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Lions devour Clerks, 48-12
(Published September 5, 2005)

By DAVID STEINBACHER
Special to The Common Denominator

The Carroll Lions were plagued by missed conversion attempts in their first game of the season, but it didn't make a difference as they overwhelmed the Cardozo Clerks, 48-12, in the annual "Andre Baylor Classic."

The Lions hosted the Clerks in Northeast Washington Sept. 3, with Baylor's parents and about 400 other fans in attendance. Baylor, a Cardozo alumnus, taught at Carroll in the early-to-mid 1990s and died unexpectedly in 1997.

Carroll, coached by former Lion standout wide receiver Joe Johnson (Carroll '81), opened the game's scoring when junior quarterback Ian White punched it in from one yard out.

"I'm very comfortable running the offense. I did a lot of work this summer. Coach has been helping me ‘read' defenses real well," said White.

Senior quad-captain/running back Darin Burks scored the two-point conversion via the ground to give the home team an 8-0 lead with 5:54 remaining in the first quarter.

"It was a matter of executing today. Our game plan was to be able to run the ball," said Coach Johnson.

On the Lions' next offensive series, Burks – at only 5-foot-8 and 175 pounds -- ripped
off a 12-yard scoring jaunt down the right sideline.

"The offensive line [Isaiah Williams, Timothy Sunkins, Antonio Beard, Patrick Fears and quad-captain Terrell Craig] blocked real well on that play and all day long," said Burks.

Lineman Williams, a 370-pounder, said he and his teammates "need to keep developing our strength and technique this season as an offensive line."

White connected with senior quad-captain/wide receiver Marc Thomas on the two-point conversion to help the Lions stake an early 16-0 lead with 4:26 left in the first quarter.

Following the Carroll kickoff, Cardozo moved the chains one time before junior quarterback Sherrod Peppers turned in one of the day's most spectacular plays.

Peppers, starting his first varsity game under center for the Clerks, faked a handoff left, did a 270-degree spin and outraced the Carroll defense down the right sideline for Cardozo's first points of the 2005
season.

"Sherrod is playing for the first time on the varsity level this year. He made a real good ‘bootleg' on that play. He's a good player. We need to keep him healthy," said Cardozo Head Coach Marvin Drummond.

The two-point conversion attempt was no good, as Cardozo turned over the ball with 37 seconds remaining in the first quarter and on the down side of a 16-6 score.

Carroll, a much improved team in 2005, wasted little time seizing the momentum right back.

White connected with wide receiver Thomas on a spectacular 42-yard touchdown play. Thomas caught the ball over the middle and then eluded the Clerk defense to take the ball down the left sideline for the Lions' third touchdown of the game. An unsuccessful two-point conversion attempt put the score at 22-6.

"Ian [White] really ran the offense well today. He's got a good command of the offense," said Coach Johnson.

Cardozo turned the ball over on downs midway through the second quarter. Carroll, behind the Lions' huge offensive line, once again paved the way for its running backs. Burks and junior fullback Jarrod Bowling churned the yardage before White scored his second touchdown of the day on another one yard run. The two-point pass attempt was incomplete; nonetheless, Carroll led 28-6 with 4:50 left in the first half.

Following a botched Cardozo punt, Carroll scored its fifth touchdown on a two-yard run by Burks. The Carroll two-point pass attempt was no good, but the Lions took what turned out to be an insurmountable 34-6 lead into the locker room at halftime.

"I told the guys at halftime that we have to really put our stamp on it in the second half," said a pleased Coach Johnson.

At the conclusion of the third quarter, Carroll led 42-6, following a 17-yard scoring pass from White to senior quad-captain/tight end Michael Hanton as well as a successful two-point conversion on the ground by sophomore running back Aaron Williams.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Lions struck the endzone for the seventh time on the day when sophomore linebacker Garnell Lucas picked up a Cardozo fumble and ran it 50 yards for the score.

"Give credit to junior linebacker Terrell Craig. He stripped the ball. I scooped it up and took it to the ‘house,'" said an excited Lucas.

Midway through the fourth quarter, the Clerks capped the game's scoring when senior running back Antonio Cooper ripped off a five-yard touchdown run.

Cardozo sophomore running back/linebacker Tranmyth Thomas said the Clerks have "some good potential" but team members need to "all come to practice everyday and work hard."

Coach Drummond observed that the Clerks have a tougher schedule this year than last.

"We expect to play better the remainder of the season than we did today," he said. "We need to stay healthy and be able to hold up against the other DCIAA teams."

Despite the shellacking his Lions handed the Clerks, Carroll Coach Johnson had some kind words for Cardozo.

"Cardozo did not quit -- there is never any quit in teams from the DCIAA," Johnson said.

As for his own team, Johnson remains hopeful for the rest of the season after the Lions' first game.

"For us to be in the top level of the WCAC this season, we're going to have to execute," he said. "We've got the skill guys this season. If our offensive line can really get it going, we're going to be OK."