BY BRIAN HAMILTON
STRAWBERRY PLAINS – Carter survived by the skin of its teeth again, as Wilson came through in the clutch with a touchdown run to give the Hornets a 24-19 win over Morristown West.
The game featured a total of 38 penalties for 375 yards.
The Trojans took a 3-0 on its first drive when Caleb Santana connected on a 28-yard field goal with 10:03 remaining in the first quarter.
Carter would get on the board with a Chandler Wilson touchdown pass to Kaleb Harper. The two-point conversion attempt failed, however, making the score 6-3 with 4:44 left in the first. That is how the first period would end.
The Trojans’ Santana would connect on his second field goal of the game — this time from 24-yards — to tie the game at 6-6 with 11:23 remaining in the second quarter.
Wilson found Harper again late in the first half for a 28-yard score. The Hornets elected to kick the extra-point and Morristown West blocked it, leaving Carter with a 12-6 lead at the half.
The Hornets would go in front 18-6 with 3:48 left in the third quarter, but the Trojans would respond, as Malakhi Isom found Brett Blair for a 38-yard touchdown with 31 seconds left in the third. The PAT was no good, as Carter clung to an 18-12 lead going into the final stanza.
Isom hit Brayden Poling for a short touchdown pass with 6:19 left in the game. Santana’s extra-point attempt was good, putting the Trojans back in front 19-18.
Carter would answer, however, as Wilson ran up the middle for an 18-yard score to give the Hornets a 24-19 lead with 1:55 left.
Morristown West was unable to answer the call and Carter came away with a hard fought 24-19 win.
Wilson led the Hornets with 225 yards and two touchdowns on 12-of-12 passing, while running for a score on the ground.
Nick Davidson finished with 104 yards rushing on 18 attempts for Carter, while Morristown West’s Hunter Delaney went for 185 on 33 carries.
Austin Ramsey caught seven passes for 108 yards, while Gabe Harper finished with 79 yards and a touchdown on three catches. Jackson Cole caught five passes for 114 yards for the Trojans.
Carter (5-3, 1-1 Class 4A Region 2) will have the week off before hosting South Doyle (5-3, 2-1) in a battle for second place in the region.
Morristown West (4-4) will host Cherokee (2-5) on Friday night.