Carvers Bay hosts Lamar Friday
By R.G. Greene
rgreene@gtowntimes.com
HEMINGWAY - It was just a basic isolation play. A straight downhill call where the offensive line fires out and the running back goes right at the opposing defense.
It's been a staple for Clayton Geathers and the Carvers Bay offense. And there haven't been many times where they've run it better than they did on Friday night, facing a fourth and goal from the one-yard line, late in the fourth quarter at Hemingway.
Geathers' run was the game's only touchdown, a burst that lifted the Bears to a 10-2 victory in the second round of the Class A Division I playoffs and sent them on to the Lower State championship this Friday for the third consecutive year, hosting Lamar, a 54-0 winner over Hannah Pamplico.
"When you get down that close you have to get (into the end zone)," said Geathers, whose decisive score came with 1:44 showing on the clock. "We had missed some chances earlier. It was our last shot and we had get in."
Carvers Bay (10-2) will host Lamar next weekend - the third straight year the teams have met in the Lower State finale - but in the aftermath of Friday's win, Carvers Bay coach Nate Thompson wasn't looking ahead.
Instead, he was reflecting on the effort both teams put forward in what was arguably the most intense game in the Carvers Bay- Hemingway series - the Bears hold a 6-4 advantage overall against the Tigers and Friday was the first time the teams had met in the playoffs.
"Given what was at stake there was a lot of emotion," Thompson said. "Both teams gave everything they had. That's what this rivalry is all about.
SEE BEARS, Page 2B
"This is a tough place to play. It's close, it's tight and you know (Hemingway) is going to give you all you want. You have to be ready to match that kind of energy."
Though the game was sloppy at times - there were eight total turnovers and nearly 180 yards in combined penalty yardage - that was largely muted by the performance of both defenses.
Hemingway had won 13-8 during the regular season and was determined to get the sweep, registering a safety in the second quarter and nearly making it stand up.
The Tigers held the Bears to 172 yards rushing - well under their season average - and turned them away empty-handed on three trips inside Hemingway's 20-yard line.
Carvers Bay's defense was up to the task, limiting the Tigers to 86 total yards, just 16 of those coming in the second half.
The Tigers first two second-half possessions started in Carvers Bay territory and, on their third series of the half, they marched to the Bears' 20-yard line. A second down and eight call though lost six yards and Hemingway turned the ball over on downs two plays later.
"We did what we had to do," Bears defensive tackle Kwame Geathers said. "We made some mistakes, but no matter what happened we kept playing defense."
Carvers Bay got the break it needed midway through the fourth quarter. Stuck deep in their own territory, the Tigers tried the option, but the pitch wound up in the end zone and enabled the Bears to tie the game with a safety of their own.
After the free kick, Carvers Bay took over at its own 43-yard line and began its game-winning drive with 6:05 remaining. The Bears converted on a fourth down and one early in the march and, a couple of plays later, Geathers went around the right side for a 26-yard gain to set up a first-and-goal from the Hemingway nine-yard line.
"In that situation you go with what brought you here," Thompson said. "For us, that's the running game."
Geathers carried 13 times for a game-high 80 yards to lead the Bears offense and Davious Chestnut added 56 yards on 13 carries.
"I'm so proud of our team," Thompson said. "We began this year with just one starter returning to his position on offense and just four coming back on defense. I don't think people realize how hard it is to deal with that kind of inexperience.
"We lost a couple of games, had some injuries and there were a lot of people who might have wanted to write us off. But we kept believing. To be 10-2, to be going back to the Lower State championship, my hat is off to our players and our coaches."
CARVERS BAY 10, HEMINGWAY 2
Carvers Bay 0 0 0 10 - 10
Hemingway 0 2 0 0 - 2
H - Safety; ball carrier tackled in end zone
C - Safety' ball carrier tackled in end zone
C - Clayton Geathers 1 run (Davious Chestnut run)
: 11/22/2008
All that matters is that CB won last night.... 40-14...YAY!!!! Lamar had a good band though, i cant even lie.. maybe next year boys...
: 11/21/2008
So I guess Lamar was the team that is overrated. CB has once again proven that THEY are the team to beat. Got one question for you...Got Geathers?
: 11/20/2008
Kwame Geathers? You must be kidding me. This is the poster child for over rated, just like Carvers Bay. He was not good nuff to get into shrine bowl. not good enough to get inot north south bowl. Just plain not good enough. He is not good enough to start for Lamar. For real. You are so last year.
: 11/20/2008
GO BEARS! CS IS LOADED WITH TALENT ON BOTH SIDES. I MUST SAY COACH THOMPSON HAS WELL DISCLIPINED TEAM. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK COACH!
: 11/20/2008
Go Bears....Kwame Geathers will give Lamar passing game a lot of trouble.
: 11/20/2008
Lamar Fan, you along with most newspapers have been saying that CB has been overated since the merger of the 2 schools. Now 3 with state championship appearances with 2 being caputured by the Bears you guys are still singing the same tune. Get over it and give us the praise we deserve, but I can understand your frustrations, you guys were the King of the division until the Bears came into town right...........lol
: 11/19/2008
I've been a witness to the CB vs Lamar games over the last few years. This has been a great match up. Differing styles and intense play for both teams. CB doesn't need to get cocky...there is still work to be done on Offense. Lamar...don't let CB's last game fool you either...remember they've gotten the best of you for 3 years in lower state.
: 11/19/2008
IT'S NOT THE BEARS THAT GIVES THE RATINGS.WE WILL SEE IF THE SLIPPERY FOXES ARE A MATCH FOR THE MIGHTY BEARS-YOU WILL FEEL THE WRATH OF THE BEARS WHEN YOU INTER INTO BEAR COUNTRY!!A GRIZZLY IS MUCH TALLER WHEN IT STANDS ON IT'S HIND LEGS!! GGRZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!!!
: 11/19/2008
We won 54-0 last week. You sliped past a weak Hemingway team on a cheap td. You get your behind kicked all over you home field Friday night. CB is sooooo overrated. You can't stay on field with Mighty Lamar Machine!!!!!!!
: 11/18/2008
Go Bears!! I attended the game on last Friday in Hemingway and I must say that it was one of the best High School football games I have ever seen. Both teams played hard and gave it their all!! Maybe next year Tigers!! Come out and support or Boyz!! Go Bears