Corpus Christi Caller Times Caller.com - Carroll runs roughshod over defenseless Miller

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Saturday, October 2, 1999

Carroll runs roughshod over defenseless Miller
Running backs Morales and Smith lead way as Tigers rush for 324 yards, claim 62-27 win
By Javier Becerra
Caller-Times

The plan was simple for Carroll High School - consistency on both sides offense and defense.
   It worked.
   Using both the run and the pass, the Tigers manhandled Miller in a 62-27 win Friday night at Buccaneer Stadium.
   Carroll (1-0 District 28-5A, 4-1 overall) pounded Miller's defense for 324 yards rushing behind running backs Frankie Morales and Johnny Smith. Tigers' quarterback Marc Miller (0-2 district, 1-4 overall) burned the Bucs' shaky secondary for 141 yards, including touchdowns of 48 and 50 yards.
   "We knew we had to come out and utilize both our rushing and passing skills," said Miller, who completed five of 10 pass attempts. "The way I was able to throw the ball definitely gives my confidence a boost. I enjoyed this game a lot."
   So did Morales and Smith.
   Morales gained 116 yards on 11 carries, and had an 85-yard touchdown run called back in the second quarter because of a penalty. Smith added 90 yards rushing on eight carries, and finished with two catches for 48 yards.
   Morales said execution was the key against Miller.
   "We came out and did what we needed to do," Morales said. "We knew if we played as a team, we would win as a team."
   Carroll unleashed its powerhouse rushing attack quickly against the Bucs, with Morales scoring on an 80-yard run just 42 seconds into the game.
   Six minutes later, Carroll fullback John Quintanilla broke through the line of scrimmage and outran Miller defenders for a 56-yard touchdown.
   The Bucs, capitalizing on Morales' second fumble of the game, scored 25 second into the second quarter on a 10-yard run by Dexter Rhines, bringing the Bucs to within 14-6.
   But Smith widened Carroll's lead on consecutive possessions, the first a 32-yard run and the second a 48-yard pass from Miller.
   Smith's touchdowns gave the Tigers a 27-6 lead with 7 minutes, 25 seconds left in the first half.
   Carroll forced Miller to punt after six plays on the Bucs ensuing possession. Miller gambled with a fake punt pass, and caught Carroll's defense off guard, as punter Adam Ramirez hit Lamar Matthews for a 54-yard touchdown pass.
   With four minutes left in the second quarter, Carroll took over on its own 15-yard line when Morales broke loose for an apparent 85-yard touchdown run. An illegal block in the back called back the run, but the Tigers again exploited the Bucs' soft coverage in the secondary for a 50-yard scoring pass from Miller to receiver Michael Emery.
   Carroll held a 35-13 lead at halftime, but was too much for the Bucs to overcome in the second half.
   Carroll Miller
   First Downs 20 13
   Yards Rushing 35-324 48-197
   Passes 5-10-0 5-10-1
   Yards Passing 141 110
   Punts 1-30 5-32
   Fumble-lost 3-2 3-1
   Penalties 8-75 10-70
   Carroll 14 21 20 7-62
   Miller 0 13 0 14-27
   SCORING SUMMARY
   C - Frankie Morales 80 run (Marco Castro kick)
   C - John Quintanilla 56 run (Castro kick)
   M - Dexter Rhines 10 run (kick failed)
   C - Johnny Smith 32 run (Castro kick)
   C - Smith 48 pass from Marc Miller (kick failed)
   M - Lamar Matthews 54 pass from Adam Ramirez (Eddy Ruiz kick)
   C - Michael Emery 50 pass from Miller (Morales run)
   C - Morales 4 run (Castro kick)
   C - Travis Vest 21 blocked punt return (kick failed)
   C - Adam Ibarra 25 interception return (Castro kick)
   M - Isaac Collier 66 run (pass failed)
   M - Rhines 23 run (Roland Martinez run)
   C - Javier Longoria 1 run (Castro kick)
   INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
   RUSHING - Carroll, Morales 11-116, Smith 8-90, Quintanilla 1-56, Ruben Puente 6-44, Javier Herrera 3-23, Arnold Reyna 1-2, Longoria 3-0, Miller 1-(-7); Miller, Rhines 23-116, Collier 2-71, Martinez 6-31,David Benavides 4-6, Ramirez 1-0, Robledo 11-(-26).
   PASSING - Carroll, Miller 5-10-0-141; Miller, Manuel Robledo 4-8-1-56, Ramirez 1-1-0-54, Joel Soliz 0-0-0-0.
   RECEIVING - Carroll, Emery 2-83, Smith 2-48, Quintanilla 1-10; Miller, Matthews 1-54, Benavides 2-31, Martinez 1-22, Shane Winn 1-3.



Staff writer Javier Becerra can be reached at 886-3734 or by email at becerraj@caller.co, m

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