Dothan comes up short by a touchdown for third straight week in region play
Like a recurring bad dream Dothan High can't awake from, the Wolves lost for the third straight week by a touchdown – this time 35-28 to Carver on Friday night at Rip Hewes Stadium.
Dothan coach Jed Kennedy had a simple answer for this one.
"Made too many mistakes – way too many mistakes," Kennedy said.
Fumbles were the biggest issue for Dothan, which lost two that would lead to Carver scores.
"But you know the reality is, we were a good enough team it never even should have come to that," Kennedy said.
It was the third of a brutal four-game Class 7A, Region 2 home stretch for Dothan, which began it with a 28-21 loss to rival Enterprise, followed by a 42-35 defeat at the hands of No. 1-ranked Central of Phenix City before unbeaten and No. 4-ranked Carver (5-0 overall, 3-0 region) paid a visit.
Dothan (2-3 overall, 0-3 region) is off next week, but the challenges continue in two weeks when Opelika (4-1 overall, 2-1 region) pays a visit. The Bulldogs beat Smiths Station 50-0 on Friday night.
"There's no room in this region to sit and feel sorry for yourself," Kennedy said of his message to the team. "You've got to get ready."
Carver got on the scoreboard first on a 9-yard touchdown run by quarterback Terrell Russell midway through the first quarter. Harry Welch connected on the extra point kick.
Dothan would then take the lead on consecutive drives – the first touchdown coming on a 7-yard run by A.J. Alexander and the next on a 66-yard run by Jaden Barnes, who found a small crease over the right side and took off all the way into the end zone. Johnathan Castillo booted through both extra points and the Wolves led 14-7 with 10:43 to play in the second quarter.
Carver then put together an impressive 13-play, 56-yard drive that would culminate with an unbelievable catch on a 4th-and-17 play when Tristan Norman came down with the ball in between two defenders in the end zone.
Carver had moved down to the 5 for a first down, but fumbles in the backfield on consecutive plays that were regained by the Wolverines moved the ball back to the 17, which was followed by an incomplete pass before Russell connected with Norman on the TD catch.
The momentum quickly turned back to the Wolves when Barnes fielded the ensuing kickoff on the 5 and then ran to his right and found a seam all the way down the sidelines for a 95-yard kickoff return with 4:51 left in the half, making it 21-14 after the PAT.
The Wolves' defense forced a punt on the ensuing Carver series and Dothan had the ball back at its own 40 with two minutes left before intermission.
However, on the first down play, Barnes lost the handle while being stopped for no gain and Carver came up with the loose ball.
Russell connected with Javoski Barnes on a 35-yard first down pass to the 5 and two plays later Trevon Gilmer Berry was in the end zone. The Wolverines went for 2 and converted when Berry took a direct snap and went over the left side, putting Carver up 22-21 at the break.
Dothan received the second half kickoff and set up at its 35, but Alexander fumbled on first down and Carver's Corey McMeans recovered.
Taking over at the Wolves' 39, Russell broke loose for 38 yards down to the 1. After Berry was pushed back for a 1-yard loss on 1st-and-goal, he took it in on the next play for a touchdown. Carver again went for a 2-point conversion, but Russell's pass was incomplete, leaving the score at 28-21.
Carver made it a two-touchdown lead with 3:18 to play in the third quarter when Norman took a handle off on a double-reverse and then threw to an open Russell, who dashed 28 yards for a score. Welch added the extra point kick to make it 35-21.
Dothan got a big break early in the fourth quarter when Carver's punter bobbled a snap and was tackled at the Wolverines' 9 as he ran with the ball towards the sideline.
Two plays later, Alexander went over the right side for an 8-yard touchdown and Castillo kicked through the extra point to pull Dothan within 35-28 with 9:54 remaining. Alexander rushed unofficially for 117 yards on 23 carries for Dothan.
Dothan would have a final chance after getting the ball back following a punt at its 35 with 2:54 left in the game.
On a reverse pass play, Barnes connected with Alexander down to the 29 of Carver. On first down, Alexander picked up 2 yards to the 27 and Barnes got 2 yards to the 25 on second down.
On third, Alexander picked up 2 more to the 23 to set up a 4th-and-4 situation.
After calling a timeout with 1:05 left, the Wolves went with a direct snap to T.J. Vickers, but he was stopped for no gain as Carver survived the late threat.
Jon Johnson is sports editor of the Dothan Eagle and can be reached at or 334.712.7965. Support his work and that of other Eagle journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at dothaneagle.com . Follow Jon Johnson on Twitter
