Robert Muhammad's big night leads Carroll football past Tuloso-Midway in final non-district game

Carroll didn't lack any motivation heading into Friday's non-district game against Tuloso-Midway.

Even with the Tigers losing their first three games, Carroll was coming off an impressive win against Calallen that gave the team a jumpstart heading into the program's final non-district contest.

"We've been battle-tested," Carroll football coach Cal Neatherlin said. "We've played a tough schedule, and we're just getting better. The kids worth ethic has been amazing and they never give up the faith."

Carroll overcame an early turnover and deficit by outscoring the Warriors 30-7 in the final three quarters to come away with a 37-14 win at Cabaniss Stadium.

The Tigers improved to 2-3 ahead of their bye week and District 14-5A Division II play set to begin on Oct. 10.

"We always say we still want to win the bye week," Neatherlin said. "We're still practicing and getting ready for King. We're trying to win the bye week and we're trying to stay healthy. We're till going to get after it and get ready for King."

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Finding his legs

The difference for Carroll was a combination of key passes from quarterback Nick Cantu and the running of Robert Muhammad.

Muhammad found his rhythm early by scoring the Tigers' first touchdown and finishing his night with 24 carries for 132 yards and three touchdowns.

"It felt good," Muhammad said. "My teammates were setting up blocks for me and there were big holes. I was able to find those holes and score touchdowns. Without my teammates, I wouldn't have been able to have an amazing game."

Not letting up

Carroll quarterback Nick Cantu made multiple big plays down the stretch to help the Tigers hold off any kind of comeback by the Warriors.

Even after an interception return for a touchdown by Tuloso-Midway in the third quarter, Cantu answered by running for multiple first downs in the fourth quarter and finished the game with 189 passing yards and one touchdown pass to Braylen Swanson.

Cantu has now passed for more than 700 yards this season with four touchdowns.

"It's great because we have a young team," Neatherlin said. "We start two seniors in Robert and Nick, and it's great to see how they're coming together. Now we know what we have as a team, and we're able to put defenses in a bind by passing and throwing the ball."

Learning from defeat

Although it was the first loss of the season for the Warriors, head coach James Villarreal saw some positives that he hopes the team can carry over into next week's final non-district game against Alice and District 16-4A Division I play.

Tuloso-Midway still had a strong rushing night behind the Coastal Bend's leading rusher Damian Figueroa, who finished with 106 yards on 12 carries.

The Warriors also got a spark from Maddox Deleon, who returned an interception for a touchdown to cut the lead to seven late in the third quarter.

"We expected Carroll to be a really good football team," Villarreal said. "I think they played some good people and their record does not indicate how good they are. They beat a really good Calallen team last week, so we knew it was going to be a challenge.

"This is what non-district play is for. For us to play good people, go watch film and get better."

What's next?

Alice at Tuloso-Midway, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4; Carroll is open

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Robert Muhammad's big night leads Carroll football past Tuloso-Midway in final non-district game