North Caroline’s undefeated season stalls in Quarterfinals
RIDGLEY, Md- North Caroline fell to Elkton 24-13 in the Quarterfinals of the 2018 MPSSAA playoffs. The loss ends the Bulldogs second straight 10-0 season under head coach James McCormick.
In three of the last four 2A state playoffs, North Caroline has faced Elkton in the Quarterfinal round. The last of which Elkton won 33-20 and went on to fall to Walkersville in the state championship game.
The Bulldogs looking to avenge that 2016 loss, opened up the game holding the electric Elkton offense to just a field goal on their opening drive. North Caroline would answer, capping off a 5 play, 53 yard drive with on a seven yard touchdown run for First Team All-Bayside Fullback Joey Bildstein, extra point good giving the
Bulldogs the 7-3 lead in the first.
After trading punts, Elkton was able to regain the lead in the second. Ending a quick Elks drive, QB Nolan Null hit Dah’Mear Triplett on the back shoulder fade over the corner for the lead changing score. After a North Caroline punt, Elkton would get another score from Senior Running Back Tashawn Waters. Jr to extend the Elk lead to 17-7.
Just before half the Bulldogs would put together a nice drive getting them down inside the Elkton ten. After two failed run attempts and an incomplete pass North Caroline would be faced with a 4thand short and a chance to cut the lead to seven. Rolling the dice, head coach James McCormick went for it. Calling for a pitch to do everything Running Back Ryan Bauer but the stingy Elkton defense answered the call. Middle Linebacker Aaron Hawkins stuffed Bauer at the two forcing a turnover on downs.
The score 17-7 at the half, neither team would get on the board in the third and into the fourth. North Caroline’s offense unable to do anything in the second half, would turn the ball over late midway through the fourth. Elkton would capitalize, Null gets his second score through the air hitting a wide open Trevin Ewing for the 45 yard touchdown to put the game on ice.
The Bulldogs would get a late touchdown drive capped off by a short score from Will Manship but it was too late. Elkton would recover the onside kick and run out the clock from there. For the third time in four years, the Elkton Golden Elks are moving on to the Semifinals after defeating the North Caroline Bulldogs.
