James Clemens thrashes Senators to secure Class 7A, Region 4 title
In a match-up between the top two teams in Region, James Clemens (6-2, 6-0) heavily dominated the contest, leading 21-3 by halftime and adding 28 unanswered points in the second half. The only score for the Senators (7-1, 5-1) was a field goal early in the first quarter.
The numbers testify to the Jets’ ability to move the ball against Sparkman and the effectiveness of the defense to limit the Senators from gaining any momentum. James Clemens racked up a total of 541 yards, 337 rushing and 204 passing. Sparkman had only 162 total yards, 80 rushing and 82 passing.
Dylan Blackburn gained 190 yards on 24 carries with three touchdowns. Chase Starling added two touchdowns on the ground and Chris Baker added one rushing touchdown. Quarterback, Connor Cantrell threw for 204 yards, connecting with Manny Sanders for a touchdown with a 60 yard throw.
The Jets offensive line led by Zach Taylor, Ryan Keepers, Dakota Bell, Jordan Johnson and Christian Brown kept a very talented Sparkman defense from being effective.
The Jets opened their scoring off in the first quarter with a short one-yard run, followed by Jesse Rowe’s PAT. He then scored again in the second with a 2-yard run.
With under a minute left in the first half, Starling ran for his first TD of the night, giving the Jets a 21-3 halftime lead.
Early in the third quarter, Blackburn ran 68 yards. Starling added his second touchdown run to open the fourth quarter. That was followed by two more Jets touchdowns, Sanders’ touchdown catch from Cantrell and Baker’s run into the endzone.
“I am proud our guys,” said James Clemens coach Wade Waldrop. “The offense was consistent, and we were very physical.”
James Clemens hosts Austin while Sparkman travels to Florence this Friday
