Two early Clarksdale High School touchdowns set the tone for a dominant 35-0 victory in a Region 3-4A matchup at Gentry Thursday night.
Following a score on the opening possession, senior Queston Skipper returned a punt return for a touchdown to give the Wildcats a 14-0 lead. It was Skipper's second touchdown on special teams of the season. He ran a kickoff return for a score at South Panola. The Wildcats extended their lead to 21-0 at halftime. Skipper and junior Sammie Ray finished with two rushing touchdowns apiece.
With the win, Clarksdale (5-3, 2-0) is tied for first place in Region 3-4A with Greenwood High School.
“The kids executed pretty well, a little bit better,” said Clarksdale coach Henry Johnson. “We did what we had to do, actually. We got the win.”
Junior quarterback Tamera Allen has been back from an injury the past three weeks and is 2-1 as a starter.
“He’s playing well,” Johnson said. “He’s doing what we asked him to do.”
Skipper was the starting quarterback for five of the games Allen was out. Freshman Kelley Jones started the other game.
Allen being back in the lineup has translates to success in all areas on offense for Clarksdale.
“We’re jelling a little bit better,” Johnson said. “Our team chemistry looks better. We’re not just one-dimensional. We can run it. We can throw it offensively. We just don’t have to rely on Queston Skipper. It’s been good for us.”
The defense has been a concern for Johnson in recent weeks, but not against the Rams.
“Our defense got the shutout,” he said. “That’s all we can ask for.
“We did better on defense.”
Junior middle linebacker De’meric Strong had one interception and the defense forced a bad snap on a Gentry punt giving the Wildcats a short field.
Extra points was the one area of concern.
“We made one extra point on a kick,” Johnson said. “We’re still struggling in that area.”
Junior Josh Hollins, also the punter and a wide receiver, connected on the one extra point. He made two extra points in the district win against Yazoo City last week.
“We’ve just got to keep practicing – practice and keep kicking like they’re doing,” Johnson said. “Hopefully, they’ll get it. That’s all we can do is keep practicing.”
The last two wins – 40-16 against Yazoo City and 35-0 against Gentry – has afforded younger athletes time on the field.
“The last two weeks we’ve had the JV in the last quarter,” Johnson said.
Johnson still is not completely sure of where his team’s progress is after the win Thursday night.
“Gentry, they only have one win on the season,” he said. “It’s hard to gauge your team against that.”
The Wildcats head to Rosa Fort High School in Tunica at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18.
