By Sandy Anderberg
Too many turnovers spelled disaster for the Clarendon Broncos in their Homecoming game against Springlake-Earth in Bronco stadium Friday night. The final score was 13-26 and left the Broncos 0-2 for the year.
According to head coach Gary Jack, it was a crazy game.
“We didn’t play that bad,” Jack said. “But three fumbles and two interceptions really hurt us. It was the difference in the game.”
It was not that the Broncos did not play hard as they racked up 322 total yards of offense while holding their opponent to only 162 total yards. But the difference, according to Jack, was that the Broncos could not score when they got close.
“We moved the ball well,” Jack said. “We just could not score. We know we have to have more consistency on offense and eliminate the turnovers. We also need to make stops on defense.”
Offensively, the Broncos made a good showing with Charles Mason leading the way with 113 yards on 23 carries. Fellow senior Cedrick McCampbell scored the first Bronco touchdown in the fourth quarter when he snagged an 11-yard pass from Zack Laroe. Laroe added the final score late in the fourth on a two-yard scamper with Jonathan Taylor adding the PAT.
The Broncos have some injuries, so underclassmen have to step up.
“We continue to be beat up,” Jack said. “Marshal Johnson is out with a broken leg, and a few others have injuries. We are playing a lot of freshmen and sophomores, and our inexperience shows. We had to move people around; we have to have a line.”
Jack knows the Broncos’ smaller size will be an issue in the upcoming games as they take on Highland Park, Gruver, and Booker.
“It will be a battle for us the next three games before District,” Jack said. “It is a learning process for all of us and several guys have played lots of different spots.”
Jack noted that Bryce Hatley had a fumble recovery on defense and had seven tackles, as did Zach Watson. Jack credited Joseph Jaramillo with having the best game of his career with two sacks and seven tackles. Montana Hysinger and Keandre Cortez had eight tackles each, and Clay Koetting added nine. Laroe finished with six tackles, one sack, and one fumble recovery, and McCampbell had an interception. Jack said Johnson played a good game and had a sack before his injury.
The Broncos will host Highland Park on Friday, September 12, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
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