Bobcats’ early start haunts Dragons

September 26, 2018 by Conner McCarty

The Clinton High School Dragons (1-4, 0-1) dropped their fourth straight game on Friday night. The Central Bobcats (4-2, 2-0) put up 21 points in the first quarter, and cruised to a 35-14 victory.

Clinton put points on the board, but the Dragons’ defense struggled to contain the dynamic Central offense, who gathered a hefty 494 Total Yards.

Head Coach Randy McKamey liked that the Dragons’ grit and grind never halted, but it was not enough to see out their desired result.

“The physicality of the game, standing toe-to-toe, you have to have that. I think our team is figuring it out; they are taking on the demeanor of our coaching staff and played physical,” said McKamey.

The Bobcats drew first blood; shortly after senior Daunte Holliday returned the opening kickoff back to the Clinton 28-yardline.

Four plays later, from 13-yards out, junior gunslinger Dakota Fawver found senior wide out Braden Gaston over the middle for six.

Sophomore kicker Jarred Swislosky tacked on the extra point, and Central went up 7-0, with 9:56 left in the first quarter of play.

After forcing the Dragons to punt, the Bobcats’ offense wasted no time adding to their lead.

On the second play of the drive, Fawver looked to his right, and hit senior wide receiver Demetrien Johnson on a quick slant route.

Johnson raced between the hash marks, 63-yards to the house. Swislosky added the PAT, and Central led 14-0 with 5:55 left in the opening quarter.

The Clinton offense would get going on the ensuing drive, but after crossing the midfield stripe, a fumble recovered and returned by the Bobcats would see them back to the sideline.

Central’s offense went back to work after the fumble return gave the Bobcats good field position. On a first-and-ten from the Dragons’ 18-yardline, Fawver would throw a quick out to Holliday in the flat, the senior would work his way up the sideline and into the endzone.

Swislosky’s extra point was good, and with 58.9 left in the first quarter, Central led 21-0.

However, Central’s 21-point lead did not last for long. On the ensuing Swislosky kickoff, senior Cody Parker received and returned 89-yards to the house for six.

Junior Bryce Collins’ extra point try was good, and with 44.8 remaining in the first quarter, the Dragons cut into the Bobcats’ lead, 21-7.

After gaining some momentum, the Clinton’s defense would step up. On a third-and-nine, Fawver would be sacked by sophomore Trevor Linderman and forced a Central three-and-out.

Yet, Clinton’s momentum would come to a halt after the offense’s best drive of the half would end with a fumble, recovered by the Bobcats.

On the ensuing drive, the Central offense would put together an 8-play-64-yard drive. The Bobcats would capitalize on the Clinton turnover, when senior running back Devone Moss would take a handoff up the gut for six, from eight yards out. Swislosky’s PAT was good, and the Bobcats extended their lead to 28-7, with 2:57 remaining in the half—that would remain the score at the break.

The Dragons received the second half kickoff, but both teams would exchange scoreless drives.

After the Clinton defense forced a turnover on downs, the offense put together their best drive of the ballgame. Starting from their own ten-yardline, a succession of seven run plays would move the Dragons out of the shadows of the goalposts, to the 33. On the next play, senior quarterback Luke Harrison would find Parker on a quick slant to the right. Parker would find space, and raced all the way down to the Central one-yardline. A one-yard Luke Harrison QB sneak, followed by a Bryce Collins extra point would cap off a 9-play-90-yard drive. With 1:13 left in the third quarter, Central led 28-14.

The ensuing Bobcats drive would be cut short, after a junior linebacker Blake Cooper interception. However, a personal foul call and two negative plays for the Clinton offense forced the Dragons to punt. The Bobcats gained possession at their own-28, and would cross the midfield stripe in three plays. Plus, more Clinton personal fouls would put the Bobcats within striking distance, inside the redzone. Central would add to their lead when Fawver found Johnson on a post route, from 12-yards out. Swislosky tacked on the PAT, and with 9:04 left to play, Central led 35-14.

The Dragons’ offense had a good night, gathering 161-yards on the ground and adding 90 yards through the air. Josh Breeden led all rushers with 70 yards on 11 carries. Isiah Washington followed, racking up 16 touches on the ground for 65 yards. “I thought offensively we were able to move the football and establish the run game,” said McKamey. Luke Harrison went 3-for-7 for 90 yards. Cody Parker led Clinton in receiving with one catch for 65 yards. However, the Bobcats had plenty of offensive success as well. Central offense racked up 494 Total Yards, and 322 of those came through the air. “Our secondary, we were almost nonexistent. We have to make them earn everything,” said McKamey. Stopping the pass has been Clinton’s Achilles’ heel so far this season, and the Dragons will look to improve this Friday. Clinton will enjoy home field advantage for the third straight week, as Knoxville West High School comes to town. Kickoff for the Region 3 5A matchup is set for 7:30.

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Parker would find space, and raced all the way down to the Central one-yardline. A one-yard Luke Harrison QB sneak, followed by a Bryce Collins extra point would cap off a 9-play-90-yard drive.

With 1:13 left in the third quarter, Central led 28-14.

The ensuing Bobcats drive would be cut short, after a junior linebacker Blake Cooper interception. However, a personal foul call and two negative plays for the Clinton offense forced the Dragons to punt.

The Bobcats gained possession at their own-28, and would cross the midfield stripe in three plays. Plus, more Clinton personal fouls would put the Bobcats within striking distance, inside the redzone.

Central would add to their lead when Fawver found Johnson on a post route, from 12-yards out. Swislosky tacked on the PAT, and with 9:04 left to play, Central led 35-14.

The Dragons’ offense had a good night, gathering 161-yards on the ground and adding 90-yards through the air. However, the Bobcats had plenty of offensive success as well.

The Central offense racked up 494 Total Yards, and 322 of those came through the air.

Stopping the pass has been Clinton’s Achilles’ heel so far this season, and the Dragons will look to improve this Friday. Clinton will enjoy home field advantage for the third straight week, as Knoxville West High School comes to town.

Kickoff for the region matchup is set for 7:30.