CLARKSVILLE, OHIO
A trip into Ohio wasn’t fruitful for Indian Creek on Friday.
Host Clinton-Massie breezed to a 52-21 win against the Braves.
The Falcons, who compete in Division 4 in Ohio (the state has seven divisions), rolled up more than 400 yards of total offense to improve to 2-1.
Clinton-Massie has won two state titles in recent years and has only lost three regular-season games in the past seven years.
Indian Creek head coach Mike Gillin said he was impressed with the Falcons, but added that avoiding some key mistakes early could have made it a more competitive game.
“They are very good, but I hated to see us do some things where we had practiced something all week, and then it broke down on the field,” Gillin said. “We made them keep their starters in the whole time, and our kids played hard and put some points on the board, so there’s no reason to think we can’t bounce back next week.”
The Braves (1-3) started the game with a bang when senior quarternback Gynson Robley connected with Bryce Hogue on a post pattern for an 83-yard score on the opening play.
But Clinton-Massie responded with a long scoring pass of its own three plays later, with Hunter Fentress hitting Luke Richardson for a touchdown.
After forcing the Braves to punt, the Falcons drove 60 yards in nine plays to go ahead 14-7, with Jacob Wof scoring on a 2-yard run. Disaster struck Indian Creek on the next drive when a shotgun snap ended up on the deck and Clinton-Massie’s Triston Hill returned the fumble 20 yards for another score.
The conversion made it 21-7 with five minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Clinton-Massie’s scoring continued after a long punt return by Richardson set up another short touchdown run. But Indian Creek responded with a drive featuring three long passes completed by Robley, including a 19-yard scoring strike to Parker Osborn. Claire Skillman’s extra point made it 28-14.
Clinton-Massie struck for two quick touchdowns early in the second quarter, the second coming after a successful onside kick. The Braves struggled to stop the Falcons’ running game, despite the absence of the hosts’ leading rusher, who sat out with an injury.
By the end of the first half, the Clinton-Massie lead was 52-14. Ohio rules state that if a team leads by 30 or more points in the second half, a running clock is employed.
Indian Creek scored a touchdown on the final play of the third quarter, with Robley connecting on a 27-yard touchdown to Hogue.
Rain began falling in the fourth quarter as Clinton-Massie’s starters remained in the game, putting together a drive that ended with a 37-yard field goal attempt that was blocked.
A bright spot on the night was the passing of Robley, who threw for 290 yards, mostly to Hogue and Osborn, including 203 in the first half.
Gillin said his senior quarterback and young receivers make a promising combination.
“We have athletes out there and (Robley) is good at finding them. We are going to get better and better,” he said.
The Braves travel to Brown County on Friday night.
