BIG FOURTH QUARTER LIFTS CLEARFIELD OVER PUNXSUTAWNEY

WEEK FOUR

By Dean Altemus – For D9Sports.Com

PUNXSUTAWNEY – Clearfield (3-1) scored 21 unanswered fourth-quarter points on its way to a 35-7 win over Punxsutawney (0-4) Friday night in a D9 League match-up.

With the Bison holding only a seven-point lead heading to the fourth quarter, the game was still very much in doubt.

But Clearfield quickly erased any of that doubt with the three late touchdowns.

Clearfield’s fourth-quarter dominance started two plays into the quarter when Craig Gardner sliced in from the left side to block a punt deep in Punxsutawney territory. Clearfield recovered the punt at the Punxsy 7-yard line.

On the first play after the block, Matt Meckey scampered the seven yards for a Clearfield touchdown making the score 21-7 Bison.

On the ensuing kickoff, Punxsutawney almost got the score back when Kyle Barilar returned the kickoff to the 35-yard line before Clearfield kicker Bryan Mohney made the tackle.

But two plays later, Punxsy fumbled the ball right back to Clearfield. Todd Shaw recovered the fumble.

It only took the Bison four plays to put the pigskin in the end zone.

It was Dave Richards from five yards out scoring the touchdown. Mohney tacked on another extra point for a 28-7 lead with only 8:58 to go in the game.

On its next possession Punxsy would fumble again, and again it was Shaw at the right place at the right time to recover this fumble.

The fumble led to another touchdown by Richards who darted 32 yards to pay dirt. Mohney had hit his first four extra points, and this one was no different. True and through and the score now a very lopsided 35-7.

Punxsy had won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball to start the game.

Mohney’s kick off sailed into the end zone for a touchback giving the ball to the Chucks at their own 20.

Three plays later with Punxsy facing a third-and-13 Josh Korb broke through the huge Punxsy line and recorded the first sack of the night.

On the ensuing punt, Richards fielded the Punxsy punt near midfield and raced his way toward the goal line. He was tripped up inside the 10-yard, but Clearfield now had the ball first-and-goal at the 8-yard line.

A holding call pushed the Bison back five yards making it second-and-goal from the 13-yard line.

Mike Sayers then found an open Todd Shaw on the right side and hit him in stride allowing Shaw an open lane to the end zone and the first six points of the game. Mohney was good on the extra point attempt making the score 7-0 Clearfield with 8:24 to go in the first quarter.

Punxsy fielded the kick off and return it to their own 28.

Dustin Guidish made the most of the times he handled the ball including a nifty 16-yard run to move the ball to the Punxsy 46.

Clearfield’s defense stiffened, and Punxsy only mustered one yard on two plays.

On a third-and-9 at their own 47 it was Clearfield's Meckey and Justen Altemus who got the next sack forcing Punxsy to punt.

But the Chucks soon got the ball back in great field position when Richards coughed up the ball, and Punxsy's Brad Brink recovered it on Clearfield’s 17-yard line.

The first quarter ended with Clearfield holding on to a slim 7-0 lead

Punxsutawney went to the air for the first play of the second quarter.

Clearfield's Joe Ambuski stepped in front of the pass for an interception and returned it to his own 46-yard line.

The Bison only moved the ball four yards on three plays and punted the ball right back to Punxsy.

Punxsy's Kyle Barilar fielded the punt at his 19-yard line and immediately got pummeled by Richards. He held on to the ball though.

Three plays later Korb got his second sack of the night along with Corey Picard forcing Punxsy to punt.

Richards returned the punt to the Chucks 44-yard line.

But once again the Chucks showed a strong defensive front, and Melvin Sutter along with Joe Brocious sacked Sayers forcing the Bison to punt again.

Robby Kulling’s punt was downed at the 7, and Punxsy went to the air again.

This time Joe Martin found Dustin Guidish open.

Guidish sprinted down the side 93 yards for Punsutawney’s first score of the game. The extra point was good and with 4:15 to go in the first half the score was tied at seven.

Clearfield's next drive moved the ball into Punxsy territory, and on a third-and-12 with 18 seconds to go Sayers lobbed a pass toward the end zone. The football ricocheted off a Punxsy defender and right into the hands of Punxsy’s Joe Troupe. Unfortunately for the Chucks a pass interference call nullified the interception and gave Clearfield another chance.

That was all the Bison need, as with 10 seconds showing on the clock Sayers once again hooked up with Shaw for a 17-yard touchdown reception giving Clearfield a 14-7 halftime lead.

Matt Meckey returned the second half kickoff to midfield for Clearfield, but Punxsy forced a punt.

Clearfield’s defense tightened up, and this time it was Meckey and Kurt Hepfer sacking Joe Martin at the Punxsy 18.

On the next play Martin scrambled to the 29 giving Punxsy a first down.

A holding call pushed back the Chucks making it first-and-20. Meckey and Korb busted through the line again and sacked Martin for a 6-yard loss.

On third-and-26 Martin connected on a 27-yard pass to Guidish for another first down.

The drive stalled, though, and Clearfield got the ball back.

Although the Bisons won’t get a first down, their luck was soon to change. Kulling’s 59-yard punt sailed over the Punxsy returners head and rolled to the 10-yard line.

A 5-yard quarterback scramble ended the third quarter with Clearfield still holding on to a 14-7 lead.

But Clearfield came up with the 21 unanswered fourth-quarter points for the difference in this heavy hitting, competitive game.

Both teams will be tested again next week. Punxsutawney to host Hollidaysburg, while Clearfield hosts Bellefonte.

SCORING SUMMARY

Clearfield 7 7 0 21 35

Punxsy 0 7 0 0 7

First quarter

C – Todd Shaw 13 pass from Michael Sayers (Mohney kick) 8:34

Second quarter

P – Dustin Guidish 93 pass from Joe Martin (kick good) 4:15

C – Shaw 17 pass from Sayers (Mohney kick) :10

Fourth quarter

C -- Matt Meckey 7 run (Mohney kick)

C – Richards 5 run (Mohney kick) 8:58

C – Richards 32 run (Mohney kick)

DEFENSIVE STATS

Clearfield: Todd Shaw – 2 fumble recoveries, Josh Korb 2 sacks, Matt Meckey 1 ½ sacks, Justin Altemus ½ sack, Corey Picard ½ sack, Kurt Hepfer ½ sack, Joe Ambuski 1 interception.

Punxsutawney: Joe Brocious ½ sack, Melvin Sutter ½ sack.