The Clover Blue Eagles showed a dominate offense to open Region 3-5A play with a 30-0 win over the Nation Ford Falcons Friday.
Nation Ford came into their first region game of the season coming off a loss to Richland Northeast last week 41-38 in a shootout falling to 2-3 after the first half of their season. Nation Ford is now 2-4 on the season overall and 0-1 to start region play with the loss to Clover.
“We had our moments,” said Nation Ford head coach Michael Allen. “We drove the ball well and put ourselves in position. I thought our kids fought hard. We have to execute better.”
Clover got the opening kick to start their game. The Blue Eagles wasted no time moving the ball down the field keeping it on the ground for the most part. Landon Stone did most of the work for Clover as he scored on the 10th play of the drive on a 5-yard touchdown run with 7:44 left in the opening quarter.
Nation Ford was just as methodical on their first drive as quarterback Kaden Barnett connected with receiver Josh Ameo on several pass plays to get them past midfield. When those two weren’t moving the ball, Kaleb White was able to find holes to keep things progressing.
The first quarter consisted of just four drives, two from each team. After putting together, a 19-play drive on their first series, Nation Ford came up empty and turned the ball over on downs at the 30-yard line. Stone then proceeded to rattle off a 70-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage to extend the Blue Eagles lead to 13-0.
One issue Nation Ford struggled with in the first half was penalties. While there were not a lot, it hurt momentum for their offense.
Nation Ford punted again on their second series giving the ball back to Clover at midfield where they went right back to Stone, who got them into the red zone. Clover then mixed things up and went to the air getting to the six-yard line where TJ McCluney ran it on the next play to put the Blue Eagles up 20-0 with just over seven minutes left in the half.
Offensively after the opening drive, Nation Ford couldn’t get anything moving and was forced to punt after small gains.
Clover muffed a punt reception and had to start at their own one-yard line. Four plays later they were forced to punt giving the Falcons the ball back at the 37-yard line of the Blue Eagles. However, Barnett threw an interception going for Ameo in the end zone giving the ball back to Clover deep in their own territory with about two minutes left in the first half.
Nation Ford got the ball to open the second half and went straight after Clover keeping it on the ground for the most part. White did most of the work running up the middle and finding corners to advance the offense. The Falcons picked up a big Clover penalty on their opening drive of the second half that got them to the 25-yard line, but then a fumbled snap caused them to lose 16-yards.
However, Clover got another 15-yard penalty that pushed the Falcons back to near the red zone. Two plays later, Ameo operating out of the Wildcat throws the Falcons’ third interception of the game killing a 14-play drive.
The Blue Eagles took advantage of the turnover and started at their own 20-yard line. Clover moved the ball quickly and was able to score on a 1-yard run by quarterback Jaylon Hoover with about 2:27 left in the quarter after a 10-play drive.
After a four-play drive that almost got them a first down, the Falcons were forced to punt as the third quarter faded away allowing Clover to open the fourth quarter driving the ball.
Neither team was able to do much on their first series in the fourth quarter. Nation Ford struggled to move the ball as the game continued to move on, especially in the passing game. Barnett ended the night going 15-for-25 for 155 yards and two interceptions. Ameo, his main target, caught five passes for 67 yards.
White rushed for 63 yards on 18 carries for Nation Ford as well.
Clover added a field goal late in the game with less than three minutes left to cap off their scoring.
Nation Ford now turns its attention to Blythewood as they travel to face the Bengals on a rare Thursday game slated for 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
