Sparkman finishes strong to defeat James Clemens

MADISON — James Clemens entered the season short on experience, but the growing pains might be more severe than the Jets expected.

Friday night at Madison City Schools Stadium, Sparkman scored on a blocked punt to break a scoreless tie in th the third quarter, then pulled away in the fourth to defeat James Clemens 20-6 in Class 7A, Region 4 high school football action.

“It’s obvious we’ve got so much inexperience,’’ Jets head coach Wade Waldrop said. “It’s showing. And it’s not the same players, it’s different guys. Little details are turning into big plays.’’

Sparkman improved to 3-1 overall and 2-1 in the region. James Clemens fell to 1-3, 0-3.

No play was bigger than the blocked punt.

With the game knotted at 0-0, Syris Lewis blocked the kick, scooped up the ball and raced 55 yards for a touchdown. Miles Tillman kicked the extra point with 5:58 left in the third.

James Clemens pulled to within 7-6 later in the third on Zach Hopkins’ 53-yard touchdown run.

The Senators put the game away in the fourth with two touchdowns — the first on a Kevin Kimbrough 32-yard pass to Rondell Cole and the second on a Hunter Gibson 13-yard run. He finished with 96 yards on 21 carries. Kimbrough completed 7-of-18 for 121 yards.

Meanwhile, Jets freshman quarterback Connor Cantrell was making his first start. He completed 11-of-32 for 61 yards with one interception.

“Our kids are working hard trying to do their best,’’ Waldrop said.

This week, James Clemens hosts Clay-Chalkville and Sparkman visits Hazel Green.