Published: September 06, 2008 01:13 am         

Carroll puts the hammer to Tri-Central, 65-0

Pioneer runs its league record to perfect 2-0

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 Friday night at Flora.

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.

Carroll, 1-0 in the Hoosier Heartland Conference, 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 39 rushing yards in the first half and managed just 28 in the final two periods.

Carroll hosts Fremont Friday.

Pioneer 28, South Newton 7

Pioneer jumped out to a 28-0 lead after three quarters and held on for a 28-7 win at South Newton.

Nate Grigsby ran for 109 yards and a touchdown for the Panthers (3-0, 2-0 in Midwest Conference), who racked up 350 yards rushing for the game. Bryce Kiser added 87 yards rushing and a touchdown.

The Panthers held the Rebels (2-1, 1-1) and their vaunted Spread offense to just 135 yards of total offense. South Newton didn’t get onto the board until just 20 seconds remained in the contest.

Logan Brock caught a pair of touchdown passes from Tyler Miller and finished with two catches for 35 yards. Mitchell Petrie added a 16-yard reception and a two-point conversion.

The Panthers host Caston Friday.

Frontier 24, Caston 7

Caston fell to 1-2 and 1-1 in the Midwest Conference with a 24-7 loss at Frontier.

The Comets outgained the Falcons 132-120 on the ground, but Frontier had 177 yards through the air to Caston’s 76.

Austin Ault had 52 yards on the ground to lead the Comets, and Evan Pulliam added 40 yards

Caston travels to Pioneer Friday.