By Britney Bailey, For the Tribune
The Clay-Chalkville Cougars remain undefeated after taking down 7A powerhouse Thompson on the road in a rain-plagued, overtime thriller Friday night by a score of 14-13.
Clay-Chalkville put the first points on the board in the first quarter, after running eight minutes off the clock, with a short touchdown run from Joshua Woods.
The remainder of the game would be a defensive showdown. The Cougar defense did not allow much movement for the Warriors, rendering them scoreless for the majority of the game.
Clay-Chalkville captains prepare for the game against Thompson.
Photo by: Johnny Sanders
Clay was able to move the ball downfield, but the Thompson defense had the answer, stopping the Cougars near the goal line on several occasions.
Being held up in scoring position was a new feeling for the Cougars, and Thompson took advantage of the momentum switch.
The Warriors would not find the endzone until the fourth quarter at the 8:29 mark. The Warriors managed to drive 99-yards on 7 plays to tie up the ballgame. This came after a goal line stand at the one-foot line.
Clay answered the drive by putting together a drive of their own and getting the ball into the red zone. On a fourth and two inside the Thompson 15-yard line, the Cougars were unable to pick up the first down, giving Thompson the ball.
The Warriors used a big pass play by Trent Seaborn to get them into field goal range.
The excitement came in the last two seconds of the contest. The Warriors ran off the clock and geared up for what should have been a game-winning field goal.
The Cougars blocked the attempt, but had unfortunately already called a timeout before the kick. Thompson missed the field goal Attempt on the next play, sending the game into overtime.
The Cougars received the ball first in overtime, and found the endzone on a wild trick play. Cougar running back Aaron Osley took the snap and handed the ball off to Marlon Compton, who scrambled around Thompson defenders and heaved a pass to Jabari Staples for a 7-yard touchdown.
The same trick play came in handy for Clay-Chalkville back in 2014 in the state title game. Cougar Head Coach Stuart Floyd, who was coaching at Clay during that time, had confidence in his decision to run the play, “It worked 10 years ago, so we gave it a try.”
Thompson answered the call on their overtime possession, scoring on another Seaborn pass and leaving the game in the hands of their kicker for the extra point to tie it up. A celebration penalty after the touchdown cost the Warriors 15 yards on the extra point attempt, and the Warriors would fail on the attempt, giving the Cougars the victory on the night.
“That’s what we’re built on. We’re resilient. This team was down last year to Thompson twice, down against Saraland twice, our kids just don’t think they can be beat,” said Floyd of the Cougars’ willingness to win, “They never give up. They always believe they can win.”
Clay-Chalkville will take on Mountain Brook at home in regional play next Friday.
