A late second quarter blocked punt by Lamar and multiple Charleston turnovers in the second half were too much for the Tigers as they dropped a 3A-1 conference game to the Lamar Warriors. Charleston ends the regular season with a 4-6 overall record, and a record of 4-3 in conference play. The loss will send the Tigers on the road for the first round of the Class 3A state playoffs that begin Friday, November 15.
On a cold November senior night at Alumni Field, Charleston started the game strong behind an effective running game that had early success against the Warriors. Leading 14-7 late in the second quarter, Lamar’s Josh Salinas broke through the line and blocked a Charleston punt that led to a Warriors touchdown just before the half. The Tigers then blocked the ensuing point-after-touchdown attempt and held on to a 14-13 halftime lead.
In the second half, the Tigers committed three turnovers on interceptions. Behind a strong running game, Lamar took the lead and eventually stretch it to 14 points in the fourth quarter. Late in the game, Charleston rallied to pull within seven inside of five minutes to play, but the rally fell short and the Tigers dropped the conference game to Lamar, 28-21.
Seeding for the state playoffs was at stake on Friday night with playoff seed numbers two through five at state. Undefeated Booneville had clinched a top seed going into next week. Lamar, with its victory over Charleston, secured the number two seed in the playoffs.
The results of Friday’s conference games were:
Lamar 28, Charleston 21
Mansfield 41, Paris 28
Booneville 40, Cedarville 0
Greenland 49, West Fork 0
The final standings for the 3A-1 regular season are:
Booneville 7-0
Lamar 5-2
Greenland 4-3
Mansfield 4-3
Charleston 4-3
Cedarville 3-4
Paris 1-6
West Fork 0-7
Cedarville is eliminated from the playoffs. Charleston drops to the fifth seed due to the loss to Mansfield and a loss of tie breaker to Greenland on point differential.
Charleston played hard Friday night, but once again fell victim to mistakes and turnovers that have hurt the Tigers this season. Charleston has played hard all year, and they have overcome injuries since the start of the season. It has been a tribute to the seniors and the coaching staff for continuing to play hard and get into the playoffs.
As soon as the playoff brackets are set, Resident Press will have a preview of the Tigers first round playoff opponent and the Class 3A playoff brackets. And as always, stay with Resident Press as your information source for the Charleston Tigers and the Class 3A playoffs.
