Cougars get first victory
By Mike Hoffman Contributing sportswriter

The Carroll Cougars recorded their first victory of the season with a hard fought 28-13 win over the Tri Central Trojans.

The win was Carroll's first Hoosier Heartland Conference game of the year, even sweeter because the coaching staff had to rely on the backups with the team's number one quarterback and leading rusher home sick. The Cougars also have a few walking wounded on the sidelines with injuries such as a torn ACL, hand cast, and one with an ankle injury in this game.

Junior Derek Finley filled in at quarterback for Riley Eller who was home sick. Finley did a good job, running for three touchdowns and throwing a 26-yard TD pass to Drew Yoder.

Carroll's offensive line did a good job as the backs had room to run. Finley rushed for 82-yards, as the Cougars had 112 total yards rushing to just 24 yards for the Trojans.

However, the Trojans won the air attack. They were 14 of 26 with 2 interceptions for 250 yards. They rushed 31 times for 24 yards.

On Carroll's first touchdown drive, Finley scored on a 5-yard run. Skylar Bagwell's kick was good; 7-0 Cougars.

The Trojans took the kickoff and the Cougar defense forced them to go 4 and out. The Cougars started at the Trojans' 32-yard line. Bagwell carried for 4-yards, then Ben Bennington carried for a first down. The Cougars ran the ball, and then Justin Mathews caught a Finley pass for a first down. Finley finished the drive with a 2- yard touchdown run at 37.6 (1). Bagwell's kick was good; 14-0 Cougars.

Tri Central had a 14-yard return to the 26 on the kickoff. The Trojans ran twice and got nowhere before Broc Sheets threw a 48-yard pass for a first down. On the next play, the Trojan player found Thomas "Big Cat" Gillam waiting for him. Gillam wrapped him up for a loss. The Cougars took over on their own 13-yard line.

However, the Cougars couldn't move the football and had to punt. The Cougars also had a holding penalty that hurt them on the play.

The Trojans took over on the 45-yard line. Their offense had 2 connective 5- yard penalties that made it first and 20. The Cougar defense then had a major penalty called on them that gave the Trojans a first down. The Trojan receiver caught the pass and ran, holding the ball like a loaf of bread which he fumbled and the Cougars' Brandon Williamson recovered it.

The Cougars had the ball on the 40-yard line and carried and gained about 6 yards. The Trojans were called for off sides, giving the Cougars the first down and new life. Finley passed to Bennington for 9 yards. Bennington got the call and carried the ball for a first down. Finley found Drew Yoder for a 26-yard TD pass. Bagwell's kick was good for 21-0 at 1:54 left in the first half.

Tri-Central mounted its drive from the 37-yard line, aided by an interference call on the Cougars.

The Trojans went to the air, knowing that was the Cougars weak spot. TC's Broc Sheets scored on a 2- yard run. The kick was good, 21-7 0:18 (2).

At the end of the first half Carroll was up 21-7. The third quarter was a defensive battle with neither team moving the ball.

At the start of the fourth quarter the Cougars came up short and had to punt. The Trojans just couldn't get over the hump. At times they had the momentum swinging their way, only to be intercepted. The Trojans were tackled for loss behind the line of scrimmage, were intercepted twice and lost a fumble.

The Cougars intercepted a Sheets pass at the Trojan 13- yard line. On the next play Finley went 13-yards untouched for the Cougars' final score. Bagwell's kick was good; 28-7.

The Trojans weren't giving up yet. After the kickoff the Trojans were called for a personal foul and started at their 15-yard line. Following a pass play and a run they had a first down. Sheets then had a big gain for the first down. But the Cougars stopped the drive and had the ball on the 39-yard line. Brandon Williamson came in and carried for a Carroll first down. The Trojan defense shut down the Cougar offense, stopping the Cougars at the 20-yard line; Tri Central ball.

Gillam hit Sheets for a loss. On a third down. Sheets found a receiver for the first down. Then the Trojans' quarterback found Sheets for a 47-yard TD pass with 28.0 left in the game. The extra point was no good.

This was a great game for the young Cougars. They found out that they can win, even if their top quarterback and top rusher aren't there.

Finley rushed for 82-yards and 3 TDs; Bagwell rushed for 41-yards; and Bennington rushed for 59-yards.

Finley also had a 26-yard TD pass to Yoder, good job Mr. Finley.

On defense, Bennington had 8 tackles, 1 sack and caused a fumble; Finley 6 tackles and Bagwell had 3 tackles and 2 interceptions.

This weekend the Cougars have a late Saturday afternoon game at Fremont. Game time is 4 p.m. The Eagles lost their last game against Fairfield 66-6.