Carver ran out of time and out of chances in the second round of the Class 2-A state football playoffs last night. So now, Coach Brent David's team has the rest of the school year to ponder what could have been.
The Yellowjackets failed to make good on two scoring opportunities in the third quarter that would have shifted the games to their favor. As a result, their postseason run ended in a 16-14 loss to Lincolnton.
"It's very disappointing," David said. "I thought this team could take it all the way (to a state championship). Our kids gave it all they had, but we just never got any rhythm on offense."
The third quarter will be replayed frequently in the minds of Carver's players and coaches. Down 14-7, the Jackets were in excellent position with a first down at the Lincolnton 6-yard line. Quarterback Mike Lawrence scored on a bootleg run, but a clipping penalty nullified the touchdown. Things got progressively worse on that drive as penalties and sacks pushed the Jackets back to the Wolves' 38-yard line and they ended up punting on fourth and goal.
Carver got the ball back after a short punt and took over on Lincolnton's 31. The Wolves' defense, however, held steady and the Jackets were denied. A dropped pass and an incompletion forced the Jackets to give the ball back on downs.
"We're fortunate to come out with a win," said Coach Scott Cloninger of Lincolnton. "Everybody on defense played very well. There are no superstars. What we had tonight was a total team effort."
Lincolnton (10-3) delivered what proved to be the key play early in the fourth quarter. With Carver backed up inside its own 10, Lawrence tried to escape the pass rush, but was sacked in the end zone by Brett Ebert for a safety and the Wolves went up 16-7.
The Jackets eventually closed the gap on Denzil Rice's leaping catch of a 24-yard touchdown pass from Lawrence with 2:22 left to play. Lincolnton held the ball long enough to take valuable time off the clock, leaving Carver with little time to operate. The Wolves (three sacks) kept constant pressure on Lawrence, who was sacked by Jamie Stamper on the final play of the game.
Carver got solid production from its passing game. Lawrence threw for 191 yards and two touchdowns and had an interception and touchdown-saving pass break-up. Uncharacteristically, however, the Jackets didn't run the ball as often or as well as they normally do. Carver had 25 rushing attempts for 55 yards.
"I tip my hat to Coach Cloninger," said David. "Their defense kept us from really getting things going like we wanted. We got away from doing what we do best and that is to pound the football."
Quarterback Brandon Wilson scored both touchdowns for Lincolnton.
Lincolnton 7 7 0 2 -- 16
Carver 7 0 0 7 -- 14
L: Wilson 20 run (Miller kick)
C: Wright 66 pass from Lawrence (Banos kick)
L: Wilson 1 run (Miller kick)
L: Ebert safety
C: Rice 24 pass from Lawrence (Banos kick)
Records: Lincolnton 10-3; Carver 8-5
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