threw for 412 yards in a 27-24 loss to Flora.
Sveda and the Bearcats have had their moments at times this season, including the aforementioned near upset over the Wolves, and again in week 3 where they trailed Hamilton County just 8-6 at halftime before losing 24-6. Unlike other teams in the BDC, CZR did not take a forfeit win from Vienna-Goreville as they played future BDC member Red Hill, and lost 39-12.
Landen Butler (#7 5’10” 160 lbs Jr) is Sveda’s favorite target, he has caught 18 passes for 269 yards. Gage Schlake (#2 6’1″ 170 lbs Jr) has 18 receptions with 230 yards and 1 touchdown this season. The Bearcats will use a handful of different receivers including Kaden Anderson (#1 5’11” 165 lbs Sr), Leo Tucker (#10 5’8″ 130 lbs Jr), Jeffrey Furlow (#23 6’1″ 180 lbs Sr), and Tyler Jones (#8 5’11” 185 lbs Jr).
When they run the ball, Tripp Fletcher gets the carries. Fletcher (#33 5’9″ 160 lbs So) has 66 rushes on the year for 232 yards and 1 TD. Sveda has shown that he can be dangerous with his legs also, he’s ran the ball 24 times for 119 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Although the Bulldogs held Fairfield to just 75 passing yards in week 5, Carmi has struggled against the pass in previous seasons. The Bulldogs were able to get pressure on Fairfield’s quarterback, including a key pressure by Easton Sullivan leading to a 4th down incompletion, and a sack by Stone McGhee on 4th down in the 4th quarter.
“They throw the ball a ton,” said CWC head coach Kurt Simon. “We will need to be sound on our coverage and try to get pressure on their quarterback.”
As for the Bulldogs, they looked like a totally different team in the win over Fairfield than they did in week 4 against Sesser-Valier. In nearly every aspect of the game, the Bulldogs improved and showed they were much better than what they displayed in the 32-0 loss against the Red Devils.
As usual, expect a heavy load of Noah Pollard and Kade Stockton. The two seniors combined for 265 yards and 3 touchdowns against a stout Fairfield defense.
“After a big win on Monday, we need to keep our momentum going,” said Simon. “Homecoming week is a fun time for the players, but we need to be sure we stay focused and get the job done.”
The win over Fairfield couldn’t have come at a better time for the Bulldogs. As we reach the latter half of the season, the Bulldogs have an opportunity to gear themselves for the postseason. A win for the Bulldogs on Friday will make them playoff eligible, but Carmi needs two more wins to officially clinch a playoff spot. In previous seasons, 5 wins would get you in the playoffs in the Black Diamond Conference, but with Vienna-Goreville forfeiting their season, there is no guarantee a 5-win team can get in due to the missing playoff points.
The Bulldogs will travel to Edwards County (1-4) next week, they will then host Eldorado (2-3) for Senior Night in week 8, before wrapping up the regular season at Johnston City (5-0).
Calpreps.com predicts the Bulldogs to defeat CZR 48-14.
Fans who can’t make it to Friday’s game will be able to watch and listen to the game on 97.3 FM WRUL and the WRUL Sports YouTube Channel.
Kickoff is set for 7 PM.
