BLACKSVILLE – No. 7 Clay-Battelle rushed for 315 yards and got off to a quick start on its way to a 40-18 victory against Class AA River View on Friday.
That hot start began with a 30-yard touchdown pass from Corey Coen to Cody Clovis, recovering an onside kick and then beginning a rushing onslaught that led to five more touchdowns on the ground when it was finally complete.
“We ended up scoring on three of our first four possessions,” C-B head coach Aaron LaPoe said. “It was a hot start. Our offensive line is really starting to put it together. River View was pretty big up front and they were blitzing us right up the middle a lot. Our line kept picking it up and we were getting eight or nine yards per rush.”
LaPoe believed it was Clay-Battelle’s first win over a Class AA school since 2006.
“It was definitely a special win for us,” LaPoe said. “I told the guys after the game they are making some special memories and how this should be a win they always remember.”
C-B (6-1) led 18-12 at the half, but then leaned on its defense and Coen’s legs to blow the game away. Clay-Battelle’s junior quarterback rushed for 149 yards on 16 carries and scored two times on the ground to go along with his passing TD.
Caleb Snodgrass added 85 yards on 12 carries and two touchdowns, while Caleb Hall rushed for 74 yards and a score on 14 attempts.
“We had to commit to running Corey more than usual,” LaPoe said. “He was able to get us a lot of tough yards. Snodgrass just refused to go down.”
Clay-Battelle’s defense held the Raiders (3-4) to just six points in the second half. Clovis stopped one River View drive by coming up with an interception at the goal line and linebacker Cooper Payton finished with six tackles, a quarterback sack and forced a fumble.
“Cooper has always been a basketball player, but he’s proving to be a real football player for us,” LaPoe said. “He’s so strong and instinctive. He was just so big for us tonight, and I think he’s really developing into a first-team all-state linebacker for us.”
The Cee-Bees are expected to move up one spot in next week’s playoff rankings with another huge opportunity awaiting against Class A No. 4 Sherman at 1 p.m. Saturday in Blacksville, which would present the winner a bounty of playoff points.
The winner of the game could potentially move up to No. 2 or No. 3 in the Class A rankings.
“The games just keep getting bigger and harder for us,” LaPoe said. “I think we’re showing we have a complete football team ready for the challenge. The guys are definitely stepping up.”
