THURSDAY PREPS: New quarterback leads Carver to victory; Ft. Dale tops Hooper
By GRAHAM DUNN
Introducing Christian Johnson.
The new G.W. Carver quarterback burst on the scene Thursday night with a commanding performance, leading the Wolverines to a 27-14 victory over visiting Daphne at Cramton Bowl.
The transfer from Indiana passed for 263 yards including a couple of decisive fourth-quarter touchdowns to help Carver earn a come-from-behind win.
While much of the pre-season attention has been on defensive stalwarts James Smith and Qua Russaw, it was Johnson that made the difference in the season-opener.
Johnson, a senior, transferred from Parke Heritage High School in Rockville where he passed for 84 touchdowns in three years, rushed for 20 more and had 6,065 yards passing in his sophomore and junior seasons.
The Trojans (0-2) had taken a 14-13 lead following a muffed punt deep in Carver territory with just over nine minutes remaining in the game. Nick Clark put Daphne ahead with a 4-yard run with 9:12 to go.
Minutes later, the Wolverines drove for the go-ahead touchdown with Johnson’s 29-yard pass to Laquenton Underwood putting Carver ahead with 3:56 left. The touchdown pass followed a key 24-yard strike to Marquan Jamerson on third-and-12 from the Carver 46.
Later, Carver tacked on an insurance touchdown on Johnson’s 42-yard pass to Jamerson with 1:28 left in the game.
Johnson finished 18-of-29 for 263 yards and three TDs. His first touchdown pass came with 5:22 remaining in the first quarter, a 3-yard strike to Jamerson culminating an eight-play drive that covered 33 yards.
Daphne tied the scored late in the first period on a 70-yard punt return by Cameron Long.
Smith had a 4-yard run for a score in the second quarter giving Carver the lead, 13-7, at the break.
Jamerson finished with six catches for 84 yards and scored three Carver TDs. Channing Cargill had four receptions for 52 yards.
Defensively, Russaw had seven tackles and broke up one pass. Smith added four tackles including two for a loss.
Clark led Daphne with 90 yards rushing on 27 carries. He added two receptions for 13 yards.
Carver (1-0) returns to Cramton Bowl next week to face Park Crossing on Thursday.
Fort Dale Academy 45, Hooper Academy 14
GREENVILLE -- Alan Alvarez returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, setting the tone as the Eagles jumped out to a quick lead in a 45-14 win over Hooper Academy in the season opener for both teams on Thursday night.
The Eagles played their first game in their renovated stadium and entertained fans with a strong first half in building a 31-0 lead before an R.J. Coker interception set up a Ron McGinty quarterback sneak for a touchdown just before the half to make it 31-7.
Coker led the Colts’ offense with 53 yards rushing. Lucas Spellman had an 8-yard touchdown reception for the Colts’ other touchdown late in the game.
Defensively, Coker led the Colts with 10 tackles, including a sack, with Spellman adding nine tackles, Petty with eight and Kadyn Lumley with six tackles, including a sack.
Hooper (0-1) returns home to play host to Abbeville Christian in a region matchup next week.
Fort Dale (1-0) travels to Glenwood School next week to open region play.
Macon East game moved to Lakeside
The game between Macon East and Lakeside School has been moved to Eufaula due to flooding at the Knights’ field.
The game will kick off at 7 p.m.