First 10-0 season since 1995

It began with a Webb Williams 45 yd. field goal. It ended with the award winning Clark Cougar Band playing Queen’s “We Are the Champions”. In between it was pure joy as the Clark Cougar varsity football team headed into the post season with a win over the Holmes Huskies and a District 28-5A Championship . It is Clark’s 22nd year of playoff football.

The Cougars started slow, entering the 2nd qtr. with only the three points to show for their efforts. Traditionally a second half team, the Cougars turned it up a notch with a 31 point explosion before halftime. Williams connected on another 23 yd. field goal to give the Cougars a 6-0 lead with 9:27 left in the half. Following the kickoff, the defense, led by Glenn Bonner who had 4 sacks in the game, pinned back it’s ears and took it to the Huskies. A high snap into the end zone on a Holmes punt attempt gave the Cougars 2 more points with the safety at 7:34. When Clark got the ball next, Jeremy Harris, who had 86 rushing yards in the game, took it in from 15 yards out to make it 14-0 Clark. A two point conversion with Greg Castro scoring made the total 16-0 with 5:45 left before half. Kris Patino, who had a key interception against Warren, made a great read and picked off another, this time returning it 30 yards for another Clark score with 4 minutes left in the quarter. The highlight of the game, however, belonged to Ryan Flournoy, who caught a 81 yard strike from Hayden Greenbauer and weaved his way through the Holmes defenders with just under two minutes left in the quarter for six points. That gave the Cougars a 30 – 0 lead. On the next Holmes possession, Jacob Garcia recorded his 6th interception of the year with 7 seconds left on the clock. Following an incomplete pass to Joe Vasquez, Greenbauer reconnected on the next play for 24 yards to Vasquez and the touchdown as time ran out in the half. The score at halftime was a comfortable 37-0 lead.

In the 3rd quarter, the Cougars made sure they were tuned up for the playoffs with an opening drive that ended with Greenbauer scoring from 8 yards out to up the score to 43-0. That was enough to sit the starters down as the next wave of Cougars took charge.

In the 4th, Sophomore Josh Kern, who was 3 for 3 on the evening, connected with Shawn Jimenez on a 17 yd. pass to give the Cougars a 49-0 lead. Junior Hunter Anderson added the final nail in the Huskies coffin with a 4 yd. TD run, giving the Cougars a 56-0 win, an undefeated season and the district title.

The Cougars racked up 423 yards in offense while an outstanding defensive effort held Holmes to only 17 total yards., including minus-14 yards rushing.

The perfect regular season sends the Cougars to the bi-district playoff against the Wagner Thunderbirds, who were 8-2 in District 27-5A with losses to Judson and Roosevelt. That battle will take place at Farris Stadium Friday evening. Tickets go on sale Monday at 6pm at Clark and on Thursday and Friday at lunch at Clark.

We Are the Champions indeed.

PHOTOS from envisionfilmvideo.com

PHOTOS from jupiterhill.com