By Douglas Farmer, special contributor
Carter quarterback Chris Henry hooked up with Corey Avery on a quick pass and what turned into a decisive 98-yard touchdown, as Carter defeated rival Kimball, 28-14, at Kincaide Stadium.
“We are going to take what Kimball gives us,” Carter coach Patrick Williams said. “Kimball was giving that [quick pass] all night, so we just took advantage of the opportunity.”
Carter built a 14-0 lead in the first half off big plays from its defense and special teams.
It started with the opening kickoff, as Kimball fumbled and after a scrum for the loose ball, Carter recovered inside the 1. Kenneth Gray dove over for the touchdown on the first play, and Carter had a lead 18 seconds into the game.
Early in the second quarter, Carter sacked Traveon Thibodeaux and forced another fumble, which set up the offense at the Kimball 9-yard line. Henry found Avery three plays later for a 5-yard touchdown.
Carter made it 21-0 later in the second quarter on Avery’s long touchdown run after a quick pass behind the line of scrimmage and in his own end zone.
Thibodeaux, who finished 13-of-21 for 234 yards, got Kimball back into the game with a 46-yard touchdown pass to Prentavious Moorehead and a 63-yard scoring pass to Xzavier Alexander — both in the second quarter — but Carter’s defense largely took away Kimball’s rushing game and didn’t allow another score.
Kimball’s Teriyon Gipson finished with 106 yards on 24 carries but Carter kept him mostly in check..
"Our game plan was to take out [Gipson]," Williams said. "He's an outstanding running back."