Charleston has lost four straight games and is facing elimination from playoff contention with another loss. Taylorville enters Trojan Hill in search of its first Apollo Conference win, just like Charleston. Either Taylorville’s playoff hopes will remain alive, or the Trojans will see theirs washed away. Here’s the preview for tonight’s game. 

Team Records: Taylorville (2-3, 0-3), Charleston (1-4, 0-4)

Past Results: Taylorville defeated Mt. Vernon 13-0 to open the season and then dropped St. Edward (Elgin) 26-14 in Week 2. Since then, the team has lost three straight, including a 12-9 loss to Mattoon, a 55-14 loss to Mount Zion and a 27-7 loss to Effingham last week. Charleston has lost to Lincoln, Effingham, Collinsville and Mahomet-Seymour since a forfeit win over Robinson.  

Tickets: Tickets will be sold at the gate at Trojan Hill

School Size: Taylorville (757), Charleston (796)

Kickoff: 7 p.m

Opponent’s History: Head coach Jeb Odam enters his 13th season as head coach of the Tornados with a 74-49 overall record and seven playoff appearances. In his tenure, Taylorville owns three seasons of double-digit wins, including 11-win seasons in 2015 and 2018. 

Taylorville Running Game: Stats were unavailable

Taylorville Passing Game: Stats were unavailable 

Taylorville Defense: Stats were unavailable

Miscellaneous: The weather is projected to be 73 degrees at kickoff with a humidity of 62% and a 15% chance of rain. 

Charleston Rushing Game: Nate Shrader leads the Trojans in rushing with 34 carries for 83 yards. Zayvion Johnson-Mitchell added 16 carries for 36 yards, while Jack Nelson owned 38 carries for negative eight yards and the only rushing touchdown. Aiden Dukeman had a career-high 11 attempts for 48 yards. Collin Paterson added three carries for 11 yards. 

Charleston Passing Game: Senior Jack Nelson has completed 34-of-60 passes for 390 yards, three touchdown passes, and one interception. Backup Nate Schrader has completed 3-of-7 passes for 43 yards. Luke Nelson leads the team with three receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown. Hunter White added five receptions for 69 yards. Langdon King owns five receptions for 70 yards. Wade Wright has two receptions for 59 yards. Schrader has also spent time at receiver with four receptions for 43 yards. Wyatt Strader recorded his first pair of receptions for 17 yards and a touchdown. Chet Schrader owns two receptions for 14 yards and a touchdown. 

Charleston Defense: The Trojans have struggled to stop the run this season, allowing 330 rushing yards to Effingham, including four rushing touchdowns. Then, Collinsville running backs rushed for more than 300 yards between two players. Last week, Luke Johnson rushed for 112 yards, while quarterback Wyatt Bohm threw for 230 yards and four touchdowns. The Trojans have been outscored 153-31.