By Brayleigh Boggs
Carter County Times
Carter County football had a busy week as both East and West Carter wrapped up their district play, setting the stage for the postseason. While East Carter secured the runner-up spot in 3A District 6, West Carter finished third in 2A District 6, each earning a playoff matchup on November 7.
East Carter opened their game against Russell with high hopes but struggled to find offensive rhythm early. After receiving the opening kickoff, the Raiders punted on their first possession, and Russell quickly seized their opportunity. Touchdowns from Russell’s Jayden Frasure (8) and a long 81-yard connection to Cayden Pennington (18) put the Raiders in a 14-0 hole by the first quarter.
East Carter managed a few promising drives but was repeatedly stymied by Russell’s defense. A 27-yard touchdown pass from Russell’s QB to Jayden Pennington (17) before halftime made it 28-0. The second half saw Russell continue to dominate with a 39-yard touchdown pass extending the lead to 35-0. East Carter finally found the end zone late with a short run from Karter Hill (5), but the two-point conversion failed, making the final score 35-6.
Despite the loss, the Raiders’ season finish earns them a home playoff game against Henry County on November 7. Coaches and players will be looking to refocus and use this matchup as an opportunity to showcase the team’s determination heading into their last week of regular season.
Meanwhile, West Carter had its own drama on the field, falling just short in a 30-28 heartbreaker against Morgan County. The Comets started slowly, struggling with penalties and dropped passes, but quarterback Hayden Hall (15) began to find his rhythm, hitting Kadin Thompson (1) on a 29-yard touchdown pass to narrow the deficit to 8-7 early in the first quarter.
Morgan County leaned on a strong running game, building a 16-7 lead before halftime. West Carter answered just before the break to make it 16-14, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. The second half turned into a back-and-forth showdown, with Hall connecting multiple times through the air. The Comets surged ahead in the third quarter, but Morgan County answered each time. Leaving the Comets down 30-28 at the final buzzer.
Despite the loss, Hall’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. The senior quarterback threw for 306 yards and three touchdowns, giving West Carter a fighting chance until the final seconds. West Carter secured third place in 2A District 6 and will travel to Bracken County for their playoff opener on November 7.
Both Carter County teams now turn their focus to the postseason. East Carter, hosting Henry County, looks to rebound from a tough loss and prove that they can compete at the highest level of 3A. West Carter, traveling to Bracken County, hopes Hall’s arm and the team’s resilience and determination can carry them to a victory on the road. With the playoffs underway, local fans can expect thrilling matchups and high stakes as both Raiders and Comets look at make a statement and bring home hardware to Carter County.
(Contact the writer at news@cartercountytimes.com)
