Carlisle hangs on for big SWBL victory

Waynesville’s comeback effort pulls team within eight points in a wild fourth-quarter battle.

Photos: Waynesville vs. Carlisle

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By John Bombatch, Staff Writer Updated 2:15 AM Saturday, September 19, 2009

CARLISLE — The host Carlisle Indians took advantage of several Waynesville turnovers, then held on against a never-say-die Spartan rally attempt in an exciting fourth quarter to claim a huge Southwestern Buckeye League Buckeye Division victory on Friday, Sept. 18, at Doc Laughlin Field.

The Indians withstood a 16-point Waynesville outburst in the game’s final six minutes and claimed a 41-33 win. Waynesville’s last-gasp onside kick was recovered by a Carlisle player near midfield, and the Indians were able to run out the clock for the win.

“This is a big win, but you’ve gotta give Waynesville credit. They get that last onside kick and, with the way they were playing, they could’ve scored and tied this game up,” Carlisle coach Billy Jewell said. “We won the game, but we’ve gotta get better.”

Waynesville coach Glen Burchfield wasn’t happy, despite his team battling back from what at one point was a 41-17 deficit.

“You can’t turn the ball over four to five times and have probably 140 yards in penalties and expect to beat good teams like Carlisle,” he said. “We had that same problem two weeks ago (in a loss) against Clinton-Massie. So I take the blame for this loss. That’s on me.”

Carlisle’s Nick McGill rushed for 109 yards on 18 carries and scored twice, but fumbled the ball three times and lost it twice. Quarterback Jake Gibson was intercepted once, too.

McGill said Friday’s game was “huge” for the program.

“That’s probably one of the better teams we’ll face this season,” he said. “This win is a great feeling for us.”

Carlisle’s defense picked Waynesville quarterback Cory Young twice for interceptions and recovered a fumble, and Indians defensive lineman Deron Dawes sacked Young two times in the fourth quarter. Dawes said he hadn’t seen a see-saw battle like this on Laughlin Field before.

“Yeah, normally the score’s only one way in somebody’s favor,” he said. “But we’re 4-0 now, and we’re on our way.”

Waynesville’s Seth Millar finished with 95 yards rushing on 16 carries. Cory Young tossed 94 of his final 99 yards of passing offense in the game’s final 5 minutes. In one of the most bizarre two-point conversions around, Young passed to Millar, who then pitched back to Young, who then was hit as he rolled to his left and ... pitched back to Millar who then raced around the right side for the score.

“That’s not quite how we drew that up,” Burchfield said, managing a smile. “But we played hard to the last whistle.”

Carlisle led 20-10 at halftime. The Indians jumped out front on touchdowns by Indians quarterback Jake Gibson and then McGill.

Waynesville responded with a Millar run from 8 yards out, and Caleb Keeton booted the first of his two extra-point tries.

On their next possession, the Indians marched 70 yards on six plays to go ahead 20-7, missing the extra point. Kris Garrett hit five of his six PAT tries.

Keeton also had a 31-yard field goal in the first half.

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