Quinlan era begins with win for Clarke football

Dale Showers had a pair of rushing touchdowns and Kamis Bulis also had a pair of rushing touchdowns which kept the Eagles guessing en route to a 43-6 victory.

“You could see the enthusiasm, we got them to buy into what we’re doing,” Clarke football coach Sean Quinlan said, “I liked that they kept their composure and no one got chippy out there.”

The Indians offense remained multiple throughout the game as they rushed and threw for over 150 yards of each.

Saydel called tails for the coin toss and by calling it correctly, they deferred. Clarke returned the opening kickoff 17 yards to the Eagle 33. Senior Dale Showers would get the opening touchdown of the 2021 season from 15 yards out to put the Indians up 7-0 with 7:42 remaining in the opening quarter.

The Indians have gone from a maroon helmet to a white helmet that says “Next play” on it.

“Instead of focusing on the big picture, if we just focus on the next play, good, bad or indifferent even if we get 20 yards, we have to let that play go and trust the process,” coach Quinlan said, “It says on their helmet FTTP, faith the trust the plan,” Quinlan adds.

Saydel’s first drive featured two short gains followed by a 27 yard completion which slipped out of the receiver’s hands after completing the process of the catch, Clarke recovered with great field position.

The Indians punt after their drive stalls and shortly thereafter, the Eagles do the very same thing and Clarke would capitalize with a Spruceton Buddenhagen touchdown rush with 8:41 left in the second quarter.

The ensuing Saydel drive would have them drive down into Indian territory, only to have quarterback Judd Roberts lose his handle on the ball which turned it back over to Clarke on the Eagle 42.

A 38 yard reception by the Indians would bring them to Saydel’s red zone. Buddenhagen had a 15 yard rush to the Saydel 2 which was quickly followed by a Dale Showers’ rushing touchdown.

“He works 35 hours every week, he gives us 100% every week,” Quinlan says of his senior running back.

Saydel’s next drive featured an eight yard punt, and the first play from scrimmage for Clarke had quarterback Jack Cooley connect with a wideout for another score. With 43.5 seconds left in the first half, the Indians lead 27-0 after the PAT hit the left upright.

The ensuing Saydel drive had a snap go over the punters head to make the scoreline 29-0, and, after Clarke got the free kick, their first play from scrimmage was a touchdown to go into halftime up 36-0.

Kamis Bulis scored Clarke’s final touchdown of the night with 4:58 left in the third quarter.

Saydel senior Trevor Lause had a 13 yard reception from Judd Roberts to put Saydel on the scoreboard, the ensuing PAT would fail.

“It’s a good victory for these guys, they worked for it tonight,” coach Quinlan said.