Clinton edges Whiteford

Clinton’s varsity football team hung on for a two-point 26-24 victory at Ottawa Lake against Whiteford on Friday, Sept. 14 to remain undefeated at 4-0 overall.The Redskins opened scoring with Bret Tschirhart rushing one yard for a touchdown and Gannon Nelson made it a 7-0 game with a good point after touchdown (PAT) kick.Grant Clark then recovered a fumble in the end zone to give Clinton six more points but Whiteford blocked Clinton’s PAT.The Bobcats scored a touchdown in the second quarter but their two-point conversion run failed.Collin Poore rushed into the end zone from 18 yards out and Nelson connected on the PAT to finish scoring in the first half.Whiteford put 10 points on the board in the third quarter on a safety and one-yard touchdown run.Clinton added to its 20-16 lead with 11:37 remaining in the final quarter with quarterback TJ Baker rushing the ball 13 yards into the end zone. A two-point pass conversion followed and failed to end Clinton’s scoring.Whiteford added another touchdown and two-points on a run conversion but was unable to score again with 7:34 remaining on the clock.Baker led the Redskins in tackles with 15, including 10 solo, and a forced fumble.Adding tackles were Luke Lovejoy (1), Zimmerman (3), Michael Sexton (8), Tschirhart (11), Poore (2), Kyle Perry (13), Mistopoulos (7), Mathew Sexton (4), Foster Griffin (14, fumble recovery), Clark (9), Nate Kaszuba (8), Zach Amsdill (6, sack), John Sullivan (2), Spurlock (5, fumble recovery) and Pizzo (5).Baker also led the team in rushing with 135 yards on 16 carries. Mathew Sexton (6-34), Jared Sackett (2-31), Poore (6-25), Tschirhart (3-11) and Mike Sexton (1-1) added rushing yardage.Cullen Zimmerman led in receptions with 3 for 15 yards. Clinton’s offensive player of the game was Baker while defensive honors went to Foster Griffin. The Special Teams player of the week for Clinton was Luke Lovejoy while Ryan Piatt was named Red Army player. Clinton (4-0 overall) plays next at home against Madison.