SR High Recap: Charleston 24, Clinton 21
After 3 weeks of tough losses against 4A-4 competition, the Charleston Tigers (1-3) finally found their way into the elusive win column, but it was anything but easy. Charleston battled back from a 21-10 halftime deficit, and needed the help of a blocked field goal to defeat the Clinton Yellowjackets (0-3) 24-21.
The first quarter started out with Clinton taking the opening kickoff, but the Yellowjackets were forced into a three-and-out punting situation by the Charleston defense, aided by an errant snap over the head of Clinton quarterback Harold McNabb.
Charleston’s opening possession was highlighted by runs of 24 yards and 8 yards by Lukas Burleson, as well as 10 yards on two carries by Finn Schmalz. A facemask penalty on Clinton followed by a pass interference call brought Charleston all the way down to the Clinton 12-yard line, but the Tigers were unable to punch it in the end zone. Charleston relied on Matteo Gaona to kick a 26 yard field goal to give the Tigers a 3-0 lead with 5:06 remaining in the first quarter.
It wouldn’t take long for Clinton to answer. The Yellowjackets had more success on their second drive, starting with three straight carries all over 10 yards, all for first downs. Despite this, Charleston forced Clinton into a third-and-24 situation after a botched snap.Â
On third-and-24, Clinton called on a trick play with running back William Tumbleson taking the hand-off, and then completing a pass to Harold McNabb for 23 yards down to the Charleston 22-yard line. Faced with a fourth-and-1, Clinton drew Charleston offsides to give the Yellowjackets a first down. The drive was capped off by a 6-yard McNabb touchdown carry to put Clinton up 7-3 with 20 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Charleston’s next possession would start off strong, with a powerful, defender-dragging 30-yard run by Finn Schmalz to end the first quarter. Two plays later, Burleson would find a big hole behind the offensive line for a 4-yard touchdown run to take the lead again 10-7.
The rest of the second quarter wouldn’t be as kind to the Tigers. After another bad snap for Clinton, the Yellowjackets were once again faced with a third-and-long situation, but tailback Hayden Jones found a large running lane on the right side and took the carry 34 yards down to the Charleston 5-yard line. Two plays later, McNabb scored on a 5-yard quarterback keeper to re-take the lead, 14-10.
Charleston’s next possession would not go as well as the previous two. They started with back-to-back penalties, and were faced with a first-and-22 situation. Burleson dropped back to pass but was intercepted by McNabb, and he returned it down to the Charleston 16-yard line. After a tackle for loss, McNabb would score for a third time on a 19-yard touchdown run to make the score 21-10. Charleston would run out the clock following the kickoff and try to regroup in the halftime locker room.
When asked what he told his Tigers squad at halftime, Charleston Head Coach Ricky May’s answer was simple. “We just told them that we have to come back in the second half, take the opening drive, score, and then get a stop. They responded!”
Charleston came out in the third quarter with the kind of drive that turns games, and possibly seasons, in the right direction. The Tigers took to the ground, and stayed there, for a total of 12 carries for 75 yards. Burleson, Matteo Gaona, Finn Schmalz, and Gunner Schmalz all had carries on the drive, capped off with a 15-yard Finn Schmalz carry to cut the Clinton lead to 21-17. The drive ate up 7:50 on the clock.
Clinton’s opening drive of the second half did not go as well, highlighted by another botched snap over McNabb’s head, and his pass attempt on third-and-24 was broken up by Isaac Dodson to force a Yellowjackets punt. Charleston themselves were plagued by bad snaps against Ozark the previous week, but these mistakes were something the Tigers were able to limit this week.
“While we did have the one turnover, we did well for most of the game,” said Coach May. “The best thing we did was we were in a mix shotgun and under center and were able to maintain drives.”
Following the defensive stop, Charleston would call on their leader at quarterback, Lukas Burleson, to bring his Tigers down the field and take the lead back. He responded. The drive started with back to back Finn Schmalz carries and a first down. After a holding penalty forced first-and-20, Burleson called his own number with a 16-yard quarterback keeper near midfield at the 46-yard line. After 15 consecutive rushing plays, the Tigers caught the Yellowjacket secondary napping, and Burleson hit a 54-yard pass in stride to Matteo Gaona for a touchdown to take the lead at 24-21.
Burleson had a tough, gritty game on the night. He finished 7-of-13 passing for 93 yards and a touchdown, and added 128 yards rushing on 15 carries. He also added seven tackles on defense. “He played a great game,” said May about his junior quarterback. “He physically took on the last two drives to ice the game. We need him to continue to get better and be more consistent.”
Despite the 24-21 lead, Charleston would have to call on their defense for one more stop to seal the game. Clinton was faced with a fourth-and-6 at the Charleston 42-yard line, and McNabb would fake the handoff and run a boot play to the left side to pick up 11 yards to extend the drive. Clinton would continue the drive down to the Charleston 9-yard and a first-and-goal scenario. McNabb would run down to the 2-yard line on the first carry, but would be stuffed on second down to create third-and-goal at the Charleston 3-yard line. Clinton drew up another McNabb keeper, but the play was called back for holding. The Yellowjackets lined up for a game-tying field goal, which was blocked by Charleston defensive tackle and offensive lineman Matthew Scott as the Charleston faithful who made the two-hour drive roared in approval.
When asked about how his defense held on that final Clinton drive, coach May was fired up talking about it. “Man, that’s what turns young boys into young men!” he said emphatically. “They buckled down with the game on the line and stuffed them. Huge for our character!”
With 3:46 remaining in the game, and Clinton out of timeouts, Charleston would need to get a couple first downs and drain the clock to secure the win. Lukas Burleson answered. Burleson started with 10 yards on his first carry for a first down, followed by carries of 2, 5, and 1 to create a fourth-and-2 at the Clinton 47 with 1:03 remaining. The Tigers would change things up this time and hand off to Finn Schmalz for just over two yards and the first down, securing the victory. Charleston completed the come from behind victory 24-21.
When asked if this is a great time for a bye week, Coach May agreed “Yes sir, for sure. Most teams try to play week zero to be off a week before conference,” he said. “Hopefully we can get everyone healthy before conference and work on the details that we are lacking. This week we will be focused on the Charleston Tigers!”
Defensively, Gunner Schmalz led the Tigers with 12 tackles, followed by Burleson with seven and Kayden Ballard and Brayden Bates both with six.
Following the much needed bye week, Charleston will take the road on October 2nd to challenge the Paris Eagles, who joined the 3A-1 Conference following the departure of Booneville to 4A. Paris is 2-2 on the season and are coming off of a 27-26 victory over Hector.
