Carver managed to overcome what could have been utter disaster in last night's opening round of the NCHSAA Class 2-A state football playoffs.
The Yellowjackets overpowered visiting West Davidson 31-0 at Lash Stadium. Still, there was cause for concern that Coach Brent David's team has a tendency to self destruct. Carver was penalized 15 times for 127 yards, and on two occasions, touchdowns were called back because of penalties.
David acknowledged that Carver (8-4) must improve drastically in that area in order to enhance its chances of advancing in postseason play. The Jackets will play at home against Lincolnton in the second round next Friday.
"Penalties are drive-killers, and you can't have that as you go through the playoff rounds," David said.
"We had some confusion on lining up in the new formation we put in this week, which caused some problems. At other times, our kids got excited and were too aggressive and that hurt us. But the good news is that it's all correctable. We'll address that starting Monday and we'll clean it all up."
Carver's defense established its dominance from the opening kickoff. The Jackets limited the Dragons to 90 rushing yards and generated such a fierce pass rush that quarterback James McCandies never had time to look for an open receiver. Carver recorded six sacks, three by Jamil Thomas.
On offense, the Jackets were equally productive, pounding the Dragons for 297 rushing yards. B.J. Lowery led the way with 117 yards and a touchdown. Marcuz Harris, who is Lowery's brother, had a coming-out party of sorts in his first significant action at running back. Harris carried just four times, but ran for 97 yards, including a 65-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.
Based on that performance, Harris will get his turn to further display his skills in subbing for Lowery, Richard Daniels and Dontae Wade.
"We found one tonight," David said, referring to Harris. "I gave him a shot to see what he could do. He's an exceptional back."
Carver grabbed the lead in the first quarter on Wade's 3-yard scoring run off right tackle. Harris had a hand in the next score when he partially blocked Nic Gregg's punt to give the Jackets possession at West Davidson's 35-yard line. Three plays later, Daniels, operating out of the Wildcat formation, fired a 34-yard touchdown pass to Denzel Rice to give Carver a 14-0 cushion at halftime.
West Davidson (4-8) kept the game close in the first half. The Dragons' defense prevented a third score right before intermission when Brandon Hill intercepted a pass at the goal line. In the second half, though, Carver's ground game shifted into overdrive and West Davidson could not find a remedy.
W.Dvidsn 0 0 0 0 -- 0
Carver 7 7 10 7 -- 31
C -- Wade 3 run (Banos kick)
C -- Rice 34 pass from Daniels (Banos kick)
C -- Banos 30 field goal
C -- Lowery 39 run (Banos kick)
C -- Harris 65 run (Banos kick)
Records -- West Davidson 4-8; Carver 8-4.
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