HERRIN -- Senior quarterback Chance Karnes rushed for four touchdowns and passed for another last Friday to lead the Herrin Tigers to a 42-20 Ohio Division win over visiting West Frankfort.
With the win, the Tigers improved to 2-2 in league play and 3-4 overall. They must win the final two games of the regular season to have a legitimate shot at qualifying for the state playoffs. The Redbirds fell to 5-2 an can clinch a playoff spot this Friday with a win,
West Frankfort took control of the game early, bolting to a 14-0 lead in the first period following TD runs by halfback Tanner Clark (2 yards out at the 7:09 mark) and quarterback Connor Eaton (19 yards out at the 0:20 mark)).
Herrin responded with a TD pass from Karnes to tight end Billy Braid from 23 yards out at the 11:51 mark of the second period. The Tigers tied the game at 14 all with 33 seconds left in the half on a 3-yard run by Karnes.
The Redbirds retook the lead with 1:30 to go in the third quarter on a Sean Williams 3-yard TD run, but the extra-point kick was blocked, leaving the score 20-14.
That misfire seemed to spark Herrin as the Tigers tied the game with 43 seconds left in the period on a 14-yard run by Karnes. Jake Baumgarte's extra-point kick was good to give the home team the lead for the first time at 21-20.
Herrin added to its lead when Jake Gibson scored on a 2-yard run with 9:15 to go in the fourth period. Karnes followed with two more insurance touchdowns on runs of 4 and 2 yards.
"I was extremely pleased and proud of the way the guys battled back after being down 14-0 in the second quarter," said Herrin head coach Jason Karnes. "I think this group's starting to kind of get it, get a feel for something, an identity. We're blocking better up front. We've got the running game going now and the passing game. Besides the one turnover, I think we executed as well as we have all year."
As the game progressed, Karnes said he saw glimpses of successful Herrin football from years past.
"We kept pounding that rock and were wearing them (Redbirds) down," he said. "I just thought the overall team effort was very good."
Karnes was leading rusher with 68 yards on 15 carries. Braid followed with 46 yards on two reverse runs. Caleb Stein earned 27 yards on five carries. Matthew Brandon followed with 24 yards on six carries and Gunter Gosha tacked on 21 yards on one attempt.
Karnes completed 5-of-7 passes for 126 yards with senior Brandon Anthony hauling in three of those passes for 94 yards. Braid had the one catch for 23 yards and Reice Hartline added one catch for nine yards.
Clark and TJ Willis each rushed for 46 yards to pace the Redbirds' ground attack. Mason Clay and JaQuan Johnson followed with 35 yards each. Eaton was held to 26 yards on the ground on 19 carries. Eaton completed 1-of-4 passes for 8 yards.
The Tigers play host to Harrisburg at 7 p.m. Friday. It is Senior Night at Herrin.
