Eatman reacts to interception

The second game of the 2011 campaign looked far better, in parts, than the first but mistakes cost the Clark Cougars another chance at posting their first win.  At Orem Stadium, #8 Alamo Heights defeated Clark 24-17.

The night was not without some much improved play and several highlights.  The Cougars opening drive, with the offensive line of Logan Hanna, Blake DeHart, William DeHart, Stuart Cram, Brendon Harr and Alex Hunter, pushed the Mules around, giving Kweku Larbie some big holes to run through.  That drive, however, stalled and Alamo Heights took over and drove the length of the field, settling for a field goal at the 5:05 mark of the 1st quarter.  When Clark got the ball back, an Alamo Heights interception with less than a minute left gave the Clark defense a chance to step up.  Taking the challenge, a tipped pass by Malcolm Eatman, then Brian Socha landed in the hands of Malcolm Eatman.  On the next play, however, a hard hit by an Alamo Heights defender sent the pigskin bouncing to the turf and was picked up by the Mules for a 52 yd. return for a touchdown.  At the beginning of the 2nd quarter, Clark was down 10-0.  

Chase Jones returned the kickoff to the Alamo Heights 42 yd. line.  Clark drove to the 19 yd. line.  On third down and two, a delay of game penalty cost the Cougars a chance at a TD.  Moving the ball five yards back and putting the Cougars in a 4th and 7 from the 24 yd. line, Ty Williams scored Clark’s first points of the evening with a 41 yd. field goal.  The score was Alamo Heights 10,  Clark 3 at 7:48 in the 2nd quarter. Later in the 2nd, Clark had a punt blocked but Alamo Heights could not turn it into points from the Clark 19 yd. line.  Two big sacks, one from Logan Hanna and one from Colton Magaro, sent the teams to the locker room with Alamo Heights leading by 7.

Clark kicked off to the Mules to start the 3rd quarter, pinning them on their own 10 yd. line.  Their 7 minute drive stalled and Clark took over on their own 3.  On 2nd down, Larbie bolted for a 31 yd. gain.  On 3 and 1 from the Alamo Heights 43, Josh Kern found Sean Campbell for 38 yds., setting Clark up on the 6 yd. line.  Two plays later, Kern would take it across the goal line and Ty Williams extra point tied the game at 10-10 with 2:28 in the 3rd quarter. Alamo Heights would return the kick off to midfield, with the kicker making the tackle and then plays later score another TD, going ahead 17-10 with :19 seconds left in the 3rd quarter.

A fake punt when the Cougars got the ball in the 4th turned into an interception, returning it to the Clark 43 yd. line.  The defense once again stepped up and held the Mules to 3 and out.  The Cougars started their next drive on their own 24 yd. line.  On 2nd down from the 22, Larbie rumbled through the Mule defense for a 21 yd. gain and a late hit added 15 more.  Manny Menezes than took a short Josh Kern pass and made his second highlight in as many games with a tackle breaking, bone crushing run through Alamo Heights’ defense to give Clark a 1st down on the Mule 12 yd. line.  With 6:52 left in the 4th, 3rd and 6 from the 6, Josh Kern out of the shotgun found a hole on the right side of the offensive line and the good extra point once again tied the game at 17 a piece. 6:17 remained in the 4th quarter.

Alamo Heights would score once more with 1:42 in the game, going up 24-17.  Despite two poor kickoffs from Alamo Heights, due to penalties, the Cougars could not capitalize and a 4th and 5 option play was fumbled away, sealing the win for the Mules.

Other key contributors in the game included a solid defensive efforts by Tri-Rice Van Buren and Chris Miller.  Kweku Larbie rushed for over 100 yds. (103)  The Cougars are now 0-2 on the year as they look ahead to District 27-5A actin next week against Taft.

• Express News article
• Express News boxscore
• envision! Photos
• jupiterhill Photos
• KSAT video