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Talented Lutheran North football team runs over Caruthersville in Class 2 semifinal
CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo – For the first seven minutes of Friday’s Class 2 quarterfinal matchup against undefeated Lutheran North everything was going the Caruthersville Tigers’ way.
A three-and-out on the Crusaders first drive was followed by a Caruthersville score on their next series to leave the Tigers in control of the game.
All that changed one play later, however, when Lutheran running back Nick Lotts sprinted into the endzone from 66 yards out.
Lotts’ touchdown ignited a Lutheran North firestorm as they went on to score 64 unanswered points in a 64-7 rout that advances the Crusaders to the semifinals.
“I was proud of the way they came out in the first quarter,” Caruthersville head coach Jimmy Jackson said. “They were ready to play. The second quarter got a little bit rough. We started not flying to the ball as well defensively.
“Some missed opportunities as well and that’s just how the game goes. That’s a great football team right there.”
Lutheran North punished the Tigers on the ground, totaling 299 yards before the half. Canaan Brooks had 125 of those, scoring on four -straight carries, including runs of 58 and 33 yards.
The Crusaders lone pass before the half was a 39-yard strike from Josh Hopkins to Ronnie Perkins giving them a 44-7 lead going into the locker room.
Lutheran North wasn’t just fast, but equally efficient in running only 19 plays in the first two quarters that resulted in 6 touchdowns. They averaged a touchdown every three plays.
“We had some mistakes early,” Crusaders’ head coach Carl Reed. “But once we settled down and got our legs under us from that long bus ride we were able to get it going.
“Having to travel, eat and all that stuff is not advantageous, but other teams have to do it too.”
After Caruthersville’s first and only scoring drive the Tigers struggle to get much going the rest of the night.
They finished with negative-42 yards on the ground thanks to a Lutheran North pass rush that continued to find quarterback Charles Golliday in the backfield. Nine times the senior signal caller was thrown for a loss.
The Tigers’ passing game didn’t fair much better than the rushing attack with Golliday finishing 10 of 29 for 119 yards.
Hurting the Tigers’ cause was the absence of two of their top two backs in juniors Deandre Davis and Nick Moore.
“We couldn’t do much up front with (their defensive line),” Jackson said. “So we wanted to get the ball out on the perimeter as much as we could and counter with the run game. We ran a little bit, but they’re good inside the box.”
On the game Lutheran outgained Caruthersville 517-77 in total yards.
The Crusaders rushed for 464 yards on 28 attempts for an average of 16.5 yards-per-carry. They only attempted two passes, completing both for 55 yards and a score.
Brooks was one of three 100-yard backs for the Crusaders, leading the way with 148 yards and four scores on 10 carries.
Donovan Marshall rushed 10 times for 139 yards and two touchdowns, including a 63-yard scoring run on the first play of the second half. Lott totaled 122 yards and score on just four carries, all before the half.
“We were never worried,” Reed said about his team’s slow start. “We know we can score when we execute and do what we have to do. We just needed to settle down a little bit.
“The misdirection offense we run does that. It gives a lot of guys touches and a lot guys the ability to contribute.”
Caruthersville’s leading rusher was Micah Rodgers with 13 yards on five carries. Chris Smith caught three passes for 41 yards and Terrius Rodgers hauled in four passes for 18 yards.
The Tigers finish the season 9-3, having won seven in a row coming into their playoff game against Lutheran North. The Crusaders (12-0) move on to play the winner of Ava and Lamar Saturday in the semifinals at a site to be determined.
“We had a good year,” Jackson said. “I look back and I feel like there’s not any game outside of this one that we couldn’t have won. I’m just proud of the guys. They gave a good effort throughout the year.
“I’m proud of the way they finished. Even though the game got out of hand, nobody really hung their head.”