THURSDAY PREPS: Wetumpka no match for Carver's potent offense; Lowndes wins
Carver’s Terrell Russell looks downfield for a pass to Laquenton Underwood in the Wolverines’ win over Wetumpka on Thursday at Cramton Bowl. (Tim Gayle)
By GRAHAM DUNN
The G.W. Carver Wolverines used a balanced attack to earn an important Class 6A, Region 2 win on Thursday, defeating Wetumpka, 38-7, on Homecoming.
Quarterback Terrell Russell passed for four scores to give the Wolverines a leg up on one of the top two seeds, with two region games left to play.
Carver finished with 441 yards in total offense.
Russell opened the scoring in the first quarter with a quick 1-yard strike to Laquenton Underwood with two minutes remaining in the first period. He added a second TD pass to Underwood for 9 yards with 6:15 remaining in the first half.
Wetumpka pulled within a touchdown with just over four minutes remaining on a Nate Rogers pass for 3 yards to Evan Dilliard.
But Carver finished the first half with another Russell pass for a touchdown, this one to Tristan Norman from 7 yards out to give Carver a 21-7 lead at the break.
Carver took the second-half kickoff 80 yards in short order with a 67-yard bomb to Underwood with just 46 seconds gone on the third-quarter clock. The Wolverines added to the lead with a touchdown from Cardarius Hopkins from 29 yards.
In the fourth quarter, Harry Welch kicked a 37-yard field goal with 10:42 remaining.
Russell finished with 252 yards passing on 15-of-26 attempts. He added 91 yards rushing on six attempts.
Rogers finished with 125 yards passing on 13-of-25 with an interception. He rushed for 115 yards.
Underwood finished with 133 yards and three touchdowns on seven catches while Norman had six receptions for 72 yards.
Six different players carried the ball for Carver, totaling 189 yards rushing. The Carver defense forced three Wetumpka turnovers including an interception by Jamyran Bell in the first half.
The Wolverines (6-2, 4-0) plays Sidney Lanier next week in what will be the final meeting between the two rivals. The programs will merge after the school year is completed.
Wetumpka (4-4, 3-2) is off next week before facing Sidney Lanier on Oct. 27.
Lowndes Academy 51, Lakeside School 7
HAYNEVILLE -- Scott Stinson scored on offense, on defense and on special teams to help undefeated Lowndes Academy clinch a home playoff berth with a 51-7 win over the Chiefs on Thursday night at Mac Champion Stadium.
Stinson scored on a 55-yard punt return in the second quarter to help the Rebels to a 20-0 halftime lead, then added a 25-yard interception return for a touchdown and a 22-yard scoring run as part of a 28-point explosion in the third quarter.
Lowndes (8-0) improved to 3-0 in A Region 1 play and can clinch the top seed in the region with a win at home next Friday against Crenshaw Christian. The loser of next week’s game will be the second seed in the region and both teams will be at home in the first round of the state playoffs on Nov. 3 against a Class A Region 2 opponent.
In Thursday’s win, Cooper Dansby scored on a 4-yard run and Clayton Hussey threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Watters Box for a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.
After Stinson’s punt return, Hussey opened the third-quarter scoring with an 8-yard touchdown run and Kasen Dismukes followed Stinson’s touchdowns with a 4-yard scoring run of his own.
Box, who had six extra points along with his touchdown, finished with 15 of the Rebels’ points by adding a 37-yard field goal in the fourth quarter for a 51-0 lead.
Hussey completed 7 of 11 passes for 89 yards and a touchdown, but was intercepted twice. Dismukes rushed for 69 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries and Dansby led the defense with six tackles.
The Lowndes Academy defense held the Chiefs to minus 18 total yards and three first downs while forcing five turnovers.
Lakeside (5-3) completed its region schedule with a 2-2 record and is assured of the third seed in the upcoming playoffs. The Chiefs will travel to Elmore for a Thursday night game with Edgewood next week before returning home to play Abbeville Christian the following week.