Carver shuts out Atkins

By: By Craig T. Greenlee | SPECIAL TO THE JOURNAL
Published: October 24, 2009

Carver's defense sent a strong message on the first play from scrimmage against rival Atkins in last night's PAC 6 2-A game.

Quarterback Cedric Williams took a short drop and intended to pass quickly, but it didn't matter. Before he could cock his arm, he was swarmed by a ferocious pass rush.

That sequence repeated itself often as Carver recorded eight sacks in a decisive 23-0 victory at Lash Stadium.

Anthony Avery and Jarvis Jones led the defensive siege with three sacks apiece. Atkins never found its offensive rhythm. The Camels managed 122 total offensive yards, which included 25 rushing yards.

"We have a tradition of playing good defense. We try to live by that," Coach Brent David of Carver said. "James McMillan (defensive coordinator) has done an excellent job. SamQuan Evans spearheads the defensive line, which allows us to put constant pressure on the passer."

With the defense dominating, Carver (5-4, 3-0) was content to rely on its ground attack to wear Atkins down. The Yellowjackets called on several backs to carry the load and they all contributed as Carver ran for 162 yards and averaged 4.6 yards per carry.

"Running between the tackles is our staple," David said. "In the second half, we kept it on the ground and controlled the tempo and the clock."

If Atkins (1-8, 1-2) could have avoiding committing a series of errors, it might have been able to keep the game relatively close.

A lost fumble in the first quarter led to Carver's first score, a 22-yard touchdown run by Dontae Wade. The Camels added to their woes on a punt attempt when a high snap from center sailed over Williams' head. He recovered, but it was at the Atkins 16-yard line. The Jackets' drive stalled and Eder Banos kicked a 34-yard field goal to put Carver ahead 9-0 at the half.

Carver's most impressive drive came early in the third quarter. The Jackets drove 55 yards in seven plays for a score, but got a fortunate bounce in the process. Wade broke free up the middle, but was stripped of the ball as he tried to pull away from tacklers around the 5-yard line. The ball rolled into the end zone and teammate Vernon Brown fell on it for a touchdown.

The final score was also set up by an Atkins miscue. On fourth down from the Camels' 33-yard line, Williams was hurried on a punt, which went seven yards. Two plays later, Richard Daniels took the handoff and started off right tackle, then he cut sharply toward the middle of the field, found a narrow opening, then raced past the secondary on a dazzling 40-yard sprint to the end zone. Daniels also caught six passes for 84 yards.

"Carver's defensive line put a lot of pressure on our quarterback and that made a big difference," Coach Michael Winbush of Atkins said. "There were times when we were able to make some things happen. But for the most part, he (Williams) just didn't have enough time to throw the football."

Williams of Atkins threw for 97 yards and was intercepted twice.

Atkins 0 0 0 0 -- 0

Carver 6 3 14 0 -- 23

C -- Wade 22 run (kick failed)

C -- Banos 34 field goal

C -- Brown fumble recovery in end zone (Banos kick)

C Daniels 40 run (Banos kick)

Records Atkins 1-8, 1-2; Carver 5-4, 3-0.