CARTERVILLE — Mt. Zion and its high-flying offense went on the road and ended Carterville’s season in the first round of the 4A playoffs, beating the Lions 42-21.
The Braves turned three Carterville fumbles into 14 points as the Lions had trouble slowing down Mt. Zion’s multiple weapons. Braves quarterback Keller Stocks threw four touchdowns and ran in a fifth. One of the touchdowns went to highly touted 6’7″ tight end JC Anderson, who’s being recruited by several Big 10 and SEC school. Jacob Harvey caught two of Keller’s touchdowns. The Lions did keep Illini commit Brayden Trimble out of the endzone, but Trimble still wound up with more than 100 yards receiving.
After falling behind 21-0, the Lions pulled with 21-7 on Luke Johnson’s 23-yard touchdown run. After Mt. Zion scored again to make it 28-7, Andrew Johnson connected with Riley Crain for a 12-yard touchdown with :03 left in the half pulling Carterville within 28-14.
The Lions got the ball to start the third, but promptly fumbled, leading to another Mt. Zion touchdown. Stocks’ TD run later in the third pushed the lead to 42-14.
Carterville’s season ends at 7-3. Mt. Zion moves on and will host Peoria Notre Dame in the second round, after PND won 59-58 in overtime at defending state champion Rochester.
