CLINTON — Clinton’s varsity football season of course hit a snag this year with its season cancelled because of a shortage of players. But the homecoming game turned out to be a bright spot.
This year’s homecoming game was a junior varsity game facing the Central A&M Raiders, with a twist. After several calls and discussions, it was decided that Clinton’s four seniors would be allowed to play in the homecoming JV game this year.
The stands were filled with enthusiastic fans, but the crowd was silenced when, on the Maroons’ first possession, they were tackled in their own end zone for a touchback, starting out with a 0-2 score.
However, on the Maroons’ third possession of the game, they put together a run followed by a pass for a touchdown and the extra point for a Maroons 7-2 lead. On the Maroons next touch of the ball after intercepting an errant Raider pass, the Maroons scored with a touchdown and extra point for a 14-2 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Maroons moved into the second quarter on their first touch of the ball with a 65-yard pass and run to Marshawn Fitch (#5) for another Maroons touchdown and extra point, pushing the score to 21-2, Maroons. Central A&M then fumbled the ball to the Maroons, who promptly gave it back on an interception.
The Raiders could not move the ball, so attempted an unsuccessful field goal. The Maroons then moved the ball down field, aided by a facemask call, for a touchdown and extra point. Clinton was up, 28-2.
The ball now went to the Raiders, who, this time, marched down the field for a touchdown but failed to score the extra point, leaving the score 28-8, still in the Maroons’ favor. The Raiders’ next possession included penalties and an interception, which led to another Maroon touchdown and extra point for a 35-8 lead.
Then, just prior to the end of the second quarter, the Raiders made it to the end zone again for their second touchdown. During the touchdown, the Raiders were assessed an unsportsman-like conduct penalty on the extra point, which was then unsuccessful, leaving the score Maroons 35, Raiders 14.
The second half was a blur since the clock was not stopped due to the scoring spread. The Raiders continued making mistakes that the Maroons capitalized on.
In the third quarter, the Maroons scored two touchdowns and extra points and a field goal, plus a touchdown and extra point in the final quarter for a final score of 59-14.
