BELLVILLE, Ohio — Clear Fork collected their first win of the season as they defeat Ontario with a score of 42-24.
The Colts scored on their opening possession, their first of six touchdowns. Ontario’s offense managed two touchdowns along with a 19-yard field goal by Hunter Plew late in the first half.
Clear Fork took the driver’s seat in the second quarter with a kickoff return for touchdown.
“The kickoff return killed us,” Ontario coach Scott Kreger admitted. Ontario was down by 14 but tied the game in the second quarter after two Clear Fork turnovers. On the next play, #20 Thomas Staab ran 90 yards to retake the lead for Clear Fork.
“I knew we needed to get the momentum back,” Staab said. “After I caught the ball I looked down the field and saw a huge crease open up.” Staab rushed for 135 yards and two touchdowns on the night. His other touchdown was on Clear Fork’s opening drive.
“We have two freshman on the offensive line and not one senior on offense,” coach Dave Carroll said. “As young as they are, they understood we were controlling the game. Ontario’s defense gave us some trouble but I’m proud of the way these guys adjusted blocking schemes.”
The Warriors collected touchdowns by Treyvian Jordan and Alex Schiffer. They got some help on defense with a 32-yard fumble return for a score by Sam Zimmerman. Ontario briefly held the lead early in the third quarter, until Clear Fork started finding running lanes.
“We just pounded the ball in the second half,” Carroll said.
Clear Fork piled up 223 rushing yards and 62 yards through the air, led by quarterback Jarrod Smith. Smith had 46 yards on 16 carries. While five of the Colt’s touchdowns were on the ground, their sixth touchdown came when Smith connected with freshman Mitch Dulin on a 23 yard pass. Smith had three rushing touchdowns, including two late in the fourth quarter. Defensively they held the Warriors to only one touchdown in the second half.
Kreger felt the Warriors improved over last week, doing a better job up front. He said Clear Fork’s blocking adjustments and ability to run the ball in the second half “made the difference.”
Ontario had 151 rushing and 60 passing yards. Quarterback Alex Vredenburgh had a touchdown called back by a penalty. He was intercepted by Camden Robinette in the final minutes of the game to seal the deal for the Colts.
Carroll said they were surprised by Ontario’s option plays. “Ontario had a good game plan,” he said. He said the Colt’s strength was their running game but admitted the “front six need to do better” as they move on to week three.
The 0-2 Warriors began their season with two road games but will host Danville next week. The Blue Devils have scored 100 points in their first two games, with wins over East Knox and Fredericktown. Clear Fork will play away at Shelby. The Whippets are 1-1 with a season opening win against Madison Comprehensive and a loss to Lexington.
