California scores early, holds off Mikes for 15-6 victory
California's Sean Cotton scores the first touchdown of Friday's Tri-County South Conference game against Carmichaels.
Carmichael's Colton Henry (32) fights to find room to run in Friday's game against California.
Carmichaels' Brennan McMinn (22) struggles to get out of the grasp of California's Brendan Wright (68) and Dylan Gaskill (60) Friday at Carmichaels.
California’s Skyler Dickinson is brought down by Carmichaels’ Luke Moskal (53) and Colton Henry (32), who each hang on to a piece of Dickinson’s jersey. (Photo by Holly Tonini)
CARMICHAELS — California scored the game’s first 15 points and used its running game, field position and a strong second-half defensive effort en route to a 15-6 victory over Carmichaels in Tri-County South Conference action Friday night.
“Defense played unbelievable, and that was the difference,” California coach Brady Barbero said. “It was going to be a fight to score points, and we wanted to stop their run and force them to pass. Time of possession was a big emphasis this week, and I thought in the second half we ate some clock up with our running game.”
The Trojans (2-0, 2-0) got on the scoreboard in the first quarter when Tyler Conway connected on a 20-yard bubble screen pass to Sean Cotton. Nazareth Victoria kicked the PAT to make the score 7-0 with 3:56 left in the opening stanza.
On their next possession, California finished with a one-yard run into the end zone by Dylan Hunter at 10:44 of the second quarter.
In what proved to be a huge play, the snap on the PAT was botched, but Victoria was able to heave the ball toward the goal line and into the arms of guard Brendan Wright for the two-point conversation.
“That two-point play was huge for us,” Wright said. “I was there blocking my guy, and then the guy tipped the ball into the air and it just kind of landed in my hands. I had no idea where I was at on the field and just tried to move forward.”
Wright was an ineligible receiver on the play, but the referees claimed that the ball was tip and thus the play stand. White also played an outstanding game at linebacker, as they held the Mikes (1-1, 0-1) to one score and only four first downs in the contest.
“They are a tough offense, but I thought our defense played tougher later in the game,” Wright said. “We had to stop the run and watch out for screen passes and trick plays. We are stepping up on defense.”
The normally pass-happy Trojans were limited in the air by the Mikes’ defense, but did establish a stout running game led by tailbacks Hunter, Skyler Dickinson and Lester McGriff. Conway was also a factor in the punting game, as he was able to shift field position at critical times in the second half.
“This type of game builds confidence on defense,” Barbero said. “We are not going to see this many teams with the running game and big line like Carmichaels has. We got a couple of scores early and that led to an easier road to winning this game.”
Both teams committed two turnovers apiece and had several penalties called on them throughout the hard-nosed, physical contest.
“They were fast and bigger than us on defense,” Carmichaels coach John Menhart said. “They definitely had some athletes on that side of the ball, and they made the key plays in the game. Our game plan is to run the ball, and it’s tough when you fall behind early. Their defense has improved 100 percent and was more physical than us on the line.”
Carmichaels only score of the game came off of a turnover, as Josh Mundell picked off Conway and returned to the 17-yard line in the final minutes of the second quarter.
Seven plays later, Brennan McMinn plunged into the end zone for a one-yard run. The Mikes failed on the two-point run, and was down by nine at halftime.
In the second half, Carmichaels couldn’t muster a threat through the air, as the offense stalled and couldn’t overcome the two-score deficit after the pivotal two-point conversation by California.
“The two-point play was a critical play in the game,” Menhart said. “Apparently the ball was tipped, but that play is over. It made it a two possession game, and that got us thinking differently in the second half. It definitely affects your psyche down the stretch.”
California will try to remain unbeaten next Friday, as it hosts non-conference foe Riverview, while Carmichaels will venture out to Monessen for a Tri-County South battle in Week 3.
Tri-County South Conference
California 15, Carmichaels 6
At Carmichaels
First Quarter:
Cal: Sean Cotton 20 pass from Tyler Conway (Naz Victoria kick), 3:56 (7-0)
Second Quarter:
Cal: Dylan Hunter 1 run (Brendan Wright pass from Victoria), 10:44 (15-0)
Car: Brennan McMinn 1 run (run fail), 0:16 (15-6)