Clare bounces back with road football win over Standish

By BEN MURPHY

Cleaver Sports Writer

After dropping their games in weeks two and three, the Clare football team had a much more favorable outcome on Friday. The Pioneers were playing at Stanish-Sterling, who was celebrating their homecoming; but it was Clare that celebrated a Jack Pine Conference victory, 60-6.

“For a young team, and our first road game, I thought we responded very well,” head coach steven Spranger said. “It's very important that you match, or exceed, the emotion that our opponents will show up with playing at home and I thought we did that. We were able to control the line of scrimmage and stay ahead of the sticks. Winning first down is key, and we did that all night.”

The Pioneers took control right away, putting in three touchdowns in the first quarter. Dane Alexander scored on runs of 21 and 37 yards (Brayden Humphrey extra points), making it 14-0. Donavan Hoogerhyde added a two-yard run, putting it to 21-0 after one.

The lone score in the second was a four-yard rush from Mason Heintz, which put Clare ahead 27-0 at the half.

Third quarter scoring came from Alexander on rushes from 43 and 47 yards and also from Judah Woods on a 33-yard reception from Dalton Kruskamp. In the fourth, the Pioneers added a 36-yard touchdown run by Luke Gyulveszi and a 38-yard interception return for a touchdown from Woods.

“I thought our offensive line was really clicking,” Spranger said. “Gunner West and Bentley Kleinhardt really stuck out upfront for us. When you're able to have over 10 yards per rush, the shine really needs to be on the offensive line. Everyone was into the game the entire night, and everyone was able to go in and make contributions. Hopefully that carries over the rest of the season.”

The Pioneers were led by Alexander who ran six times for 177 yards and four touchdowns and he was three-of-four passing for 61 yards. Krusmamp completed one pass for the 33-yard touchdown to Woods. Heintz carried the ball 15 times for 94 yards and one touchdown, Gyulveszi rushed four times for 35 yards, Max Pechacek ran five times for 25 yards and Hoogerhyde ran twice for 19 yards and a score. Kruskamp added 11 yards on one attempt. Hoogerhyde had one reception for 36 yards, Woods’ lone grab was the 33-yard touchdown, Jayden Nemetz had one grab for 15 yards and Trent Francisco had one 10-yard reception.

For the defense, Gunner West had eight tackles, Bryce Mills took down seven, Francisco had six and Blake Rogers had five tackles and two sacks.

“We knew with it being their homecoming we would have to dictate the tempo and emotion early,” Spranger said. “Thankfully we did that and took control of the game right away.”

Clare (2-2 overall, 1-1 Jack Pine) hits the road again on Friday, when they head for Gladwin (3-1, 2-0). The Flying G’s were able to defeat Shepherd last week, 38-20.

“Gladwin is an extremely good football team with a lot of talent, and is coached extremely well,” Spranger said. “It's a massive game for both teams and I'm sure both will be playing with a lot of emotion. It will all come down to who can make the fewest mistakes, and who is able to capitalize on those when they happen.”