Thanksgiving 2005

Central runs win streak over Harding to 7

CHRIS ELSBERRY celsberry@ctpost.comBRIDGEPORT — The nerves kicked up in Central football coach Dave Cadelina's stomach as soon as he realized what was at stake. The Hilltoppers came into their Thanksgivng Day matchup against city-rival Harding riding the crest of a six-game win streak over the Presidents and a win Thursday would give Central seven straight wins for the first time since the series between the two schools began in 1926. And thanks to senior tailback Edgar Lopez, the Hilltoppers indeed made history. Lopez rushed for 110 yards on 14 carries, scored a touchdown and also converted a two-point conversion run to win the John E. Johansen award as the game's Most Valuable Player as Central defeated Harding 32-16 before an estimated 2,000 at Kennedy Stadium. It was the seventh consecutive win for the Hilltoppers in the series, which Harding leads 50-30-4. "I read in the paper that we were shooting for something historical and that immediately brought back all the old butterflies of the rivalry," Cadelina said. "Going for seven in a row ... we posted it all over the locker room. It's a great note to end on." Central used its depth to wear down the Presidents. The Hilltoppers' game plan was to run the football, period. And they did, piling up 268 yards on the ground in 35 attempts, a 7.65-yard per carry average. "We felt like we could run and to tell you the truth, we don't have a lot of confidence in our passing game," Cadelina said. "We thought we'd be able to wear them down and the kids were well-prepared. (Keith) Carlos (six carries, 83 yards and a 38-yard TD run) is a magnificent athlete and Edgar is just a workhouse for us. Edgar just came out and really played hard on both sides of the ball. He knew this was going to be his last game and he really worked for this (award)." Central attempted just one pass the entire game, but it went for a touchdown as Jamarl Hardison rolled out and found Jerry Upchurch in the end zone for a 11-yard score three plays into the second quarter. That touchdown ended a nine-play drive that had started at the Harding 45 after the Presidents fumbled the snap on an attempted punt. Another mishandled snap on a punt on the Presidents' next possession deep in their own territory led to Lopez plowing into the end zone from five yards out with 7:36 left in the first half to give Central an 18-0 lead. "Those (fumbles) on the punts hurt us," Harding coach Trent Allen said. "It was tough. My quarterbacks are usually pretty steady but they made a few mistakes today, holding the ball too long, fumbling snaps. But that's what happens with young quarterbacks." Allen's two QBs, Mike Porcher and Ramon Villafane, struggled in the cold and windy conditions, completing a combined three of 13 passes for 96 yards — 86 of those coming on two catch-and-run receptions from senior tailback Anthony Burris. Burris, who hadn't played football since Pop Warner until this year, had an outstanding game in defeat, rushing for 149 yards on 21 carries and accumulating 235 yards of total offense for the Presidents. "He's a tough kid," Allen said. "It's real sad that he's a senior." A 49-yard sweep by Burris down the right sideline for a touchdown put Harding on the board with just over a minute left in the second quarter. Burris also ran in the two-point conversion to slice Central's halftime lead to 18-8. "He's (Burris) a great athlete," Cadelina said. "We knew he was dangerous and we knew that we had to keep him inside, don't let him outside. We knew this and he still got outside anyway." Central pushed the margin back to 26-8 with 4:49 left in the third quarter on Carlos' second TD run of the game, a 4-yard sweep around the left end. But Harding fought back. Porcher threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Darius Cobb and Burris ran for the two-point conversion to cut Central's lead to 26-16 with 1:37 to go in the third. But Central put matters away midway through the fourth quarter on William Nunez's 53-yard touchdown run. "I'm real proud of my teammates," Lopez said. "This (win) definitely takes the sting away from the season. It feels real good to end like this." Central ends the season at 3-7. Harding finishes 2-8. "We're talking small steps," Allen said. "I only have eight seniors, so I have a bunch of kids that will be back next year. I just hope that we get better every year."