Published: September 06, 2008 01:14 am            

FOOTBALL: Carroll punishes Trojans

FLORA — His summary was quite simple and to the point — which is what one would expect from a 65-0 thrashing which Carroll’s Cougars administered to a gutsy but totally outmanned and outplayed Tri-Central Trojan club here Friday night.

Simply said the Trojans were never into what became their third consecutive downfall in which they have now been plundered to the tune of 138-19, The Cougars, now 3-0 for the first time since the 2004 campaign, amassed 292 yards on the ground and 128 in the air — quite a disparity from TC’s meager 67 yards on the turf and 57 in the air.

“We finally opened up a little,” Carroll Coach Steve Keown said. “We’ve been on the verge of busting loose after scoring just 42 points in our first two games. Our offensive line really handled their defensive line, but our defense outscored our offense,” he added, referring to four pass interceptions, six forced fumbles of which three they recovered; a safety and a 69-yard punt return.

“I know they’re struggling, but [Robby] Howell is going to be a fine quarterback; [Corban[ Fiscus is a good receiver, and [Justin] Grubb and [Keegan] Pyke run hard. I’m proud of our guys, especially the way our seniors stepped up,” Keown said.

Carroll, 1-0 in the Hoosier Heartland Conference (HCC), got big plays from six performers. Drew Yoder ran 17 yards for a score; nabbed a 45-yard pass from Riley Eller for another and raced 50 yards with an interception for a third payoff. Skylar Bagwell had runs of 49 and 23 yards for touchdowns; Ben Bennington bolted one yard for a score; Carson Spesard hooked up with Eller for a 16-yard touchdown; freshman Brady Noonkester dashed 36 yards for a score, and Cody Kelly went 69 yards on a punt return for another payoff.

The Trojans were held to 67 rushing yards.

“We knew what was coming and we told the guys,” TC coach Mark Burdsall said. “We just didn’t play like we were supposed to or as we expected. Robby was under pressure all night, but he’s still holding the ball too long. [Justin] Grubb ran hard and did a good job. But you can’t put the ball on the ground six times and throw four interceptions and win.”

        

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