Published: October 24, 2009 12:46 am      

Carter, Greenup run into playoffs

GRAYSON — Even on one leg, Rashard Carter is difficult to stop.

Just ask East Carter, which had their Senior Night spoiled by Carter & Company as Greenup County rolled to a 38-8 victory over the Raiders on Friday night.

Carter, playing despite a high-ankle sprain sustained three weeks ago against Lawrence County, ran for 173 yards on just 18 carries, finding the end zone twice. Carter’s backfield partner, Corey Lyle, added 115 yards on 18 carries of his own, including a score. In all the Musketeers racked up 361 yards on the ground, averaging 7.7 yards-per-carry.

The victory locked up the No. 4 spot in the district, giving the Musketeers’ a playoff game in two weeks at top-ranked Bell County.

The game would begin in East Carter’s favor, as the Raiders recovered a Musketeer fumble on the opening kickoff, giving them superb field position.

The good fortune would be squandered, however, as the Raiders would lose five yards on three plays before missing a 43-yard field goal attempt.

East Carter would force the Musketeers to punt on the ensuing possession, but despite a fourth-down conversion on a fake punt by Matt Langstaff, the Raiders would eventually turn the ball over on downs.

Greenup County would take advantage of the good field position with a scoring drive that was assisted by a face-mask penalty that set up a 4-yard TD run from Lyle. Carter would carry the ball in for the conversion, giving the Musketeers a lead they would never relinquish.

Following a three-and-out by East Carter, mounting a 16-play touchdown drive with quarterback Terry Waugh covering the final two yards for the score. The Musketeers would add another conversion this time on a halfback pass from Lyle to Jordan Hamilton, to take a 16-0 lead.

Greenup County (3-6, 1-3) would try to add another score just before the half, but holding penalties on three consecutive plays thwarted those attempts, leaving the score 16-0 at the half. East Carter’s offense never found a rhythm in the first half, gaining as many yards of total offense (26) as the team had in penalty yards.

Things got worse in a hurry for the Raiders to begin the second half, as the first play from scrimmage saw Lyle intercept a Kyle Smith pass and return in 25 yards for a score. Lyle would turn right around and add the conversion, making it 24-0 in favor of the Musketeers.

East Carter (1-8, 0-4) would answer back, however, with a seven-play, 80-yard touchdown drive, with Darren Bramwell logging the final 21 yards on the ground to cut the lead to

24-8, following a successful conversion by Tyler Back.

That would be the last of the excitement for the Raiders, however, as Greenup County would find the end zone on its next three consecutive possessions to close out the game, including touchdown runs of 15 and eight yards from Carter, followed by a 34-yard score by Ethan Hardin on his only carry of the night.

The tension between the two teams reached the boiling point in the third quarter, as on a single play, four personal fouls were called (two on each team), as well as matching unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on both head coaches. When the dust had settled, all six penalties offset each other, leaving the ball right where it was.

“Our guys up front took it upon themselves tonight that they were going to dominate,” said Greenup County head coach Mike Copley. “We’ve got some big, strong guys up front, and they’ve been putting in the work and their fundamentals are getting better each week. Tonight was just one of those nights where everything clicked for us, and it all started up front.”



GREENUP CO. 8 8 16 6 — 38

EAST CARTER 0 8 0 8 — 8

First quarter

GC—Corey Lyle 4 run (Rashad Carter run), 2:49

Second quarter

GC—Terry Waugh 2 run (Lyle pass to Jordan Hamilton), 5:20

Third quarter

GC—Lyle 25 interception (Lyle run), 11:51

EC—Darren Brammell 28 run (Tyler Back run), 8:27

GC—Carter 8 run (Lyle run), 2:03

Fourth quarter

GC—Ethan Hardin 34 run (kick failed), 4:36