BLACKSVILLE — Coming into Friday night’s home game against Conotton Valley (Ohio) with a record of 4-3, the Clay-Battelle football team knew that its fading playoff hopes will stay alive if and only if they win out. And the first step in that crucial three-week journey turned out successful, as the Cee-Bees wore down the Rockets for in a methodical 20-0 victory.
After a defensive stop, the Cee-Bees (5-3) utilized a strong power running game on their first offensive possession to pound out a 10-play, 74-yard scoring drive, the last yard covered from wildcat running back Sean Hays. A perfect fake extra point conversion try was unfortunately dropped in the end zone, limiting the C-B lead to 6-0.
And that’s where the score remained through the remainder of the first half. Conotton Valley (1-8) put together two long drives, but both stalled before they reached the red zone.
Struggling with the passing game in the first half, C-B adjusted and came out throwing effectively to begin the second half. The intermediate routes and crossing patterns were open, and junior quarterback Seth Casino effectively engineered a clock-eating, 18-play, 73-yard touchdown drive, Hays again bulling in from the one. When Casino found fellow signal-caller Levi Carrico for the two-point conversion, the lead jumped to 14-0.
The Clay-Battelle defense then took over, forcing two fumbles, a pair of three-and-outs, a turnover on downs, and even put points on the board midway through the fourth quarter when Hunter Brewer scooped up another fumble and powered in on a 26-yard return score to seal the deal.
“We really wanted this for the seniors,” said Hays, a junior. “It was their last game at home, so sending them off with a W was important. Plus, we’re still trying to get into the playoffs, and we knew we had to have this one. It all started up front on both sides of the ball, and the D-line was especially tough tonight.”
When asked what he liked best about the game, coach Ryan Wilson answered in typical coach fashion.
“The win,” he said, laughing. “For us, that’s always the ultimate goal, and we got it done. I thought the first drive of the second half was huge. It drained a ton of clock, wore them down, and when we got the two-point conversion, it really helped us relax. A 6-0 lead is pretty scary, because anything can happen.
“All in all,” he continued, “we were pretty solid at times in all three phases, and of course, there are some things we need to work on, too. It was a good team win, and we’ll enjoy it for a day or two, then get back at for next week.”
The Cee-Bees travel to Notre Dame next Friday.
