The Carmi-White County Bulldog football team will travel to Albion to face the Edwards County Lions in Week 7 of the Illinois High School Football season this Friday Night.
The Bulldogs enter with a 5-1 record, needing one more win to clinch a spot in the IHSA Playoffs for the 4th straight year and 19th time under head coach Kurt Simon.
Edwards County comes into Friday’s game with a record of 1-5, with that that one win coming on a forfeit from Vienna-Goreville.
To say that the last few seasons for Edwards County have been a struggle would be an understatement. The Lions won 7 games in 2018, making it to the 2nd round of the IHSA Playoffs for the first time in school history. But since then, the Lions have won a total of 7 games, including winless campaigns in 2021 and 2022. While the lower levels look encouraging for the red and black, 2024 has been another bumpy ride.
Things looked somewhat hopeful for the Lions in the opening week of the season, going toe-to-toe with Eldorado and losing by just two points, 22-20. In week 3, the Lions trailed just 14-6 against Flora at halftime before eventually falling 35-22. Outside of those two games, the Lions have been out-scored by their opponents 121-0.
To make matters worse, EC has been forced to play without one of their best players. Starting quarterback, Jax Duncan was injured during their week 2 loss at Johnston City and has not played since. With Duncan out, Cash Conner and Jackson Hensley have shared the role as the team’s quarterback. Conner (#13 6’1 165 lbs Jr) is far and away Edwards County’s best athlete, but the Lions have had a hard time getting him involved in the offense. Over the last couple of weeks, Hensley has seen an increase in time at quarterback. Hensley (#21 5’10 170lbs Jr) threw the ball 13 times for just 16 yards last week, and he threw it 15 times for just 17 yards in their week 4 loss at Hamilton County. Conner has had slightly more success as a passer, throwing for 97 yards on 30 pass attempts with 1 touchdown and 3 interceptions, but he hasn’t attempted a pass since week 3.
No matter if it is Hensley or Conner at quarterback, the Lions rely heavily on the QB run and QB option. Last year they had a similar philosophy out of the I-Formation, but this year they spread the field with numerous receivers and the quarterback in the shotgun. Hensley has ran the ball 31 times for 79 yards, and Conner has carried the rock 26 times for 56 yards and a touchdown.
Brodie Dardeen (#33 5’6 150 lbs So) is the Lions’ leading rusher. He’s carried the ball 44 times for 177 yards and one touchdown this season. Drew Seibert (#7 5’8 185 Sr) will also get carries, he’s rushed it 24 times for 105 yards.
When the Lions do throw the ball, more times than not it ends up in the hands of Justin Davis. Davis (#24 5’10 170 lbs Sr) has caught 16 passes for 156 yards.
As for the Bulldogs, they’re coming off one of the greatest offensive performances in school history, scoring 72 points (tied 3rd most) and rushing for 503 yards (2nd most) in a Homecoming win over CZR. The defense however did struggle against the Bearcats’ passing game, giving up 279 passing yards and 4 passing touchdowns. The Lions don’t appear to have the same passing capabilities as the Bearcats, but it will be important for the Bulldogs to stay disciplined defensively and make tackles.
Calpreps.com predicts a Bulldog victory, 49-17.
Fans who can’t make the road trip to Albion will be able to listen to the game on 97.3 FM WRUL and online at WRUL.com. The game will NOT be streamed on the WRUL Sports YouTube Channel due to the lack of space and internet connection in the Edwards County pressbox.
Kickoff is set for 7 PM on Friday.
