Unblemished: Carey tames Tigers to win another N10 title

CAREY — The Carey football team did something not even the 2021 state champs did — post a perfect regular season.The Blue Devils clinched the outright Northern 10 Championship for the second-straight year with a convincing 56-12 victory against Seneca East Friday.It was Carey's first perfect regular season since 1994.The title was on the line for both teams as a Tiger upset would have had both squads sharing the championship. But after a few tense moments in the first quarter, it was all Carey.The Blue Devils churned over 500 yards of total offense, as quarterback Lance Rickle had a showcase game with 180 yards on the ground and 101 yards through the air with four total touchdowns.For coach Jonathon Mershman, it was another set of accomplishments crossed off as the Blue Devils prepare for the playoffs. Carey outscored its opposition 275-36 in seven league games."A lot of our seniors played a of time last year in roles," he said. "This year they had to step up and be the guy. Our juniors have stepped into being role players. I'm proud of how that transitioned as the season went on."A tremendous atmosphere was in the air in the first quarter that first saw Carey punch two quick touchdowns across — an 8-yard run by Conner Norden and a 15-yard pass from Rickle to Dominic Yeater.But the Tigers (7-3, 5-2 N10) came roaring back as Blake Foos hit Bryler Beamer on a 37-yard score. Then, Will Bischoff recovered an onside kick and Seneca East quickly capitalized, as Foos hit Caden Fritz on a 6-yard score. Two failed conversions put the Tigers within two, 14-12.Then, for a split second, it looked as if the Tiger tide continued to turn. Bischoff snagged an interception near midfield, and suddenly, the away team, with cowbells clanging in the stands, had an upset on their mind.But Carey continued to be at its best when its back is against the wall.A three-and-out by the Devils' stout defense led to a punt, and after Rickle hit Jordan Mattimoe on a 47-yard completion, Landen Kemerley hammered in from 5 yards out to put the Devils up two scores.They would never look back, owning all three phases until the beginning of the fourth, when both teams pulled many of their starters."We did some really good things in the first half," said Seneca East coach Ed Phillips. "The kids executed and played well. We had an opportunity to go up on them. With a team like that we needed to, because they are hard to stop. I knew they were fast on film, but they are really fast. Hats off to them. They are 10-0 and are on a great run."Austin Niederkohr had 92 rushing yards, while Eli Steen added 56 yards and a score, and Norden had 45 yards and a score. Kemerley had two rushing touchdowns. Doug Pinkerton was a perfect 8-for-8 on extra points.Butch Brodman made a name for himself on defense, like he always does, with two broken up passes, a tackle for loss and sack. Carter Smiley snared two interceptions in the victory."It feels really good," Mershman said. "I thought this team has really come together and gelled together really nice. Overall I thought we played well all night. We could have put our heads down, but we came right back at them. We settled down, and started to do our job. We communicated better, and made sure we had things buttoned up."Foos was 19-of-35 for 150 passing yards to lead the Tigers, while Beamer had 87 receiving yards, Fritz had 33 and Cody Heibertshausen had 31.Both teams will await their Division 6 playoff opponents, which will be released Sunday. Carey will be the No. 1 ranked team in the region, with a guaranteed two home playoff games.The Tigers' spread passing attack, sometimes utilizing five receivers, was a good test for what's to come, Mershman said.Phillips said he expects his team to easily turn the page."I know we have a lot to play for and a lot to be excited about," he said. "The way we played the start of that game, there's a lot of things I'm excited about heading into Week 11."