Warriors nip Salem 35-34 in OT, play for EBC title

By Dan Ries

CCM Reporter

Carrollton senior quarterback Jake Whitmore set a school record, throwing five touchdowns, as the Warriors defeated the Salem Quakers 35-34 in overtime Oct. 11 at Sebo Stadium in Salem. 

Whitmore was 15-20 passing for 263 yards and ran 17 times for 120 yards.

Fellow senior wide receiver Braylon Murphy tied a school record, catching three of Whitmore’s touchdown passes, including the game winner in overtime. He caught five passes for 165 yards.

“We were throwing the rock around and being successful with it”, Whitmore said after the game. “Our receivers were having fun catching the ball.”

But it didn’t come easy as the Warriors had to come from behind twice.

After stopping the Quakers on a 37-yard drive, the Warriors went on a 12 play, 63-yard drive that took nearly five minutes off the clock and ended in a 21-yard touchdown pass to Broadwater. A Paycen Havens kick gave the Warriors a 7-0 lead with 3:55 left in the first quarter.

Following a three-and -out by the Quakers, the Warriors went on a 14-play drive but were unable to score on a fourth and goal on the four, turning the ball over to Salem.

It would take the Quakers just seven plays and 2:30 to drive 96 yards to get their first touchdown on a 39-yard scrabble by quarterback Cletis Monroy. Troy Gibson missed the extra point so the Warriors maintained their lead 7-6 with 4:12 left in the second quarter.

The Warriors started their next drive on their own 20. On  the fourth play of the drive,Whitmore found Murphy open on the right sideline and he outraced the Quakers to the end zone for a touchdown. Havens’ kick gave the Warriors a 14-6 lead with 2:41 left in the half.

Salem wasn’t done in the first half as they drove to the Warriors’ two-yard line, but the defense held to end the first half.

Salem drove 54 yards for a score early in the third and, after a successful 2-point conversion, tied the score at 14.

A Warriors drive then  stalled at midfield. The Quakers took only five plays and another personal foul to take their first lead of the game 21-14 (Gibson kick) on a 32-yard touchdown pass with 11:14 left in the game.

Starting a drive on the Carrollton 20-yard line, Whitmore hit Murphy for a 12-yard gain. On the very next play, Whitmore found a wide-open Murphy running down the right sideline for a 68-yard touchdown, tying the score at 21-21 (Havens kick) at the 9:59 mark. 

The Quakers answered with a 12 play, 79-yard drive, scoring on a third and 11 touchdown run by Monroy. With 4:45 left on the clock, Salem lead 28-21 (Gibson kick).

Starting on their 20-yard line, the Warriors began a drive with a short pass before taking to the ground. Runs by Thomas, Husted and Jaden Murphy moved the ball to midfield. Whitmore had runs of 25 and 14 yards to get the Warriors to the 11-yard line. After a false start Whitmore ran to the 8-yard line. On third and goal he found Husted in the end zone for a touchdown, tying the game at 28-28 (Havens kick) with 1:26 to play in the fourth.

Carrollton received the ball first in overtime and sat third and six after two short runs. Whitmore found Murphy in the right corner of the end zone, where he outjumped two Quakers for the touchdown. Havens’ kick gave the Warriors a 35-28 lead.

Salem, who had already gained 330 yards on the ground, stayed with the running game in overtime. It only took two plays for them to score a touchdown. Instead of kicking the extra point, the Quakers went  for two and the win. A run up the middle was stopped just short of the goal for the 35-34 win. 

The Warrior defense held Salem to just 43 yards passing in the first half, 106 yards overall, but gave up 184 yards on the ground, with 106 of those yards coming from the scrambling of the Quaker quarterback. He  finished with 186 of the Quakers’ 335 rushing yards. 

“He hurt us in the first half on the quarterback scrambles. We knew beforehand that he was their best player,” Coach Storm Hill said.

The Warrior defense held the Quakers to 0-3 on fourth down in addition to the goal line stop in overtime. 

Josh Rhiel led the Warriors in tackles with 13, including two tackles for loss.  The defense had 14 tackles for loss led by Thomas with three.

Levi Crider gained 38 yards on nine carries. Thomas had 38 yards on 14 carries. Braylen Murphy led all receivers with five catches.

“I’m so proud of Jake. He has worked his tail off and we are giving him more opportunities to throw the football a little bit more. He does everything the right way,” Hill added.

The Warriors will play West Branch for the Eastern Buckeye Conference championship at Community Field Nov. 18.