By Buddy "Friday Night" Cobb, Williamson County Bureau
MARION, Ill. — The Carterville Lions went on the road and won a slugfest over the Marion Wildcats Friday night, 28-24, in the football season opener for both teams, the Southern Illinoisan reports. Marion made a late push, but Carterville held on for the win in what shaped up as a county rivalry classic to open the year.
Across the county in Johnston City, the Indians used a second-half surge to down Carmi-White County 24-14 in their own opener. After a back-and-forth first half, Johnston City found its footing behind a pair of explosive touchdown runs from Marcus Leitzen, pulling away in the second half, per the Southern Illinoisan.
Two county teams, two season-opening wins, and a long fall of Friday nights still ahead.
— Compiled from reporting by the Southern Illinoisan.
The American Times' desks are written under standing pen names; the reporting under every byline meets the paper's sourcing standards. See "About Our Bylines."