CARTERVILLE — The Carterville Lions used a stifling defense along with three Bryce Smith touchdowns to shut out Coal City 22-0 in the second round of the 4A playoffs Saturday at Lions Field.

The Lions’ defense held the Coalers to 100 total yards and forced three turnovers, two interceptions and a fumble. Peyton Bittle and Payton Van Horn had the interceptions for Carterville, with Bittle recovering the fumble.

Smith, the Lions’ senior running back, tallied 122 yards on 30 carries, scoring on three short touchdown runs. Riley Crain’s 26-yard first quarter field goal was the only other scoring of the day. Andrew Hellriegel completed 16-31 for 173 yards passing. Seven of those passes went to Bittle for 117 yards.

The Lions improve to 11-0. They advance to the 4A quarterfinals where they will host 10-1 perennial power Rochester. That will be a 1:30 game Saturday at Lions Field.

Coal City finishes 7-4.