A star is born

EULESS -- Don't be surprised if Trinity junior receiver Brandon Carter isn't driving the team bus to the Alamodome this weekend. For a young man who's barely old enough to have a license, it would only be fitting after doing everything BUT chauffeur the team home after last weekend's thrilling 35-28 victory over Stony Point. The semi-final win vaulted the Trojans (13-2) into the state title game for the third time in the last five years.

The secret to Trinity's success this year has been the ability to successfully use interchangeable parts and no player on the team has proven to be more versatile than Carter. When the Trojans have needed a big play this year, #10 has repeatedly answered the call. In a game loaded with Division I talent, he outshined all the stars with 235 total yards on just eight touches. The breakdown included three catches for 149 yards (all touchdowns), two carries for 20 yards and one pass completion for 41 yards. He also contributed 25 yards on kick returns.

While his heroic performance came as no surprise to Trojan fans, you might be surprised to know that Carter doesn't show up in any of the major college databases. After last Saturday's highlight reel performance, that could soon change. Stony Point defensive back Kevin White is a believer. ""We had good coverage on him every time but he made a play on the ball and we didn't," White said.

White (a TCU commit) is considered one of the top cornerbacks in the state and as he stated, was in good position on each of the three touchdowns. For the season, Carter now has 30 catches for 748 yards (an average of 25 yards a catch) and 12 touchdowns. Baylor head coach Art Briles was on-hand and witnessed one of the best single-game playoff performances in recent memory. "Words can't even describe how I felt after that. I'm just glad we made it to the championship" Carter told the Star-Telegram.

With just 35 seconds left until halftime Trinity faced a seemingly insurmountable third-and-22 at its own 25 yard line. Instead of running out the clock, head coach Steve Lineweaver gave his young star a chance to make a play - and once again, he delivered, outfighting White for a jump ball and keeping his balance long enough to win a footrace to the endzone. It gave the Trojans some much-needed breathing room at halftime.

Earlier in the playoffs, Carter (who's also the team's punter) pulled off a fake punt that kept a scoring drive alive late in a 41-38 win over Plano. With the smaller Trinity cornerbacks struggling with the Plano receiving corps, Carter came in and helped slow down the Wildcats passing attack in the second half.

On a team full of interchangeable parts, Carter is the ultimate swiss army knife. Need a clutch catch? Look no further. A deep pass? He can put it on the money. Pin the opponents deep? He averages almost 40 yards a kick. A lockdown cornerback? He can do that too. Like all the great ones, the bigger the moment is, the better he plays.

The cat is out of the bag. The best kept secret in the state will be on display for the rest of the state to see this Saturday at 2 PM as Trinity takes on perennial powerhouse Austin Westlake for the 5A Division I State Title. Don't be surprised if  #10 doesn't walk away with the MVP and if need be, he can drive the bus home too.

Date of Article: Mon Dec 14, 2009 1:32 pm

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