Pair of big plays leads Warriors to 20-13 win

By Dan Ries

CCM Reporter

The Carrollton Warriors came from behind twice to defeat the East Liverpool Potters 20-13 Friday night at Patterson Field, giving Storm Hill a victory in his first game as the Warriors’ head coach.

The sun beat down on the stadium crowd, warming the cool breeze coming off the Ohio River as fans on both sides poured in to see the two teams meet for only the fifth time. There would be plenty for both teams to cheer for as the game took several twists and turns in a wild second quarter.

Neither team did much in a sloppy first quarter filled with dropped passes, missed blocks, sloppy tackling, penalties and two fumbles by both teams. With just seconds left in the quarter, the Warriors punted to the eight yard line and East Liverpool took to the air. 

On the first play, Potter Quarterback Gavin Wright found Blake Adkins on a slant pattern for a 39-yard gain. Four passes later, East Liverpool was heading to the line of scrimmage for a first-and-10-play on the Warriors’ nine-yard line. The Warrior defense stiffened and forced a turnover on downs. 

Two plays later, the Warriors fumbled the ball back to the Potters on the eight-yard line. A fourth-and-one run by Wright gave the Potters a 7-0 lead (Kamdin Miller kick) at the 7:29 mark of the first half.

The lead didn’t last long. Garrett Broadwater received the kickoff, and after a few steps toward midfield, raced up the right sideline, in front of the Potters’ bench, untouched for a 95-yard touchdown. Luke Thomas kicked the extra point to tie the score at 7-7 at the 7:17 mark.

The Warriors were able to pin the Potters at the seven-yard line for the ensuing kickoff. The hosts returned to the passing game. Six plays later, the Potters had moved the ball to the 35-yard line. Wright again found Adkins wide open, the receiver made the catch and raced 65 yards for the Potter touchdown. With 4:42 left till halftime, the Potters led 13-7 (Miller kick failed).

Afraid of another Broadwater return, the Potters opted for a squib kick and the Warriors recovered in great field position on the 45-yard line. Hill’s team quickly moved the ball 13 yards to the Potters’ 42-yard line. Then things unraveled.

After a false start and a holding penalty and the Warriors were in a first and 25 situation. A sack and another penalty and the Warriors were sitting third and 43. Levi Kiko gained 14 yards to set up a fourth and 28. But the Warriors weren’t out of this mess yet. A bad snap sailed over the punter’s head and the Potters recovered the ball on the 20-yard line with 1:28 left in the half. 

The Potters reached the three-yard line and, on second and goal, Wright found an open receiver on the left goal line. But Warrior Tanner Johnston stepped in front of the receiver, picked off the pass and raced 70 yards down the sidelines before being pushed out of bounds at the Potter 30-yard line with 34 seconds left in the half.

On third and 10, Warrior Quarterback Jake Whitmore threw a hail Mary pass to the left corner of the end zone. Braylen Murphy outjumped several Potter defenders and came down with the ball for the tying touchdown. Thomas’ extra point gave the Warriors their first lead 14-13 with 24 seconds left in the half.

The half wasn’t over yet. The Warriors ensuing kick, bounced off a Potter player and was recovered by the Warriors, giving them one final shot at the end zone. But this time Whitmore’s pass was knocked down in the end zone to end the half.

“How about Tanner Johnston with probably the play of the game!” Coach Hill said after the game. “A big swing there! You know Tanner has been out. He just got back this week. He stepped up and made that play when Braylen (Murphy) was out.”

The third quarter was a battle for field position. After six three-and-outs, three each by both teams, the Potters had the ball on their own 38-yard line with 3:29 in the quarter. On a quick swing pass to the left side, the Potter receiver was meet by Warrior Dalton Naylor, who knocked the ball loose and recovered the fumble on the 32-yard line.

The Warriors took to the ground.

 Runs by Whitmore and Kiko moved the ball to the seven-yard line as the quarter ended.  A third down pass moved the ball to the two-yard line. On fourth and goal from the two, Whitmore called his own number and snuck through on the left side for the touchdown and a 20-13 lead (Thomas kick failed) with 11:04 left in the game.

The Warrior defense continued to styme the Potters’ offense in the second half. The Warriors held the Potters to just 52 yards and one first down in the second half after giving up 219 yards in the first half.

“We just kept it (halftime changes) simple.” Hill said. “We had to make some adjustments. Make sure we were lining up to what they were presenting. Our kids did a good job finishing the task.”

The Potters totaled 271 yards of offense compared to 250 yards for Carrollton. East Liverpool was 20-32 through the air for 240 yards but only 31 yards on the ground in 20 carries. The Warriors rushed for 169 yards on 38 carries. Whitmore was 6-18 for 81 yards passing.

Kiko lead the Warriors on the ground with 112 yards on 19 carries. Whitmore added 26 yards on seven carries. 

Murphy had two catches for the Warriors for 36 yards and a touchdown.