West stymies CHS offense
D’MON MARABLE
The defending Class 5A champions put up 24 first-quarter points en route to a 34-0 halftime lead.
West (2-0) stretched its winning streak over Clinton (0-2) to 11 games dating to the Dragons’ last win in the series in 2002. The Rebels have outscored Clinton 128-15 in the last three meetings.
Dragon head Coach Darell Keith reflected on another loss to a tough opponent after opening the season with Class 6A Cleveland.
“We’re not very good right now,” he said. “I don’t know where we’ll be in two weeks, but I would be lying to you if I told you I didn’t want to win this game,” he said. “I scheduled these games on purpose. I wanted to play the toughest teams first before we got into regional play, but it’s really painful right now. They aren’t the defending state champions for nothing. They’re a very good football team. That’s what state champions look like. That’s what we want to be. That’s who you’ve got to beat to go to the state. We’re nowhere near that caliber of a football team right now.”
Dragon quarterback Josh Keith had an uncharacteristic three interceptions, going 10-for-20 for 114 yards and a touchdown. He also led the Clinton ground game with 12 rushes for 60 yards.
“That’s the worst I’ve ever seen him play,” Coach Keith said of his son, who took a shot to the head in the second quarter but did not miss any action. “We didn’t play very well on offense, and I’m surprised. We usually average 30 to 40 points a game.”
Bryson Maddox caught a TD pass for Clinton, and Braylon Taylor led Dragon receivers with three catches.
D’Mon Marable paced Dragon defenders with 16 tackles, including nine solo tackles, with five-and-a-half tackles for losses totaling 24 yards. He also returned a fumble 38 yards for a touchdown for the first Dragon points of the game in the third quarter. Chauncey Felts made nine tackles.
Keith said receiver/defensive back Wesley Phillips played hard for Clinton.
“I thought the whole defense played hard; I really can’t single one kid out,” he said.
The Dragons scored when Felts ran for 30 yards. Maddox caught Keith tosses of 16 and 32 yards for a score.
Another two-point pass did not convert for the Dragons, who trailed 44-12 with 9:58 left in the game.