James Clemens comeback falls short
Deondre Douglas drags an Austin defender to score a fourth quarter touchdown
(RECORD PHOTO/Floyd Parks)
DECAUR- In one of the wildest scoring finishes of the season, the James Clemens Jets overcame a 28 point deficit against Austin to take a one point lead in the fourth quarter, only to see Austin score a winning touchdown with 4:42 left in the game and then hold on for a 41-36 homecoming win.
Austin, led by quarterback Chris Sparkman and running back Chase Colon, scored the winning touchdown on a 21-yard run by Colon. The two point conversion try failed and the Black Bears lead stood at 41-36.
The Jets took the ensuing kickoff and drove within striking distance to the Black Bear 21 yard line, before an errant snap sailed past Jets Quarterback Heath Burchfield and was recovered by Austin and the Black Bears ran out the clock.
“James Clemens was tough when they got the momentum,” Austin Coach Jeremy Perkins said. “They got a lot of momentum on the onside kicks and their quarterback (Heath Burchfield) made some big plays for them in the second half.”
The Jets scored first as Maceo Booker capped off the opening drive with a 7-yard touchdown run. The Will Grochowski extra point was good and the score stood at 7-0 James Clemens.
The tandem of Colon and Sparkman showed signs of dominance in the first half, as the Black Bears moved the ball almost at will. Austin scored four touchdowns before the half ended, and held a 28-7 halftime lead.
Late in the third, Austin capped off a 52 yard drive for their fifth touchdown of the night, as Sparkman hit Josh Person for an 11 yard strike over the middle, as the score went to 35-7 Austin.
However, James Clemens got a spark from wide receiver Deondre Douglas who caught a flare pass from quarterback Heath Burchfield and refused to go down as he dragged three Austin tacklers with him.
The play had a dramatic effect on his teammates, and as the fourth quarter started, the Jets seemed re-energized.
The fourth quarter heroics were many, as Jets players on both sides of the ball dug deep and found a way to come back.
Booker started the scoring in the fourth quarter on a one yard run after a 65 yard drive.
The ensuing onside kick surprised Austin and the Jets recovered. The Jets then marched into the end zone again, this time with a Douglas to Miles Whitlow flea flicker from 48 yards out. The extra point was blocked and the score stood at 35-20.
The Jets kicked deep, and forced an Austin punt. Two plays later, Douglas caught a pass in the flat and raced 43 yards to paydirt. The two point conversion made it 35-28 Austin.
Then, in dramatic fashion, the Jets forced another Black Bears punt, and drove down the field. The Jets took the lead as Burchfield ran it in from the 20. The Jets successfully went for two but had the lead, 36-35.
Austin recovered the next onsides kick and marched into the end zone as Colon scored on a 22 yard run.
The Jets took the kick off, on what would prove to be their final possession of the game, and marched down the field but a bad snap to Burchfield resulted in a fumble recovered by Austin with 1:41 remaining and Austin ran out the clock.
Heath Burchfield threw for over 300 yards in the game, and Miles Whitlow caught passes for 101 yards.
James Clemens will host the Hazel Green Trojans next Friday at Madison City Schools Stadium.
