Rosean Perkins. Brian Wilhite photo.

Cruise Monteith’s 50-yard interception return.

Brian Wilhite photo.

 

By Mike London
mike.london@salisburypost.com

CHINA GROVE  — Five different Cougars scored touchdowns in a convincing 38-14 non-conference victory against West Stanly on Monday.

“We’ve got a lot of guys we feel good about carrying the ball,” Carson head coach Jonathan Lowe said. “A lot of guys contributed to 229 rushing yards.”

Carson avenged last season’s overtime loss to the Colts and squared its record at 1-1.

“Special teams were key and our defense really played outstanding,” Lowe said. “Hats off to (new defensive coordinator) Christian Bennett.”

Bouncing back from an opening loss to Mount Pleasant, Carson got a passing touchdown from Griffin Barber to Damo’n Broussard and got second-half rushing TDs from Rosean Perkins, Tristin Clawson and Trip Marcum.

Special teams provided the first points of the game, as Simeon Parker broke through to block a West Stanly punt. Nehemiah Baldwin scooped the ball near the 5-yard line and got the touchdown that put the Cougars ahead.

When West Stanly fumbled a punt, Landon Robertson recovered for the Cougars. That turnover set up a field goal by Julio Moctezuma for a 10-0 lead. Moctezuma also went 5-for-5 on PATs for the Cougars (1-1).

After the Colts got back to 10-7, Barber connected with Broussard for the TD that put the Cougars ahead 17-7 at halftime.

“We were up 10, but we weren’t very happy as a coaching staff because we felt like it should’ve been a lot more,” Lowe said. “But we made good adjustments. In the second half, our defense continued to control the game and we were able to break some big running plays.”

Perkins’ 45-yard touchdown run officialy broke it open and made it 24-7.

Clawson finished a drive with a 2-yard run with 6 minutes left. Then Marcum got loose for a 65-yard scamper to make it 38-7.

Carson corners Nolan White and Cruise Monteith had strong games. Monteith had an interception and a 50-yard runback.

Ethan Webb, a defensive end, kept pressure on West Stanly’s quarterback.

West Stanly couldn’t get much offense going, but was able to score its second TD near the end.

Perkins had 76 yards on seven carries to lead Carson’s running attack.

Barber was 7-for-14 passing for 63 yards. Jacob Rockwell, who does the punting for Carson, had three catches.

West Stanly made three trips to Carson in a short period of time. The jayvee game was moved to Carson on Thursday due to issues with West Stanly’s new scoreboard. West Stanly made a trip to China Grove Friday for a game that was postponed by weather. But the Colts were willing to travel back to Carson again on Monday.

Ralph Jackson, who was a star running back at West Stanly in the early 1990s, is the new head coach of the Colts.

“Great guy, a lot of respect for him and his staff,” Lowe said. “That’s not a short trip. They made it three times in five days.”

West Stanly will look to rebound against Albemarle. Carson will travel to the Monroe area to play Piedmont. Piedmont (1-1) beat Central Cabarrus but lost to Concord.