A. Benjamin catches and runs for 52 yds.

A strong start by the Clark Cougars wasn’t enough to keep the Warren Warriors from winning in the Cougars fifth district game of 2010.  Warren won 17-14 giving the Cougars a 3-2 record in district and a 3-4 record overall.

In the 1st quarter, Warren took the opening kickoff and drove to the Cougar 11 yd. line, where the defense forced them into a field goal.  The attempt, however, was no good as Kris Patino got a hand on the ball as it went up.  The Cougars took over and drove 89 yds., converting a 4th and 1 at the Warren 8 before Deandre Holmes, who would gash the Warrior defense in the first half, scored from 1 yd. out giving Clark a 7-0 lead with 8:57 left to go in the half.  The Cougars scoring drive was their first possession of the game.

Warren’s next offensive possession resulted in a touchdown (which on video review – was not), tying the game at 7 with 3:20 left before the half. A 52 yd. Josh Kern to Ansley Benjamin reception set up the next Cougar score as Deandre Holmes took a 4 yd. run around the left for a Clark 14-7 lead going into halftime.  In the first half, each team only had the ball twice.

In the 2nd half, Clark received the kickoff but started deep in their own territory.  The result was a Warriors safety with Clark still leading 14-9.  Following the kickoff to the Warriors, the defense stopped another Warrior drive when John Paul Robinson intercepted a pass headed out of bounds and overthrown.  Looking down at the sideline as the ball was in the air, J.P. tip-toed the sideline to give the Cougars the ball back at the Clark 23 yd. line and stop the Warren drive.  Josh Kern made two nice scrambles to give the Cougars the ball at the 50 yd. line with 6:34 in the 3rd qtr.  The drive stalled however and when Warren got the ball back, a 20 yd. reception gave them the first lead with :34 left in the 3rd quarter.  The score was Warren 17, Clark 14.

In the 4th the Cougars looked to have one last chance to score.  With 3:03 left in the game, Warren faced a 4th and 1 at the Cougar 35 yd. line.  Warren quarterback Rex Dausin tried to run for the first but was met behind the line of scrimmage by a swarming Clark defense.  Pitching the ball to his running back, it appeared that the Clark defense would drop Warren for a loss but the defender who was to make the tackle was slammed in the back.  Warren converted the down despite what appeared to be THE MOST OBVIOUS EXAMPLE OF A BLOCK IN THE BACK and then ran the clock out to end the game.

The Cougars face Stevens next week in an important battle for playoff position.

• Express News article
• Express News boxscore (although a little incorrect)
• envision! Photos
• Jupiter Hill Photos