Britney Bailey, For the Tribune
HUEYTOWN – After a slow start on the road Friday night, the Clay-Chalkville Cougars fought their way to a 17-3 victory against Hueytown.
The first half of Friday’s matchup was a somber one, with the only points on the board coming from a late first-quarter field goal from Hueytown. The Gopher defense managed to get the ball loose from Cougar wide receiver Mario Craver with just under two minutes to go in the first inside the 10-yard line. The Gophers could not make it through the Cougar defense and settled for a field goal.
The second quarter sparked hope for the Cougars with an early Xavier Starks interception, but the Cougars could not capitalize on the opportunity. Offensive penalties plagued the remainder of the half for the Cougars.
The Cougars came out in the second half an entirely different football team, due in large part to Craver’s 92-yard kickoff-return to put six on the board for the Cougars. A successful PAT from Antoine Ellison gave the Cougars a 7-3 lead. Ellison would add three more for the Cougars with a field goal on the next possession to push the lead to 7.
The Cougar defense, led by DJ Barber and Avion Pickett, held the Gophers to their lone field goal of the night.
Running back Taurus Chambers led on offense, carrying most of the workload on the ground for the Cougars. Wide receiver Marlon Compton, putting in efforts on special teams, sealed the victory for the Cougars with a sensational 40-yard punt return touchdown with 5:33 to go in the ballgame. The PAT from Ellison secured the 17-3 win.
The Cougars remain on the road next Friday, September 8th, to face Coach Rush Propst and
the Pell City Panthers. Kickoff is at 7pm.