CHARLESTON- After a big win over a very good Barton Bears football team in the first round of the Class 3A state football playoffs, the Charleston Tigers will host a second-round state playoff game this Friday against the Bismarck Lions. The path of return to the state championship finals will not be easy for the Tigers, and Friday’s game with Bismarck will be another tough opponent for Charleston.
In last week’s first round game, Charleston raced to a commanding 21-0 first quarter lead with the help of a Barton turnover on their first offensive possession. The Tigers rushing attack, led by seniors Eli Huck and Reese Merechka, rolled up the yardage all night for Charleston. Merechka had another big night of scoring with six touchdowns on the night. There is little doubt that Bismarck will key on both Huck and Merechka in their attempt to contain the Charleston offense.
Charleston will need that type of offensive production to continue this week against a very good Bismarck defense. In 2022, the Lions’ defense led their conference in the fewest points allowed, averaging just 17.6 points allowed per game. Junior Johnny Diaz is a force on defense, accounting for 57.5 tackles in 2022.
Bismarck is a member of the 3A-4 conference along with Glen Rose, Centerpoint, Jessieville, Magnet Cove, Danville, Paris, and Two Rivers. In 2023, the Lions overall record was 9-2 and Bismarck was 6-1 in conference play. The Lions have wins over Rison (49-12), Poyen (49-12), Jessieville (46-6), Paris (41-0), Magnet Cove (50-15), Danville (61-0), Two Rivers (53-8), and Centerpoint (42-14). Bismarck’s only two losses were to Prescott (56-20) and Glen Rose (33-14).
In last week’s first round playoff game in Bismarck against the Hackett Hornets, the Lions defeated Hackett by the score of 42-13. That first round win advanced the Lions to Friday’s game in Charleston.
Bismarck is coached by D. J. Keithley. The Lions accumulated just 11 wins from 2015-20 but have been dominant the past two years. And although they graduated an All-State quarterback from their 2022 team, Keithley’s son, junior Ben Keithley, has taken over at quarterback and has performed well all season. Keithley, along with another junior, running back Johnny Diaz, will lead an explosive spread offense that has kept defenses on their heals all season.
We asked Charleston head football coach Ricky May for his impression of Bismarck, and the Tigers’ coach responded by saying, “They are athletic, very disciplined, and well-coached. They have a really good football team.”
The winner of Friday’s second round game will advance to the state quarterfinals that will be played the day after Thanksgiving, November 24. The winner will likely play at Prescott against the Curley Wolves for the right to advance to the state semifinals. A daunting potential opponent in week three, but for now, first things first. Both teams must concentrate on Friday’s game that will feature two evenly matched opponents.
When the Lions board their buses for Charleston, they will have a two hours and forty-six minutes trip ahead of them. But as the Booneville Bearcats proved in the 2022 playoffs, travel can be an issue, or, in the case of the Bearcats, it doesn’t have to be an issue. Booneville traveled long distances for most of the state playoffs and advanced to the state championship game in the process. But make no mistake, Charleston will have a significant home field advantage by not having to travel, remaining in their weekly routine, and having the support of what should be a raucous Alumni Field crowd.
Kickoff in Charleston is set for 7 p.m. on Friday. The WeatherBug forecast for Friday is calling for a high that day of 68 degrees and a low of 42. There is no chance of rain, so, the conditions should be very similar to last week’s first round game. In short, it will feel like football weather, and the conditions should be perfect for two very good football teams to battle it out for the right to advance to the state quarterfinals.
RNN Sports will be on the field to bring you coverage of the Tigers’ game with Bismarck along with action photos from the game. Watch for our post-game story on Saturday on our website at residentnewsnetwork.com. Photos from the game will be posted on Monday at RNN Sports’ “Team Press Pass” page on Facebook, as well as at Charleston Tigers Sports on Facebook.
Enjoy what should be a great match-up, and we’ll see you at the stadium!
