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Photo by Richard Force
Homewood wide receiver Tomon Felton (8) waits for a pass during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
Homewood Head Coach Ben Berguson chats with officials before a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
Homewood quarterback Will Myers (11) warms up before a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
The Homewood Marching Band performs before a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
John Carroll captains Anthony Mokry (51), Jaylin Shepherd (4), Koron Wright (8), and Braydon Lowery (18) get ready for the coin toss before a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
Homewood running back Evan Ausmer (2) runs with the ball during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
Homewood and John Carroll wait for the snap during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
John Carroll students cheer on their team during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
John Carroll running back Koron Wright (8) runs with the ball during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
Homewood quarterback Will Myers throws a pass during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
Homewood wide receiver Kylen Newell (1) fights off a tackle for extra yards during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
Homewood defensive lineman Noah Jones (93) and Gray Keown (97) look for the play call during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
John Carroll wide receiver Jackson Rankin (6) runs with the ball while being chased by Homewood defensive back John Griffin (3) during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
John Carroll tight end Braydon Lowery (18) and Homewood linebacker Joey Luckianow (49) fight for a pass during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
John Carroll line backer Koron Wright (8) waits for the snap during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
John Carroll defensive lineman Jacob Childress (5) looks to get past the blocks of Homewood offensive lineman Bardon King (50) and Clay Thornton (58) during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
Homewood quarterback Jack Myers (7) hands off to running back Eric Davidson (28) during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
John Carroll Head Coach Will Mara and Homewood Head Coach Ben Berguson shake hands after a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
John Carroll Head Coach Will Mara talks to the media after a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
The Homewood football team celebrates with the Homewood Marching Band after a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
Homewood offensive lineman Noah 0Goodwin (71) and John Carroll lineback Bobby O'Farrell (36) fight for position during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
John Carroll running back Garrett Barnes (12) runs with the ball during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
John Carroll punter Alex Perrin (24) punts the ball during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
Homewood students cheer on their team during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
The Homewood defense catches their breath during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
Homewood running back Evan Ausmer (2) celebrates a touchdown with his teammates during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
Homewood running back Evan Ausmer (2) runs with the ball during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
Homewood quarterback Will Myers (11) runs with the ball during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
John Carroll kicker JC Martinez (30) attempts an extra point during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
John Carroll wide receiver Aubrey Walker (3) dives for a touchdown during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
John Carroll offensive lineman Elzey Gibson (74) and Homewood defensive lineman Rodregus Lambert (21) fight for position during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
John Carroll quarterback Garrett Barnes (12) throws a pass during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
John Carroll offensive linemen Anthony Morky (51), Elzey Gibson (74), and (99) look to the sidelines for the play call during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
John Carrol linebacker Bobby O'Farrell (36) celebrates a tackle for loss during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
John Carroll quarterback Garrett Barnes (12) throws a pass during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force.
John Carroll quarterback Garrett Barnes (12) throws a pass during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
Homewood kicker Whit Armistead (26) kicks an extra point during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
Homewood quarterback Will Myers (11) lead his team to the line of scrimmage during a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
John Carroll runs onto the field before a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
Homewood runs onto the field before a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
Homewood captains Evan Ausmer (2), Kylen Newell (1), and Trust Darnell (33) get ready for the coin toss before a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
Homewood and John Carroll cheerleaders before a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
John Carroll students get ready to lead the football team onto the field before a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
John Carroll Head Coach Will Mara chats with the officials before a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
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Photo by Richard Force
John Carroll Head Coach Will Mara gets his team ready before a game between the Homewood Patriots and the John Carroll Cavaliers at Cavalier Stadium on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
HOMEWOOD -- Homewood High School avenged last year’s opening week loss to John Carroll with a convincing 29-point win over the Cavaliers to open the 2024 campaign.
The Patriots leaned on the running game behind their senior leaders, quarterback Will Myers and running back Evan Ausmer, who combined for four touchdowns on the ground over a John Carroll squad that is rebuilding following a deep run in the playoffs in 2023.
“It’s a better start than last year. I thought there were some great individual performances tonight, but a little sloppy as a team,” Homewood head coach Ben Berguson said. “I think collectively, if we can get all 11 playing together, we have a chance of being pretty good."
Receiving the opening kickoff after John Carroll deferred to the second half, Homewood marched 80 yards in eight plays in just under three minutes. Ausmer set up the Patriots’ first touchdown of the game on a 37-yard run. Myers scored two plays later on a 1-yard plunge, putting Homewood up 7-0.
With 2:05 left to play in the opening frame, the Patriots' defense got into the act as defensive back Maleik Smiley picked off a pass from Cavaliers quarterback Garrett Barnes, returning it 34 yards to put Homewood up 14-0.
John Carroll started the second quarter strong, capping a 10-play, 80-yard drive with a 5-yard touchdown run from Aubry Walker in the Wildcat formation. The extra point was blocked, making it 14-6 with 9:13 to play in the second quarter.
That was as close as the Cavaliers would get, as Homewood scored touchdowns on its next two drives. The Patriots extended the lead to 21-6 following a 25-yard run from Ausmer to end a six-play, 62-yard drive. Myers took the Patriots’ next play from scrimmage into the end zone practically untouched for a 40-yard touchdown, to give Homewood a commanding 28-6 lead at halftime.
The Cavaliers' offense put together what looked to be its best drive of the game, opening the second half with a 16-play drive, eating up almost 10 minutes. Barnes completed 5-of-7 passes and the Cavaliers converted on a pair of fourth-down attempts before the drive stalled on a fourth-and-goal at the Patriots’ 7-yard line.
Homewood would score once more early in the fourth quarter on a 23-yard run from Ausmer, pushing the Patriots’ lead to 35-6.
Berguson said the victory is what the Patriots needed from a group that learned a lot following an 0-3 start in 2023, but says there is much to improve upon before a matchup with Briarwood Christian. He was especially pleased with the Patriots’ running game behind Myers, Ausmer and the offensive line.
“I thought our offensive line did a great job tonight. They kind of took the game over, and we haven’t had a running back like Evan Ausmer around here in several years,” Berguson said.
Despite the loss, John Carroll head coach Will Mara said he is happy with the Cavaliers' effort and believes they have plenty to build upon as the season develops. Mara said the 2024 squad is less experienced than the 2023 team led by quarterback Carson McFadden, but believes they handled themselves well against a quality opponent like Homewood.
“We had a lot of kids that had never stepped on the field before, so we knew the speed of the game was going to be eye-opening for them,” Mara said. “Garrett Barnes had the biggest shoes to fill in Alabama. He didn’t try to do too much and he just he played his game. I think we have a lot to build off of coming out of this and going into St. Michael’s next week.”
Ausmer led all rushers with 104 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns, followed by Myers with 73 yards on seven carries and two touchdowns. Myers completed 5-of-9 passing attempts for 95 yards and Homewood’s leading receiver was Kylen Newell with three receptions for 66 yards.
For John Carroll, Barnes completed 17-of-29 pass attempts for 158 yards and an interception. Walker had 84 yards on seven receptions and carried the ball six times for 26 yards and a touchdown.
Homewood hosts Briarwood at Waldrop Stadium, while John Carroll travels to Fairhope to take on St. Michael Catholic High School. Both games are scheduled for Friday.
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