NAPERVILLE – The Carthage College football team is ready to kick off the 2024 season under first-year head coach Matt Popino as the Firebirds have been picked to finish eighth in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW), according to a preseason poll submitted by league head coaches in early August.

Carthage will open the season on the road against St. John's in Collegeville, Minn., on Saturday, September 7, at 1 p.m. The Firebirds will host North Central (Ill.), CCIW preseason favorite, in their home opener at Art Keller Field on Saturday, September 21, at 1 p.m.

Following the home opener, Carthage will travel to Illinois Wesleyan for a 1 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, September 28. The team will return to Art Keller Field for its annual Homecoming game on Saturday, October 5. The Firebirds will then head to St. Louis, Mo., to take on WashU at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 12.

The season continues with a home game against Wheaton (Ill.) on Saturday, October 19, followed by a road contest at Millikin on Saturday, October 26. Carthage's final home game of the regular season will be played on Saturday, November 2, against North Park at noon. The Firebirds will close the regular season with back-to-back away contests at Augustana (Ill.) on November 9 and Carroll (Wis.) on November 16.

Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets for all home games. Tickets for all home games can be bought here. All home games will be available on the Carthage Athletics YouTube page for those unable to attend in person. Be sure to subscribe for live coverage and updates.