Broncos hold on for two-point win

By Sandy Anderberg

The Clarendon Broncos took the field before a huge Homecoming crowd as they squared off against Booker Friday night in Bronco Stadium, defeating them, 22-20.

The Broncos set the tempo of the game in the first minute and fifteen seconds as they took it down and put eight points on the board to take the opening lead. Keandre Cortez scored on a one-yard run and then added the two-point bonus to put eight points on the board.

Clarendon put six more point on the board when Caleb Cobb grabbed a four-yard pass from quarterback Bryce Hatley. The extra point failed, but they came back to add another touchdown when Hatley threw a five-yard strike to Junior Ceniceros and Cortez added the bonus. The Broncos led 22-7 at the break.

“It was a big win for us,” head coach Gary Jack said. “We were able to hold on in the last minutes and get the win. Our defense played good the first three quarters, and offence did well most of the first half. We had opportunities to put more points on the board, but we didn’t get into the end zone.”

After a scoreless third quarter, the Kiowas struck back to put seven points on the board to narrow the gap. When the Broncos fumbled at the five-minute mark, the Kiowas drove down and scored on a 65-yard pass. The two-point spread caused Booker to go for two on the conversion, but the Broncos held them out of the end zone and hung on to the two-point lead. From there they only had to hold on for three minutes to get the two-point win.

Booker fumbled three times in the game and the Broncos were able to recover all three fumbles. They also intercepted two passes. The Broncos had 167 yards rushing, while Booker only had 123 yards.

“It was a solid game,” Jack said. “Booker was healthy for the first time this season and they have some good skilled kids. They got going in the second half, but our defense did a good job on the two-point conversion that would have tied the game. Then our offense made a couple of first downs and were able to kill the clock to get the win.”

Jack noted that several players had solid games on both sides of the ball.

“Chesson Sims had a big game for us,” Jack said. “He got five passes for 83 yards, had six tackles on defense and caught an interception. Daquawne Oliver moved up from the JV and had a big game for us, also, with 12 tackles, a sack, and caused turnovers.”

Jack also other Broncos for good play. Caleb Cobb had nine tackles, two caused turnovers; Clint Franks had seven tackles, one sack, and caused a fumble; Justin Christopher had four tackles and a recovered fumble; Taylon Knorpp had three tackles and recovered a fumble; Nick Shadle had six tackles; Bryce Hatley had five tackles and recovered a fumble; Andy Davis had six tackles and a sack, and Bryce Grahn had five tackles and one interception.

“We will start District on Friday, October 9,” Jack said. “There will be three tough games right in a row. We hope to get some nicks and bruises healed up in our open week and get ready for District.”

The Broncos have an open Friday on October 2, but will travel to Lockney on October 9 to begin District play at 7:00 p.m.