Maroons fight back too late
November 04, 2011
Sophomore Daniel Laden (79) and Senior Dylan Utzman (70) work together to keep the Cardinal defensive lineman out of the backfield.
Photos courtesy www.grahamphotos.com
By Patrick Olson
Del Valle 48, Austin High 38
Unable to overcome a barrage of four touchdowns surrendered in the second quarter, Austin High (1-8, 1-3) fell to Del Valle 48-38 Thursday night at House Park. The Maroons must now defeat Anderson (5-4, 2-2) and hope Akins (0-8, 0-4) slips past Del Valle (1-8, 1-3) to have a chance at earning a playoff spot.
Jaylen Alfaro put the visitors on the board first with a 30-yard scoring run before Cayleb Jones caught a scoring strike from quarterback Michael Clawson who returned to action after suffering a back injury earlier in the season. Linus Boley’s outstanding tackle on third down forced Del Valle to punt later, and the Austin High offense embarked on a quick scoring drive.
Clawson first hit Cayleb Jones for a 15-yard reception and then connected with Isaiah Jones for a 32-yard pass play. After finding Cayleb Jones on a crossing pattern over the middle, Clawson dove into the end zone to give Austin the lead. Clawson located Sid Martin in the back of the end zone for a successful two-point conversion to put the home team Maroons in front 14-7.
Xxavier Holman scored twice on rushing attempts, and the Cardinals connected on a pair of long pass plays in the devastating second period to take a 34-14 lead into the half. In the third quarter, Quince Reese had a nice rushing play and Clawson completed a pass to Cayleb Jones before running for a first down. Clawson scrambled to the right and found Isaiah Jones at the goal line for an aerial touchdown cutting the Del Valle lead to 34-21.
A touchdown throw to Cayleb Jones was brought back shortly afterward due to an ineligible man downfield infraction. Del Valle then intercepted a Clawson throw to terminate another Maroon scoring opportunity. The Maroons were granted a safety when the Cardinal deep snapper lofted the ball over the punter’s head and through the end zone. Clawson’s 24-yard scoring dash after rolling left and sprinting to the right helped reduce the Cardinal lead to 34-31.
Alfaro threw a touchdown to Chris Campbell and Holman barreled across the goal line in the fourth quarter to extend the Del Vale advantage. A Clawson scoring pass to Isaiah Jones after scrambling to the right completed the Maroon offensive output for the evening.