Week 3 Preview: Christopher-Zeigler-Royalton (0-2) at Fairfield (2-0)

by Steve Dunford

Christopher WR Noah Hervey finds some yardage after making a catch against Carmi-White County in Week 2. (Thank you Randall Risley for letting me use your photos.)

The C-Z-R Bearcats hit the road this evening and take on the Fairfield Mules this evening to take on the Fairfield Mules at the Train Yard.  Christopher fell to Vienna Goreville 41-6 in Week One, and last Friday night were shut out by the Carmi-White County Bulldogs 40-0.

Fairfield on the other hand handled two teams that are usually in the thick of things in the Black Diamond Conference.  In week one, they went into Ralph Davidson field and beat the Johnston City Indians 48-0.  In week two, they make the long bus trip to Chester and defeat them 56-22.

Long time Fairfield coach Justin Townsend had this to say about the 2017 edition of the Mules,  “We are a run heavy team, that features 5-6 different running backs splitting the carries. Theron Stewart, Dylan Heifner, and Wyatt Gilbert have had over 100 yards rushing in a game this season. We also feature 2 big, physical, TE’s that can catch the football. Kobi Dagg and Jayden Lewis. Alec Pruitt is our QB and has shown the ability to throw this season. (3 passing TD’S) we start five seniors on the offensive line with a lot of experience.

Our defense is our strength. Return 8 of 11 starters. (5 were all conference last year) Lead by our 2 Senior LB’s Chip Simpson and Lance Jolly.”

After the first two weeks of the season, Fairfield, and who will win the big showdown in Sesser tonight between S-V-W-W and Eldorado, will determine who will be the front runners for the Black Diamond Conference crown.

With all the returning starters for Fairfield, they Bearcats were outmanned by them last year 61-6 at Christopher.  It was one of the greatest things that I ever witnessed at a HS sporting event, as no one left, Christopher was driving late in the forth quarter, and the way the crowd reacted you would have thought they were down 21-14.

The Bearcats are young, and a lot of good things are happening at the lower levels.  They will take a lot of licks this year, but will be very competitive in the future.  I still look for them to possibly pull an upset before the year is over.  Anything can happen after the ball is kicked off, but I just don’t see it happening tonight.

Media

Here is a link to pay to watch the game from NewsChannel 15 in Mt. Carmel http://www.nfhsnetwork.com/affiliates/wabash-valley-college

Here is the link to listen to the game streaming from WFIW in Fairfield

http://www.wfiwradio.com/