James Clemens drops homecoming game
Matthew Stewart runs the ball during the homecoming football game.
BY MIKE EASTERLING / FOR THE RECORD
James Clemens hoped to create some drama on the Friday night of the school’s first homecoming but after two quarters, the only suspense remaining was who would be crowned homecoming queen at halftime.
Austin scored on its first two possessions, blocked a punt for a safety before the first quarter ended and cruised to a 50-14 victory at Madison City Schools Stadium.
The fourth-ranked Black Bears led 44-0 at halftime and improved to 7-0 overall and 5-0 in Class 6A, Region 8.
James Clemens, in its first season as the second high school in Madison opposite Bob Jones, remained winless at 0-7, 0-5. “I think we’ve grown up a lot,” Austin coach Jeremy Perkins said. “They know what’s at stake and what’s coming up. This is the first of three straight road games.”
Josh Walker had 112 carries on only two carries with two touchdowns in the first half, erasing any fears Perkins might’ve had of the Black Bears overlooking the winless, first-year and young Jets.
“As a coach it worries you — Are they going to be focused,” Perkins said. “They were and hats off to James Clemens. They’re young and out-matched right now but they played hard with a lot of young guys.”
Perkins said one concern so far for the Black Bears has been the kicking game. They put some salve on his fears by blocking a punt for a safety in the opening quarter, one play among a solid night for the special teams. “We’ve just got to stay focused and get better,” Perkins said.
Don Baldwin caught a touchdown pass from Chris Sparkman to start the scoring, and defensive lineman Anthony McCoy returned an interception for 29 yards for another score.
Austin then got a punt block in the end zone from Greg Willard and the lead was 16-0 heading into the second quarter and the rout was on.
The Black Bears blew it open in the second period and remained undefeated. Terry
Sibley and Brandon Watkins had touchdowns receptions from Sparkman.
In two weeks Austin returns to Madison to face Bob Jones in a showdown that will determine the winner and runner up in Region 8.
