GOING OUT IN STYLE

Making most of final home game, senior-laden Clifton Cubs secure third place in District 13-3A, DII by shredding Florence, carry momentum into Bi-District matchup with East Bernard in Taylor

With the clear understanding that making the playoffs will always be an expectation for the Clifton Cubs, not a goal, the accomplishment of back-to-back trips to the Class 3A postseason. Regardless, wrapping up the regular season with a convincing win at home remained plenty to celebrate for Clifton’s senior-laden squad.

As the Cubs dominated all facets of the game, the Clifton faithful had plenty to cheer about on Senior Night last Friday as Clifton ran all over the Florence Buffaloes, 42-0, to secure third place in District 13-3A, Division II and build momentum heading into a second straight trip to the postseason.

Playing in their final home game at Cub Stadium, 17 seniors relished in the moment and stormed to celebrate the victory by ringing the bell.

“Friday night was a pretty special night,” Clifton football head Brent Finney said. “With us securing a playoff spot in week nine, it was really important to secure third place and win our last game at home for the seniors.

“This senior class is a special group of guys. And this team as a whole has really bonded together into a really fun group to coach. We are very proud of their improvement throughout the season, and their determination to build on last year’s return to the playoffs.”

After wrapping up third place in district behind champion Rogers (5-0 in district, 7-3 overall) and runner-up Lexington (4-1, 7-3), the Cubs (3-2, 5-5) advance to the Class 3A, Division II playoffs for the second straight season to take on East Bernard Brahmas (5-1, 7-3) in a Bi-District matchup at 7 p.m. Friday at Taylor Stadium. The Brahmas finished the regular season as the District 14-3A, DII runner-up behind the third-ranked and undefeated Tidehaven Tigers (6-0, 9-0).

Spreading the offensive workload around against Florence (0-5, 0-10), five different Cubs – junior quarterback Joaquin De La Hoya, freshman running back Jackson Ritz as well as seniors Parker Tunnell, Ervin Rodriguez and Levi Knox – scored offensive touchdowns and nine different players ran the ball as Clifton controlled the game by methodically piling up 335 yards of total offense. Parker led the ground attack with 84 yards on 10 carries while senior fullback Riley Finney 69 yards on six attempts and Knox added 68 yards on four totes.

Even though the Cubs only attempted four passes, De La Hoya hit on two big plays through the air, connecting with senior Riley Finney for 34 yards and Ritz on a 21-yard scoring strike.

“It was great to be able to get a lot of different people some touches in the game,” Finney said. “When you can control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, it makes for a good night.”

On the other side of the ball, the Clifton defense dominated, corralling the Buffaloes for only 112 yards of total offense. On their way to notching its second defensive shutout of the season, the Cubs came up with three turnovers and controlled field position the entire game.

With a strong performance from the entire defensive unit, senior Camdyn Mobley led Clifton with 10 tackles, followed by Finney with nine, junior James Liardon with seven takedowns and a fumble recovery, Ritz with six tackles, junior Brody Baggett with five tackles and a fumble recovery, Rodriguez with five takedowns and senior Clay Kennedy with an interception.

“Our defense has really played well all of district,” Finney said. “The defense set up the offense all night on a short field and the offense was able to score early and take advantage of the great field position.”

Going into the playoffs for the second straight season after a three-year absence, the Cubs defense has been stingy about surrendering points all season, allowing only 15.9 points per game – the lowest in District 13-3A, DII. Finney leads Clifton with 99 total tackles, followed by Liardon with 64, Rodriguez with 57 as well as Baggett and senior Royer Lopez with 42 each.

Unfortunately, the Cubs will be playing without injured senior defensive back Andres Devora, who leads the team with four interceptions, followed by Kennedy with three and Tunnel with two, while junior Ladon Knox leads Clifton with three sacks, while sophomore Luis Galindo, Levi Knox and Baggett have two sacks apiece.

Averaging 35.0 points per game, the East Bernard balanced offensive attack – passing for 1547 yards and rushing for 1698 – will put the Cub defense to the test. Senior quarterback Clayton Fajkus has shredding opponents, completing 87 of 162 passes for 1503 yards and 15 touchdowns with only three interceptions, connecting with senior Maddox Crist 44 times for 923 yards and 10 scores. The Brahmas spread the workload around on the ground as junior Alexander Hernandez leads the way with 781 yards and nine touchdowns.

The Cubs hope to counter with a ball control offensive approach relying heavily on the running game, led by Parker with 842 yards rushing and five touchdowns, followed by Finney with 538 yards and eight scores as well as De La Hoya with 400 yards and six touchdowns.

“East Bernard is a really good football team,” Finney said. “They are solid on both sides of the ball and will be a great challenge for us. But we have played some really good teams this year, and that is what the playoffs are about. Everyone is now back to 0-0, and the only thing that matters now is this game.”