Wildcats win state playoff opener 41-35 at Carterville 'Cats travel to Pana next

Anna-Jonesboro jumped to a 21-0 lead and then outpaced Carterville score-by-score in a flurry of offense to post a 41-35 victory in first round action in the Illinois class 3A football playoffs at Carterville Saturday.

The two teams accounted for six touchdowns in the final period, including four in little more than the last three minutes of the game.

The Wildcats advance to the second round this weekend, traveling to Pana.

Pana, a number 12 seed, upended fifth-seeded Pittsfield 12-8 Saturday.

Since both A-J and Pana won road games, hosting of the second round game goes to the highest seed in the pairings. Anna-Jonesboro entered the playoffs seeded 13th.