JOHNSTON MAKES DISTRICT 9 HISTORY

Oct. 15, 2004

STRATTANVILLE – Hayden Johnston became the first known quarterback in District 9 history to pass for over 4,000 career yards and rush for over 2,000 career yards in Clarion-Limestone’s 57-12 win over visiting Union Friday, Oct. 15.

Johnston had a big night, or rather first half since he didn’t play in the second half, going 8-for-11 passing for 238 yards and five touchdowns. He completed his first four passes all for scores.

In his career, Johnston is now 246-for-468 passing for 4,166 yards, 66 touchdowns and 19 interceptions while running 387 times for 2,025 yards and 26 scores.

This season he has passed for 1,324 yards, 20 touchdowns and just two interceptions while running 63 times for 417 yards and five scores.

"There is not much you can really say," C-L head coach Todd Smith said. "It is just unbelievable. I gave him the game ball tonight. I have never given out a game ball after a game before, but I thought he was deserving. He has just been outstanding for us offensively and defensively. Everything has already been said about him. But his numbers are starting to speak about what he has been able to do over the last few years."

The game was a contest between two teams who have been going into opposite directions.

With the win, C-L has now won a state-leading 33^rd consecutive regular-season game, which ties the Lions for the fourth longest known regular-season streak in District 9 history with St. Marys (1955-59).

Union, meanwhile, lost its 18^th straight decision and its 13^th in a row away from Rimersburg.

C-L has not lost a regular-season contest since a 25-7 loss at home to Karns City Aug. 31, 2001, while Union hasn’t won a game since a 20-6 victory over West Shamokin Oct. 10, 2002. The Golden Knights haven’t won on the road since a 14-8 win at West Shamokin Oct. 12, 2001.

"We just wanted to stay healthy," Smith said. "Our goal was to come out without any injuries and to get ready for what we know will be a tough game next week (against Redbank Valley. But we prepare every game the same way. We prepare to be focused and be the best we can. We wanted to come out tonight and really try and hit on all cylinders. I thought our offense played really well."

C-L was able to get the win despite playing without two starting offensive linemen – Dan Jeannerat and Nate Tote – and their top back-up lineman – Corey Rominski, who also has started games this season.

"There was only one guy on the line tonight who started where he started last week," Smith said. "I am really happy with the way the guys played and the focus they had."

In addition to Johnston’s big game, Erik white, Tuffy Brooks and Scott Davis all played key roles in the win.

White had three catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns, while running once for 13 yards. Davis ran five times for 56 yards and two scores and caught one pass for 32 yards, and Brooks had three catches for 91 yards and two touchdowns.

C-L also got its junior varsity players a lot of action with the JV’s playing 2 ½ quarters on defense and two quarters on offense. Matt Hetrick had a nice night for the reserves running six times for 33 yards.

"We only played one JV game this year," Smith said. "Those kids give us a look in practice every week, and they deserve getting a shot playing in there. A few of them played really well tonight. Matt Hetrick ran the ball really hard. We have good kids who work hard, and I am happy to see every body get a chance to get in the game."

The Lions scored early and often needing just six plays to score their first four touchdowns while building a 36-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The scoring started just 33 seconds into the game on C-L’s second play when Johnston hit White with a 24-yard scoring pass that coupled with Brent Rhoades’ extra point made it 7-0 Lions.

A little over two minutes later, Kaleb Klosky got loose behind the Union defense to catch a 45-yard scoring pass from Johnston making it 14-0.

Two-and-a-half minutes later it was 22-0 when Brooks hauled in a 41-yard scoring strike from Johnston with 6:36 left in the quarter.

With 2:52 remaining Johnston and Brooks hooked up again, this time from 23 yards out to make it 29-0.

Then on the last play of the quarter, Davis scored on a 5-yard run making it 36-0.

In the second quarter, Neil Reynolds scored on a 20-yard run three minuets in making it 43-0, and Davis went in from 11 yards out making it 50-0 with 5:48 to play in the first half.

Union then drove for its first touchdown against C-L’s second string defense punching it in on a 3-yard Clint Lineman run with 18 seconds left.

The Golden Knights scored too soon, though, as C-L need only 17 seconds to make it 57-6 at halftime.

A 32-yard screen pass to Davis and a 33-yard touchdown toss to White made sure of that.

A 1-yard run by Colton Davis, who led Union with 16 carries for 75 yards, with 10:24 left in the game closed out the scoring.

C-L outgained Union 428 yards to 160 with the Lions first team outgaining the Golden Knights 380-(-10).

C-L is at Redbank Valley Friday night in a key KSAC clash, while Union hits the road Saturday for a non-conference game at Kennedy Catholic.

CLARION-LIMESTONE 57, UNION 12

Score by Quarters

Union 0 6 0 6 – 12

C-L 36 21 0 0 – 57

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

C-L – Erik White 24 pass from Hayden Johnston (Brent Rhoades kick), 11:27

C-L – Kaleb Klosky 45 pass from Johnston (Rhoades kick), 9:08

C-L – Tuffy Brooks 41 pass from Johnston (Johnston run), 6:36

C-L – Brooks 23 pass from Johnston (Rhoades kick), 2:52

C-L – Scott Davis 5 run (Rhoades kick), 0:00

Second Quarter

C-L – Neil Reynolds 20 run (Rhoades kick), 8:58

C-L – Davis 11 run (Rhoades kick), 5:48

U – Clint Lineman 3 run (Run failed), 0:18

C-L – White 33 pass from Johnston (Rhoades kick), 0:01

Fourth Quarter

U – Colton Davis 1 run (Kick blocked), 10:24

Team Statistics

Rushes-Yards 43-158 23-172

Passing Yards 2 256

Passing: Comp-Att-Int 1-5-1 9-17-1

Total Yards 160 428

Penalties-Yards 7-70 3-15

Fumbles-Lost 3-2 2-1

Punts-Avg. 4-26.0 1-34.0

Individual Statistics

Rushing – Union: Colton Davis 16-75, Clint Lineman 9-27, Chad Carmichael 3-22, Josh Holden 11-22, Toby Best 4-12. Clarion-Limestone: Hayden Johnston 3-48, Scott Davis 5-56, Neil Reynolds 3-25, Erik White 1-13, Harry Cooper 2-2, Brent Rhoades 1-0, Grant Romig 2-(-5), Matt Hetrick 6-33.

Passing – Union: Josh Holden 1-for-5, 2 yards, 1 interception. Clarion-Limestone: Hayden Johnston 8-for-11, 238 yards, 5 touchdowns. Grant Romig 1-for-6, 18 yards, 1 interception.

Receiving – Union: Clint Lineman 1-2. Clarion-Limestone: Erik White 3-70, Kaleb Klosky 1-45, Tuffy Brooks 3-91, Scott Davis 1-32, Kyle Jones 1-18.

Punting – Union: Toby Best 4-104. Clarion-Limestone: Brent Rhoades 1-34.

Interceptions – Union: Chad Carmichael. Clarion-Limestone: Tuffy Brooks.