Warrior Knights Open with Win at Clinton

RFH 2010, Featured Articles, HCS Football

Sat, Sep 03, 2011

The newly created HCS-MECS football team won its first game, beating Clinton 20-16. Full game report.

Warrior Knights Open with Win at Clinton

The blended HCS/MECS football team opened its 2011 with some late-game heroics to win 20-16 at Clinton this afternoon.

First-year Coach Gary Morris said that after a shaky start, his squad settled in and played well, especially the defense.

Neither team seemed ready to start play on this hot humid afternoon. On the first play from scrimmage, Clinton through an incomplete pass behind the line of scrimmage, which HCS/MECS recovered. But, on it's second play of the game, HCS/MECS returned the favor and Clinton recovered.

Clinton found its bearings first and scored on a fourth and 11 quarterback keeper that was good for a touchdown and they added the PAT. About three minutes later, Clinton score again on an intercepted pass run back for a TD and the PAT was good.

With about two minutes left in the first half, the 83-degree heat and 90-percent humidity drove HCS/MECS starting quarterback J. T. Metz to the sidelines. Dakota Browning came in as his replacement and with the aid of a 15-yard bench penalty against Clinton, drove the Warrior Knights down to the Clinton 12 yard line. He finished it off with a soft lob into the end zone to Lucas McClaury.

The first half ended with Clinton up 14-7.

Then it was the HCS/MECS defense's turn to shine. They held Clinton to just a safety in the second half, recovered two fumbles and forced three interceptions.

With the score 16-7 in the third period, a cooled off J.T. Metz was back under center and tossed a 40-yard scoring strike to McClaury. The Warrior Knights missed the PAT making it 16-13.

Metz sealed the win with time running out and HCS/MECS in a fourth and one situation on Clinton's two-yard-line. He rolled out to pass and just kept rolling in for the score. The PAT was good and the merged team posted its first win.

HCS/MECS plays Friday night at home -- Morrisville-Eaton's field -- against Mount Markham.