John Carroll coach Will Mara knew Carson McFadden and Mitchell Nutter needed big games if the Cavaliers expected to beat Class 5A, Region 5 foe Wenonah.

McFadden and Nutter delivered as the Cavaliers (7-2 overall, 5-2 in region) earned a 49-35 victory at John Carroll Field.

McFadden accounted for six touchdowns, completing 9-of-14 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns, caught a 15-yard TD pass and added TD runs of 1, 17 and 4 yards. Nutter ran 21 times for 164 yards, including a 50-yard TD, and had the 15-yard TD pass to McFadden.

“I told Carson and Mitchell they had to step up in order for us to beat this team tonight,” Mara said. “Those two are good football players, and they just took over the ball game.”

Wenonah (6-4, 3-4) jumped out to a 13-0 lead in the first quarter as Omar Holcomb scored on a 14-yard run and Cameron Peterson caught a 9-yard TD pass from Anthony Young.

John Carroll made it 14-13 after McFadden scored on a 1-yard run and Max Plaia caught a 55-yard TD pass from McFadden. The Cavaliers led 22-20 at halftime, and Mitchell put the game out of reach with his 50-yard TD run with 2:59 to go.

Top play: Nutter lined up at quarterback and found McFadden – the Cavs’ QB – open int the end zone for a 15-yard TD for a 35-28 lead. “I used to play quarterback at Spain Park, so I told coach that I can do that play whenever you need it. So, when I got the ball, I started running wide and saw Carson running up field and I just threw it,” Nutter said.

Stat sheet: Young completed 15-of-24 passes for 259 yards and three TDs for Wenonah. Cameron Peterson caught six passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns. Demarcus Johnson added four catches for 132 yards and a TD. … Zach Archer caught five passes for 120 yards and a TD for John Carroll.

By the numbers: 464, total yards for John Carroll – 222 on the ground and 242 through the air. … 2, turnovers for Wenonah, an interception and lost fumble. … 94, rushing yards for Wenonah.

Did you know?: John Carroll is headed to the playoffs for the first time since 2009, as the win clinched the No. 3 seed from Region 5. John Carroll hasn’t won a playoff game since 2004.

What’s next?: John Carroll plays 1A powerhouse Maplesville at home next week before the playoffs. Wenonah’s season is finished and the Dragons are not playoff-bound.

Coachspeak: “We finally felt like we put together a complete game in all three phases.” – Mara

“John Carroll wanted it a little more than us tonight. I knew we couldn’t make any mistakes against them. I just couldn’t overcome our miscues. We didn’t reach our goal to make the playoffs, but we exceeded expectations to a certain extent. I am proud of my team, and we didn’t give up.” — Wenonah coach Nicholas Howard