The Hart Pirates had entered their Friday night contest against Shelby on a twelve-game losing streak. The thirteenth time was the time, as Braeden Carskadon delivered a performance for the ages in an offensive explosion for the Pirates. Scoring the most points since their last victory, they topped the Tigers 46-36.
In the first quarter, the scoring was limited. The only touchdown drive was in the middle of the quarter, as Carskadon carried the football four yards for a touchdown. He would also add the two-point conversion to make it 8-0 Pirates.
In the second quarter, Xavier Wallace responded for Shelby with a thirty-nine yard run to the end zone. The two-point try was unsuccessful, leaving the score at 8-6 Pirates. This would extend to ten points as Carskadon ran in his second touchdown, this time from two yards out. Ian Mesler converted the two-point try with a run.
Xavier Wallace would bring the Tigers closer once again, as he rushed for two more touchdowns in the second quarter. His runs of two and twenty-six yards to the end zone, paired with a two-point conversion, brought Shelby closer, but they still trailed 22-20 as Carskadon and Mesler paired up for an additional score in the quarter.
The third quarter, much like the first, saw only once scoring play. Again, it was Braeden Carskadon, who burst through the defense for a forty-eight yard touchdown run. The successful conversion attempt made it 30-20 as the teams entered the final frame.
Carskadon would extend the lead further with another touchdown run (thirteen yards) and conversion. After Lorenzo Rodriguez and Payton Mero paired up for a touchdown and two-point pass to inch Shelby back within ten points, Carskadon struck with another big play. He took off through the Tigers’ defense, and ran sixty yards to the end zone for a score.
Shelby would add another touchdown on the Rodriguez and Mero connection, but it was far too late, as they trailed 46-36 with just sixty-three seconds to play.
On this career evening for Carskadon, he finished 5/13 passing for 117 yards and a touchdown. His biggest impact came on the ground, as he hauled 41 carries for 326 yards, five touchdowns and four conversions.
Hart will look to continue their winning streak next week when they face Mason County Central, while Shelby will end the regular season against Ravenna.