HS football: Carlinville overpowered by Williamsville in first round of 3A playoffs

Nate Dyer had 49 yards on 21 rushes along with 12 tackles in his final game wearing a Carlinville High School football uniform. Photo contributed.

By JACKSON WILSON
Enquirer Democrat Reporter

As was the case in 2022, the Carlinville High School Cavaliers simply didn’t have enough horses to run a vigorous race despite getting off to a competitive start in the first round of the Illinois High School Association Class 3A playoffs at Williamsville Nov. 1.

The heavily-favored Bullets, champions of the Sangamo Conference, shut down a lengthy Carlinville drive that ate up the majority of the first quarter clock after the Cavaliers forced them to go three and out. CHS got another defensive stop, but the offense couldn’t break the ice. Williamsville reached the end zone on each of the next two trips down the field, then recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff to set up a third touchdown and take a 21-0 lead into the locker room.

The Bullets kept the Cavies shackled on the opening drive of the second half and extended their lead to 35-0 before the CHS offense finally broke through for seven points near the end of the third quarter on a 56-yard touchdown completion from Kip Reels to Triston Thompson.

Carlinville added another touchdown in the fourth courtesy of Weston Kuykendall prior to closing its season with a 49-14 loss.

Reels finished with 70 passing yards while completing four of six throws.

Nate Dyer, who led the Cavaliers with 12 tackles on defense, rushed for 49 yards on 21 carries.

Kuykendall added 37 yards on six carries. Noah Byots chipped in 14 yards on five rushes.

Carlinville has now appeared in 17 consecutive IHSA postseasons.

The Cavaliers end 2024 5-5 overall.

For full results and more photos, see the November 7th edition of the Macoupin County Enquirer Democrat.