The Thursday Night Lights shined over the new turf at Shamrocks Stadium. A packed crowd saw the Shamrocks and Pilots battle it out. Barnesville won the coin toss and chose to receive. The Shamrocks capitalized on their first drive, going 54 yards on nine plays. Junior quarterback Casey Carpenter lined up behind his strong offensive line and pushed his way into the endzone to make it 7-0 in favor of the hosts. After a River three and out the Shamrocks got possession of the ball again on their own 21 yard line. It was another nine play drive, this time capped by a Taison Starr 10 yard run to make it 14-0 Barnesville with 2:13 to go in the first quarter. We headed to the second quarter with the score remaining the same. The Pilots got their only score of the night after a 14 play 67 yard drive with 7:29 to go in the 2nd Quarter. Kabel Isaly connected with Finn Bowers from 13 yards out to make it 14-7. The Pilots forced Barnesville into a three and out on their next drive. River could not capitalize after the defensive stand. Isaly was under pressure and was forced to throw into double coverage. Shamrock junior Bradey McIntire picked off the Isaly pass and set up Barnesville with their fourth possession of the night from their own 25 yard line. Moments later Starr found the endzone for a second time on the night from 19 yards out. It was a five play 75 yard drive to make the score 21-7, Barnesville. After a penalty and a bad snap, Barnesville was able to force River into a three and out again. Casey Carpenter was able to escape the pocket and several Pilot defenders and found Starr wide open in the endzone with only two seconds to go in the half to make it 28-7. This was Starr’s third touchdown of the night. Barnesville found paydirt on four of their five drives in the first half. Starr picked up 112 yards and two rushing touchdowns in the first half. He also added 13 yards receiving and a score.
River opened up the second half with yet another three and out. The Shamrocks drove 82 yards on eight plays to extend their lead to 35-7. This time it was freshman sensation, Trey Toliver rumbling in from four yards out. River’s second drive of the half took us into the fourth quarter. After converting on two fourth downs the Pilots found themselves on the Barnesville three yard line. The Shamrocks defense stood strong and pushed the Pilots back. On third and goal, the ball was snapped over the head of Isaly and he was forced to jump back on the ball at the Shamrock 20 yard line. Faced with a fourth and goal and down by 28, the Pilots went for it. Isaly was able to connect with Finn Bowers but he was stopped short of the goal line and Barnesville took over. After eight plays the Shamrocks were forced to punt. River ran one more play before the final buzzer sounded and Barnesville improved to 5-0 on the season.
Starr finished the night with 125 yards on 14 carries, plus the two rushing touchdowns and receiving touchdown. He hauled in two receptions for 26 yards. Casey Carpenter completed seven passes on ten attempts for 149 yards and one touchdown. He added seven yards and a rushing touchdown on the ground. Toliver carried the ball 12 times for 54 yards and a touchdown. Duker Castello led all receivers with three receptions for 74 yards. He also added a 37 yard pass to McIntire. Luke Detling hauled in two receptions for 49 yards. The Barnesville defense held the Pilots to only 140 yards of total offense. This win also marked 21 straight wins in the regular season for the Rocks.
The Pilots were led by Isaly who had 103 total yards of offense on the night. He carried the ball 17 times and was 13-20 passing, threw for one touchdown and threw one interception. His top target was Bowers who hauled in 6 receptions for 68 yards. Kaden Johnson hauled in three passes for 15 yards and Colton Cisar caught two passes for 16 yards.
The Shamrocks once again improved to 5-0 mid-way through the season. They will enjoy the friendly confines of Shamrock Stadium next week as they welcome (1-3) Shadyside next week! River returns home next week to take on Bridgeport as both teams sit at 2-2.
Photo by Kayla Crum
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