Bobcats Can't Overcome Big 2nd Quarter

Whiteford entered Friday’s game with a chance to solidify their playoff chances. Clinton was fighting for its life. And it showed. The Redskins (2-3, 2-1 TCC) scored 22 points in the second quarter to defeat Whiteford (3-2, 2-1 TCC), 38-19.

Whiteford’s coaching staff called a couple gutsy plays early in the game, and the Bobcats responded by executing. On the first drive of the evening, Whiteford faced a 4th-and-12 from their 40. Whiteford faked the punt and Donnelly swept his way to a first down in Clinton territory. Four plays later, on 4th-and-2, QB Gabe LaRoy placed a nicely thrown ball between two Redskins. TE Forrest Grosteffon went up and got it, turned and sprinted 25 yards for a TD and a 6-0 lead. Clinton tied it on the next drive, but they were fortunate. On 3rd-and-7 at the 26, the snap went over QB Hayden Craig’s head. Under big pressure, Craig scooped up the ball and then chucked a long pass. Lanky receiver Nate Dreslinski jumped up and caught the pass over the defender’s head for a first down at midfield. Clinton would punch it in from three-yards out and the game was tied at six.

After a nice return by Cody Donnelly, the Bobcats started at their own 46. They slowly worked up the field, with Donnelly converting another fourth-down attempt. The second quarter began with Whiteford at the Clinton 29. But two penalties moved them back. A few plays later, a 4th-and-7 became a 4th-and-12 because of another penalty. Clinton took over at their on 33 on downs. On the first play, Craig faked a hand off and then bounced to his right, found a gaping hole and ran untouched for a 67-yard TD. A two point pass made it 14-6. Whiteford’s next drive stalled at its 41. Clinton took over at its own 4th and six. After a first down, Whiteford looked like it had stopped the Redskins, but an offsides penalty turned a 4th-and-9 punting situation into a 4th-and-4. A quick pass to Dreslinski earned the first and more. Three plays later, Clinton was celebrating in the endzone after a TD pass to Casey Wert. The Bobcats went three-and-out and a good return gave Clinton the ball at the Whiteford 33. Two plays later, a pass to Dreslinski picked up 27 yards and a first at the Whiteford one. A short pass on third down, and then the extra point kick made it 28-6.

Clinton scored on its first possession of the second quarter and took a 35-6 lead. Whiteford got some life when Grant Track recovered a fumble and rumbled 45 yards for a TD to make it 35-13. The Bobcats cut the lead a little more with a 14-yard TD run from Cody Donnelly. Clinton added a field goal to ice the Bobcats.

Coach Matt Garno said his team let the game get away from them.

“We had some big plays against us and a couple of bad series. But I liked the way we came out in the second half. I liked the spirit we showed,” Garno said.