CARTERVILLE- Carterville Lions football won a crucial 28-7 victory last Friday over Nashville that clinched them a playoff spot. The Lions not only played great offense with 4 touchdowns, they also shined on defense with two forced fumbles and an interception.

Nashville received the ball first to start off the game, ending on a turnover on downs on 4th-and-7. The teams would exchange punts and remain scoreless to end the 1st quarter 0-0.

To start off the 2nd quarter, Nashville would score their first and only points of the game, putting them up 7-0. This was the spark Carterville needed as they would march down the field resulting in quarterback Andrew Hellriegel rushing in a touchdown.

Carterville’s defense responded by stopping Nashville on another failed 4th down conversion. The Lions offense scored right before the half with a touchdown pass from Hellriegel to Nolan Hartford putting the Lions up 14-7 before the half.

Carterville got the ball to start the second half, however they would fall short on a 4th down conversion to give Nashville the ball. Nashville would struggle on offense, as they had multiple turnovers within the 3rd quarter.

They fumbled on their first drive of the 3rd quarter. Carterville’s offense would take advantage of this fumble, with Hellriegel scoring a rushing touchdown to put the Lions up 21-7. Nashville would proceed to throw an interception to Peyton Bittle on the following possession, however the Lion’s offense failed to capitalize on the interception and punted. Nashville would fumble again, giving the Lions offense the ball again. They exchanged punts until the end of the 3rd quarter with the Lions up 21-7.

To start off the 4th quarter, Hellriegel tossed another touchdown to Blake Burkey, putting them up 28-7. This would be the last score of the game for either team. Nashville would fumble 2 more times this quarter, however the Lion’s would punt both times.

Extended their win streak to six in a row with this 28-7 victory over Nashville, clenching them a playoff spot.

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