Coming off hard-fought loss to McGregor, Class 3A, DII Clifton Cubs host Millsap for homecoming hoping to snap three-game skid
CLIFTON – For the third straight game, the Class 3A, Division II Clifton Cubs fell behind in the first half to a quality opponent. And once again, the Cubs delivered yet another never-say-die effort only to come up short.
Appearing to be on the verge of making it a one-score game late, the football bounced the wrong way for Clifton on several rare and unusual plays that turned the tide of the game as the Class 3A, DI McGregor Bulldogs ran past the Cubs, 44-21, in a non-district clash last Friday night at Cub Stadium.
Sophomore running back Sebastian Torres rushed for 235 yards and three touchdowns and caught a pass for another score to lead the Bulldogs (1-3) to their first win of the season. McGregor ran for 340 yards on 30 carries while junior Daytron Owens added another rushing touchdown to hand Clifton (1-3) its third consecutive loss.
“We knew McGregor was a better football team than their record indicated,” said Clifton’s first-year head coach Brent Finney as the Bulldogs opened the season with three straight losses to larger classified teams. “They had some really good skill kids and very big linemen.
“We thought, for the most part, we played a very solid game. Obviously, the two returns hurt and gave them some momentum. But our kids never quit fighting and kept coming back. These kids are very fun to coach, and they keep getting better every week.”
In the losing effort, junior fullback Riley Finney ran for 98 yards and two touchdowns while junior running back Parker Tunnell added 73 yards and another score. Senior quarterback Trent Guinn completed 11 of 19 passes for 141 yards, connecting with junior wide receiver Andres Devora four times for 72 yards.
Clifton got on the scoreboard first when Finney capped the scoring drive with a powerful three-yard touchdown run. But the Bulldogs blocked the extra point and junior Zachary Ainsworth scooped up the ball and returned it 87 yards for a two-point play, leaving the Cubs holding a 6-2 lead with 2:08 left in the first quarter. McGregor took the ensuing kickoff and drove the ball on the ground to take the lead they would never relinquish.
After scoring early, the Cubs struggled to sustain another offensive drive in the first half. But after intermission, Clifton repeatedly moved into scoring position, maneuvering the ball using the pass and the run.
“We did some nice things in the passing game, which really helped open up the running game in the second half,” Finney said. “Everyone we play is going to crowd the line, so we must continue to improve in the passing game and make them have to honor the pass.”
Playing aggressive defense, the Cubs bottled up the Bulldogs for much of the game. But McGregor broke three big running touchdowns that proved to be back-breakers in the Bulldog win. Defensively, senior Peyten Urbanovsky led the Cubs with six tackles, followed by senior Larrett Thomas and Carter Tunnell with five each.
“Our defense did a really good job shutting down their passing game and fast receivers,” said Finney as McGregor completed only two of eight passes for three yards. “They were able to get some big plays on the ground, so we must try and limit those. Millsap is going to be just as big or larger up front than McGregor, so this week will be another good challenge for us.”
The Cub offense unit came out in the second half moving the ball at will, but two game-changing plays proved to be the turning point of the game. With Clifton on the verge of making it a one-score game facing a fourth down and goal at the McGregor three, the Bulldogs forced a fumble and returned it for touchdown.
Refusing to give up, Cub junior Ervin Rodriguez picked off a Bulldog pass and returned it 50 yards for an apparent touchdown only to have it negated by offsetting penalties.
“Their fumble return and our negated interception return for a score were very big plays,” Finney said. “That was potentially a 14-point swing, which could have changed the final outcome. I was very proud of our kids for fighting back and continuing to play through the adversity.”
This week, the Cubs play their third straight home game by hosting the Millsap Bulldogs (2-2) at 7:30 p.m. Friday on Homecoming night at Cub Stadium. After advancing to the area playoffs last year, Millsap came into the season expected to challenge for a postseason berth in District 5-3A, DII behind 23rd-ranked Eastland, along with Jacksboro and Dublin. The Bulldogs will be coming off a 56-14 loss to Paradise last Friday.
“Millsap will again be a much larger team than we are,” Finney said. “But that is going to be the case most of the year so every lesson we learn from these non-district games are helping prepare us for the district season.”
Photos by SIMONE WICHERS-VOSS
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