LAKE 46, CLARKDALE 12
Lake has been a second-half team for most of the season.
But on Friday night against Clarkdale, Lake started the game out fast and never looked back.
Lake scored on its first play from scrimmage and took a 46-12 win over Clarkdale to open Division 5-2A play.
Lake improves to 3-3 on the season and has won two in a row. Lake will play at Newton on Friday night in another 5-2A contest.
Lake coach Tate Hanna said he team finally played four quarters and dominated the contest.
“I thought we finally played a full game,” Hanna said. “We came out fast and scored on the first play of the game. Offensively, we were able to do what we wanted. I thought we ran the ball well and the offensive line played well. J.D. Gibson played a good game and got the ball to the receivers who made some big plays. For some reason we have started slow but we started fast and played all four quarters and I was proud of that.”
Lake got the ball to start the game and quarterback J.D. Gibson hit NyZavion McClendon on a short pass that the senior turned into a 69-yard touchdown. O.D. Hunt hit the PAT and Lake led 7-0.
After Clarkdale went three and out on its first possession, Lake went 72 yards in 11 plays and scored on a 15-yard run by Jamarrion Blaylock. The PAT failed and Lake led 13-0.
Clarkdale responded with a 14-play, 65-yard drive and scored on a 6-yard run to cut the lead to 13-6.
Lake answered with another quick score as Gibson hit McClendon on a short pass that turned into a 47-yard touchdown. Hunt’s PAT was good and Lake led 20-6.
Lake added a late touchdown in the second quarter as McClendon scored his third touchdown on a 50-yard pass. Hunt’s PAT was good and Lake led 27-6.
“I thought the defense played well,” Hanna said. “They had one drive on is in the first half and got the other one with the subs in. They had two really big linemen and I thought we did a good job of controlling them up front. The offensive line is starting to gel and playing a tougher brand of football.”
Clarkdale got the ball to start the second half but turned the ball over on downs. Lake then went 49 yards in four plays as Gibson hit Kentavious Gray on a 28-yard touchdown pass. The PAT failed after a bad snap and Lake led 33-6.
Clarkdale answered with a 38-yard pass play to cut the score to 33-12 midway through the third quarter.
Lake then went 67 yards in eight plays as Blaylock scored on an 11-yard run. The PAT failed and lake led 39-12.
After an interception by Kyran Fortune, Lake went 59 yards in six plays and scored on a 4-yard run by Blaylock. Hunt hit the PAT for the final margin of 47-12.
Lake had a big night on offense with 504 yards of total offense with 295 yards rushing and 209 yards passing.
Blaylock continued his strong season with 161 yards rushing on 24 carries while Jamarii Spivey had 89 yards on eight carries.
Gibson was 5-of-8 passing for 209 yards and four TDs. McClendon had three catches for 166 yards and three TDs.
McClendon also led the defense with 12.5 tackles and four tackles for loss. Blaylock had 10 tackles and two tackles for loss. Keshun Anderson had eight tackles while Gibson had six tackles. Spivey had four tackles while Jonahvan Hawkins had three tackles. Kyran Fortune also had an interception.
