Clay High (7-3) beat Middleburg High (4-6), 35-28, for its fifth straight win to end the regular season. The Blue Devils advance to the first round of the playoffs next week traveling to Baker County as the district runner-up. Middleburg's season is over.
Blue Devil Coach James Reape said his team did just enough to win.
"Offensively, we moved the ball consistently," Reape said. "We are getting better in our passing. Defensively we weren't great, but we made enough stops to win the ball game.
Reape was complimentary of the Bronco coaching staff and players.
"Their kids are playing hard and they are having fun," Reape said. "They are playing in an aggressive offensive and defensive scheme. They were loose and running around all game long."
Clay lineman Kenny Beecher recovered a pooch kick at the Middleburg 38-yard line on the opening kickoff to put the Blue Devils on the attack early. The Blue Devils picked up a first down on the drive to the Bronco 27-yard line when quarterback Stephen Hearons, who was 7-of-17 for 142 yards, hit tailback Charlie Fleming on an eight-yard pass. Four plays later, Hearons connected with wingback Gabe Burden for a 23-yard touchdown at at the 8:17 mark of the first quarter. Luke Rizzo kicked the extra point and Clay led, 7-0.
Both teams failed to move the ball on their next possessions. Middleburg got the ball back on its own 18- yard line with 4:08 left in the first quarter and the Broncos marched 88 yards to tie the game. Bronco sophomore tailback Rodney Jones, who led all rushers with 125 yard on 22 carries, capped the drive with a 17-yard run. Cody Spanbauer kicked the extra point to tie the score at, 7-7, with 41 seconds left in the quarter. The big play in the drive was a 13- yard run by Jones which was aided by a personal foul face mask call on Clay.
Clay had a promising drive that began on its 37- yard line only to fizzle out on the Middleburg 24 when Rizzo's 41-yard field goal attempt bounced off the upright.
Middleburg then drove to the Clay 14-yard line where Spanbauer missed a 27-yard field goal wide right. The big play in the drive was a 34- yard pass from quarterback Tony Cannaday, who was 10- of- 19 for 132 yards, to receiver J. C. Alexander, who caught four passes for 93 yards.
With slightly over a minute to go before halftime, Clay defensive back Kris Mena intercepted a Cannady pass at the Blue Devil 35- yard line and returned it 57 yards. A personal foul against the Broncos set Clay up with a first down at the Middleburg 11- yard line. Hearons then threw to receiver Austin Haymon for a 7-yard touchdown. Rizzo's kick padded Clay's lead to, 14-7, with 20 seconds left in the first half.
Reape said the Mena pick was perhaps the key play of the game.
Middleburg recovered a Clay muffed kickoff to begin the second half. Jones ended the short drive with a 6-yard touchdown run. Spanbauer tied with score at, 14-14, with his extra point.
Clay answered the Bronco score immediately with its own 69-yard drive. The big play in the drive was a 39- yard pass from Hearons to Haymon. Right before the pass, the Blue Devils converted a fourth- and- one from its own 40-yard line. Hearons scored from nine-yards out and Rizzo kicked the extra point as Clay regained the lead, 21-14, with 5:05 left in the third quarter.
The third quarter ended with the same score.
Clay scored on its first drive of the fourth quarter that covered 80 yards. The big play of the drive was a Hearons 43-yard pass to tailback Rodney Perry. Clay tailback Quinton Battle, who ran 20 times for 98 yards, ended the drive with a 1-yard run. Rizzo's kick increased Clay's lead to 28-14 with 7:33 left in the game.
Middleburg scored on its next drive moving the ball 60 yards. The big play of the drive was a 27-yard pass from Cannaday to Alexander. Jones scored from 7-yards with 5:34 left in the final quarter. Spanbauer kicked the extra point to trim Clay's lead to, 28-21.
On the ensuing kickoff, Clay defensive back Stacey Burney took the ball at the Blue Devil 17 and returned it 54 yards to the Middleburg 31. Three plays later, Battle scored from 14 yards with 3:54 left in the game. Rizzo's extra point gave Clay a 35-21 lead.
Reape said Burney's kick return was a huge play in the game.
"They put one on our chin and he comes right back and puts one on their chin," Reape said.
Middleburg gave the ball back to Clay on downs on its next possession. Clay tried to run out the clock, but had to punt. The punt was blocked and Middleburg linebacker Alex Bradley picked up the ball and ran 35 yards for a touchdown. Spanbauer's extra point was the final margin of the game as Clay held on to win, 35-28.
Justino said Cannaday, linemen Glen Oliver and Ceedrick Davis, Alexander and Jones played well.
He also said the Broncos made progress this season.
"We were 4-6, but we made our turn," Justino said. "I hope we can hold on to it. We going to be all right next year. Rodney showed us he will be a heck of a ball player. The offensive line really came around. Defensively, we did great. We held Nease to under 300 yards. We have to keep fighting. We've done a lot throughout the year. Next year, we're going to be interesting to watch."
The Blue Devil offense and especially the passing game has improved considerably since the beginning of the season. Haymon, who caught two passes for 46 yards, credited his teammates for the win.
"Stephen Hearons did a real good job of passing it and Quinton Battle and Rodney Perry did a good job of running it," Haymon said.
Reape said Hearons has played his best football in the last two weeks.
"It's a good thing when your quarterback plays his best at the last of the season," he said. "We have simplified his reads or at least he says things are simplier for him."
Haymon said he can't wait to begin the playoffs.
"We are real excited," Haymon said. "We are going to give Baker County a run for their money. We are coming off a bad season last year to a good season this year.
Reape said he was very concerned with being able to take momentum from five straight wins into the playoffs.
"When you win four straight, you just hate to lose going into the playoffs and having any negative energy," Reape said. "It was a game when we weren't great and we found a way to win. You need those kind of wins. That's great confidence thing. We have a lot to clean up next week."
Scored by quarters
Clay-7-7-7-14-35
Middleburg 7-0-7-14-28
First Quarter
Clay-Hearons 23-yard pass to Burden; Rizzo kick
Middleburg-Jones 17-yard run; Spanbauer kick
Second quarter
Clay-Hearons 7-yard pass to Haymon; Rizzo kick
Third quarter
Middleburg-Jones 8-yard run; Spanbauer kick
Clay-Hearons 9-yard run; Rizzo kick
Fourth quarter
Clay-Battle 1-yard run; Rizzo kick
Middleburg-Jones 7-yard run; Spanbauer kick
Clay-Battle 14-yard run; Rizzo kick
Middleburg-Bradley 35-yard run after picking up blocked punt; Spanbauer