It was a grueling game for both teams but Clarksdale hit harder and lasted longer to take a 20-7 victory and the District title from Senatobia Thursday night.
It was a ground game that saw the Wildcat defense slowly slow down the running backs and force the Senatobia Warriors to go to a desperate passing game in the second half.
The Wildcat defense did not allow a first down in the first half with Senatobia’s offense coming on the field for three downs and then sending in the punter.
“The defensive line - I can’t say enough about them,” said Clarksdale coach Johnny Maddox. “They ran right at us and we stopped them. When their passing game started we pressured the quarterback. Defense won this game.”
Clarksdale couldn’t score in the first quarter despite driving the ball from their 12 to the Warrior 24.
But the Wildcat running back kept pushing and Clarksdale capped a 59 yard, 10-play drive with sophomore running back Mecos Maiden crashing over from 2-yards out.
There was no scoring in the third, but Clarksdale tacked on two TDs to seal the game in the fourth quarter.
Quarterback Kelley Jones found a wide open Kamron Pittman for the first TD and Jones ran left for 12-yards for the final score.
Clarksdale (9-1, 4-0) faces Choctaw Central (5-4, 2-3) Friday night in the first round of the MHSAA Playoffs.
