Carroll Academy moved into the driver’s seat in District 2-2A with a 49-27 win over league foe Indianola Academy last week.
It was quite the difference for the Rebels compared to the last three weeks, when they went 0-3 and were outscored 126-26 by Lee Academy, Oak Hill and Winona Christian.
“I told the guys after the game last week that was the most complete team effort we have had all season,” said Carroll head coach Tommy Acy. “We played together and for each other. They all cheered for each other. I guess they all grew up and decided to play football again.
“We played the way we are supposed to play. Another big thing was we got healthy. We played good team football. The offensive line did a good job of blocking up front, and we just played our best game of the season. We had a talk last Monday before practice. It was very down to earth. I told them they have a chance to leave here as state champions. I wanted them to decide how they want to leave here.”
The Rebels move to 4-4 overall and 2-0 in district. They travel to Louisville to face Winston Academy in a non-district game Friday before hosting Greenville St. Joe on Oct. 24 in the final conference game of the regular season.
“It’s all about power points and what position we are in,” Acy added. “I believe we are No. 9 right now in Class 2A out of 15 teams, and only the top 12 make it. Greenville Christian hasn’t won a game, and they are the 12 seed. I don’t really like this system, but it’s what we have right now.”
In last week’s game at Indianola, the Colonels held a 7-0 lead after the first frame, but Carroll finally got cranked up on offense in the second period and outscored IA 20-7 for a 20-14 lead at the break.
Senior running back Cohen Blaylock, who was back at 100% after a nagging injury, took off for a 47-yard run for Carroll’s first touchdown. Logan Upchurch booted the extra point. Senior quarterback Collin Hurst broke loose for an 82-yard TD run on the Rebels’ next possession. Upchurch was true on the PAT for a 14-7 CA lead.
Indianola tied the game at 14-14 with a touchdown and PAT, but the Rebels took the lead as Blaylock scored from 66 yards out.
In the third quarter, the Colonels retook the lead at 21-20 with a touchdown early in the period, but the Rebels flexed their muscles as they got a 5-yard touchdown run from Blaylock and a 16-yard TD pass from Hurst to Hayes White. Blaylock had a 2-point run and Upchurch made an extra point to give Carroll a 35-21 lead headed to the fourth frame.
In the final period, Hurst ran in from 34 yards out, and Blaylock picked off a pass and returned it 70 yards. Upchurch kicked two extra points.
Blaylock finished with 217 yards rushing on 24 carries and also had four tackles and two interceptions on defense. Hurst had 160 yards rushing on 11 totes and completed 11-of-15 passes for 118 yards.
White had five catches for 73 yards and chipped in with five total tackles, which included one sack and a fumble recovery. Reed Thomas had three receptions for 26 yards.
Jack Grones led the defense with 10 tackles.
This week’s opponent, Winston, is 1-6 overall, with its lone win being a 12-3 decision over Canton Academy on Sept. 26.
“I’ve watched several films on them, and they are a better football team than what their records show,” said Acy. “It will be a challenge for us on the road. We can’t afford to look past them.”
