Prep Football: Fast Herrin start dooms Bulldogs and postseason hopes

Isaiah Saulsberry threw for 127 yards and Jordan Bartok had three rushing scores, but it wasn't enough for Harrisburg to keep its postseason aspirations alive after suffering a 35-21 defeat at the hands of SIRR Ohio champion Herrin Friday night at Taylor Field.

The Tigers came into the contest winners of six straight and jumped out to a 14-0 lead a little more than three minutes into the first quarter.

Jason Karnes and company enjoyed a 28-7 lead at intermission, but Harrisburg was able to make things interesting late in the game.

"I'll give our kids credit," said Harrisburg coach Al Way. "When we were down 28-7, they could have hung it up and it could have gotten ugly real fast. We managed to move the ball, Isaiah made some good throws, we made some good catches, our backs ran hard."

The Bulldogs (3-5, 2-3) managed to get to within 28-21 after Bartok's third score of the night with 3:29 to play, but Herrin recovered the ensuing onside kick, and put the game away with a 42-yard touchdown from Jacob Hartline.

"We knew their backs were against the wall and they had to win to have a chance at the playoffs," said Karnes. "We jumped out to a quick start. I thought we got a little complacent, and they did some things different to us in the passing game."

Harrisburg senior Matt Upchurch rushed for more than 100 yards but had to leave the game with an injury.

Jordan Gould caught three passes for 83 yards while Hunter Smith hauled on two catches for 41 yards.

The Bulldogs were without the services of halfback Axavier Doss and wideout Austin Hefner due to injuries.

Herrin's Drew Merrill scored twice and racked up 95 yards on the ground.

Herrin (7-1, 5-0) will meet Breese Central to close the regular season. Harrisburg will finish its year by hosting Carbondale in Week 9. This marks the third time in the past four years Harrisburg has failed to make the postseason as a program.

"It's senior night and the last home game," said Way. "Even having a possible 4-5 record, if you win your last game, you finish on a positive note. Most teams don't end the season winning the last game, so that's the way you have to look at it. If we are focused and will not beat ourselves, it's a game we can win."