Clear Creek Middle School rolled to another football victory.
The CCMS Bobcats were in Towns County last Tuesday, and they used a modified lineup to take on the Indians. Regular starters received the day off, and the Bobcats who took the field led by three scores at the half.
The final two quarters ticked away quickly as a running clock was used and CCMS won, 32-0.
Low participation led to a hiatus for Towns’ program. This is the Indians’ first season back after an extended break, and CCMS took the field with eighth-grade reserves and seventh-grade starters.
“It was satisfying to see our younger kids play well against them,” head coach Willie Dodaro said. “Their coach was very kind after the game and thanked us for playing with some class. The nerve-racking part for us is we didn’t see any film on them beforehand.
“I was very pleased that we came out with the win, and it goes on the record as an eighth-grade win.”
Towns was unable to corral the opening kickoff, and CCMS recovered at Indians’ 35. Halfback Ryan Rellinger took a first down hand-off the rest of the way and added the two-point conversion for a lightning quick 8-0 lead.
The Indians’ quarterback coughed up the ball when Towns returned to the field offensively. Jett Burrell recovered for CCMS, and the Cats were back in business at the Indians’ 41.
Bobcat quarterback A.J. Callihan, fullback Adolfo Bautista and Rellinger traded carries to move CCMS downfield. Rellinger scored his second touchdown from 2 yards out on the drive’s eighth play. Bautista added the conversion for an 18-0 CCMS advantage.
TCMS was forced to punt, and the Bobcat offense took over at the Indians’ 43. The Cats needed six plays this time, and halfback McCoy Sutton raced 46 yards on a counter run for a touchdown. Rellinger’s conversion moved CCMS ahead, 24-0.
Towns had a final drive before the half but fumbled again. Clear Creek’s Kevin Olea recovered, and the Cats also received the second half kickoff.
The Cats’ last scoring drive covered 43 yards. On the possession’s third play, halfback Hunter Newhart ran the ball 28 yards around the left edge to pay dirt. Jeremiah Patterson added the final conversion for a 32-point CCMS lead.
The win improved the eighth-grade Bobcats’ record to 4-1. CCMS hosted Lumpkin County at press deadline.