SPENCER ó So this is what all the fuss was about ó the once-dormant Carson football team earning an ‘F’ in history Friday night.
That’s right. The born-again Cougars completely disregarded the past in their 2008 season-opener and played, quite frankly, like there was no tomorrow.
“Oh-and 22? The heck with that,” sophomore Joseph Basinger proclaimed after CHS paid its first visit to the winners circle. “We didn’t care anymore. It was time for us to win ó and that’s all we thought about.”
Carson certainly played that way against punchless North Rowan. The Cougars worked quickly and efficiently to put back-to-back winless seasons in the rearview mirror.
“There ain’t no 0-22 anymore,” proclaimed junior lineman Steven Newton, one of Carson’s Three Amigos on the OL. “We didn’t even think about that. Right now it’s 1-0.”
It’s 1-0 chiefly because its defense made 22 tackles for losses and kept North sequestered in its own territory all night. It’s 1-0 because it forced two turnovers that led to touchdowns. And it’s 1-0 because its defensive stumps and schemes rattled young North quarterback Jesse Rudisell out of his comfort zone and into a run-for-your-life mode.
“We were so jacked up,” defensive back Zack Grkman said in a post-game locker room that swayed with enthusiasm. “After everything that had been said and written in the paper, we couldn’t let our school down. We’ve been here for so long, waiting for this.”
Officially, Carson’s first varsity win in school history was completed at 9:38 p.m. But it was as good as gold by the middle of the first quarter, when quarterback Ryan Jones spiraled a 20-yard TD pass to Daniel Yates on a quick slant-in pattern.
“We just had a feeling,” said junior Jonathan King. “We knew if we kept our heads up and played hard we’d wear them down. We knew we could make history right here.”
A defining moment came early in the third period. North was already heading south, trailing 13-0 and moving backwards when a Carson freshman scripted the most memorable story.
“I was nervous out of my mind before the game,” linebacker Chris Barnhardt revealed. “I mean, I knew all the history. And it was my first varsity game and I was starting. But after a few hits, I calmed down and just let it all happen.”
It happened with 8:43 remaining in the third quarter. Rudisell was pinned in, facing third-and-20 from the North 13 when a low snap skipped past him like a sharp grounder through the hole. He turned and attempted a recovery, but was blind-sided by Barnhardt ó a 217-pound shot of Red Bull ó and lost his footing, the ball and any chance North had of making this a game.
“Chris Barnhardt is my favorite freshman,” said right tackle Tyler Christy. “He knocked the quarterback’s helmet off and recovered the ball in the end zone. It doesn’t get much better than that.”
Actually, it did. As the clocked waned to its final minute, Carson coach Mark Woody embraced an assistant and was doused with ice by his jubilant players.
“The coaches didn’t quit on us and we didn’t quit on them,” Christy said. “This is the start of a new era, a new Carson. It’s the feeling when you know you’ve arrived.”
When officials waved off the final two seconds a celebration of Mardi Gras proportion unfolded. Long-suffering Carson fans poured out of the stands like inmates sprung in a jailbreak. Hand-held canisters sprouted canned confetti into the damp air and photographers snapped away, recording history as it happened.
“I think,” Basinger said with an even glare, “we just got tired of losing. We got tired of practicing all the time, busting our tails on Friday night and not getting rewarded for it.”
But he saved his most telling comment for last: “Now we can’t wait to play again next Friday ó and try for another one.”
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Contact David Shaw at dshaw@salisburypostcom.