Ethan Greenfield and the North Central Cardinals hosting Carthage inside Benedetti Wehrli Stadium. Cardinals have won 14 straight vs the Red Men, who come in with a 3-3 record. North Central 5-1.
First Quarter
Opening possession on a cold and rainy day – North Central marching, Broc Rutter gives to Greenfield, and the sophomore back slicing through the Carthage defense for a gain of 11.
Very next play, Rutter roles right and finds Andrew Kamienski for the first down… and THAT gives Kamienski the record for most receiving yards in program history. He’s now up to 2,634.
With 19 yards rushing already on the drive, Greenfield gets the carry again
First chance for the Red Men to face the Cardinals and Carthage will try and run it right at the North Central front – which isn’t a brilliant idea – Isaih Ziegler and Cam Martin on the stop.
After a Carthage punt, Greenfield isn’t skipping a beat… A fumble ends that drive though…
To start the next offensive possession, the Cardinals once again calling on number 8 to carry the rock – and Greenfield running like a man possessed. 18 yard pickup, running through Carthage defenders
Same drive as the Cardinals set to the air – Rutter slings it nearside to Blake Williams, the junior plants his food, sheds a defender and gets 25 yards up field – putting NCC in the Red Zone.
Moments later and North Central using the quick fake to draw the linebackers, and then Rutter smokes it in to Alex Rose – the tight end bobbles twice and then dives for the grab… touchdown! NCC up 14-0 as Rose laughs off the near blunder on the sideline
Meanwhile, former North Central receiver Jalen Dennis now with Carthage and playing QB… and pressure from Talha Ayhan flushes him from the pocket. Dan Gilroy tracks him down on the sideline for the sack.
In case you thought Greenfield was done – nope. Greenfield playing out of his mind – and so is the offensive line. Another huge chunk play – 41 yards as Greenfield ends up with 208 yards and two touchdowns, also adding a 42 yard touchdown catch.
As for how the first quarter ends – 12th TD catch of the season for Kamienski
Second Quarter
Meanwhile, Carthage has something cooking to start the second – on 4th and 8, Dennis takes off on the keeper and he’ll get more than just the first… but! There’s a holding and the Redmen end up punting.
That backs NCC up to the 9, which is no problem
Capping the drive… the Cardinal marching band loving it
The Cardinal defense also having fun – Ayhan comes bursting through the line and into the backfield – dragging down Billy Dury for the sack. Cardinals pitch a shutout in the first half.
How it ends
This game – over by the half. Broc Rutter throwing five touchdowns to five different players – wrapping up the first 30 minutes by tossing scores to Blake Williams and DeAngelo Hardy. North Central dominates Carthage – winning 49-6 – scoring all 49 in the first half before cruising to the finish. NCC now 6-1 and get Elmhurst on the road next.
