By: Brooke Cordle
Carter County Times
Once again, East Carter was intent on holding onto their current winning streak at last Friday’s home game; and with an eventful first quarter to start the night, the Raiders guaranteed another victory with a 39-14 win against Fleming County.
Senior Isaac Boggs (#5) started the night strong with an impressive 53 yard run to guarantee the Raiders’ first six points, followed by a field goal kicked by #34 Junior Ryan Carter to give the Raiders an immediate lead of seven points. Although the Panthers were able to tie the score with seven points, #24 Junior Bryer Holbrook scored another touchdown from a one yard run, guaranteeing another field goal from Carter. The Raiders finished the first quarter strong with a lead of 14 points.
Although the second quarter had fans on edge, with Fleming County once again tying the score with a touchdown followed by a successful field goal, the Raiders defense refused to budge or let them take the lead. East Carter went into halftime tied with Fleming County 14-14.
Going into the third quarter meant if the Raiders wanted a win, they would have to overcome their disadvantage on the field. Senior Eli Estepp (#18) and Junior Gabriel Roberts (#3) took this challenge head on; with Estepp making an incredible 60-yard pass to Roberts, allowing the Raiders to grab another six points with the emphatic cheers of the Raider fans highlighting the new lead of 20-14. Despite a failed kick, the duo of Estepp and Roberts decided they hadn’t had enough. Estepp continued to refuse Fleming’s attempt to get an edge on the score, making a 15-yard pass to Roberts who would get the touch down, putting East Carter at 26 points, a 12 point lead against Fleming County. They ended the third quarter with a failed two-point conversion, leaving the score at 26-14.
The fourth quarter cemented Fleming County’s lack of advantage over East Carter. Senior Dustin Hall (#14) scored a touchdown after a 14-yard run, followed later in the quarter by a touchdown from #24 Holbrook, and a kick from Carter to finalize East Carter’s score of 39 points. All they had to do was hold Fleming County at bay until the clock ran out. While the Panthers put forth the work, the Raiders secured another win with 39-14.
Other honorable mentions for the night were #4 Senior Rylan Yoak’s 11 total tackles, #17 Senior Dustin Hall’s 9 total tackles, #14 Junior Jared Potter’s two 29 yard interceptions, Boggs’ 158 total yards rushing, Estepp’s 75 yard pass, and Roberts’ 75 yards receiving.