Big Red too much for Indians

It was a cold one Friday night as both Clarke and Centerville squared off in a quest to get over the .500 hump.

Ultimately the Big Reds pulled away for a 43-13 win, taking a 21-0 lead into halftime.

A frigid 30 degree night, the coldest to date this football season, made for a hard ball and cold hands as the Indians fumbled the ball away on the opening drive. Fortunately for the Indians the turnover did not turn into anything, but a punt pinned them on their own 9-yard line for its second drive of the day.

The drive did not pick up a first, and a short punt put Centerville in striking range. A Quinton Koestner score from 13 yards out was what put Centerville ahead with 7:13 remaining in the first.

Koestner then set up a McCain Oden score from 7 yards out, capitalizing on another Clarke fumble lost. The 14-0 score, with both of Trent McCann’s kicks counting, was all Centerville need as the rest piled on.

Oden tacked on another, along with McCann’s kick, to make it 21-0 with 2:58 remaining in the half.

With two turnovers in the first half setting the tone for the Indians, Clarke head coach Duane Matthess feels the coldest game of the season wasn’t a contributing factor to the two lost fumbles and struggles in keeping Centerville off the scoreboard early on.

“If you looked at our sideline compared to their sideline, they’re the ones who had the jacket on and we didn’t. The cold wasn’t a factor for us, so I don’t think it that was anything. It was just some bad breaks,” said Matthess.

When considering how the game could have turned out if there were no turnovers, Matthess was quick to say it may have been a closer game without the fumbles.

“The only touchdown they earned was the one towards the end of the half,” said Matthess. “It should have really been a 7-0 game due to the short fields that we gave them. But, that’s what turnovers do, and that’s why you can’t have them.”

Clarke had a break through in the points column late in the fourth quarter, down 43-0.

Brian Avalos weaved his way through the Centerville defense for the score. During the drive the Indians were faced with a fourth and inches on Centerville’s 45-yard line and picked up the first on a rushing attempt from Jordy Mendez to set up Avalos.

Avalos kicked his PAT, then kicked on-sides, which was recovered by Clarke. The recovery set up an Avalos run of 20 yards, but a flag pulled it back.

Tanner Fry then picked up the first, but another flag pulled the Indians back to make it first and 28 from its own 38-yard line.

Avalos and Fry then teamed up to get the first down, crossing midfield to put the ball on the Big Red’s 35-yard line.

Ultimately, as time expired, the Indians put Fani Fry across the goal line for the 5-yard score. Due to time being expired, the PAT was not kicked, resulting in a 43-13 final.

“I thought, really, our offensive line was better than their defensive line,” said Matthess. “I thought we pushed them around most of the game it was just unfortunately the turnovers (cost us). I don’t really think anything was working much better in the fourth quarter. We were just able to hang on to the ball and sustain drives.”

Clarke was led in rushing by Avalos, rushing for 84 yards on 20 attempts. Tanner Fry rushed for 69 yards on 10 attempts.

Chris Carson exited the game early due to a knee injury. He was carted off and transported for an MRI during the second half. There is no definite time table for his return, but with what he’s heard from Clarke’s athletic training staff, Matthess feels he could be out an extended period of time.

“It’s a big loss,” said Matthess on Carson. “Hopefully it’s not too bad and our thoughts and prayers are with Chris right now. ... We just hope he can get healthy and get back with us as soon as he can.”

Carson finished the night with 22 yards on three carries.

On defense, Mason Fry had seven solo tackles with one coming for a loss. Alejandro Davis racked up a solo sack and Davis and Jacob Jameson each had an assisted sack.

UP NEXT – Clarke will next play PCM (5-2) on the road Friday night. Kickoff will come at 7 p.m.