CLARION 45, CLARION-LIMESTONE 0

Oct. 12, 2007

By Chris Rossetti

CLARION – Clarion took advantage of great field position to build a 19-0 lead at the end of the first quarter on its way to a 45-0 win over cross-town rival Clarion-Limestone in the Battle for 322 Friday night.

The Bobcats (3-4 overall, 3-3 KSAC) average starting position on its four first-quarter drives was the C-L 25, and Clarion scored on possession two through four in the quarter taking away any thought of a Lions upset.

“We preach field position,: Clarion head coach Larry Wiser said. “Short field make for easy scores.”

Easy scores, indeed. Clarion’s longest first-quarter scoring drive was 30 yards, and the Bobcats had “drives” of 12 and 13 yards in the quarter.

The shorter two drives were set up by Clarion interceptions of C-L sophomore quarterback Dan Miller.

Ryan Smith picked off a Miller pass on C-L’s second possession and returned it 19 yards to the Lions 13. That led to a 4-yard touchdown run by Kevin Grejda making it 6-0.

On C-L’s next possession, the Lions (1-6, 1-4) drove into Bobcat territory only to have Cody Renninger pick off a Miller pass at the Clarion 31 and return it 57 yards to the C-L 12 leading to a 4-yard touchdown run by Jon Kemmer.

Those two picks were only part of a solid effort turned in by Clarion’s defense, which limited C-L, D9’s leading passing team coming into the game (187.8 yards per game), to its third lowest passing total of the season (142 yards). In addition to the two interceptions, Clarion defenders broke up nine other Lion passes.

“I was very pleased with my secondary tonight,” Wiser said. “They did a good job against a team that has moved the ball quite well against some pretty good football teams. Our kids did an awesome job.”

Clarion made it 19-0 on a 15-yard touchdown run by Jake Fleeger late in the first quarter. The touchdown was set up by a 17-yard punt return by Renninger, who has provided life for the special teams since being interested three weeks ago at Union.

Senior quarterback Adam Bevevino, making his first start since a Week Three knee injury, accounted for Clarion’s next three scores.

His 10-yard run in the second quarter made it 26-0, and he hit Ryan Smith with a 45-yard touchdown pass midway through the quarter making it 32-0 Bobcats at the half.

Smith and Bevevino then hooked up on a 3-yard scoring toss in the third quarter making it 39-0

Bubba Rue, just back from a Week Two shoulder injury, capped the scoring with a 28-yard run early in the fourth quarter.  

There’s no question that it is nice to be on the winning end of the C-L-Clarion matchup,” Wiser said. “This is something you have to live with all winter and all summer until next season.”

Kemmer and Fleeger played big roles in the game. The two running backs, playing tailback for the first time this season, combined to rush for 195 yards (99 by Kemmer, 96 by Fleeger) and two touchdowns. Bevevino, while looking rusty at times, was 6 of 13 passing for 73 yards with Smith catching three passes for 58 yards. Smith also made six tackles and had two pass breakups including the interception.

Miller led C-L going 10-for-28 passing for 142 yards and two picks with Jace Rhoads catching four throws for 69 yards. Harry Cooper had five catches for 38 yards and seven carries for 36, and Cam Schirmer led all players with 14 tackles for the Lions.

Both teams are in action next Friday with Clarion hosting 5-time defending state champion Southern Columbia and C-L visiting Union.

SEIDLE UPDATE

There is good news for Clarion senior running back James Seidle, who was taken to the hospital last Friday by medical helicopter. While his season is over, he was out of the hospital and back in school Monday with some bruising. He should make a full recovery.

INJURY UPDATES

In addition to Bevevino and Rue, offensive/defensive lineman Maurizio Giambanco also returned to the lineup for Clarion this week after missing last week and most of the Union game two weeks ago with a shoulder injury

CLARION-CLARION-LIMESTONE SERIES

Clarion has now won four streak over C-L its longest win streak in the series since taking nine in a row from 1978-87 (there was no game in 1979), and Clarion now leads the all-time series 20-17 including winning three of the last four by at least 35 points … The game marked the first time since 1985 that both teams entered the contest below .500. That year, C-L was 3-4 and Clarion was 2-5 before the Bobcats came away with a 14-8 victory at Clarion.

THE TAIL OF TWO FIRST QUARTERS

In Clarion’s three wins, the Bobcats has outscored their opponents 80-0 in the first quarter. In the four losses, Clarion has been outscored 56-14

CLARION 45, CLARION-LIMESTONE 0

Score by Quarter

C-L 0 0 0 0 – 0

Clarion 19 13 7 6 – 45

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

C – Kevin Grejda 4 run (Kick failed), 6:28

C – Jon Kemmer 4 run (Kemmer kick), 3:13

C – Jake Fleeger 15 run (Kick failed), 1:15

Second Quarter

C – Adam Bevevino 10 run (Kemmer kick), 9:05

C – Ryan Smith 45 pass from Bevevino (Kick failed), 5:28

Third Quarter

C – Smith 3 pass from Bevevino (Jason Hoover kick), 6:59

Fourth Quarter

C – Bubba Rue 28 run (Kick failed), 11:51

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing – Clarion-Limestone: Harry Cooper 7-36, Jace Rhoads 1-0, Andy Wilson 2-minus 3, Dan Miller 4-minus 5, Team 3-minus 13. Clarion: Jon Kemmer 13-99, Jake Fleeger 11-96, Bubba Rue 3-49, Kevin Grejda 5-22, Adam Bevevino 4-2, Dan Walter 1-2, Joel Matticks 2-1.

Passing – Clarion-Limestone: Dan Miller 10-for-28, 142 yards, 2 interceptions. Clarion: Adam Bevevino 6-for-13, 73 yards, 2 touchdowns.

Receiving – Clarion-Limestone: Harry Cooper 5-38, Jace Rhoads 4-69, Mike White 1-35. Clarion: Ryan Smith 3-58, Scott Larson 2-8, Erik Hartle 1-7.

Interceptions – Clarion: Cody Renninger, Ryan Smith.