Clarke blanked on the road

URBANDALE – Clarke football lost to Class 2A No. 7 Des Moines Christian Friday night, losing by a score of 56-0.

A running attack from the Indians which is the core of the offense struggled to move the chains with Tanner Fry acting as the leading rusher with 54 yards totalled.

“We were trying to make every possession count, trying to slow down the game and have nice, long drives,” said Clarke head coach Duane Matthess. “We felt like our best defense was ground controlling offense and I was trying to get them (Des Moines Christian) to press and maybe make some mistakes.”

Matthess noted Clarke was able to move the ball with some success throughout the game, but penalties brought the play back to repeat the down, making the chances of advancing downfield tougher on the Indians.

The difference in penalties called was defeating for Indians players, saying the margin between the Indians and Des Moines Christian was around seven or eight.

“It’s frustrating for the kids, ... there were times where we drove and had a 25-yard penalty, turning 2nd and 7 into 3rd and 30. It was pretty tough,” said Matthess.

The Indians had 36 yards rushing from Brian Avalos on 23 attempts and 23 yards rushing from Jacob Jamison on five attempts. Overall, the Indians had 167 all-purpose yards and one turnover gained by way of a Spruceton Buddenhagen fumble recovery.

With a tandem high impact players for Des Moines Christian in Jackson Waring and Cade Thiner, Matthess devised a game plan he felt slowed them down slightly.

“They have a lot of weapons, so we feel like we didn’t have to focus in on one,” said Matthess. “You try to focus in on Waring, Seth Juhl is going to get you, or Thiner will. .. We felt like we did contain Waring a little bit, compared to what he did in prior games.”

Waring tallied 91 yards rushing on 10 attempts and passed for 152 yards. He had four total touchdowns. Thiner rushed for 159 yards on three attempts with two scores and Juhl, Des Moines Christian’s leading receiver, did not play due to injury.

UP NEXT – The Indians will have another challenge ahead of them Friday as they face Centerville at home.

The Big Reds are 3-3, but are coming off a win over Chariton after dropping three straight.

Matthess expects a lot of variables to come into play Friday, but expects a physical front to be paired with an option offense from Centerville.

“Centerville has some very good ballplayers,” said Matthess. “Cade Moore is an offensive and defensive lineman who’s committed to University of Northern Iowa for them. ... They’re going to be physical and they’re going to run a lot of zone reads and option. We have to be really disciplined with our assignments with them and not start doing things we shouldn’t be doing.”

Kickoff in Osceola will be at 7 p.m.