Carroll drops Dayton, 32-14

The Panthers ended the regular season on a high note, winning 32-14 on the road against Dayton.

Kristin Sherrard/The News-Democrat

Dillon Craig, pictured in the game against Walton-Verona, returned an interception 88 yards for a touchdown against Dayton.

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Kristin Sherrard/The News-Democrat

Tyshaun Embs, pictured against Walton-Verona, scored two touchdowns Friday, breaking the single season school record.

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Senior running back Tyshaun Embs broke Randy Green’s school record for touchdowns scored in a single season (25). Embs scored his 26th and 27th against the Greendevils during the second half.

Weather was a factor in Friday night’s game, contributing to five total fumbles, three by Carroll and two by Dayton.

“The entire game was played in the soaking rain,” head coach Mike Weedman said. “It was miserable. Cold, soaking rain. It impacted the game’s speed, and I think it cost Dayton, as far as turnovers go, more than it cost us.”

Dayton fumbled the ball during the opening possession of the game, and Carroll converted it for a touchdown from seven yards out by junior quarterback John Michael Adams.

Panther penalties contributed 45 yards to the Greendevils’ next drive, culminating in a 1-yard touchdown run by Dejujuan Walker, 6-6.

But Carroll struck back, marching the ball down the field with runs by Embs and Adams. Senior Dillon Craig scored from four yards out, and Embs tagged on the two-point conversion, 14-8.

Dayton used its big offensive line to march the ball down the field. But the Panther D held tight, as Craig intercepted a pass in the red zone and took it to the house, 88 yards for the score.

“I thought Dillon’s interception return for a touchdown was the play that broke the game open,” Weedman said. “Although we were up, we were only up eight points. I thought it gave us the momentum we needed to finish out.”

The touchdown gave Carroll a 20-6 lead into halftime.

In the third quarter, Embs scored his 26th touchdown of the season on a four-yard run, breaking Green’s school record for touchdowns in a single season set during the 1975-76 season.

Walker scored again for the Greendevils in the fourth quarter, but Embs answered with a two-yard TD run with 5:28 remaining in the game to give Carroll the 32-14 win.

“If you look at all three phases of the game – offense, defense and special teams –everybody played a good game,” Weedman said. “Every single player that played for us played well. You can’t always say that, you can’t say that very often. But I definitely think everybody that played contributed to the win.”

The Panthers finished the regular season 7-3, 2-2 in the region and finished in third place in the district with a 2-2 record. They will take on Lloyd Memorial out of District 6 Friday night in the opening round of the Class 2A playoffs. The game will be held at 7 p.m. at Lloyd Memorial High School in Erlanger, Ky.

The Juggernauts were 7-3 and 6-1 in the region and took second place in the district with a 3-1 mark.

“They are a very good team,” Weedman said. “They like to throw the ball. I think the quarterback [Dexter Smith] is very good and they have one of the best receivers in the state [Akintomide Mejolagbe].

“… If we want to win, we have to have a team effort like we did against Dayton.”

TEAM STATISTICS

First Downs: Carroll 11, Dayton 11

Rushing: Carroll 44 for 255 yards, Dayton 36 for 184 yards

Passing: Carroll 1-4 for 15 yards, Dayton 1-6 for 3 yards, INT

Total Offense: Carroll 270 yards, Dayton 187 yards

Penalties: Carroll 9 for 80 yards, Dayton 5 for 40 yards

Fumbles: Carroll 3-2, Dayton 2-2

Interceptions: 1-88 yards

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING - Carroll, Tyshawn Embs (21-142, 2TDs); John Michael Adams (17-85, TD); Blake Newby (2-22); Dillon Craig (2-6, TD). Dayton, Dejujuan Walker (27-170, 2TDs); Logan Brewer (7-21); Ryan Meyer (2-1); Alex Thiel (1-0); Evan Cavanaugh (1-(-1)); Luke Rogg (1-(-1)); Robbie Hayes (1-(-6)).

PASSING - Carroll, John Michael Adams (1-4-0, 15 yards). Dayton, Robbie Hayes 1-6-2, 3 yards).

RECEIVING - Carroll., Dillon Craig (1-15). Dayton, Dejujuan Walker (1-3).

DEFENSE

Blake Newby, 1 solo 2 asst

Zach Birch, 2 solo

Tim Corley, 1 solo

Dillon Craig, 2 asst 1 Pass def 1 INT-88 yard TD 1 fumble recovery

Cam Smith, 3 solo 1 asst

Tyshaun Embs, 1 solo 1 pass def

Matt Bartley, 2 solo 5 asst 1 TFL 1 forced fumble

Will Wallace, 4 solo 3 asst

Casey Breeden, 3 solo 3 asst 1TFL

Keifer McIntyre, 2 solo 1 asst 2 TFL

Ryan Davidson, 2 asst

Caleb Guenthner, 2 solo 6 asst 2 TFL 1 sack

Josh Gibbs, 3 solo 5 asst 2 TFL

Zach McBurney, 2 solo 4 asst

Simon Guo, 2 asst 1 sack