Carroll defense stops Kapaun cold

There are a lot of adjectives to call Bishop Carroll’s defense, but devastating might be the most apt.

If there is one thing Kapaun Mount Carmel believes it can do, it is run the football. They instill the belief that if all else fails, it will at least be able to line up and pound out three yards on the ground.

This was anything but true Friday night at Cessna Stadium, where Carroll’s defense established new rules in a 49-7 rout.

Kapaun (1-2) barely averaged one yard per carry, producing 33 yards on 30 attempts. The Crusaders failed on 13 of their 15 third-down conversions. Sixty-five percent (35 of 52) of their plays went for less than three yards.

“It felt like we dominated them,” Carroll senior safety Josh Hornback said. “It was like we knew where they were going to be before it happened.”

It began on first down, where Kapaun had 18 opportunities to kickstart or extend a drive. Of those 18 plays, the Crusaders averaged a gain of just more than one yard.

That inevitably led to unfavorable third down distances, which Kapaun found itself in an average position third-and-9 on its 15 third downs.

When coach Dan Adelhardt heard those numbers, he didn’t have to wonder why Carroll (3-0) won its 16th straight game in the rivalry.

“We’ve got to be able to get three yards and give ourselves a chance,” Adelhardt said. “We need to be more efficient. I mean, we’re going to run the football. So we’ve got to find a way to get something going on the ground and give ourselves a chance.”

The game tape will likely highlight the misses for Kapaun. Missed blocks. Missed opportunities. Missed everything.

But it will also show a Carroll defense that deserved every bit of credit for shutting out Kapaun’s offense, which was averaging over 30 points per game, and holding it to 77 yards through three quarters.

The front seven defenders, led by players such as Nick Nolting, Tommy Marquez, Brendan Hallacy and Chris Dugan, were dominant.

“That’s what is going to carry us this year,” Carroll coach Alan Schuckman said of his defense that has eight starters back from last season. “On offense, we’re going to have our ups and downs like we did (Friday). But defense, that’s something we’re going to be consistent at.”

Thanks to the defense, the average starting position for Carroll’s offense was the Kapaun 49. It didn’t need many yards to capitalize on that advantage, cashing in on six touchdowns on nine drives before to go up 42-0 in the third quarter.

Senior quarterback Colton Howell was brilliant throwing to the flats, completing 14 passes to eight different receivers for 167 yards and two touchdowns. He also converted six third downs through the air.

But the star, at least on offense, was senior tailback Denzel Goolsby, who ran for three touchdowns and 128 yards in the first quarter alone. He finished with 187 yards, including six runs of at least 14 yards, and four scores.

“I just need a seam, whether it’s a big hole or just a little seam,” Goolsby said. “My offensive line did a great job of giving something to work with. Whenever I have a good night, that’s just a reflection of how well my O-line played.”

This story was originally published September 19, 2014 at 11:31 PM with the headline "Carroll defense stops Kapaun cold."