By Brayleigh Boggs
Carter County Times
It was a night to remember at Wildcat Field as the East Carter Raiders rolled into Bath County and left no doubt who was in charge. The Raiders dominated from the opening whistle, delivering a powerful 41–6 victory over the Wildcats, and along the way, Landon Yoak (20) made history by becoming East Carter’s all-time leading rusher.
Right from the opening kickoff, East Carter showed why they’ve been such a force this season. Caleb Hall (21) caught the ball at the 24-yard line and set the Raiders up with excellent field position. Yoak wasted no time turning that opportunity into big yards, powering through the Wildcats’ defense with the kind of physicality and vision that has made him a standout all year. Even when a fumble threatened to disrupt the momentum, the Raiders were quick to recover and keep the drive alive.
On a crucial third-and-eight, Yoak exploded through the line for a 23-yard run that electrified the crowd and set up East Carter deep in Bath County territory. DZsawn Beason (23) followed with a punishing 13-yard run, bulldozing his way near the goal line. It wasn’t long before the Raiders punched it in for the game’s first touchdown, taking a 7–0 lead that set the tone for the night.
Bath County tried to respond but struggled to gain traction. Their opening drive featured a few short gains, but a failed fourth-down attempt quickly handed the ball back to the Raiders. East Carter’s offense kept grinding, with Yoak and Beason alternating carries and wearing down the Wildcats’ defense.
A costly penalty wiped out a Bath County touchdown later in the quarter, and a turnover on downs sealed the fate of that drive. Meanwhile, the Raiders kept their foot on the gas. Beason powered his way into the end zone on a 15-yard run, extending East Carter’s lead to 14–0.
Bath County managed to get on the scoreboard late in the first half, narrowing the gap to 14–6 with a touchdown of their own, but the Raiders headed into halftime firmly in control.
The second half was all East Carter. The Raiders’ defense stepped up, forcing false starts and shutting down Bath County’s run game. Hall ignited the crowd with a 23-yard kickoff return, giving the Raiders excellent field position to start the half. Yoak then continued his relentless assault, breaking tackles and moving the chains with ease before finishing the drive with a touchdown run that pushed the lead to 21–6.
East Carter’s defense then came through again, recovering a Bath County fumble and turning it into points. Quarterback Thomas Burton (1) connected with Chase McGuffin (2) on a beautifully executed touchdown pass that electrified the crowd and extended the lead to 28–6.
The Wildcats fought hard to mount a comeback, but penalties and turnovers kept setting them back. One particularly tense moment had everyone’s attention when Burton threw a high, blind pass that left McGuffin vulnerable to a hard hit by Bath County’s Johnny Manley (16).
Not to be denied, Yoak ripped off a 19-yard run, and Burton scrambled for an impressive 34 yards before Hall wrapped up the scoring with a touchdown run, sealing the game at 41–6.
East Carter’s dominance was clear on every level: powerful running backs, precise passing, and a suffocating defense that forced multiple turnovers and kept Bath County off balance all night. Yoak and Beason led the ground attack with determination, while Burton showed poise and leadership from behind center.
But beyond the big win, the biggest story of the night was Yoak officially becoming East Carter’s all-time leading rusher. It was a milestone moment for the senior, capping off a night where he proved he’s not only one of the best players on the field but one of the best in the school’s history.
With this kind of performance, the Raiders aren’t just playing to win; they’re playing to make a statement that they’re a team to watch all season long.
Contact the writer at news@cartercountytimes.com
