HARRISBURG — Senior running back Bryce Smith scored five first half touchdowns helping the Carterville Lions wrap up their first unbeaten regular season since 2014 with a 49-7 win at Harrisburg.

The Bulldogs could’ve clinched a playoff spot with a win. Instead, they finish the regular season 5-4, but still will have more than enough playoff points to make the postseason.

Carterville’s defense and special teams set up the offense in great field position in the first quarter. The Lions’ worst starting field position was midfield, following a pair of 3-and-outs for the Harrisburg offense, with a fumbled kickoff return in between. All three possessions ended with short TD runs by Smith.

Harrisburg got on the board in the opening minute of the second quarter on Ross Rider’s 7-yard touchdown run, but the Lions answered with 21 straight points. Andrew Hellriegel hit Blake Burkey on a slant for a 24-yard TD pass, then Smith came up with a interception on defense to set himself up for another short TD run. The senior later added a 12-yard scoring run for a 42-7 Lions’ lead at the half. Carterville then scored on the opening possession of the third quarter to start the continuous clock.

Looking ahead, Carterville will be one of the top seeds in the 4A South bracket, while Harrisburg will be on the road in round one. The Lions and Bulldogs will find out their postseason plans Saturday night when the IHSA announces the playoff pairings.

Looking even further ahead, this matchup will be a conference game next year, as the Lions will be switching from the Mississippi side to the Ohio side of the River to River.