By Bob Evans
Sports Editor
August 31, 2009
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| Carrollton sophomore running back Damon Anderson picks up yards during first half action of the Warriors 22-19 win over Cleveland John Hay. |
The Carrollton Warrior football team rallied from a 19-point halftime deficit to defeat Cleveland John Hay 22-19 last Friday and Saturday at Community Field.
The game was postponed Friday night at the beginning of the fourth quarter due to lightning and thunderstorms that passed through the area. The contest was completed Saturday night.
Carrollton’s victory over John Hay broke a 12-game losing streak and was the first victory for second-year head Dan Detwiler.
Trailing 19-0 in the third quarter, the Warrior defense stepped up and made a big play. Under heavy pressure from the Warriors’ defensive line Hornet quarterback Donta McRae tried to force a pass that was intercepted by junior defensive back Tyler Sheets. Sheets returned the interception 40-yards for a Warrior touchdown. Sheets then added the point after to cut the Hornet lead to 19-7 with 6:01 left in the third period.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Warriors recovered the onside kick. Carrollton picked up one first down, but was forced to punt. Junior quarterback and punter Johnny Lowdermilk pinned the Hornets deep in their own territory. The defense recorded a tackle for a loss and also a 21-yard loss on a quarterback sack by senior Dakota Hall and Lowdermilk.
Sophomore Cody Walker gave the Warriors good field position inside the Hornets’ 20 with a nice punt return. Two plays later junior running back Codi Casper took it in from the 10. After the extra point by Sheets, the Warriors cut the Hornet lead to 19-13 with 1:06 left in the third.
Saturday night, Lowdermilk scored the winning touchdown on a nine-yard run with 6:35 left in the contest. In order to make it a three-point margin the Warriors chose to go for the two-point conversion. Lowdermilk’s pass to junior wide receiver Robbie Smith was successful giving the Warriors the lead and win.
The first half was a different story for the Warriors.
The Hornets dominated play with their passing game and the hard running by Leonard Jackson.
John Hay scored on its first position of the game on a 61-yard scoring strike from McRae to wide receiver Pranavan Crawl for a 7-0 lead. Later in the period Jackson broke through the Warrior defensive line and raced 62 yards for the Hornets’ second touchdown.
In the second period McRae and Pranavan hooked up again this time on a 55-yard strike for a score.
Casper led the Warrior rushers with 66 yards on 14 carries, while Lowdermilk added 34 yards on 15 attempts. Ericksen caught two passes for 15 yards.
John Hay out gained the Warriors 355-170.
Jackson had a game-high 99 yards on 9 carries for the Hornets. McRae hit on 11-of-19 passes for 258 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Pranavan finished with six receptions for 199 yards.
The Warriors will be on the road the next two weeks. They will be at Beaver Local Friday and at Claymont next Friday.
SCORING
JOHN HAY: 13 6 0 0 - 19
CARROLLTON: 0 0 13 8 – 22
FIRST QUARTER
CJH - Pranavan Crawl 61 yard passes Donta McRae (Leonard Jackson kick)
CJH - Leonard Jackson 62-yard run (kick failed)
SECOND QUARTER
CJH - Brandon Sipp 55-yard pass from Donta McRae (run failed)
THIRD QUARTER
CHS -Tyler Sheets 40-yard interception return (Tyler Sheets kick)
CHS - Codi Casper 10-yard run (Tyler Sheets kick)
FOURTH QUARTER
CHS - Johnny Lowdermilk 9-yard run (Lowdermilk pass to Robbie Smith)
STATISTICS
RUSHING: John Hay- 25-77, Carrollton - 39-125. PASSING: John Hay - 11-29-1 25, Carrollton 5-14-45. FIRST DOWN: John Hay 12, Carrollton 14. Total Yards: John Hay - 335, Carrollton - 270. PENALTIES: John Hay - 10-80, Carrollton 3-35. FUMBLES/FUMBLES LOST: John Hay 1-1, Carrollton 2-0.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING: John Hay - Leonard Jackson 9-99, Darnell Tucker 1-7, Brandon Sipp 4-3, Donta McRae 5-minus 31. Carrollton - Codi Casper 14-66, Johnny Lowdermilk 15-34, Damon Anderson 9-27, Ryan Wright 1-minus 2. PASSING: John Hay - Donta McRae 11-19-2-258. Carrollton - Johnny Lowdermilk 5-14 45. RECEIVING: John Hay - Pranavan Crawl 6-199, Leonard Jackson 3-2, Brandon Sipp 1-55, Demetrious Styles 1-2. Carrollton - Chris Ericksen 2-15, Robbie Smith 1-14, Cody Walker 1-9, Brandon Howell 1-7. Interceptions: Carrollton Tyler Sheets 40 yards. Sacks: John Hay - Jesse Hosea 1, Carrollton - Dakota Hall 1.5, Johnny Lowdermilk 0.5. |