×

Huskies run past Edison

CHEWING UP YARDS — Harrison Central senior running back Jesse Balls looks for room down the sidelines as Edison’s Storm Vincenzo is in pursuit during the first half of Friday’s win by the Huskies at Cartwright Field. Harrison Central moved to 4-3 after the 38-10 victory. (Mike Mathison)

RICHMOND — Even without leading rusher Tyler West the Harrison Central Huskies rode their rushing attack to a 38-10 victory over Edison Friday night.

“They did a great job,” said Harrison head coach Justin Kropka. “We told them as long as 22 (West) is out we’re going to have to count on some other guys. Some other guys were going to have to step up and they did. We told the offensive line were going to lean heavy on them this week and we did.”

Led by the two-headed monster of Damon Carpenter and Jesse Ball, the Huskies accumulated 404 yards on 45 carries. Carpenter led the way with 231 yards and three scores while Ball added 120 yards and one score on the ground. Ball added a 19-yard touchdown reception as well.

“They have a big offensive line and they get a push up front,” said Edison head coach Derrick Stickles. “They also have some big backs that create some holes. We were in position to make some plays, we just didn’t make those plays. Tackling was an issue at times. Tracking was an issue at times. But ultimately what it comes down to is we didn’t make plays.”

A 23-yard Kyle Roberts punt return set up Harrison’s first score. Starting at the Edison 35, the Huskies took seven plays to find paydirt. Carpenter punched in the touchdown from five yards out to give Harrison the 6-0 advantage.

The Wildcats found their way to the scoreboard following a J.T. Dillon fumble recovery at the Harrison 14-yard line. Edison reached the 6-yard line to set up a Rachael Cline 23-yard field goal setting the score at 6-3 Huskies.

After Edison was unable to capitalize on another Huskie turnover on the ensuing kickoff, Harrison took over at its own 20 and proceeded to march 80 yards in six plays. The bulk came on a Carpenter scoring run that ate up 56 yards. The Huskies led 12-3, a lead that held going into halftime.

The teams exchanged scores early in the third quarter with Ball’s scoring grab from Wyatt Elias for the Huskies being answered by a Joe Nave to Dillion 31-yard strike for the Wildcats. Cline’s extra point was true for Edison and the Huskies two-point try failed, putting the score 18-10 Harrison.

Then DeJuan Caldwell blew things open for the Huskies. On the kickoff following the Dillon score, Caldwell scooped up a bouncer at the 23, broke a tackle, found a crease, and scooted 77 yards for the six points. Logan Starr’s point after pushed the lead to 25-10 Huskies.

“Any time you can get a huge momentum shift like that it’s big,” said Kropka. “We have some older kids that have played some, but most of our skill guys are young so it’s how you handle that sudden change when you’re young that really determines a lot of times whether you win or lose.

“I think they handled it real well, and obviously DeJuan has some talent. If you give him a crease he’ll do some damage. We’re just happy to go on the road, in our conference, and get a win. That’s a big deal.”

Stickles agreed with Kropka on the importance of how a momentum change is handled.

“Momentum is a big part of the game,” he said. “Any time there’s a momentum shift it takes a little bit of wind out of your sails. We talked about, at the beginning of the season, we have to do a good job of not relaxing when things go good and not panicking when things go bad.

“That was a perfect example of us relaxing when things went well. We have to play with a sense of urgency at all times.”

From there a Carpenter 60-yard score and a Ball three-yard touchdown with one more Starr extra point made the final score 38-10 Harrison Central.

Elias combined for 103 yards throwing and running to go with his touchdown pass.

Edison was led by Nave’s 118 yards combined passing and rushing and a scoring toss. Seth Cade had six catches for 40 yards.

“If we had taken care of the ball a little better early in the game, we might have got out on them early,” said Kropka. “You have to give Edison kids credit. Coach Stickles does a great job, and those kids always play hard.

“They could be 0-10 or 10-0 and their guys always play hard. I hope people out here realize what they have with Coach Stickles. The kids are always prepared and always play hard. What more can you ask?”

Harrison Central 38, Edison 10

Harrison Central        6   6   19   7  —  38

Edison            0   3    7   0  —  10

H: Carpenter 5 run (bobbled snap)

E: FG 23 Cline

H: Carpenter 56 run (kick failed)

H: Ball 19 pass from Elias (run failed)

E: Dillon 31 pass from Nave (Cline kick)

H: Caldwell 77 kickoff return (Starr kick)

H: Carpenter 60 run (kick failed)

H: Ball 3 run (Starr kick)

RUSHING: Harrison 45-404-4 (Carpenter 17-231-3, Ball 14-120-1, No.3 5-25, Coultrap 5-11, Elias 4-17); Edison 25-56 (Pappas 8-25, Nave 8-20, Cade 5-4, Waggoner 3-6, Kosegi 1-1).

PASSING: Harrison 9-15-86-1-0 (All by Elias); Edison 9-19-98-1-1 (All by Nave).

RECEIVING: Harrison (Caldwell 3-35, Roberts 2-18, Carpenter 2-9, Ball 1-19-1, Arbaugh 1-5); Edison (Cade 6-40, Kosegi 2-27, Dillon 1-31-1).

FIRST DOWNS: Harrison 18; Edison 7.

PENALTIES-YARDS: Harrison 2-21; Edison 0-0.

FUMBLES-LOST: Harrison 2-2; Edison 1-0.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $2.99/week.

Subscribe Today