Photos by Ryan Zeigler/Field Focus and Elijah Wampler/Eye of Eli Photography
SPRINGFIELD — The unbeaten Carterville Lions knew a trip to Sacred Heart Griffin in the second round of the 4A playoffs was not ideal.
Sacred Heart Griffin High School in Springfield has a long history of success. This year marked the Cyclones’ 25th consecutive postseason experience (excluding the pandemic season when no postseason was held). In that time, SHG has won six state championships as well as three state runners up finishes–all in 5A or 6A. This year, for only the fourth time in the last 25 years, the Cyclones wound up in 4A, and wound up Carterville’s second round opponent.
On the road, no less.
It was 7-7 after one quarter, but SHG scored 17 unanswered points in the second quarter to build a 24-7 lead at the half. That lead grew to 31-7 after three quarters, and eventually ended a 30-point Cyclones’ victory.
Carterville’s season ends at 10-1. SHG improves to 8-3 and will now get another shot at Rochester in the quarterfinals. The Rockets booted a field in the final seconds to beat the Cyclones 31-28 in the regular season finale.
