Central Bulldogs run over Cougars
By Mike Hoffman

Homecoming royalty Carroll's 2006 Football Homecoming queen and king were crowned during half-time of the Carroll-Clinton Central football game Friday night. Queen is Courtney Rinehart, daughter of Bret and Michelle Rinehart and king is Brandon Walters, son of Scott and Lori Walters. Carroll Publications photo

In a Hoosier Heartland Conference football game at Carroll Jr.-Sr. High School, the visiting Clinton Central Bulldogs spoiled homecoming for the Cougars. They claimed a 54-8 victory.

Every time the Bulldogs got their hands on the football it seemed like they scored. They are a very good team that keeps coming at you until they wear your defense out.

Their offense is a fine tuned fighting machine, too. Their running backs are seasoned players, who are hard to bring down.

The top Dogs just keep doing their thing night in and night out. Senior Cory Lamb and junior Chase Simmons combined for 380 yards rushing for the Bulldogs (5- 2). Simmons rushed for 169 yards and two first half touchdowns, as Cody Lamb finished with 211 yards rushing on 32 carries and 1 touchdown. Tim Edmonds caught three passes for 103 yards and 35- yard touchdown reception. Mitchell Crenshaw went 3-for-3 with one interception for 103 yards.

In a game entirely dominated by the Bulldogs, they put 28 points on the board in the first half and 26 points in the second half.

Riley Eller's perfect pass to Primmer Zook was good for a 39- yard touchdown. Brandon Walters two-point conversion pass from Deric Finley gave the Cougars (1- 6) an 8-0 lead in the first quarter. The Cougars would never find the end zone the rest of the evening. The rain showers came, but didn't last long.

The Bulldogs did not let up in the second half. They put in the "B" team and that string took over like the Bulldog "A" team did. Dunn scored on a 5-yard TD run in the third quarter. Leighty scored on a 70-yard interception return, and Lamb scored a two-point conversion.

Adam Moore scored on 2-yard run in the fourth quarter and Taylor had a 65-yard TD run to round out scoring for the Dogs.

The Dogs had 26 first downs to just 6 for the Cougars. Clinton Central had 522 yards rushing and 103 passing for 625 total yards to just 169 for the Cougars. The Cougars had four interceptions and two fumbles on the evening.

For the defense the Cougars were led by sophomore Finley who had 15 tackles and 1 pass deflection. Ben Bennington, a sophomore, had 14 tackles, as Walters had 9 tackles and 1 interception. Ty Sullivan had 11 tackles, and Eller, 10 tackles. Eller was also 6-13-112 yard passing and four interceptions and 1 TD pass.

Clinton Central will stick in the mind of these sophomores and freshman. When next year comes around and the Cougars face the Bulldogs again these young men will have their claws sharpened.

The Cougars must now prepare for an away game against the 4-3 Frontier Falcons. That's a place

where it's hard to win. There's been a lot of strange calls in the past over there. The Cougars will have to stop their big guns Curtis Bracket, Dustin Sterrett and Jeff Brummett. Stop them and the rest of the Falcons and the Cougars can come home with the victory.