Greenabauer converts 4th and 1 for 82 yd. TD

The first sign it might not be a good trip south for Austin Bowie was the name of the chartered buses rented to transport the team to the Alamodome – Clark Travel. Not kidding. And from there on out, it was the Cougars who rolled over the Bulldogs in the Area playoff game. Clark won 31-17.

The Cougars struck first following the opening kickoff to Bowie. At the 10:37 mark of the 1st qtr., John Manders recovered a fumble on the second play of the game setting up the offense on the 50 yd. line. Ryan Jones left for 22 yds. and then Ryan Jones right for another 28 put the Cougars up 7-0. Shocked but not down, Bowie responded with a drive that ended with a 28 yd. field goal making it 7-3 at the end of 1.

The 2nd qtr. would then be a series of punts by both teams as the defenses took control. Another punt situation for Clark with 6:28 left before the half would be the setting for the most dramatic play of the season for Clark. On 4th and 1 on the Clark 18 yd. line, Hayden Greenbauer set up to punt the ball back to Bowie. Seeing an opportunity, Greenbauer, who had received the green light from the sideline, instead tucked and ran, blowing through the Bulldog defense for an 82 yd. run to the end zone. Clark lead 14-3. A blocked punt at the end of the quarter by Bowie gave them a chance to add to their total but the Clark defense shut down any chance of that happening. The half belonged to the Cougars.

Clark received the kick off to start the 2nd half. From the Cougar 20, it was Greenbauer once again who would sprint past Bowie for another score on the first play, this time for 80 yds. down the Bowie sideline. Clark 21 – Bowie 3.  Bowie fumbled the kickoff, recovered by Kris Patino, and that would set up a Webb Williams field goal for a 24-3 lead with 8:12 in the third quarter.  Bowie scored on a 5 yd. run to make the score 24-10 going into the fourth.

Once again, it was the Clark defense, led this night by Greg Castro and Jimmy Kueber, that would shutdown any threat of an upset in the 4th qtr.  Jacob Garcia intercepted a Bowie pass on the Bowie 41 yd. line.  It wouldn’t be his only reception.  Plays later, a perfectly thrown fade from Greenbauer to Garcia from the 11 yd. line to the deep corner would give the Cougars their final score of the night.  Bowie, who fought hard the entire 48 minutes, added 7 more with  the final score in Clark’s favor 31-17.

For the first time in school history, Clark is 12-0.  Next up is the winner of the Del Rio vs. Edinburg game on Friday, the 27th at 8:00pm in the Alamodome.  Tickets most likely will only be on sale at the district office or the dome as this is a holiday week at the school.  The Cougars are 4-0 at the Alamoome over the past two years.

The Booster Club will have additional “Undefeated” T-shirts for sale as well.

(more to follow)

• PHOTOS from envisionfilmvideo.com
• PHOTOS from jupiterhill.com
• Express News article
• Austin American Statesman article