Hardworking Clarkdale edges out Newton High
By By Steve Swogetinsky / special to The Star
Oct. 30, 2004
Senior running back Cedric Burns summed up both Clarkdale High School's 34-27 victory over Newton High School Friday night, and perhaps the Bulldogs' 2004 season. In both cases, Clarkdale found themselves down but came back to reach their goal.
Clarkdale fell behind 27-13 at the half, but rallied with 21 unanswered points to win.
The Bulldogs dropped their first four games of the season but have battled back to win four of their five Division 5-2A games. They enter the State Playoffs next Friday night at home as the No. 2 team out of the division when they host Hinds AHS.
Clarkdale jumped out to a 13-0 lead in the first quarter.
On the Bulldogs' second possession, Skinner broke loose for a 51-yard run that put the ball on the Newton 11-yard line. Clarkdale pushed the ball down to the Tigers' three, and Skinner scored on a three-yard blast up the middle. Chris Sirven kicked the extra point and Clarkdale led 7-0.
Linebacker Jeremy Street recovered a Newton High fumble on the Newton 46 two plays after the kickoff and the Bulldogs were ready to strike again. Clarkdale again pushed the ball down to the Newton three-yard line and Skinner scored on a three-yard run. The extra point try failed and Clarkdale led 13-0.
That advantage was short-lived as Newton put 27 points on the scoreboard before the half.
A good kickoff return put the Tigers on the Clarkdale 20-yard line. After a four-yard loss, quarterback Courtney Ruffin connected with Colby Tillman on a 24-yard TD pass play. The extra point try failed and Newton cut Clarkdale's lead, 13-6.
Ruffin scored on a nine-yard keeper with 8:16 left in the second quarter. Ruffin ran in the two-point conversion and Newton High led 14-13.
Jamie Lay broke loose for a 26-yard TD run later in the period. And three plays after the kickoff, defensive lineman Mitchell Hillie picked up a Clarkdale fumble and returned it 66 yards for a touchdown. Jeffrey Logan was true on one of the two extra point attempts and the Tigers led 27-13 at the half.
The Bulldogs held the ball for all but seven plays during the third quarter. That included a 15-play drive that covered 73 yards and ended with Burns scoring on a one-yard plunge. Sirven's extra point was true and Newton held a 27-20 edge.
Clarkdale went to the air for its next score. Quarterback Blake Johnson faked a handoff and found Jack Norton open for a 60-yard TD pass play. Sirven's kick tied the game at 27-27 with 8:15 left.
Clarkdale pooched the kickoff and recovered on the Newton 36-yard line. The Bulldog misdirection offense with its traps and reverses pushed the ball down to the three yard line where Burns ran it for a touchdown. Sirven's kick was true, and the Bulldogs held on for the victory as they upped their record to 4-5 overall and 4-1 in the division. Newton fell to 3-7 and 3-2, respectively.
Clarkdale finished the night with 425 total yards. The Bulldogs turned out 341 yards on the ground and 84 in the air on three pass completions. Newton rushed for 143 yards and passe for 62 for 205 total yards.
Clarkdale will host Hinds AHS Friday night while Newton High is on the road against McLaurin.
