Carlisle nets share of SWBL Buckeye title

Carlisle gets big rushing game from McGill to grab likely spot in playoffs.

Photos: Carlisle vs. Dixie

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By Skip Weaver, Staff Writer Updated 2:20 AM Saturday, October 31, 2009

CARLISLE — The Carlisle High School football team needed one more win to achieve two of its goals, and that’s what happened Friday night, Oct. 30, at Laughlin Field.

The Indians claimed a share of the Southwestern Buckeye League Buckeye Division title and all but officially solidified a spot in the Division IV, Region 16 playoffs by beating Dixie 41-12.

The Greyhounds’ defense was no match for Carlisle’s two-headed running attack of juniors Nick McGill and Jordan Jacobs, who combined for 185 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

“This is amazing,” said McGill, who was the leading rusher with 15 carries for 112 yards and two touchdowns.

The second touchdown came on the Indians’ first play of the second half.

Dixie (5-5, 3-3 SWBL Buckeye) had the ball first to start the third quarter and ran off 10 plays, including a fake punt that got them a first down, before Carlisle (8-2, 5-1) forced a turnover to set themselves up at the 42-yard line.

McGill broke left and raced to the end zone on the very next play to increase Carlisle’s lead to 27-6.

“We told the kids (at halftime) that even though we were ahead, we felt like Dixie was playing tougher than we were,” Carlisle coach Bill Jewell said. “We challenged them to do better and they responded.

“Our defense was outstanding,” he continued. “They kept attacking and got us the ball back in good field position.”

Although McGill’s touchdown in the third quarter was a huge play, Jewell pointed to his team’s final score of the first half as the momentum changer.

The Greyhounds had scored on a 55-yard fumble return to cut the lead to 13-6 with 2:51 remaining before the break.

The Indians got the ball back and needed just 1:41 to score again when Jake Gibson connected with Nick Reynolds for a 24-yard scoring strike.

“Carlisle has a huge offensive line and they controlled the line of scrimmage the whole game,” Dixie coach Dave Tarpley said. “The Jacobs kid is a really good runner. We tried to take it away from him, but we were fruitless in our efforts.

“I thought we came in very prepared,” he continued. “We wanted to have a winning record this season and I felt we could win. That just shows you how good Carlisle is. I wish them all the best in the playoffs.”

Gibson added a 27-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter for Carlisle, and he completed 7-of-15 passing for 107 yards and a touchdown.

Jacobs totaled 73 yards rushing and two touchdowns, and had three receptions for 61 yards.

“This feels great,” said Jewell, who has the Indians back to the playoffs for the first time since 2004. “McGill and Jacobs were potent weapons for us and our O-line moved guys around.

“I felt we had a lack of concentration in the first half, but hopefully that’s out of the way. We can’t be doing that in the playoffs.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2852, or sweaver@coxohio.com.

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