Dragon Get By Bell in Close Game

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by Justin Thomas

Nov. 3, - The Dragon defense gang tackles an LD Bell rushing attempt. The Dragons only allowed 87 yards rushing in a 24-17 win over LD Bell at Dragon Stadium. Photo by S.Johnson/SnappedDragons.com

It may not have been the final margin of victory manybranticipated, but Carroll’s football team improved to 5-1 in District 5-6Abrcompetition nonetheless last Friday with a 24-17 win at home overbrwinless-in-district Hurst L.D. Bell.

The Dragons were forced to make due without the servicesbrof running back TJ McDaniel — one of the area’s top rushers in 6A — because ofbra hand injury, but Dragon Pride Player of the Week Tavian Gould was there to pick up the slack for the Carrollbrrushing attack with 115 yards on 22 carries.

The senior opened the scoring with a 1-yard touchdownbrplunge as Carroll took a 7-0 advantage heading to the second quarter.

After Bell got on the board with a short scoring run, thebrDragons regained the advantage on a 45-yard field goal by Nick Koskay.  Just prior to the halftime whistle, Will Bowers connectedbrwith Carson White for a 42-yard touchdown pass — White’s first touchdownbrreception of the season. The Dragons went to the locker room with a 17-7 lead.

The Dragons earned their biggest lead of the night earlybrin the third quarter when Preston Forney’s second touchdown reception of thebrseason upped the Carroll advantage to 24-7.

Bell would chip away from there, scoring twice in thebrfourth quarter to get within a score at 24-17 with 5:11 remaining and spoilbrwhat had been previously been a very strong effort defensively from Carroll. Despite giving up 17 points, the Dragon defense only allowed 87 yards rushing on the night.

The Dragons had five players with at least 12 tackles ledbrby Dale Belnap with 15, while defensive back RJ Mickens had 12 including a fumble recovery.

Carroll will look to close the regular season and head tobrthe playoffs with momentum Friday when they travel to face a Hebron team it isbrtied with for second — though the result has zero playoff implications with thebrHawks already locked in as the No. 2 seed in Class 6A Division I and thebrDragons destined for the top seed in Division II.

Dragon Offensive Stats:

Rushing: Tavian Gould 22-115, Will Bowers 7-43, Cade Bellbr1-8, Eli Furgal 1-0, Darryl Crockett 1-0. 

Passing: Will Bowers 8-14-120-0

Receiving: Hudson Shrum 3-38, Tavian Gould 2-16, CarsonbrWhite 1-42, Darryl Crockett 1-5, Preson Forney 1-19.

 

Dragon Defensive Stats: 

Dale Belnap: 15 tackles

Matt Werner: 13 tackles

Ryan Thompson: 12 tackles, one fumble recovery

Quinten Bunten: 12 tackles

RJ Mickens: 12 tackles, one forced fumble, one fumblebrrecovery

Hayden Hayes: eight tackles

Graham Faloona: seven tackles, one sack

Jacob Doddridge: five tackles, two forced fumbles