Cougar attack Carroll defensive linemen #51 Josh Pine and #63 Dalton Hicks jar the ball loose from the Tri Central quarterback Friday night. The Cougars easily put the game away, skunk- ing the Trojans 65-0. Bill Stauffer photo The chant on the sidelines from the Carroll players when their offense and defense are on the field is - hammer, hammer, hammer. The Cougars gave the Tri Central Trojans a 65-0 clawing Friday night. And the Cougars hammered - they outmanned, outplayed and physically manhandled their opponent.

The Cougars remain perfect at 3-0 to start the season, a feat they have not duplicated since the 2004 season.

The Trojans suffered their third consecutive loss of the season. The Cougar defense held TC to just 67 yards rushing and 57 yards passing.

The Cougars amazed the home crowd fans with their play on both sides of the ball.

The Blue Machine rushed 35 times for 292 yards and passed for 128 yards for 420 yards.

"We finally opened up a little," Cougar Coach Steve Keown said. "We've been on the verge of busting loose after scoring just 42 points in our first two games. Our offensive line really handled their defensive line."

He went on to say, "our defense out scored our offense," referring to four pass interceptions, six forced fumbles of which three were recovered, a safety and a 69-yard punt return.

"I know they're struggling," added Keown, "but Robby Howell is going to be a fine quarterback, Corbin Fiscus is a good receiver, Justin Grubb and Keegan Pyke ran hard. I'm proud of our guys, especially the way our seniors stepped up."

Drew Yoder scored the Cougars first TD, at 6:35 (1) 6-0 on a 17-yard run. The extra point kick was blocked.

The defense, after a bad snap on fourth down, recorded a safety when they tackled the punter in the end zone. 8-0 CHS. Then at 3:13 (1) Skylar Bagwell scored on a 49-yard run, and the 2-point conversion pass was good. 16-0 CHS, the score at the end of the first quarter.

The Cougars put 21 points on the board in the second quarter. The first score of the quarter came on a 23-yard touchdown run by Bagwell at 4:41 (2), as the kick was good. 23-0 CHS. After a fumble by quarterback Howell, the Cougars wasted no time as Riley Eller found Yoder for a 45-yard TD pass at 1:39 (3); the kick was good 30-0. CHS

The Cougar defense stopped the Trojans as they intercepted a Howell pass and with 11.2 seconds left in the quarter Eller hit Carson Spesard for a 16-yard touchdown pass. The Cougars never let up in the third quarter, putting 21 more points on the board.

Ben Bennington had a 1- yard TD run, and the kick was good. 44-0 CHS. Yoder had a 50-yard interception return for a score - no one was going to catch him. The kick was good. 51-0 CHS Sophomore Cody Kelly wanted in on the action. He scored on 69-yard punt return; the kick was good 58-0 CHS.

Carroll's B-team played most of the second half, holding their own against the Trojans. QB Daniel Huckstep did a fine job. With 11:50 (4) left freshman Brady Noonkester dashed 36 yards to pay dirt and the kick was good for a score of 65-0 CHS.

The Cougar defense held the Trojans to just 67 yards rushing - a team effort.

The tackling was spread out with several players in on the action - Brandon Williamson, Jonathan Bush, Riley Eller, Thomas Gillam, Josh Pine, Drake Harper and others.

Offensively the Cougars lit up the scoreboard. Eller was 4-7 for 128 yards. Yoder caught 2 passes for 90 yards and Zook 1 for 27 yards and Spesard 1 for 16 yards. Bagwell had 153 yards rushing, Bennington 83.

The Cougars are preparing for Fremont (0-3), a 4 p.m. non-conference game on Saturday. The Cougars have yet to be tested. They have not played a team that has won a game. Can the Cougars be 4-0 before facing Central Catholic at Lafayette Sept. 15?