Carroll wins playoff opener

HELENA – John Barnett completed 8 of 12 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown and Carroll College defeated cross-state rival Montana State-Northern 20-7 Saturday in the first round of the NAIA national football playoffs.

No. 4 Carroll, the four-time defending NAIA national champion, advances to the quarterfinal round of the playoffs. Pairings will be announced today.

The Saints (11-1) started with a 79-yard touchdown drive that ended with a 30-yard pass from Barnett to Bryce Doak.

On their second play, quarterback Kyle Samson of the Lights (9-3) threw an interception that Matt Thomas returned 35 yards for a TD, giving Carroll a 14-0 lead just 5 minutes into the game.