The Bishop Carroll perfect season continues after beating Hays 52-27 on Friday night.
Hays' speed was killing the Golden Eagles early in this game. After a long first drive by Carroll came up scoreless, the Indians took control. Alex Delton hit a wide open Chance Pitcock for the game's first touchdown and a 7-0 Hays lead.
Just three plays later the Eagles responded with their own passing score. Zeke Palmer threw a laser to a slashing Matt Denning who took it 66 yards for the tying touchdown.
Tied at seven into the second quarter the Eagles struck again. This time Palmer kept it for the short touchdown run to make it a 14-7 lead for Carroll.
Both offenses were in their rhythms tonight as Hays once again answered right back. Delton scored on the designed run this time as he found a gaping hole on the right side and dashed his way into the end zone for a 35-yard score. That tied the game again.
Daniel Ohm gave Carroll a 17-14 lead with a field goal in the second quarter but Hays was on the move once more.
With less than 3 minutes remaining in the half Delton found Emilio Mitchell down field. Mitchell made the catch in traffic, started falling backwards and somehow kept his feet and made the extra effort to get into the end zone for a touchdown and a 24-21 lead.
Just before the half, however, Palmer found Denning again. Somehow Denning made the extra effort this time and got the ball over the goal line as Carroll took a 24-21 lead going into the half.
In the second half the adjustments from Coach Alan Schuckman and his staff were clear. The Eagle defense was stout against the speed of the Indians. Zach Befort was all over Delton and came up with a big sack to help force a punt.
Palmer and his offense took advantage of the turnover and Palmer ran 18 yards for a touchdown and a 10 point lead. This is when the game truly broke open.
Hays faced a critical 4th and one in the third quarter near midfield, and Carroll sniffed it out. A gang of Eagles' stuffed the Indians and Bishop Carroll took over once again.
Naturally the Eagles went to their bread and butter of Palmer to Denning. Another touchdown put the Eagles up 38-21 but nearing the end of the third quarter the Eagles defense finally made a mistake.
Palmer fumbled the exchange and Hays recovered as time expired giving the Indians the ball to start the fourth. Delton dropped back to pass on the first play in the fourth quarter but he was intercepted by Alex Meyer. Meyer returned it for a few yards and helped set up another score for Carroll.
The Eagles would hold Hays scoreless for the entire third quarter and nearly the entire second half as they went on to win 52-27.
Bishop Carroll advances in the 5A state playoffs and will travel to play Andover next Friday.
