Homecoming fever. . . CATCH IT!

Big plays, sustained drives, stingy defense and clean play, along with the pageantry and excitement of Homecoming Week, all added up to a big victory for Carrington Friday night, September 23.

In what was easily their best game of the fall six weeks in, the Cards took home a 28-6 win over the Park River Area Aggies, improved to 2-4 and suddenly are squarely in the Region 2 playoff conversation.

Head Coach Kyle Smith couldn't have been any happier with how his team rose to the challenge.

"It's definitely the most complete game we've played all year," said Smith. "On offense, we took care of the ball, controlled the clock and moved the chains, and defensively, we allowed only one play over 20 yards. Also, it's amazing how much easier the game is when you don't commit penalties or turn the ball over."

On the first drive of the game, Carrington methodically marched down the field and put themselves on the board with a one-yard touchdown by Kael Kovar. Jack Paulson would add the first of his four extra point conversions, and the Cards led, 7-0.

Most of the rest of the half was marred by missed Cardinal opportunities, including a field goal try pushed wide left by Paulson from 25 yards, and a near-miss on a fourth-down pass into the end zone that slipped through Corbin Clifton's fingertips.

"We felt like we left some points on the board in the second quarter," Smith said. "Jack will make nine out of 10 of those from that distance, but he just pulled it. All in all though, we executed offensively quite well."

With half a minute to go in the second quarter, the Cards dialed up the big play when sophomore quarterback Josh Bickett delivered a picture-perfect throw down the left sideline to Grady Shipman. Shipman finished the 35-yard strike by rushing past the Aggie secondary, and CHS had a 14-0 lead going into the break and the momentum firmly in their camp.

Along the way, the Cards made a clutch defensive stand at their own 10-yard line, and set up the stage for the late score and 12-to-15-point swing.

"That goal line stand was huge," Smith said. "We got possession back, and set up a great route by Shipper and a great throw by Josh."

Park River Area made use of the Cards' defense letting their guard down ever-so-slightly on the first drive of the third quarter. Andrew Zikmund punctuated the possession with a six-yard scamper, but quarterback Avery Rosinski's two-point pass was intercepted in the end zone to keep the score 14-6.

Bickett had the passing touch going some more in the fourth, finding Hudson Schmitz for a 20-yard score. For the game, he would finish 7-for-9 for 127 yards.

Ty Johnston scored the final touchdown for the Cards late in the ballgame from three yards away.

The running game, which had three big individual performances the week before, went to workhorse back Hudson Topp this time around. Topp's tough running style yielded 87 yards in 15 carries, and Logan Weninger rushed seven times for 37 yards.

Schmitz and Shipman had five catches combined, covering an even 100 yards between the two of them, and Clifton had one 24-yard reception.

"Josh really threw some dimes on Friday night," said Smith. "He's been working real hard on his mechanics, and it shows."

Clifton was the defensive leader with six solo and assist tackles apiece for 12 total, to go along with an interception, and Topp had eight combined stops. Jake Otto and Ryder Bickett each made five solo tackles.

The CHS Homecoming spirit even infected the Jamestown High School boys' soccer team, who made the way up the highway to cheer on Paulson. The senior kicker has been a big contributor to the Blue Jays' success this fall.

"They added to a really great environment with the big homecoming crowd. Things were loud and rocking, just like the kids like it. It was really nice to see his teammates at the game giving their support," Smith added.

After taking on HWC this past Friday, Carrington would normally have had the opportunity to play a non-region opponent since Region 2 has nine teams, but they have instead elected to take a bye week to heal up and focus all their intensity on the final game of the regular season October 14.

The Cards' game with the Langdon/Edmore/Munich Cardinals in Langdon could have major implications for any postseason plans Carrington has, if they were able to get past the Hornets on September 30.

"Two more big hurdles to climb these last two weeks, but I like our chances if we stay hungry and keep improving," said Smith.

Class 11B Region 2 Football

Carrington 28, Park River Area 6

PRA 0 0 6 0 - 6

Cgtn. 7 7 0 14 - 28

First Quarter

Carrington: Kael Kovar 1 yard run (Jack Paulson kick)

Second Quarter

Carrington: Grady Shipman 35 yard pass from Josh Bickett (Paulson kick)

Third Quarter

Park River Area: Andrew Zikmund 6 yard run (pass failed)

Fourth Quarter

Carrington: Hudson Schmitz 20 yard pass from J. Bickett (Paulson kick)

Carrington: Ty Johnston 3 yard run (Paulson kick)

Carrington Statistics

Offense

Passing: J. Bickett 7-9-127 yards-2 TD

Rushing: Hudson Topp 15-87; Logan Weninger 7-37; Kovar 6-14-TD; J. Bickett 3-11; Johnston 3-8-TD; Corbin Clifton 1-7

Receiving: Schmitz 3-55-TD; Shipman 2-45-TD; Clifton 1-24; Topp 1-3

Defense

Tackles (unassisted/assisted): Clifton (6-6); Topp (6-2); Jake Otto (5-1); Ryder Bickett (5-1); Kovar (3-0); Shipman (2-1); Weninger (2-1); McCoy Beckley (2-4); Johnston (1-0); Mark Thomas (1-1); Brock Jungels (1-3); Wyatt Neuman (1-1); Carson Ova (1-1); J. Bickett (0-1); Maverick Zink (0-1)

Tackles For Loss: Beckley, Clif-ton, Topp

Interception: Clifton

Fumble Recovery: Jungels