Football Game Preview: Christopher-Zeigler-Royalton Bearcats vs. Edwards County Lions

Two dominant backs in Guage Schlake and Brodie Dardeen are getting ready to go toe-to-toe. The Christopher-Zeigler-Royalton Bearcats will head out on the road to face off against the Edwards County Lions at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Christopher-Zeigler-Royalton has given up an average of 32.6 points per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Christopher-Zeigler-Royalton is coming in off a wild two-game stretch: after soaring to 48 points last Friday, they were much more limited against Fairfield on Friday. They were outmatched by the Mules and fell 56-12. The Bearcats were in a tough position after the first half, with the score already sitting at 34-0.

Meanwhile, Edwards County never let their opponents score on Friday. They enjoyed a cozy 19-0 victory over Carmi-White County.

Christopher-Zeigler-Royalton better keep an eye on Jax Duncan. He was instrumental in Edwards County's win, rushing for 70 yards and a pair of touchdowns on only eight carries. The dominant performance also gave Duncan a new career-high in rushing touchdowns (two).

Edwards County was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 204 rushing yards. That's the most rushing yards they've managed all season.

Edwards County's win ended a four-game drought on the road and puts them at 2-6. As for Christopher-Zeigler-Royalton, their loss dropped their record down to 4-4.

Christopher-Zeigler-Royalton came up short against Edwards County when the teams last played back in October of 2024, falling 18-7. Can the Bearcats avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.