By John Bombatch
RIVERSIDE — With a dominating first half, the host Carroll Patriots claimed a convincing 43-0 win over Cincinnati Roger Bacon, Friday at Patriot Stadium.
In six first-half possessions, Carroll scored on four of them. They also took advantage of a bad Roger Bacon punt snap that went out of the end zone for a safety, and defensive lineman Lamont Harris swiped a fumble almost on a dead run for a fumble return touchdown.
Carroll’s rushing attack churned out 135 yards on the ground by halftime, and finished with 220 ground yards. Sophomore running back Frederick Butts had two scores by the half, and had rumbled for 50 yards of his 63-yard total.
The Pats (3-5, 1-3 GCLC North) used a pair of quarterbacks by design — Nick Riley was used more often as a runner or a receiver than a QB, but he completed a first-half pass to Jacob Thompson for a 13-yard completion. Trent Fox also saw time behind center, completing four first-half passes in five tries for 23 yards.
Riley had the one pass, but he also had 68 yards gained on the ground in a wicked option attack. For the game, Riley finished with a game-high 122 yards rushing on just seven carries.
Carroll didn’t throw a pass in the second half.
“We knew they had some outstanding players, and it was a big loss when their quarterback (Trey Hennekes) went down. He’s an outstanding player,” Carroll coach Ben Rulli said. “We challenged the boys to play for 48 minutes, and they did. We’re maturing as a team. We’re not there yet, but this is great step in the right direction.”
It was a nightmare first half for Roger Bacon’s quarterbacks.
Hennekes, was injured while on the kickoff return after Carroll’s first score of the night. Hennekes had entered the game as the Greater Catholic League Co-Ed’s fourth-ranked passer with 679 yards thrown this season. Roger Bacon used five quarterbacks in the game.
“We had a flurry of injuries, especially in that second quarter,” Roger Bacon coach Mike Blaut said. “(Carroll) out-manned us, they out-gunned us. They’re a good football team. Our young guys got some experience out of this at least, that’s the only thing I think I can take away as a positive from this one.”
Roger Bacon (2-7, 0-4 GCLC South) had unofficially gained 52 yards total in the first half. By then, Carroll had racked up a 36-0 halftime lead.
The lone second-half score came with 6:16 left in the third quarter when Riley faked a handoff to Butts, and took off up the middle for a 36-yard touchdown.
Carroll has now won two straight games. They play at Cincinnati Purcell Marian next, on Oct. 21.
Score by quarters
Roger Bacon 0 0 0 0 — 0
Carroll 16 20 7 0 — 43
Scoring Plays
C — Frederick Butts 4 run (Alex Story kick)
C — Safety
C — Butts 7 run (Story kick)
C — Evan Howard 7 run (Story kick)
C — Lamont Harris 25 fumble return (Story kick)
C — Butts 5 run (Run failed)
C — Nick Riley 36 run (Story kick)
