McClain rides defense to win at East Clinton

Roscoe East scored a late fourth-quarter touchdown to give the Tigers a six-point lead. The MHS defense took it from there.

Both teams played solid first-half defense. The Astros struck first late in the opening period.

EC Quarterback Dalton Floyd connected with tight end Jake Neanover for a one-yard touchdown. Tyler Sweet converted the PAT and it was a 7-0 game, in favor of the home Astros.

McClain couldn't move the chains on its first possession. The two teams exchanged fumbles midway through the quarter.

However, on its third possession of the first period, East Clinton put together a scoring drive. Floyd passed to running back Max Morrow for a short gain. Then, it was Floyd keeping the ball for a first-down run.

An 11-yard strike from Floyd to Chase Finley set up a first and goal.

The Tigers' defense rose to the challenge on first and goal, second and goal and third and goal. Clayton Burgess and Anthony Davis came up with tackles to stop the EC offense. But on fourth and goal, following an EC timeout, the Tigers were flagged for pass interference, giving the Astros a full set of downs.

Once again, the Tigers' defense held on first and goal and on second and goal. But on third and goal Neanover scored on the short toss from Floyd.

McClain's defense countered the EC TD in the second period, when Thomas Schrader raced 49 yards with an interception return for a touchdown to give the Tigers an 8-7 lead. The two-point conversion was completed on a Jordan Goble to Shawn Haddox pass.

The first half ended with Randy Closson's Tigers holding an 8-7 edge.

In the third quarter, East put the Tigers ahead at the 8:24 mark with a 21-yard touchdown run.

The Astros came back on a fourth-and-goal from 10 yards out when Floyd connected with Jerrett Huff for a touchdown. Sweet's kick tied the game at 14-14.

On the ensuing kickoff, East Clinton executed an onside kick; however, McClain freshman Alex Hollar recovered for the Tigers.

After an exchange of possessions, the third period came to a close with the game tied, 14-14.

With less than six minutes to play in the final period, Logan Rhonemus caused a Floyd fumble that was recovered by Shawn Haddox at the East Clinton 20.

After a face-masking penalty on the Astros, Schrader connected with Haddox for a 15-yard gain to set up East's game-winning TD.

With 4:40 on the clock, East carried it into the end zone for a 20-14 McClain lead. The two-point conversion failed, and the defense was called upon to hold the lead.

Starting from their own six-yard line, the Astros' offense move the football to McClain territory, as Max Morrow ran for positive yardage.

On a second-and-six at midfield, Rhonemus stopped Morrow after a five-yard pickup. Haddox came through with a tackle for a loss on third down. On a crucial fourth-and-four, Morrow came up inches short, as the Tigers' defense held.

McClain's offense held the ball for the final 90 seconds to secure the team's third win in five games.

McClain (3-2) will host London on Sept. 28.

Score by quarters

MHS –  00 08 06 06 — 20
ECHS – 07 00 07 00 — 14