Darren Kinnard/River Radio Sports Central
CARMI – The Carmi-White County Bulldogs used a strong second half performance to pull away from Fairfield on a rare Monday night varsity edition of rivals week in the Black Diamond.
Both teams hit big plays in the first half. The Mules scored on the second play from scrimmage when Israel Sargent busted free for a 47-yard touchdown run.
The Bulldogs tied the game on Cade Allen’s 75-yard punt return touchdown. Carmi-White County also got a 26-yard touchdown run from Noah Pollard to briefly take the lead in the second quarter before Sargent’s second score of the night tied the game at 14. Pollard ran for 187 yards on carries for Carmi, while Sargent ran for 160 yards on 25 carries for Fairfield.
Tied at 14-14 at the half, the Bulldogs opened the third quarter with a 5:20 drive, capped by Kade Stockton’s short touchdown run. The two-point conversion gave Carmi-White County a 22-14 lead.
The Mules answered with a short Jude Carter TD run to pull within 22-20, but the two-point conversion failed.
Holding that slim two-point lead heading to the fourth, the Bulldogs got a 43-yard touchdown run from Stockton with 5:25 to play, then sealed the deal with Madden Anderson’s 1-yard touchdown with a little more than a minute to play.
The Bulldogs improve to 4-1 on the season. They will have a quick turnaround hosting CZR Friday night. The Mules fall to 2-3. They will host Flora Saturday afternoon. The school will be honoring the 30-year anniversary of the 1994 North Egypt Conference champion team Saturday as well.
