TWO IN A ROW

Class 3A, DII Clifton Cubs post impressive road win for first 2-0 start since 2018, hit the road again to face tough Class 2A, DI’s 25th-ranked Italy Gladiator squad Friday

By handling a lengthy bus trip and brushing off a pre-game weather delay, the Class 3A, Division II Clifton Cubs became road-tested and battle ready. And after hanging on to a 12-12 tie at intermission, the Cubs took control of the game in the second half to post an impressive 33-12 non-district win over the Coleman Bluecats to get off to a 2-0 start for the first time since 2018.

“Being the underdog on the road against a quality football team, this was another big win,” Clifton football head coach Brent Finney said. “We were very proud of how our team responded Friday. After a long road trip, we had a lightning delay just after we started pre-game warm up.

“We challenged them at halftime to just control what we can control, which was ourselves. We overcame some penalties and turnovers, played much better in the second half and were able to put them away.”

Hoping to maintain the momentum of the strong start to the season, the Cubs (2-0) will hit the road for the second straight game to take on Class 2A, DI’s 25th-ranked Italy Gladiators (1-1) at 7 p.m. Friday. After losing their opener to Class 3A, DII’s 15th-ranked Scurry-Rosser, 27-20, on the road, the Gladiators knocked off Class 2A, DII’s 11th-ranked Chilton, 21-6, in their home opener last Friday night.

“Italy is a good football team,” Finney said. “Just like the last two weeks, we will have to play well. They have a very dynamic dual threat quarterback, and some good size up front to block for him.”

On the road against Coleman, the Cubs set the tone for the game early. Even though Coleman recovered their own fumble on the first play from scrimmage, Clifton sophomore Jackson Ritz picked off a pass on the next play and returned it 27 yards to the Coleman four-yard line.

Then for the second straight game, the Cubs scored on their first play from scrimmage when senior James Liardon ran into the right corner of the end zone untouched to give Clifton a 6-0 lead with 11:29 left in the first quarter.

“We knew we would have some growing pains early with so many new and young starters this season,” Finney said. “But like we have said all along, we expect to be contenders every week, and we expect to be playing for a district championship. These kids know the standard we expect from them, and we just try to keep getting better week by week.”

Despite throwing only two passes in the game, the Cubs controlled the ball on the ground by getting a multitude of ball carriers involved. Using six different ball carriers, Clifton grinded out 220 yards rushing on 40 carries, led by senior quarterback Joaquin De la Hoya with a team-high 106 yards rushing on 17 carries and two touchdowns.

As part of the running back committee, junior Judd New finished with 42 yards on eight carries, followed closely by Ritz with 40 yards on seven attempts.

“We felt like we did a better job being more consistent in the running game,” Finney said. “We still need to improve on ball security and clean up a few blown assignments. But were happy with our balance in the running game.”

After Coleman got on the scoreboard with a touchdown pass, the Cubs regained the lead early in the second quarter when De la Hoya slipped through the left side of the line and sliced into the end zone from 14 yards out. But the two-point conversion run was stopped short.

The Bluecats responded as junior running back Paul Salas broke through straight up the middle for a 50-yard touchdown run. But New knocked away the two-point conversion pass attempt to preserve the tie with 8:52 left in the half.

Still knotted up at halftime, the Cubs took the second half kickoff and marched down the field, capping the drive with a flea flicker as De la Hoya pitched the ball back to Ritz, who connected with senior Brody Baggett for a 18-yard scoring strike. With 7:35 left in the third quarter, senior Kanin Bearden nailed the extra point to give Clifton a 19-12 lead.

“That was a great throw and catch, and certainly nice to score and execute it well,” Finney said. “But creating four turnovers was also huge when they started throwing the ball so often.”

Then with 3:38 left in the third quarter, the Cubs took control of the game when senior Diego Rodriguez picked up the muffed punt and returned it six yards for the touchdown to give Clifton a comfortable 26-12 advantage before De La Hoya iced the victory with his second touchdown run.

With the defense coming up with the big turnover on Coleman’s first possession setting the tone for the game, the Cub defense provided another victory-worthy performance. Junior Gavin Tattershall led Clifton with seven tackles, followed by Liardon and Ritz with six each, as well as Baggett and senior Landon Knox with five apiece.

Producing four turnovers, Ritz grabbed two interceptions, Baggett and senior Diego Rodriguez came up with fumble recoveries, while Baggett, Tattershall and senior Kyle Rogers provided three quarterbacks sacks

“The defense continues to play at a very high level,” Finney said. “We continue to create turnovers, and that is huge. But we have to improve in third down situations and get off the field sooner.”