Ben Murphy
Sports Scene
The Carrollton football team remained in the ranks of the unbeaten September 21, topping visiting Merrill 35-14.
“We’ve had a fairly good schedule so far,” head coach Greg Wasmer said. “We’ve done what we’ve had to do. I think we’ve improved each week, but there’s still a lot of things we need to clean up as we move forward.”
Running back Derrick Nash continued to give the Cavaliers a dangerous running attack, running 32 times for 250 yards and two touchdowns in the win over the Vandals.
Nash, who has committed to Central Michigan University, has led the team in rushing every week.
“I think anybody that has watched us play this year understands he’s a Division I college football player,” Wasmer said. “I would be an idiot to not hand the ball to him.”
Week four, the Cavaliers topped Michigan Lutheran Seminary 49-7. Nash ran 19 times for 190 yards and four touchdowns and also caught one touchdown and returned a fourth quarter punt 52 yards for another score.
Nash ran for 191 yards and two touchdowns and also caught a 67-yard touchdown pass in Carrollton’s 62-8 win over Breckenridge on September 7.
Carrollton quarterback Jordan Roberts was a perfect six-of-six passing for 196 yards and two touchdowns in the 62-0 win over St. Louis on August 31, with Nash adding 168 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, and Kyle Rivette adding three catches for 101 yards and one touchdown.
“On the other side, I think we have some weapons [besides Nash] as well,” Wasmer said. “We are able to throw the ball. If they key on him, we can do some other things as well.”
The Cavaliers opened the season with a 35-7 win over Laker, with Nash getting 249 yards and four touchdowns on 21 carries.
Carrollton is 5-0 overall and 4-0 in the Tri-Valley West and plays Ithaca on September 28 in what is likely to be the league championship.
“Obviously, they’re a great team, they have a lot going on in their community,” Wasmer said of the two-time defending state champion Yellowjackets. “We respect the heck out of them, and we know that it’s going to be our biggest challenge of the year. Hopefully, we can go into their place and make a football game of it.
“We just need to stay healthy,” the coach added. “Our goal every year is to compete for the league and qualify for the playoffs. We’re in a position to do both. We’re happy with where we are at, but we’re not satisfied. We continue to work hard and hopefully good things will happen for us.”