BELLVILLE — Nash Evans reigned on Homecoming Night in The Valley.
Clear Fork’s junior Homecoming Court attendant scored three touchdowns as the Colts thundered to a 31-7 win over Marion Harding at the Colt Corral.
The speedy Swiss Army knife scored all 17 of Clear Fork’s first-half points as the Colts (5-1, 3-0 Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference) opened a 17-0 halftime lead. He caught a pair of touchdown passes, kicked two PATs and booted a 27-yard field goal late in the second quarter.
He then returned the second-half kickoff 91 yards for his career-high third TD of the evening, sending the Clear Fork faithful into a frenzy.
“I just came out to play tonight. I wanted it tonight,” said Evans, who took a swing pass 39 yards for Clear Fork’s first TD as the Colts opened a 7-0 lead after one. “I wanted to show out.”
Defense
While Evans provided the offensive fireworks, Clear Fork’s rugged defense was even better than advertised. Marion Harding crossed midfield just once in the first half, but turned the ball over on downs at the Clear Fork 25-yard line with 4:53 remaining.
Two minutes later, Clear Fork quarterback Marcus Hoeflich found Evans all alone behind the Harding secondary for a 75-yard touchdown and a 14-0 advantage.
“We know that we’re capable of playing really good defense and we’ve been doing that lately,” Clear Fork coach Aaron Brokaw said. “That makes it easier on the offense, when you’ve got a defense that is lights-out like that.
“We’ve got a lot of guys who are two-year starters. They trust the scheme and they’re having fun.”
Clear Fork came in with the MOAC’s top scoring defense, allowing just 11 points per game. The Colts were second in total defense, allowing 185 yards a night.
“I’d say we have a very very good defense,” said Evans, who doubles as a safety. “The defense is the best part of our team.”
Clear Fork triggered the running clock when Hoeflich, who doubles as a defensive back, picked up a fumble and rumbled 12 yards for a touchdown with 10:52 remaining in the third quarter.
Harding scored its only touchdown of the night when quarterback Jaden Jordan hooked up with Ray J. Scott-Harbolt on a 10-yard scoring strike with 1:19 to play in the game.
“It would have been nice to have the shutout, but we’re trying to get some guys time and develop some depth,” Brokaw said. “Ultimately, the goal is to be 1-0 this week and we did that.”
Walking Wounded
Clear Fork was without short-yardage back Brayden Hayes. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound sophomore broke his tibia and fibula in last week’s win over Pleasant.
The Colts are also without A.J. McGregor, who has a hand injury, and Xander Frederick, who was on crutches with an ACL injury.
The good news was Evan Hamilton and Julian Mills both played Friday. Hamilton suffered a knee injury and Mills injured an ankle in a Week 4 win over Ontario.
Showdown set
The Colts will head to the northern part of Richland County next week for a highly-anticipated MOAC showdown at Shelby. The Whippets (6-0, 3-0) beat River Valley 42-0 Friday.
“As much as you tell them it’s a one-week season, I’m sure they’ve peeking ahead,” Brokaw said. “It’s Shelby and they’re at the top of the conference and we are, too.
“Hopefully, our guys have a great week of practice and we’ll be ready to go.”
