Upset alert!

Coach Kyle Smith wasn't shy about saying it.

"That was one of the bigger wins Carrington football has had for quite some time," the coach quipped following the team's 27-19 stunner on the road over the Langdon Area/Munich Cardinals Friday night, October 4.

One would have to go back to 2015 for the last time CHS defeated the northern Cardinals on the field. So long, in fact, that current assistant coach Walker Carr played for that Carrington squad.

The bonkers back-and-forth affair featured a decided statistical advantage for LA/M, as they outpaced the local Cards in first downs, 19-9, for the game.

Where the matchup was decided, however, was timely turnovers. On several occasions, CHS kept Langdon Area/Munich out of the end zone with fumble recoveries on deep drives.

The last one, coming on an Alec Threadgold strip sack of LA/M quarterback Jax Johnson in the final minute when the home team was driving in an attempt to tie the game, sealed the deal and broke a 15-game winning streak for LA/M within Class A – Region 2 play.

"They've been the perennial power in this region for the last nine years," Smith said. "We certainly had the deck stacked against us, with playoff implications on the line."

The Cards (5-2, 3-2) got some devastating news earlier in the week, when All-State linebacker/running back Corbin Clifton suffered a likely season-ending injury.

Without arguably their best defensive player and team captain, Carrington would have to have all hands on deck to get through the final three regular season contests.

CHS needed just their third play from scrimmage to get on the board, as junior Tate Wolsky took a swing pass from Josh Bickett near midfield and got past the LA/M defense for a 48-yard touchdown. Peyton Harrington's kick made the score 7-0.

Langdon Area/Munich tied the score at 7-7 on the first play of the second quarter on quarterback Jax Johnson's 32-yard run and extra point kick. Harrington then hauled in a 21-yard pass from Bickett to give CHS the lead, and LA/M's Cody Amble's six-yard run negated that Carrington momentum and forged a 13-13 tie at the half.

The Cards had their own turnover issues in the game, as Bickett was picked off on two occasions at crucial times.

LA/M took the lead on the first drive of the third quarter on a nifty reverse play. Johnson handed the ball off to receiver Jayden Lee, who then tossed a forward pitch to a breaking Amble from the other direction, and he covered the last six yards for the touchdown and a 19-13 advantage.

Down the stretch, Bickett's leadership and all-purpose game took over. He completed 10-for-15 for 129 yards and rushed for 105 yards on 16 carries.

That set up Wolsky for two short touchdown runs in the second half, and Harrington's extra points put the Cards up eight and hoping to hold on.

A Ryder Bickett punt put LA/M inside their own 20-yard line with 1:39 remaining, but Johnson engineered an efficient two-minute drill with four pass completions to Theo Romfo, Amble (twice) and Tanner McDonald before the Threadgold sack.

Wolsky took over the mantle of defensive leader and did it very well, finishing with 17 total tackles (14 solo). McKade Zink had 10 combined stops, as did Threadgold, and Harrington also finished with seven tackles, all unassisted.

It added up to a complete effort for CHS, one for which Smith couldn't have been more proud.

"The kids played for four quarters with the intensity and focus with which they are capable of playing," said Smith. "Without a doubt, a true team win."

A win over Rugby this past Friday at Cardinal Stadium would clinch a playoff spot for CHS, with the possibility of a home postseason game still technically alive.

The Carrington regular season ends Friday night in Bottineau against the Braves. Kickoff from the Bottineau County Fairgrounds starts at 7 p.m.

"We need to continue to play with that intensity, urgency and tenacity [shown against LA/M] the rest of the way," said Smith.

Class A - Region 2 Football

Carrington 27,

Langdon Area/Munich 19

Cgtn. 7 6 7 7 27

LA/M 0 13 6 0 19

First Quarter

Carrington: Tate Wolsky 48 yard pass from Josh Bickett (Peyton Harrington kick)

Second Quarter

LA/M: Jax Johnson 32 yard run (Johnson kick)

Carrington: Harrington 21 yard pass from J. Bickett (kick failed)

LA/M: Cody Amble 6 yard run (kick failed)

Third Quarter

LA/M: Amble 6 yard pass from Jayden Lee (kick failed)

Carrington: Wolsky 2 yard run (Harrington kick)

Fourth Quarter

Carrington: Wolsky 1 yard run (Harrington kick)

Carrington Statistics

Offense

Passing: J. Bickett 10-15-129 yards-2 TD-2 INT

Rushing: J. Bickett 16-105; McKade Zink 8-36; Ryder Bickett 5-24; Wolsky 5-11-2 TD; Harrington 2-8

Receiving: Wolsky 1-48-TD; Harrington 4-45-TD; Maddox McIlonie 1-22; Zink 3-10; R. Bickett 1-4

Defense

Tackles (unassisted/assisted): Wolsky (14-3); Zink (8-2); Harrington (7-0); McIlonie (6-1); Gabe Clifton (6-2); Alec Threadgold (6-4); J. Bickett (3-0); Dylan Bachmeier (2-2); R. Bickett (1-2); Cody Otto (1-5); Drew Matt (1-0); Jacob Hinrichs (1-1)

Sack: Threadgold

Tackles for Loss: McIlonie, Otto, Threadgold, Zink

Fumble Recovery: Bachmeier, Clifton, Threadgold