The Little Illini Conference added one more team to the playoff roster on Friday, as Newton won its’ fourth game of the season with a win over Robinson. The Eagles thus become the third LIC unit to make the post-season, joining Mt. Carmel and Paris. There are only two weeks left in the regular season, but there are still four other teams (Casey-Westfield, Marshall, Olney, Robinson) within one win of joining the club.
History was also also made on Friday night. Paris coach Jeremy Clodfelter became the winningest coach in school history with the Tigers’ 49-19 victory over Olney. He was doused with water by his team and presented the game ball after the horn had sounded.
Here’s a summary of Week 7:
FRIDAY
Paris 49, Olney 19
Paris scored twice in the last 1:17 of the first half — one score coming on a 38-yard pick-6 by Marcus Hutchings — to build a commanding 35-6 lead by halftime, then rolled on from there to a 49-19 win, snapping a two-game losing streak in the process. Paris ran with the combo of Dawson Rogers and Kipton Bradford most of the night. Rogers rushed 18 times for 134 yards and one TD. Bradford totalled 16 carries for 86 yards, and four scores. Quarterback Drew Kirby went to the air five times for Paris, completing four passes for 112 yards. Olney’s ground attack was led by Gentry Hough, who rushed for 123 yards on 18 attempts, with one score. Over the top, Owen Cycholl finished 8-of-14 in the air for 94 yards and one TD.
Newton 56, Robinson 14
Newton became playoff-eligible with its’ fourth win of the season, shaking off a slow start to eventually overwhelm Robinson, 56-14. Maddox Horner again led the winning Eagles on the ground. He ran for 212 yards on 15 carries, and scored three touchdowns. Quarterback Hayden Mulvey tossed the ball for 158 yards on 10-of-15 accuracy, giving Newton 523 yards of total offense on the night. Quincy Fulton also added two scores. Robinson, which scored first and carried a 7-0 lead into the second quarter, got more big numbers from Jetson Hoalt. He was 8-of-17 in the air for 104 yards. while rushing for 62 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. Josh Crouse led the Maroons on the ground with 13 trips for 93 yards.
Mt. Carmel 42, Casey-Westfield 0
Mt. Carmel clinched no worse than a tie for its’ first LIC championship since 2023 by throwing a shutout at Casey-Westfield. The Golden Aces scored twice in the first and second quarters, then added single scores in the last two frames. Quarterback River Deisher threw for 232 yards and two TDs, completing 14-of-17 passes. Chase Wiggins and Shain Meador each caught four passes, for 120 and 55 yards, respectively. Paul-Ray Garrett led the Aces on the ground, with 95 yards on 19 carries, plus two touchdowns. Mt. Carmel held Casey-Westfield to 164 yards in total offense. Nick Fouty led the Warriors on the ground with 48 yards. Quarterback Carter Stinson was 5-of-14 in the air for 74 yards.
SATURDAY
Marshall 60, Lawrenceville 8
Wide receiver Ethan Metz caught a 74-yard touchdown pass from Isaac Vennard just 15 seconds into the game to give Lawrenceville a quick 8-0 lead. But, that was it for the host Indians as Marshall scored the next 60 points to spoil Homecoming. Marshall regrouped to lead 14-8 by the end of the first quarter, then ripped off 27 unanswered points in the second to turn things into a rout. Lions running back Max Welch had an outstanding game, scoring five touchdowns while rushing for 214 yards on 20 carries. As a team, Marshall churned for 452 yards of total offense. Vennard threw only that one pass for Lawrenceville. Blayton Gossett was 3-of-12 for 68 yards, giving the Indians 142 yards in the air.
