IHSA Class 2A Playoffs: #9 Carmi-White County (6-3) #8 Bismark-Henning-Rossville-Alvin

by Steve Dunford 

The Carmi-White County Bulldogs will make the 166 mile trip up Route 1 to face the Bismark-Henning-Rossville-Alvin Blue Devils.

In the early days of the website I shared a story on Rossville-Alvin discussing reactivating their high school.  The school closed in 2005.  The district was paying tuition for students to either attend Hoopeston East Lynn or Bismarck Henning.  The long name results from the two districts forming a cooperative agreement.

They play in the Vermilion Valley conference which is mainly 1A-2A

Here is what coach Mark Dodd said about his Devils.  It is a team that experienced a lot of hardship.  He sent the story in all caps.  I would like to share it all.  Say a prayer for this team. “ITS BEEN A SEASON OF HEARTBREAK FOR OUR TEAM.  ONE OF OUR SENIORS’ MOTHER PASSED AWAY IN LATE JULY”.

“IZAACK KITCHENS, OUR RETURNING ALL STATE RUNNING BACK (1800 YDS LAST YEAR UNTIL HE TORE HIS LEFT ACL IN WEEK 10) TORE HIS RIGHT ACL IN HIS FIRST CARRY OF THE SEASON.  SENIOR TIGHT END AND DEF END THOMAS SAVAGE BROKE HIS ELBOW IN WEEK 7.  IN WEEK 8 SOPHOMORE RUNNING BACK CALEB LAHEY (1700 YDS, 21 TDS IN 7 GAMES) TORN HIS ACL ON HIS FIRST CARRY.  SENIOR GUARD AND LINEBACKER JD FINNEY TORE HIS ACL IN THE SAME GAME ON THE OPENING KICKOFF.  IN OUR WEEK 9 LOSS TO WEST HANCOCK, JUNIOR RUNNING BACK AND LINEBACKER WADE EDWARDS BROKE HIS LEG.  THIS LAST WEEK OUR QUARTERBACK WYATT EDWARDS, WHO HAS PLAYED WITH A CAST ON HIS BROKEN LEFT THUMB SINCE WEEK 3,”

“HE LOST HIS GRANDFATHER SUDDENLY.  THE TEAM ATTENDED THE VISITATION ON FRIDAY”

“THAT’S BEEN OUR SEASON.  WE HAVE BATTLED THROUGH ADVERSITY EVERY WEEK, EVERY GAME AND ARE EXCITED TO STILL BE PLAYING IN WEEK 10.  WE HAVE 6 SOPHS AND 1 FRESHMAN NOW STARTING FOR US.”

Here is what Carmi-White County Coach Kurt Simon said about the matchup,  “They are very big and physical.  Their three losses are against 3 teams that have 2 losses between them.  We will have to limit turnovers and try to maintain good field position and make some big plays we can do that, we might be in a position in the 4th quarter to win. “

tjeI am not picking point spreads.  Out of the BDC, I think the Bulldogs and  and Eldorado are most likely to pick up a win.  I will be monitoring the scores on WRUL.