Clarkdale whips Wesson, 7-1

By By Ryan Satcher / staff writer
Jan. 29, 2003
Clarkdale finished the regular season with big wins to win the district and the Bulldogs continued that roll on Tuesday night.
The Bulldogs got four goals from Jake Gray and overpowered Wesson 7-1 in first-round playoff action at Clarkdale.
Clarkdale jumped out in front in the first two minutes of action. Jonathan Pickett threw the ball in from the sideline and Gray was at the back post to head the ball in and give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead.
Clarkdale had another opportunity later in the half when David Prewitt sent a cross to the far post on a free kick. Justin Culpepper got a head on the ball, but it went wide.
The Bulldogs kept the pressure on and Pickett just missed a couple of chances minutes later. His header went over the goal and a one-timer went over to end the opportunity.
The Bulldogs finally scored again with 15:30 left to play in the half. Culpepper sent a long throw-in down the field and Gray ran it down for a one-on-one with the keeper. His blast got past the goalie and made the score 2-0.
Clarkdale added another goal with just over nine minutes left to play in the first half. William Clinton headed the ball off the keeper and into the net off of a long throw-in by Pickett.
The only chance for Wesson came on a shot by Brad Brister. The shot was easily saved by Clarkdale keeper Adam Box and the Bulldogs held on to the 3-0 lead.
Clarkdale added another goal just before halftime. With less than two minutes left, Culpepper hit Gray with a long pass.
Gray outran the defense and beat the keeper with a low shot to make the score 4-0 at halftime.
The Bulldogs poured it on in the opening minutes of the second half. Culpepper passed to Tyler Swanner who shot the ball into the left side of the goal to make the score 5-0 with 36 minutes left to play in the game.
One minute later, Gray dribbled by a defender on the sideline and crossed the ball towards the middle of the field. The ball bounced off a Wesson defender and went in the goal to make the score 6-0.
Clarkdale scored its final goal of the night with 31 minutes remaining. Gray sent a pass back over his head to Culpepper who went one-on-one with the keeper and scored to make the score 7-0.
Brister scored a goal on the Clarkdale subs in the final two minutes of the game to make the final score 7-1.
Clarkdale moves on to play in second-round action on Saturday.
The Bulldogs will go on the road to try to move on in the 1A/2A/3A playoffs.