By Chris Sokoloski

csokoloski@gtowntimes.com

Devin Cuttino had touchdown runs of 59 yards and 61 yards to lead Carvers Bay to a 21-13 win over St. James last week.

"We walked into a Sharks den," said coach James "Nate" Thompson. "We were lucky enough we came out with a win. But it could have easily went the other way."

The Sharks got on the board first on a 14-yard pass from Josh Roper to Tre McCullum. Less than a minute later, Cuttino outran the St. James defense to tie the score at 6-6.

Allen Crum ran it in from 12 yards out with 1:29 left in the first half to put the Sharks back on top 13-6.

Naquez Pringle scooped up a Sharks' fumble and ran it in for a 70-yard touchdown to put Carvers Bay ahead 14-13 with 1:26 left in the third quarter.

"He's faster than you think he is," Thompson said. "He's big but he can run. They found that out."

Cuttino's second long touchdown run of the night wrapped up the scoring in the fourth quarter.

Desmond Sumpter had two interceptions in the waning minutes to preserve the victory.

"The second half is our half," said Sumpter. "I don't know what it is about us, the second half we just get amped up."

Cuttino was the leading rusher for the Bears with 131 yards. Shayton Durand was the leading receiver with 12 yards.

"This is a good marker for us to let us know where we are and where we need to get better," Thompson said. "These teams are going to show you your weaknesses really fast."

Carvers Bay begins its region schedule with a trip to C.E. Murray on Friday.

At the start of region play, Carvers Bay and Timmonsville are 4-1, East Clarendon and Hemingway are 2-3, C.E. Murray is 1-4 and Scott's Branch is 0-5.

"We've got to do a better job of starting in the first quarter. We've got to get rolling early," Thompson said. "We're getting better, we're just not there yet. We need to start getting ourselves in gear for conference."

"We need to step it up and get better in the first half because starting [Friday] that's when it all counts," Sumpter said

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St. James head coach Mark Fischer was diagnosed with bone and kidney cancer hours before the game last week but was on the sidelines leading his team. After the game, he disclosed his illness to players and assistant coaches.

Fischer spent the days following the game going through a battery of tests and consulting with oncologists.