CARTERVILLE — Although they only shared the backfield one season, the running back duo of Shawn Watson and Bill Lantagne proved quite formidable for the Carterville Lions in the late 1970s.
A class behind Lantagne, Watson was the more decorated back. As a senior in 1977, he was selected First Team All-State by the Illinois Coaches Association and Champaign Urbana News-Gazette. Not surprisingly, he was also All-South and MVP of the Black Diamond Conference. The 1978 grad also led the south in scoring with 136 points and rushed for over 1,000 yards. Defensively, he stood out as a safety in the secondary.Â
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