When the original football schedule came out, the Lions were supposed to be on the road tonight for a conference game at Pinckneyville.
However, just before the season started, the Panthers announced that they would not be competing in football this season. This left an open week on the Lions schedule. With Sparta cancelling their remaining schedule last week, this meant the Lions would have two consecutive weeks of no football prior to playing Herrin next Friday night.
Athletic Director/Head Coach Brett Diel had been looking for a team to play this week since it was announced. Last week that call was answered by a team in the St. Louis area who was also looking to pick up a game.
The Comets from McCluer High School in Florissant, MO will make the trip to Carterville to face the Lions tonight in non-conference action.
Coach Howard Brown and the Comets are one of just a few teams in Missouri that are playing spring ball this year.
They come to Carterville with a 3-1 record this season with wins over St. Mary's, Hazelwood Central and Rittenour. The Comets average 34.5 points per game.
Carterville enters the game with a 1-1 record. The Lions rolled Anna-Jonesboro in week one 43-0.
In week two against Nashville the Lions jumped on the Hornets early. Even Midway through the second quarter the Lions led 21-7 but Nashville closed the gap to 27-20 at the half.
In the second half it was all Nashville as they shut down the Lions offense and went on to a 41-27 win.
I had a chance to talk to Coach Brett Diel about tonight's matchup against the Comets.
With the Comets making the trip from the St. Louis area, the game time was moved up an hour with kickoff slated for 6:00 PM.
You can hear the game on NewsRadio WJPF (1340 AM/FM 99.5) and here on the livestream.
Here are the rosters for the both teams.
