Carlinville buries Staunton with 33 unanswered points in Week 4 win

By: JACKSON WILSON

Enquirer Democrat Reporter

Throughout the majority of the first half, it looked as if the Staunton High School football team was on its way to a victory over Carlinville, which hadn’t happened since 2008.

The Cavaliers’ response…..33 unanswered points that resulted in a 40-17 road win that spoiled Staunton’s homecoming night.

As was the case in previous weeks, Carlinville’s offense made some key contributions through the air and especially on the ground. The Cavaliers finished with 379 total yards (231 rushing and 148 passing) after being limited to just 79 in the game’s first 21 minutes.

Trailing 17-7 with 2:39 left until halftime, Carlinville was faced with a critical drive and needed to get points on the board with Staunton having the second half kickoff in its back pocket. The Cavaliers delivered and ventured 65 yards to the end zone on 10 plays. Joel White, who went on to finish the evening with 168 yards on 16 carries, capped off the clutch drive with his first of three rushing touchdowns.

In the second half, the Carlinville defense came to life and silenced a sellout SHS crowd by forcing a punt and three turnovers that all resulted in touchdowns on the other side of the ball. After the Cavaliers took a 20-17 lead on their first drive of the third quarter, Coles Ferratto stripped the Dogs and recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff. On the next kickoff, with Carlinville now leading 27-17, Staunton gave the ball away again, this time to Cash Enrietta, who secured the ball at the Staunton 28-yard line. With the score 33-17, Triston Thompson intercepted Staunton quarterback Kayden Leonard and White broke free on a 77-yard touchdown run that put the final nail in the coffin.

Read the full story and view more pictures in the September 25, 2025 issue of the Macoupin County Enquirer Democrat.