Sports

Late fumble costs Clarion

On a night when the 1980 Clarion football championship team was recognized at halftime, the Golden Eagles looked to capture their first win against the Shippensburg Raiders.

The Eagles struck first on their second possession of the game when quarterback Eric Coxon connected with Jacques Robinson for a 46-yard touchdown, giving Clarion a 7-0 lead.

Later in the first quarter, the Golden Eagles forced a fumble, recovered by Kory Kusick on the Raiders 29-yard line.

However, they were not able to pick a first down, and had to attempt a field goal. Robert Mamula missed the 38-yard attempt, keeping the score 7-0.

Shippensburg started its next drive at the 21 after the missed field goal, and got their offense rolling.

The big play came from quarterback Steven Adams, hitting Taimur Harris for a 45-yard pass down to Clarion’s eight yard line.

Two plays later Kevin Marshall ran it in from the seven putting their first points on the board.

Kicker Drew Newcomer missed wide on the extra point, keeping the score at 7-6.

At the beginning of the second quarter Clarion drove the ball down to Shippensburg’s 21-yard line.

On fourth down they brought out Mamula again to try another 38-yard field goal. Mamula connected this time, putting the Eagles up 10-6.

Shippensburg added a field goal themselves before the half, making the score 10-9.

Clarion punted the ball away, and was then called for a 15-yard face mask penalty which put the Raiders on Clarion’s 25-yard line.

Shippensburg took advantage of the short field.

Quarterback Steven Adams threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Mike Frenette giving the Raiders their first lead of the day, 15-10.

The Raiders went for two, but it was broken up by Chris Wilson.

Nearing the end of the third quarter Clarion started at their own 24.

On a third down play, Coxon connected with Anthony Becoat for 31 yards down to the Shippensburg 40 yard line.

Clarion elected to go for it on fourth down, resulting in an 18-yard pass to Robinson for a first down.

Four plays later Coxon delivered again throwing a nine yard touchdown pass to Becoate.

The Golden Eagles went for two but Coxon’s pass was incomplete.

Clarion was up 16-15 going into the final quarter.

Shippensburg drove the ball 63 yards on six plays, capped off by a touchdown, giving them a 21-16 lead.

On Clarion’s next drive, Shippensbug was called for a personal foul, giving the Golden Eagles a first and goal.

Alfonso Hoggard trotted into the end zone for a touchdown, giving Clarion the lead.

The Eagles decided to stick with Hoggard for the two-point conversion, and it was successful putting the Eagles back up 24-21.

Shippensburg quickly regained the lead on a touchdown run by Marshall, making it 28-24.

“I think when we were up 24-21, that next kick off the ball bounces over the kids head, and we have five guys untouched and they don’t manage to get a tackle. Instead of them buried and pinned they have good field possession on our side of the field,” coach Foster said.

With one more run left in them the Golden Eagles took the ball down the field to Shippensburg’s 9 yard line.

On first in goal the ball was handed off to Hoggard who fumbled, and was recovered by the Raiders.

Clarion couldn’t get anything else going offensively, and Shippensburg eventually ran out the clock.

“We are disappointed we are 0-3 right now as we feel we have played well enough to be 2-1, but being 0-3 does not change our mentality about California,” quarterback Coxon said

“They will be the most talented team we will face all year. As long as we take care of the ball and play within ourselves we will be fine.”

Clarion lost 28-24, falling to 0-3, and will host undefeated California Saturday at 6 p.m.