CARTERVILLE – The Carterville Lions moved their winning streak to 5-0 with a close game against new opponent, the St. Joseph-Ogden Spartans, with a 32-28 final score.

The Lions had a rough start to the game with the Spartans scoring the first touchdown of the night, but soon enough they leveled the playing field with a touchdown from junior Riley Crain halfway through the first quarter; this drive was later followed by a 64-yard touchdown from junior Chance Myers, giving the Lions the lead at 13-7.

As the Lions tried to catch up to the Spartans in the second quarter, senior Brandon Skelcher connected with Crain for another touchdown, but a flag on the play forced them to bring it back. The Spartans were leading by one point, but not for long as Crain scored once again for his second touchdown of the night, giving Carterville the lead 19-14 at the half.

The two teams went back and forth for the second half, matching a touchdown from junior Parker Poole with a touchdown from the Spartans, leaving the Lions trailing 25-28. With the final 43 seconds in the game, Carterville turned it around as Skelcher passed to his favorite target, junior Nick Bisching, for the final touchdown of the game to secure the win.

The Lions now turn their attention to the Harrisburg Bulldogs at home on Friday, September 29.

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