Warriors Sack JV Comets
By: John V. Wood, Correspondent
On a game played Wednesday night, Wilson Hunt came into Comet Stadium and wreaked havoc on the Clayton junior
varsity offensive line. The JV Warriors sacked Comet quarterback Adam Gross five times, negating runningback C.J.
Adams’ 283 all-purpose yards in a 16-6 Clayton loss. Adams spread a 143 yards rushing over 30 carries, but the
Comets could not get their offense on track.
“I hate to say this week in and week out, but we’re just so young right now,” Clayton JV coach John Benson said. “We’re
having to play a lot of freshmen out there.”
The Comets got the ball first, and began driving the field. Gross hit Rusty Wagner for a beautiful 47-yard pass, but it
was pulled back for a clipping penalty. After that, the drive sputtered to a halt. After a quick start and 4 penalties later,
the Comets punted the ball to the Warriors. While the Comet offense sputtered on their first drive, the defense stepped
up. On the Warriors’ first possession, the Clayton defense forced a three-and-out and got the ball back.
On Clayton’s second possession, C.J. Adams ran wild, breaking off two 11-yard runs. Then quarterback Adam Gross
dropped back to pass on third down, but got leveled by a Warrior defender. The ball popped out, and Wilson Hunt
recovered the third down fumble on Clayton’s 47-yard line.
“Once we learn how important the football is, we’re gonna be a pretty good team,” Coach Benson said. “Unfortunately,
we don’t have that understanding right now.”
The score remained 0-0 until the second quarter, when Warrior kicker Zach Thomas nailed a 27-yard FG.
This was a long night for the Comet offensive line and Adam Gross. Gross was sacked five times, fumbled twice, but did
complete a 17-yard pass to Bryce St. John for the Comets’ lone touchdown in the fourth quarter. Wilson Hunt, however,
did not let that score go unmatched.
With the score 10-6 Hunt and 2:34 on the clock, the Comets attempted an onside kick after Gross’ touchdown pass.
Warrior Shonte Deans pounced on the ball on the Hunt 34-yard line. After two broken tackles, Deans reversed
directions and headed down the left sideline. No flags, 66 yards, and an extra point later, the final score was 16-6 Hunt.
“I know a lot of people will look at the scoreboard, and see that we lost. I’m disappointed we lost, but I am happy with our
improvement,” Coach Benson said. “If we continue to improve, down the road we’ll have a chance to be a good football
team.”