at Joe Brown Park, Friday (Sept. 22), Non-District

Records: Karr, 3-1; Carver, 3-1

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Karr -- 7 | 0 | 7 | 21 | 35

Carver -- 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Ronnie Jackson, Karr

Jackson has been the workhorse for Karr through the early part of the season and that held true Friday night against Carver. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound junior was the game's leading rusher with 18 carries for 108 and punched in all three of Karr's offensive touchdowns. His scoring runs covered 8, 27 and 9 yards, and he also ripped off a 22-yarder that set up his second touchdown.

HOW IT WAS WON

Despite the final score, Friday's matchup was a tight contest most of the way. Karr was able to wear down the Rams as the game progressed, however, and put up 21 points in the fourth quarter to pull away. 

Late in the third quarter, Cougars running back Lonte Nettles shook loose for a 49-yard gain, which was the key play in a six-play, 69-yard touchdown drive. Karr went up 21-6 after that score and put the game away with a 67-yard punt return by Devin Bush and a 59-yard interception return by Chance Carroll.

NOTABLE

• Karr's pass rush was relentless. The Cougars finished with nine sacks and also had a few tackles for loss. Nearly the entire front seven was unblockable, as at least seven Cougars recorded at least 1/2 sack.
• Carver's Keyon Clark had a big interception just before halftime that kept the Rams within 14-6. He jumped the route perfectly from his safety spot and returned it into Karr territory.
• Carver's only score came off an impressive 15-play, 95-yard drive in the second quarter. 
• Both offenses had high-tempo attacks and rarely huddled.

THEY SAID IT

Karr's Ronnie Jackson: "Coming from a big loss last week (28-26 vs. De La Salle), I had a chip on my shoulder, so I had to come out and do what I had to do. First half we started off a little slow, but Coach came out and motivated us. He told us we have to play high tempo so we came out and did our job in the second half and got the 'W'.

"It's hard work (playing in a fast-paced offense). I ain't gonna tell you a lie. It's moving fast and you've got to really be energized."

Karr's Devin Bush: "We knew they were going to come strong. We played what our coaches put us in, and I really want to give credit to the defensive line. They had numerous sacks and they really played tonight. When you're a DB and the ball isn't thrown to you, you get kind of mad sometimes, but as long as we're winning, I'm happy.

Bush on the punt return: "I saw a hole and I saw my brothers (blocking). I took it that way and that was all. I had to be an athlete."

Karr coach Brice Brown: "We knew Carver was going to come out with a really solid game plan. They have a lot of athletes and some excellent coaches over there, so we knew we had to play a four-quarter game tonight to beat them."

Carver coach Byron Addison: "I really thought (we had a chance) coming into the second half. We got a big stop (before halftime) with a turnover (to start the second half) and we got down there (in Karr territory) and just couldn't punch it in. Against a team like Karr, you've got to score every opportunity you get."

TEAM STATS

Karr: 298 yards of total offense total offense: 242 rushing; 56 passing

Carver: 159 yards of total offense total offense: 59 rushing; 100 passing

Karr INDIVIDUAL STATS

Rushing: Ronnie Jackson, 18-108, 3 TD; Lonte Nettles, 4-63; Ahmad Antoine, 5-42; 9-29

Receiving: Anthony Spurlock, 2-32; Khalfani Simmons, 2-13; Dylan Hill, 1-6; Trent Lewis, 1-5

Passing: Skyler Perry, 6/13, 56 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT

Carver INDIVIDUAL STATS

Rushing: Izea Hurst, 12-51, 1 TD; Randolph Armstead, 5-6; Jimmie Cooley, 1-3; Corey Johnson, 1-1

Receiving: Gary Young, 3-36; Lynarise Elpheage Jr., 3-28; Jimmie Cooley, 2-16; Cory Johnson, 1-14; Justin London, 1-5

Passing: Izea Hurst, 9/12, 83 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT; Quincy Curry, 1/4, 17 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT

SCORING SUMMARY

First quarter

Karr -- Ronnie Jackson 8 run (Aaron Foster kick), 7-0, 1:24

Second quarter

Carver -- Izea Hurst 6 run, (kick blocked), 7-6, 3:49

Third quarter

Karr -- Jackson 27 run (Foster kick), 14-6, 5:18

Fourth quarter

Karr -- Jackson 9 run (Foster kick), 21-6, 11:52

Karr -- Devin Bush 67 punt return (Foster kick), 28-6, 9:13

Karr -- Chance Carroll 59 interception return (Foster kick), 35-6, 5:24

NEXT UP: Carver continues its schedule Thursday (Sept. 28), at 6:30 p.m. versus Helen Cox. Karr hosts Lake Area on Friday (Sept. 29) at 7 p.m.