Darren Kinnard/River Radio Sports
CARTERVILLE — Just about everything went right for Harrisburg in the second quarter of the Bulldogs’ 4A first round playoff game at Carterville, and just about everything went wrong for the Lions. The end result was a 23-point explosion that the Bulldogs’ defense made stand in a 23-12 win.
After a scoreless first quarter, Owen Rann connected with Tevin Godsey for a 60-yard touchdown pass on the the opening play of the second quarter for a 7-0 lead. On Carterville’s ensuing possession, Bulldogs senior Braden Burtis picked off Brandon Skelcher’s pass and returned it 15 yards for a touchdown for a 14-0 lead.
A pair of bad snaps on punts hurt the Lions. One set up a short touchdown run by Karmello Downey for a 21-0 Harrisburg lead. Carterville punter Jamieson Jones knocked the ball out of the end zone for a safety after the second.
Harrisburg led 23-0 at the half. Carterville spent most of the second half in Bulldogs’ territory, but only had a touchdown late in the third and another late in the fourth to show for it.
This marked Harrisburg’s first playoff win since 2012. The Bulldogs will next get their first home playoff game since 2015, when they will host Peoria Notre Dame in the second round Saturday. Kickoff is set for 5:00.
