Clear Springs outlasts Clear Lake for 24-6A title

Photo by Houston Sports Images
Kristina McKay and Tommy Boatman
Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved 
Used with permission.

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved

WEBSTER, TEXAS (November 10, 2017) The Clear Springs Chargers scored two touchdowns in the first quarter in route to downing the Clear Lake Falcons by the score of 35-27 to  capture the U.I.L. District 21-6A football title at Challenger Columbia Stadium on Friday.

Photo by Houston Sports Images
Kristina McKay and Tommy Boatman
Used with permission.

The Chargers waste no time getting on the scoreboard, driving down the field on their first possession. They advanced to the one-yard line; with sophomore Garrett Rooker scoring on a quarterback keeper. With the successful kicking conversion by senior Seth Porter, the Chargers went up 7-0 halfway through the first quarter. After a three-and-out by the Falcons; Clear Springs took the punt on their own 49-yard line. Again, Rooker engineered a successful drive; this time for 51 yards for their second score of the game. He connected with senior wide receiver Peyton Sawyer, down the right side, for the touchdown. Porter again split uprights for the extra point to give the Chargers a 14-0 lead with 3:27 remaining in the first quarter.

The Falcons quickly rebounded from their 14-point deficit on their next possession. After the Clear Springs kickoff, Clear Lake the ball to the Springs 30-yard-line. Quarterback Shae Sulaunoa handed gave the ball to sophomore wide receiver Brendon Holmes and he headed for the end zone. After three attempts, he finally crossed the goal line with 38 seconds to go in the quarter. Junior Nathan Eastin added the extra point, and the Chargers lead was cut to seven.

Photo by Houston Sports Images
Kristina McKay and Tommy Boatman
Used with permission.

Clear Springs jumped right back into the mix; scoring on their very next possession, this time on a Todd Hudson II rush, to again give Clear Springs a 14 points lead. Both teams headed to the locker room at halftime with Clear Springs leading 21-14.

The Falcons scored six points in the third quarter on a 66-yard pass from Suiaunoa to senior wide receiver Ja'Kori Morgan at the 7:37 mark. Clear Springs responded three minute late with another Rooker to Sawyer pass; this time a 80-yarder. They added an insurance TD with 8:50 left in the game with a four-yard run by sophomore running back Isaiah Bibb. Clear Lake posted the final score of the game with 80 seconds remaining on a Suiaunoa to Mason pass. Porter connected on all five extra point attempts while Eastin was 3-of-4 on kicking conversions.

The Chargers (7-2) will host Pearland at 7 p.m., next Friday at Challenger Columbia Stadium in a Division I playoff battle while the Falcons (7-3) will entertain George Ranch in a Division II clash at 7 p.m., Veterans Memorial Stadium in League City.