Third-string QB helps Carroll run over Heights

Bishop Carroll third-string quarterback Braden Howell was called into action less than 30 seconds into Friday’s Class 5A quarterfinal game.

“I saw Cannon (Lynch) go down, I went over and coach told me to get some snaps,” Howell said. “I knew I was the next guy up after Jake (Allen) got hurt last week. I knew that if something happened, I’d be the one out there calling the game.”

With Lynch out with a leg injury, Howell completed three first downs on his opening drive. Howell scored from 28 yards and Carroll rolled to a 44-14 victory over host Heights.

“Braden really stepped up and had a big night for us,” coach Alan Schuckman said. “He made some big plays tonight and allowed us to advance with a lot of help from the guys up front, they really paved the way for our rushing attack.”

Carroll’s offense knew that with Howell in the game, they’d need to rely more on their backs. They did just that as Howell and Adam Theis led the way. Howell had 151 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Theis finished with 167 yards as well as two touchdowns.

Carroll had touchdown runs of 28, 3, 57, 7, 54 and 12 yards. Whenever Carroll’s linemen paved a hole, the rushing attack round it.

“That wasn’t our original game plan, but since Cannon got hurt we kind of had to switch things up,” Schuckman said. “Braden is a great player, he’s young and will continue to learn, he didn’t make very many mistakes tonight and that’s all I could of asked from him.”

Carroll’s defense held Heights in check, only allowing two plays of more than 25 yards. , one of those would end up being an 84 yard touchdown run by Rodney Murphy. But Carroll was able to rely on their guys up front to stop the rushing attack of Murphy.

This story was originally published November 13, 2015 at 11:55 PM with the headline "Third-string QB helps Carroll run over Heights."