Bobcats Down Dutch On C-L Homecoming, Move To 5-0 (09/23/19)
(Abobe photo by Eric Simko) Clarion offense lines up against St. Marys
The Clarion Bobcat gridders downed the visiting St. Marys Flying Dutchmen 49-14, at the Clarion-Limestone Field, on C-L’s Homecoming, on Friday (September 20th).
Clarion opened the scoring on a big defensive play. Bobcat linebacker Ben Smith tipped a St. Marys pass down the middle, deep in Clarion territory. The ball ended up in Austin Newcomb’s hands. Newcomb headed to the right sideline and outran everybody on an electrifying 95 yard touchdown return, with 9:42 on the first quarter clock. . The extra-point try was blocked, and the Cats led 6-0.
Twenty seconds later Michael Fitzgerald hauled in a Christian Coudreit pass and took it down the left sideline for a 58 yard score. Zachary Hart’s kick was good, giving the Dutch a 7-6 lead.
But Clarion would score the next five touchdowns, two more in the first quarter.
The first was on a 35 yard pass from Cal German to Ethan Burford, at 6:12. German hit Burford, at about the line of scrimmage on the right side of the field. Burford cut to the middle and ran through traffic for the score. German tossed to Newcomb, who was wide open on the right side of the endzone, for the two-point conversion and the Cats led 14-7.
With just eight seconds left in the period, Colton Zacherl, from his slot-back position on the right, ran to the left taking a hand off from German and followed some good blocking, hit paydirt just inside the left pylon, from fifteen yards out; combined with Beau Verdill’s PAT, the Bobcat lead moved to 21-7.
Three Bobcat scores in the second quarter, pushed their lead to 42-14.
German connected with Burford, who was behind all the defenders, on the right side, at about the two. Burford, falling forward, managed to put his hand on the ground to keep from going down, allowing him to spin into the endzone before he hit the turf, for a 34 yard touchdown, at 6:45.
Newcomb ran the ball in,through a gaping hole in the middle of the line from 5 yards out, at 4:41. The score was set up two plays earlier, a beautiful sixty-four yard pass play from German to Newcomb. Newcomb caught the ball down the right side, about twenty-five yards from the line of scrimmage, cut to the middle of the field and was just caught by a trailing defender.
German and Burford hooked up for their third touchdown on the night, a five-yarder with 1:59 left before the half. Burford and St. Marys defensive back Terry Williams both had their hands on the ball on the right sideline, at the goal line, with Burford gaining control as he went in.
Verdill was good on all three of his tries.
Later, Hunter Craddock got behind the defenders and hauled in a seven yard touchdown pass, in the back right side of the endzone from German, with 2:23 left in the third quarter. Beau Verdill was good once again, to close out the Bobcats scoring for the night giving the home team a 49-14 lead.
St. Marys tacked on a touchdown with 8:44 left in the game, on a 33 yard pass over the middle, from Coudreit to Logan Mosier. Hart’s point after was good.
The game was called following the kickoff, with St. Marys sophomore Conner Straub sustaining an injury, requiring he be transported for medical treatment.
The Bobcats had a 496 -355 edge in total yards, and a 296- 67 rushing advantage. The Duitch had the edge in passing yardage at 288-200.
Some key individual Bobcat stats: Newcomb had 16 carries for 164 yards and the touchdown, 3 catches for 89 yards (253 yards of total offense), 2 interceptions including the 95 yarder for touchdown; Cutter Boggess had 7 carries for 73 yards; Colton Zacheral had 8 carries for 67 yards including the touchdown; German completed 9-of-13 passes for 200 yards, 4 touchdowns and an interception, 1 interception on defense; Ethan Burford caught 4 passes, for 90 yards, including the two touchdowns.
Through the Bobcats’ first five games: Newcomb has 71 carries for 781 yards (11 yards per carry); German has thrown for 937 yards, completing 33 of his 57 passes for 13 touchdowns, with just three interceptions; Burford has hauled in 17 passes for 558 yards and 9 touchdowns.
The Bobcats had some outstanding play, from the Big Guys on defense. Three who stood out were Smith, at linebacker and linemen Mitch Knepp and Kaoz Baker who continuously pressured the St. Mary’s passing game and were responsible for a number of sacks and tackles in the backfield or for little or no gain.
Assistant Coach Dave Eggleton had this to say about the game:
“We were really happy with the effort from our players. We really controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. On offense, we were able to spread the ball around to multiple players. We have several great backs and receivers and Calvin had another great game.
“On the defensive side of the ball, we were in their backfield all night forcing multiple turnovers.
“Overall, we really took a step in the right direction and improved as a team this week.
“It was unfortunate how the game ended and we will continue to pray for the young man from St. Mary’s who was injured.”
Good news… It has been reported that Conner Straub is at home.
The Bobcats will travel to Kane to take on the Wolves, on Friday (September 27th), in a match-up of undefeated teams.
(Thanks to Eric Simko for the photo. Good Game, Cats!!!! Beat the Wolves!!!!)