DAYTON — Carroll had no issues defeating Ponitz CTC to open the 2024 high school football season.
Check out photos from the week one matchup between Carroll and Ponitz.
The Patriots won 36-8 on Thursday at Welcome Stadium in Dayton with an offense which was not stopped and a defense that would not allow a yard.
Carroll had a massive advantage in total yardage during the first half at 160-to-negative 37. The Panthers had numerous issues with the snap exchange, several of which became turnovers that gave the Patriots short field opportunities. Three consecutive recovered fumbles during the second quarter turned into 22 points scored in fewer than four minutes of game time.
“The opportunities we were given, we were able to take advantage of,” said Carroll head coach Cody Byrd. “… Sometimes the quarterback fumbled it and it pops right back in his lap, so it hits the ground a couple more times and we were able to capitalize on but we knew there would be more opportunities and we were patient when they came and it’s a real testament to our defensive coaching staff.”
Carroll’s defense began the game producing consecutive three-and-outs before the turnover stretch. It ended the first half with another three play stop in which the Panthers lost 21 yards in field position.
The offense for Carroll scored all of its points in its initial five possessions. Tayshawn Brown, who lost almost all of his junior season due to a leg injury, returned and carried the ball 11 times for 59 yards and scored the first three touchdowns for Carroll.
“He got in three games there at the tail end of last season and even then was limited to one side of the ball,” Byrd said. “He’s such a leader for us, such a great player. The boys rally around him. Missing him last year really hurt, seeing him back healthy on the field leading this team is awesome.”
Carroll also got a 16-yard touchdown reception by Jack McGeady and a five-yard run by Jayden Crawford. The Patriots went for two after each touchdown and converted three of their five attempts.
Only once during the first half did Carroll start a possession on its own side of the 50, marching 68 yards in eight plays spanning the first and second quarters.
“It’s really nice to start off the season with a win,” Byrd said. “We felt like we’d come in here and get the job done. It’s good to be able to do what you think you can do. The boys executed really well tonight.”
Carroll inserted its second team players into the game after halftime, but not for every play. With a running clock used in the second half and the coaches agreeing to shorten the quarter lengths to eight minutes, Ponitz had its only sustained drive of the game as it moved from its own 36 to Carroll’s 13-yard line using more than seven minutes of the clock. The Patriots then called a timeout with 5:37 remaining and put its starting defense back into the game.
The starters stuffed a Ponitz run play at the line of scrimmage before forcing a fumble on the next snap and recovering the ball for a turnover.
Carroll on the ensuing possession went three-and-out with its backups on offense. The Patriots put its defensive backups back onto the field for the final play of the game, which saw Ponitz throw a 38-yard touchdown pass with just over 30 seconds remaining.
The game marked the fourth straight season Carroll has won its opener. Carroll will travel to face Tecumseh in week two.
High school football highlights are back in the timeline.
Carroll forces a 3-and-out and then scores on a 35-yard drive spanning 9 plays as Tayshawn Brown runs it in front 11yds out. 6-0 Carroll over Ponitz with 4:44 left in the first quarter. pic.twitter.com/uo7cCkTxVq— Steven Wright (@Steven_Wright_) August 22, 2024blockquote>