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By Michael Odom
Courtesy, Mirror-Exchange
When Xander Moon wants to take over a game, Moon can take over a game.
On Friday night, he showed that ability as he scored six touchdowns on 292 rushing yards to go along with four tackles and an interception as West Carroll beat Humboldt 48-44 in the Region 7-1A opener.
“We knew going into the season that Xander was the guy, and he has not only continued to do what he does but what has impressed me most from the preseason to now is his leadership skills,” West Carroll coach Clayton Morris said. “He has really developed over the past three games. He ran tough and made big plays happen against Humboldt.”
West Carroll (3-0, 1-0 7-1A) trailed by two points at halftime (22-20) and the end of the third quarter (30-28).
But a 20-point output in the fourth quarter turned the game around for the War Eagles.
Moon’s fifth touchdown of the game came with 10:14 remaining from eight yards out to give West Carroll the 36-30 lead. Jay Long scored on the next possession from 41 yards out for the 42-30 lead.
“Our kids played hard and showed a lot of fight,” Morris said. “At this point, I don’t think anyone can question the amount of fight our kids have. I have been impressed with the fight of the underclassmen and how the few seniors we have, have stepped up to be leaders.”
Long finished with 158 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Humboldt cut the West Carroll lead to six with 3:22 remaining on a 29-yard touchdown run by Casey Curry, but Moon’s final touchdown put the game away when he scored from 33 yards out.
“One thing I take away from the first three weeks is we don’t like to do things easy,” Morris said jokingly. “We seem to try to find a way to make things dramatic. I think that will pay off for us down the road. We have battled at home and on the road. Humboldt is a tough place to walk away with a win, and Coach (Teddy) Pettigrew has that program going in the right direction.”