By Brayleigh Boggs
Carter County Times
The East Carter Raiders held off Greenup County in a wild 43–35 victory Friday night at The Farm, improving to 3–1 on the season. Senior running back Landon Yoak (20) powered the offense with multiple scores and a career milestone, while quarterback Thomas Burton (1) and the Raider defense made timely plays to secure the win.
Greenup County opened on their own 36 after Reese Bush (11)’s kickoff. Kasey Gammon (15) drew East Carter offside for the game’s first penalty, and Landry Lewis (13) ripped off a 25-yard gain to the Raider 37. After short runs from Lewis and Asher Wyman (9), the Musketeers moved inside the Raider 15. On fourth-and-eight, Davis’s pass fell incomplete after a big hit from Caleb Hall (21), ending a 10-play drive with no points.
The Raiders started from their own 27. Burton handed off to Yoak for seven yards, then another five for a first down. A bad snap stalled the drive, and Burton’s incompletion on third down forced a punt.
Greenup took over at the 40, but the Raider defense forced a fumble, recovered by East. Yoak quickly moved the chains with back-to-back first downs, and Burton scrambled to the Musketeer 12. Beason (23) finished the drive with tough runs inside the five before powering into the endzone for the first score, giving East Carter the lead at 7–0.
The Raider defense forced another Musketeer punt after a sack by Yoak. On the ensuing drive, Yoak stiff-armed his way to a late first down, setting up the second quarter.
Burton hit Grant Menix (32) on a pass to open the frame, but a fumble on the next series gave Greenup another chance. Davis connected with Wyman for six yards, but Greenup punted after back-to-back incompletions. Hall fielded the fair catch at the 42.
Yoak responded with a series of tough runs, capped by a 48-yard touchdown sprint. The extra point was missed, but East extended its lead to 13–0.
Greenup answered with a strong drive. Davis converted a fourth down, then hit Lewis in the flat with Tyler Johnson (5) blocking ahead. Wyman capped the possession with a 3-yard touchdown run, cutting the score to 13–7.
The Musketeers struck again before the half. Davis found Clarkson to extend a drive, and a personal foul against East moved the ball inside the 10. Davis rolled right and scrambled for the touchdown, giving Greenup a 14–13 lead at halftime.
Yoak opened the second half with a five-yard carry. Burton hit Hall in the flat for a first down, then Yoak ripped off another long gain down the sideline. Beason came up short of the goal line, but Yoak punched it in on the third down for his second touchdown. Burton connected with Beason for the two-point conversion, putting East ahead 21–14.
Greenup went three-and-out, and Hall’s return set East up at the Musketeer 40. Yoak carried the offense again, capped by a three-yard touchdown run, the 50th of his varsity career. East stretched the lead to 27–14.
Davis and Wyman brought Greenup back, with Wyman breaking free for a 21-yard touchdown run to make it 27–21.
Yoak answered immediately, taking the first play from scrimmage 65 yards for a touchdown. Burton’s two-point run extended the lead to 35–21.
Greenup began on its own 16, but Davis found Clarkson on a 47-yard bomb. He followed with completions to Gammon and Johnson before keeping it himself for a 21-yard touchdown run, closing the gap to 35–28.
East Carter marched back with Yoak pounding between the tackles. Beason spelled him for several carries, and Burton capped the drive with a touchdown run and two-point conversion, 43–28, Raiders.
Greenup’s Davis wasn’t done. He hit Gammon and Johnson on short routes before tossing a jump ball in the corner to Johnson for a touchdown, pulling the Musketeers within 43–35.
On the onside kick attempt, Levi Ruffin (44) secured the ball for East Carter. With the game on the line, the Raiders leaned on Yoak one last time. On fourth-and-one, he plowed through for the first down, sealing the 43–35 win.
The Raiders now turn their attention to rival West Carter for the annual Battle for the Barrel on September 19 at Steve Womack Field.
Contact the writer at news@cartercountytimes.com
