Southampton trampled by Grafton
Published 10:03 am Sunday, September 28, 2008
Grafton led 7-0 after one quarter. An interception by the Indians’ Kendal Carwile at the SHS 31-yard line had stopped the home team from doing further damage in the opening period.
The Indians’ defense remained steady for much of the second quarter before field position turned in the Clippers’ favor and the home team exploded.
On third-and-goal at the SHS 6 after a short drive from the Clippers’ 48, Grafton quarterback Joe Cibrin connected with his brother Brad for the touchdown. The home team led 14-0 with 2:45 remaining in the half.
With an unsuccessful drive, SHS, which fell to 0-3 on the season, whittled the clock to 1:02 and punted to the Clippers, who took over on their own 42. Grafton needed just one play as a pass to William Schroeder went the distance and gave the Clippers a 21-0 halftime lead.
The Clippers outgained the visitors 153-77 in total offense during the half.
If any doubt remained about the outcome, Grafton settled it by taking the opening kickoff of the second half and driving for a touchdown – a 20-yard pass to Ryan Johansen – to make it 28-0 with 8:14 left in the third quarter.
The floodgates were open. On the ensuing possession, SHS quarterback Carwile was intercepted by Austin Sneath, who, escorted by a host of teammates, carried it in for the score from the 28-yard line. Another successful extra point made it 35-0.
The Indians caught one of their few breaks of the night after punting on the next possession. SHS’ Marcus Inman caused a fumble on the return and Brandon Evans recovered on the Clipper 20.
On fourth-and-five at the 15, Carwile found Thaddeus Stephenson, who snagged the touchdown pass after it bounced out of a defender’s hands. A two-point conversion pulled Southampton within 35-8.
Ricky Johnson completed the scoring for the home team on a 2-yard run with 3:39 left in the game, set up by his 57-yard run.
With the Indians tiring out on an extremely warm and humid night, a new arm was brought in when Billy Nixon took over at quarterback. Nixon led SHS to pair of first downs into Clipper territory at the 47 when the game ended.
Grafton outgained the visitors 294-177. Carwile was 1-for-8 with the 15-yard TD pass.