WS Chronicle

T.J. Boyce (5) is the featured back in Carver’s ground-and-pound rushing attack. (Photo by Craig T. Greenlee)

If you’ve watched Carver’s junior varsity in recent weeks, then you know that there’s no question about the team’s football identity.

Some might call it “old school.”

Others might refer to it as “smash-mouth.”

Or, the proverbial “three yards and a cloud of dust.”

Regardless of what label you might attach to the Yellowjackets’ style of play, there’s no denying that it’s effective. After losing by five touchdowns to powerhouse Greensboro Dudley in the season opener (36-6) three weeks ago, resilient Carver bounced back with victories over Mount Tabor and Parkland.

The Yellowjackets rely on their stingy defense, which has allowed a total of 12 points over the past two weeks. The emerging ringleaders of the stop unit are linebackers Jeremy Brown-Middleton and Tarja Cornell.

When it comes to offense, there’s nothing complicated about Coach Alonzo Winfield’s scheme. No flea-flicker pass plays. No double-reverses. No gadget plays of any kind. The no-frills approach is all about controlling the tempo and pounding opponents with a bruising ground game.

Tyrek Thompson (6-feet, 1, 300 pounds), along with Treyvez George and Dequantes Wilson, are the movers and shakers on the offensive line who clear the way for the rushing attack to flourish. T.J. Boyce, Carver’s featured running back, is the chief beneficiary.

“Our philosophy is very basic,” said Winfield. “Play exceptional defense, limit turnovers and run the ball. There are no secrets about what we do offensively. We get behind the big boys we have up front, and come right at you.”

Carver beat Mount Tabor 6-0 last week to improve its record to 2-1. For most of the game, neither team could fully impose its will on the other. The Yellowjackets made a full commitment to run the ball and attempted only four passes for the entire game.

The outcome wasn’t determined until the final four minutes of play. Boyce scored the game’s only touchdown on a seven-yard run off tackle to deliver the victory.

“Going in, the plan was for us to win the field position battle and not turn the ball over,” said Winfield. “We stayed with the plan and it all worked out the way we hoped it would.”

The previous week, the Yellowjackets whipped Parkland, 36-12. Boyce led the assault with a pair of rushing touchdowns. Phillip Legette provided a spark on special teams with long-yardage kick returns which set up several Carver scores. Legette also caught a touchdown pass and had one interception.

Carver looks to keep its win streak going when it goes on the road to play North Forsyth today (Sept. 10). Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

“With this being my second year, the players have a better understanding of our system,” said Winfield. “And they know what my expectations are. Comparing where we are now as a team, to where we were at this time last year, I feel we’re further along.

“Still, there are areas we must continue to improve on, but at the same time, we continue to show progress. We’re going into every game with the idea that we have something to prove.”