Carlton Wins Home Opener

Cade Pierson – NSO

Photos By: Marianne Pierson

Everything seemed to be clicking for the Bulldogs Monday night, as they took down the Cherry Tigers 48-26. It was Junior Nate Nilsen leading the dogs in offense compiling over 200+ rushing yards and adding three touchdowns, two on the ground, and one from QB Jackson Mickle. The Bulldogs’ offense put up an impressive performance, racking up 487 total yards for the night.

The first drive of the game saw Cherry running back David Hardy run it in for the quick score, with Carlton answering back on an Isaiah Wallace run up the middle for 6. After that score though, the game would be postponed due to lightning until Monday afternoon, with 2:22 left in the first quarter.

Monday, the action picked right up where it left off, as the first play was Cherry’s Hardy returning an 80-yard kickoff for a touchdown. It was Carlton again answering right back stomping down the field and scoring on a Nate Nilsen 21 yard Touchdown scamper. After a defensive stop, the dogs scored again after a strong, multi-tackle breaking run again by Isaiah Wallace for the score.

Carlton’s defense proved to be stifling again, forcing a 3-and out. Sophomore Quarterback Jackson Mickle would then unleash a pretty 30-yard pass to Nate Nilsen for six. The dogs would get the ball right back yet again, and capitalize by scoring off another Nilsen touchdown run. Cherry’s offense would continue to fail to find its feet, as Carlton forced yet another punting situation. The following drive would see Quarterback Jackson Mickle sneak it in for a score.

Carlton’s defense was suffocating, as Senior captain Marshall Bennett picked off Quarterback Spencer Peterson for the turnover. The defense also saw big plays from Senior Val Frische, Sam Macor, and Isaiah Wallace. To top off the night for the Dog’s, it was backup Freshman Quarterback Jacob Santkuyl finding the end zone on a sneak.

In the final minutes, the Tigers would manage to find the end zone for the last time, on a deep touchdown throw from Peterson to hardy, followed by the 2-point conversion.

It was an all around impressive performance from the Bulldogs, as they look to add another win at home this Friday against Cook County at 7p.m. The Tigers will look to add their first win of the year against Isle.

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