JASON EPP
• Leader & Times
The Turpin Cardinals wasted no time putting away the Pioneer Mustangs, scoring six touchdowns in the first half on their way to a playoff-clinching 46-16 victory.
Carson Peters threw for 208 yards and 3 touchdowns on 10 for 14 passing and ran for another touchdown. Jhett Huffman gained 182 yards and scored 3 touchdowns on just 13 touches, and Riley Fowler led the defense with 20 tackles including 7 for a loss.
Peters and Huffman helped Turpin build a 24-0 lead first by connecting from 51 yards out then a rushing touchdown by each. Pioneer was able to get on the board before the first quarter ended but still trailed the Cardinals 24-8.
Ryder Ireland was the target of Peters’ passes on the Cardinals next two drives scoring on catches from 12 yards and 42 to put Turpin up 38-8. Ireland finished the game with four catches for 70 yards. Huffman added another rushing TD from six yards out to give the Cardinals a 46-8 lead at the half.
Turpin’s backups played almost the entire second half. Pioneer did add one more score late in the fourth quarter to end the game at a 30-point margin. Aaron Gandarilla rushed for 73 yards on 6 carries in the second half and Gage Peters carried 8 times for 45. Turpin finished with 431 yards of offense and held Pioneer to 257 yards.
Beyond Fowler, defensively, Jaxon Lenhert had seven tackles including one for loss and a sack. Angel Moreno had five tackles including one for loss and a sack. Ryder Ireland also had five tackles and a tackle for loss. Jhett Huffman had five tackles, one for loss, a sack and an interception. Aaron Gandarilla had eight tackles and Elijah Garcia got seven.
No.3 Turpin (7-1; 3-1) will host Pond Creek-Hunter, Friday, Senior Night. With a win, Turpin can secure a first-round playoff home game.
