JASON EPP
• Leader & Times
TURPIN, Okla.—Cardinal QB Carson Peters accounted for six touchdowns against top-ranked Laverne. But in a game full of big plays, where the two offenses combined for over 1,000 yards, it came down to the conversion plays. Laverne converted three times and Turpin only one leading to a 42-38 win for the Tigers.
“Disappointed with the loss, but not disappointed with the effort, Cardinals Head Coach Justin Hannah said. “We had too many execution breakdowns and missed tackles. But we know what kind of fight we have in us.”
Turpin showed that fight late in the game when Laverne took a 42-26 lead. Peters found the end zone from five yards out for his fourth rushing touchdown. The Cardinals kickoff unit came up big recovering an onside kick that led to another Peters rushing touchdown that cut the lead do just four. But the Turpin rally ended there as Laverne was able to cover up the second onside attempt.
Early in the contest, Laverne’s Felix Teel made his presence know with touchdown runs of 74 and 78 yards at the Tigers built a 20-6 first quarter lead. Peters scored from 21 yards out in the second and Turpin trailed 20-12 at the half.
Two more long TDs by Teel, 64 and 70 yards, gave Laverne a 36-20 lead early in the fourth, but Peters found Riley Fowler over the middle for a 45-yard touchdown, cutting it back to 26-26. Turpin was outgained 583-471 but had 19 first downs to 12 for Laverne.
Jhett Huffman carried a big chunk of the load rushing for 112 yards on 11 carries, catching 9 passes for 110 yards, and 143 return yards. Carson Peters was 20-27 for 300 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Peters also rushed for 5 touchdowns and 64 yards on 17 carries. Riley Fowler caught four passes for 94 yards and a touchdown. Saul Alvarado gained 54 yards on four catches.
Defensively, Riley Fowler had 13 tackles to lead the team. Ryder Ireland, Saul Alvarado, Carson Peters, and Jhett Huffman each collected eight tackles, Jaxon Lenhert 7, and Alex Alvarado 6. Angel Moreno grabbed an interception.
No. 4 Turpin (5-1;1-1) will have to rebound quickly from their first loss. They will travel to No.2 Garber (6-0;1-0) for their next district contest, Friday.
