Clear Creek Middle School hit the road for its football opener. The Bobcats were hosted by the Dawson County Tigers and each team earned a victory.
The eighth-grade was up first, and DCMS connected on a long pass in the second half and held on for a 7-0 win. The seventh-grade Bobcats outmanned the Tigers and rolled to a 30-0 victory.
CCMS head coach Willie Dodaro discussed the game and was pleased with the progression of the eighth-grade Bobcats. Clear Creek found some offensive success, but were unable to take advantage as they got closer to the goal line.
“The eighth grade has improved vastly from last year. We had the ball so many times. We had a long run by Michael Bushey that got us inside the 15, and we fumbled the ball two times and had a penalty,” Dodaro said. “We had other drives end similar to that. We moved the ball and the defense played a heck of a game until we got beat on a pass.”
Bushey’s 38-yard run came in the third quarter and advanced CCMS to the Tigers’ 23 before the Cats lost possession. The Tigers connected on a 25-yard touchdown on their ensuing drive for the game’s only score.
“They are getting so much stronger and better at their positions. Every coach spoke after the game and couldn’t stop praising them enough. We just have to find a way to win now,” Dodaro said.
The seventh-grade Bobcats big-play ability made up for their three turnovers. Of course it did not hurt that the Bobcats defense came away with three takeaways of their own while also recovering an onside kick.
After holding the Tigers on downs to begin the game, CCMS went to work at midfield. The Cats progressed to the 2-yard line but two penalties and an interception gave the ball back to DCMS at its 15.
However, on the third play of the Tigers’ drive, Bobcat Joseph Baughman was there to snag an interception. CCMS put together a five-play, 20-yard drive that ended with a 4-yard dive by fullback Peyton Chancey. Mason West added the conversion around the left edge for an 8-0 lead.
Chancey recovered his own onside kick but was flagged on the play. CCMS took over at its 40 and fumbled the ball away five plays later. DCMS did the same on a lateral, and Bobcat Brayden Walker recovered.
On the next play, CCMS quarterback Jace McCollum dropped back and hit Bubba Callihan in stride down the sideline for a 46-yard touchdown. Callihan was there for the conversion and a 16-0 CCMS lead at the half.
Clear Creek fumbled again to begin the second half but held the Tigers on downs. The Bobcats’ next two-play, 53-yard possession was capped by a 45-yard run by Chancey up the middle after he shed a tackle at the 10.
CCMS led 24-0 following Chancey’s conversion, and the Bobcats were on the prowl once more as West was there for an interception on the Tigers’ fourth play.
CCMS added a final touchdown as time expired. Callihan took a pitch around the right edge and spun off a tackle at the 20, broke two more at the 10-yard line en route to a 27-yard touchdown.
The conversion failed and CCMS claimed a lopsided victory.
“Peyton runs like a bull at fullback, and we have Bubba with his athleticism and Mason’s running the ball really well,” Dodaro said. “We have A.J. (Callihan) and Jace throwing the ball, and the offensive line is doing a great job. We have a lot of good players on the defensive side, too. It’s a pretty well-rounded team.”
CCMS will host Pickens Thursday with the eighth-grade kickoff set for 5 p.m.