CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — A bevy of early turnovers saw third-seeded Carl Junction grab the momentum and never look back en route to a 32-0 win over sixth-seeded Lincoln College Prep on Friday in the opening round of the Class 4 District 7 playoffs.
Carl Junction’s defense forced four turnovers in the first half and the offense took advantage, building a three-score lead by halftime. The Bulldogs continued to roll in the second half, outscoring the Blue Tigers 10-0 in the second half.
“Our conference schedule prepared us for tonight,” first-year Carl Junction coach Todd Hafner said. “We knew that we needed to be physical with them and play hard to match their energy. Our kids came out tonight fired up like I haven’t seen all year. It was so fun to watch them play with passion and energy and have fun. Our kids were outstanding tonight.”
Carl Junction (2-8) advances and hits the road to take on second-seeded Harrisonville on Friday in the district semifinals.
Both teams traded turnovers to start the game, with the Blue Tigers fumbling the opening possession before the Bulldogs were picked off on their first possession.
Lincoln College Prep continued the trend after QB Aaron Rimson VI fumbled the ball with Carl Junction LB Bentley Rowden collecting the loose ball for the change of possession.
Carl Junction made the most of its second possession, using the short field to get across the goal line with RB Johnny Starks scoring from a yard out with 8:34 on the clock for a 7-0 lead.
The Blue Tigers got down inside the 5-yard line before Carl Junction pushed them back into a fourth-and-goal interception by LB Kyler Stewart for a third straight forced turnover by the Bulldogs.
“Our kids were flying to the ball and really trying to create turnovers,” Hafner said. “I think Coach (Greg) Warlop and the defensive staff did a fantastic job of preparing our kids for what they were going to see. It was almost like we were ready for what they were going to run before they were. That’s attributed to what they did this week and I am proud of our kids.”
Carl Junction struck for the big play when RB Marcus Lopez-Durman ripped off a 57-yard run that set up a 4-yard touchdown run on a keeper from QB Dexter Merrell with 19 seconds left in the first quarter for a 14-0 advantage.
“He is different because he has a different burst than the other guys,” Hafner said of Lopez-Durman. “Once he gets through and finds a crease, he has a different gear.”
The Bulldogs’ defense, which wound up forcing five total turnovers in the win, came up with a big play of their own when Rimson VI was intercepted by Starks, who returned the ball 35 yards for a pick-6 touchdown with 4:15 left in the first half. Merrell scored on a keeper on the ensuing 2-point conversion to give CJHS a 22-0 lead.
“I can’t say enough great things about that young man,” Hafner said. “Johnny Starks is one of the best football players in the area. He made a great play on the ball. We did a good job of blocking once he caught it, and then it was him just getting into the end zone.
“It was a great play at an important part of the ball game. It kept our energy moving. We were starting to get a little low, but plays like that change a game and it changed the game tonight.”
Carl Junction added a touchdown with 10:09 left in the game when Merrell took advantage of a short field and scored on a keeper from 15 yards out to make the score 29-0.
LB Tony Stewart picked off Rimson VI with less than nine minutes to play in the game for the Bulldogs’ fifth forced turnover of the game.
Once again, CJ turned the turnover into points when PK Gavin Cowger drilled a 40-yard field goal with 7:08 left to push the lead to 32-0.
