Carlton Falls in Season Opener

Wes Vork-NSO

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Sept 3

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

CARLTON- The Carlton Bulldogs opened up their 2010 football season with high hopes and expectations under the direction of first year head coach Dennis Korman. The Bulldogs started strong but ended up falling to the Jaguars of Hinckley-Finlayson Friday night by a final score of 18-14. In the end, thirteen penalties in the end cost the Bulldogs of opening the season with a win.

The Bulldogs Head Coach told Northland Sports Online that “we need to see where we are and hope that we come ready every game.” Korman added “I have a great coaching staff with tons of experience and knowledge and we have expectations.” Korman added “It nice to have the added bodies from Fond du Lac, which will give us more depth as the season goes on.”

Carlton scored the first touchdown of the game when Chase Jokinen scored on a 16 yard run. After two penalties, Jokinen kicked what amounted to a 30yd extra point and it was a 7-0 lead midway into the 2nd quarter. Hinckley-Finlayson answered right back. A 50 yard kickoff return gave the Jaguars great field position, and after two costly personal foul penalties, Brandon Harth ran the Jaguars first score in from the three yard line. The kick was no good and the Bulldogs lead 7-6.

Carlton moved the ball on their next possession, but again penalties stalled the drive and the Jaguars took over. Hinkley-Finlayson then marched down the field to score right before halftime on a two yard run by quarterback Cory Lymbrunner. The two point conversion failed and Hinckley-Finlayson led 12-7 at the half. Both teams had long drives in the third quarter but failed to score as the third quarter ended the way it began at 12-7.

Carlton scored at the beginning of the fourth quarter on a 2 yard touchdown run by Jokinen, his extra point was good and the Bulldogs led 14-12. The Jaguars responded, again following a big return on the kickoff, the Jaguars marched down the short field. Again, Carlton penalties aided the Jaguars as Harth scored his second touchdown of the game on a 35 yard touchdown run, giving his team an 18-14 lead. This is how the game ended, as Carlton could muster no more.

Jokinen led the Bulldogs in rushing with 102 yards overall, he was also 2-5 passing for 23 yards. Harth led the Jaguars with 120 yards rushing while his running mate Mickey Scott added 110 yards rushing. Quarterback Lymbrunner finished 4-9 passing for 29 yards.

The Bulldogs start the season 0-1 and they will travel to Ely on Friday to take on the Timberwolves. Hinckley-Finlayson starts 1-0 and host Two Harbors on Friday.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com