Big second quarter propels Clare to win over Shepherd

By BEN MURPHY

Cleaver Sports Writer

It was tied after the first quarter, but four second quarter touchdowns gave the Clare football team plenty of room on Friday. The Pioneers were hosting Shepherd in Jack Pine Conference play on homecoming night, and they rolled to the Jack Pine Conference victory, 40-14.

“Great homecoming week,” head coach Steven Spranger said. “The guys were amped up and played loose and fast.”

Clare’s night didn’t exactly start off well. They attempted to punt the ball away after their first drive stalled out, but Shepherd blocked the kick, giving them good field position. Their first play from scrimmage resulted in a touchdown and 7-0 lead for the BlueJays.

Clare responded to tie the game 7-7 by the end of the first quarter, and they settled down from there. The Pioneers were able to put in 27 points in the second, and they took control of the game by the half, leading 34-7. Neither team scored in the third, with each team scoring a touchdown in the fourth.

“We really were just taking what the defense gave us,” Spranger said. “The defense was great all night long. Coach Haggart put together a great defensive plan that really limited what they wanted to do, and the guys executed it extremely well.”

The Pioneers had 396 yards of total offense, led by Dane Alexander who was 10-of-14 passing for 186 yards, two touchdowns and one interception and he also ran nine times for 56 yards and three touchdowns on nine carries. Parker Smith had two receptions for 62-yards, and one touchdown and Brody Allen also had one reception for a 44-yard touchdown. Jacob Halicek had four receptions for 43 yards, while Jacob Halicek ran four times for 66 yards and Mason Heintz rushed 15 times for 34 yards. Halicek also had an interception return for a touchdown in the key second quarter and Brayden Humphrey was four-of-five on extra point attempts.

Defensive leaders included Dylan Kruskamp getting eight tackles and one sack while Kage Greenfield had six tackles and one sack, Gunner West had six tackles, one for a loss and Brendan Burton also had six tackles.

“Very proud of the guys and the way they responded to a less than ideal start,” Spranger said. “We kept our composure and really started playing well in the second quarter. Contributions from a lot of guys tonight to get the homecoming win over a good football team.”

Clare (5-2 overall, 3-2 JPC) hosts Beaverton (3-4, 2-3) on Friday for their JPC crossover game. The Beavers suffered a loss to Pinconning last week, 33-30.

“They have some good athletes, and they have an experienced coaching staff that will put together a great scheme for us,” Spranger said.