Class 2A football: De'aundre Carr stays focused on football despite mother's illness

Carr's mother, Schemaca, is hospitalized in Norman with multiple sclerosis, a disease the 39-year-old Davis resident was first diagnosed with a decade ago.

During Davis' playoff run to the Class 2A state championship game, where it will face Oklahoma Christian School, Schemaca's health took a turn for the worse.

Carr feared his mother might die. At times, she couldn't remember his name or turn over in her hospital bed to look at him.

“There were times, when she first went to the hospital, I didn't think she was going to make it,” he said. “But we went to see her (Wednesday) and she is doing better. She is trying to get the feeling back in her legs and trying to talk better.”

Carr said doctors think his mother will be hospitalized for a couple more months as she tries to regain her ability to walk.

While dealing with his mother's health crisis, Carr has been one of Davis' best players.

“He has played really well in the playoffs,” Davis coach Jody Weber said. “He had almost 200 yards rushing against Adair, and we really needed it because we weren't stopping them.”

Davis defeated Adair 34-33 in the Class 2A quarterfinals, and Carr rushed for 191 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries.

Against Millwood, Carr had two of the Wolves' four interceptions in the game as Davis defeated the Falcons, 42-28, in the opening round.

Carr is a halfback in the Wolves' wishbone attack and leads the team in rushing with more than 1,100 yards on the season, even though he missed three games due to injury.