Gridiron Preview – Rivalry Week in the Rain

UPDATE: Friday’s game has been moved to Monday, September 30th. Kickoff is at 6 PM.

It’s Week 5 of the Illinois high school football season, which means it is Rivalry Week in the Black Diamond Conference.

Both Carmi-White County and Fairfield are coming off losses from last week. The Bulldogs were shutout on the road against Sesser-Valier 32-0, while Fairfield blew a first half lead against Johnston City, losing 44-26.

As both teams look for a big bounce back win, this game simply means more when you look at the history between the two.

This will be the 117th meeting between Carmi-White County and Fairfield, a rivalry that dates back to the 1890s. Although the Bulldogs lead the all-time series 60-50-6, the Mules have had the upper hand over the past decade. The Mules dominated the rivalry from 2013-2021, but the Bulldogs have gotten the best of the battle in the last two seasons and will look to make it three in a row on Friday.

The Mules started the year off 2-0, after receiving a forfeit win from Vienna-Goreville in week one, then defeating Eldorado 28-20 in week two. The last two weeks however have been quite frustrating for the red and black. In a game that lasted nearly five hours after numerous lightning delays, they fell at Sesser-Valier 8-6 in week three. Then last week they fell to undefeated Johnston City at home after having the lead numerous times in the first half.

The Mules have thrived in the Justin Townsend era with the foot-to-foot double wing offense, but in the last two seasons they have sprinkled in some formations out of the shotgun.

Jude Carter (#2 5’10” 160 lbs Jr) has taken over the Fairfield offense as quarterback. He threw for only 46 yards last week against Johnston City, but he did throw three touchdown passes with 2 interceptions.

Israel Sargent (#7 5’11” 180 lbs Sr) is the Mules’ leading rusher, he’s carried the ball 49 times through 3 games for 357 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a 146 yard performance against the Indians last week. Miller Simpson (#20 5’10” 175 Sr) has rushed for 126 yards and 2 touchdowns on 18 carries. Simpson is also productive in the receiving game, he has caught 4 passes for 34 yards and 3 touchdowns. Junior Logan Tullis (#32 5’10” 180 lbs Jr) rushed 269 rushing yards on 26 attempts with 1 touchdown this season. Michael Burner (#22 5’11” 170 lbs So) will also see some time in the backfield.

As usual, Fairfield has size on the line of scrimmage. Much like last Friday against Sesser-Valier, the Bulldogs will be outsized up front. Right Tackle, Jayze Bube (#70 Sr) stands at 6’5″ and weighs 385 lbs. 4 of the Mules’ 5 offensive linemen are taller than 6’0″ and 4 of the 5 weigh more than 275 pounds. Carmi had a hard time creating a push on the defensive line last week, and Fairfield’s size could make that an issue for the Dogs again this week.

Defensively, the Mules have the depth to roll out five different players for the defensive line. Yet again, 4 of the 5 defensive linemen stand over 6’0″ tall, and all five weigh over 200 lbs.

The Bulldog offense struggled to say the least in week 3. Although the offense did look better at times in the second half, Carmi couldn’t finish drives for points. As a team, CWC rushed for 232 yards against Sesser, their lowest rushing total on the season.

“They are much like Sesser-Valier with how big they are up front,” said CWC head coach Kurt Simon. “We have to be able to stay on blocks offensively and bend but not break defensively.”

Another big factor in Friday’s game will be ole Mother Nature. Remnants from Hurricane Helene is making its way to the Tri-State this weekend, bringing lots of rain and wind. Fortunately, lightning and thunder are not expected in the forecast, but it will be a wet and windy night in Carmi. We’ll see how the conditions affect both teams offensively.

Calpreps.com predicts the Bulldogs to win 38-28.

Fans who don’t want to fight the rain can watch and listen to the game on 97.3 FM WRUL and the WRUL Sports YouTube Channel. Kickoff is set for 7 PM.