Hawks beat Lions
Homecoming and eighth grade night quickly became “The Connor Moody Show” last Thursday as Clinton Middle School beat visiting Concord Christian 30-14.
After a scoreless first quarter it was the Lions who hit pay dirt first as Conner Cloer fired a 36-yard touchdown pass to Noah Pifer.
Cloer then ran in the two-point conversion to stake Concord Christian to an 8-0 lead with 5:32 remaining in the first half.
The Hawks had a rapid response in the form of Moody, who rambled 69 yards through the heart of the Lions defense for a touchdown.
The two-point conversion attempt failed and Concord Christian led 8-6 with 4:19 left in the half.
The Hawks’ defense forced a quick three and out from midfield and Clinton got the ball back with less than two minutes remaining in the half.
Moody ran for 10 yards on the first play. Quarterback Trace Thackerson then connected with Andy King on consecutive plays for gains of 13 and nine yards respectively.
A pass interference call moved the ball to the Lions’ 31-yard line. From there, Moody again ran through the teeth of the defense, this time for 27 yards and a first and goal at the Concord Christian four-yard line.
On the next play, Thackerson ran it in for the score.
Thackerson then found Cole Tadora for the two-point conversion to give the Hawks a 14-8 lead at the half.
The score held until late in the third quarter when Moody electrified the crowd with a 50-yard punt return for a touchdown.
Thackerson ran in the two-point conversion to give the Hawks a 22-8 lead with 2:44 remaining in the third quarter. Moody also had an interception return for 50 yards in the third quarter but Clinton was unable to take advantage of it.
The Hawks’ defense was up to the challenge, forcing the Lions to punt again early in the fourth quarter.
Clinton went 59 yards in three plays as Thackerson threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Tadora.
Thackerso threw the two-point conversion pass to Tyler Morgan to give Clinton a 30-8 lead with 7:11 remaining in the game.
On the ensuing drive, Andy King intercepted a pass to give the Hawks the ball and an opportunity to run the clock.
The Lions added a touchdown on the final play of the game — a 45-yard run by Cloer. A penalty for a block in the back was called on the play but Clinton refused it.
“Our line took over in the second half. I told our guys before the game we had to reestablish the line of scrimmage and the kids responded very well,” said head coach Eric Woodard of Clinton.
“[Connor] Moody has played well all year and I challenged him tonight and he made it happen. [Trace] Thackerson also had a great game,” he said.
Moody finished the game with 287 all-purpose yards — 124 rushing, 87 on punt returns, 26 receiving, and 50 on the interception return.
He also led the team with five total tackles and a quarterback sack.
Thackerson finished 10-15 for 84 yards and a touchdown.
King had four tackles, including two for a loss.
Caleb Cook had four tackles as well, with one and a half for a loss.
Andrew Meir had five tackles while Anthony Berg had four tackles.
The Hawks no await the outcome of the Jefferson-Robertsville game. Should Jefferson win, the Hawks will face Norris at Anderson County High School in the championship game, tentatively scheduled for Oct. 5.