By John Goolsby, Special for the Tribune
IRONDALE — Clay-Chalkville rolled up 452 yards of total offense and held Shades Valley to just 80 yards on their way to an undefeated region record.
The Mounties lost their starting and backup quarterbacks this week and we’re forced to start Jacari Wedgeworth, a wide receiver, at the position. The Valley offense struggled all night against an aggressive Clay defense as Wedgeworth completed just 6 of 11 passes for 58 yards.
The powerful Cougar rushing attack rolled up 374 yards on 29 attempts and scored 5 rushing touchdowns.
Backup Clay-Chalkville quarterback Marlon Compton threw three touchdown passes and rushed for 112 yards and scored once on the ground.
Allan Cotton added 103 yards on 10 attempts and scored twice.
Receiver Mario Comprom caught all six of Clay’s completions and tallied 78 yards and scored two touchdowns.
Mario Byrd returned the opening kickoff for 88 yards to start the scoring for Clay. Daniel Diaz’s PAT was good.
Rodreckus Johnson then ran for a six-yard touchdown with 5:39 remaining in the opening quarter. The PAT failed, and Clay led 13-0.
Marlon Compton completed a seven-yard pass to Mario Craver for a touchdown with 2:40 remaining in the quarter. The PAT failed again, and the Cougars extended the lead to 19-0.
Marlon Compton hooked up with Mario Craver again for a 17-yard touchdown. The PAT was good, and Clay led 26-0 with 10:31 remaining.
Aaron Osley ripped off a 52-yard touchdown run with 6:20 remaining in the half. Malique Steele intercepted the two-point conversion pass by Coda Cooper. The Cougars went into the locker room with a 32-0 lead.
With 1:45 remaining in the third period, Allan Cotton capped off a Cougar driven with a one-yard touchdown drive.
Marlon Compton streaked 54 yards for a touchdown. The PAT was successful and Clay led 39-0 with 7:15 remaining in the third.
Allan Cotton scored his second touchdown on a 29-yard run to take a 52-0 lead with 7:53 remaining in the contest.
“I’m proud of my team and how they played,” Clay-Chalkville head coach Drew Gilmer said. “I can’t say enough about Marlon Compton. We threw him in a tough situation and he responded.”
The Mounties finished the season with a 5-4 record and the first winning season in five years.
Clay finishes the regular season with an 8-1 record (6-0 Region)
“We won three games last year, and we won five this year,” said Mountie head coach Rueben Nelson. “We are going to get better; it just takes time.”