KAHOKA, Mo. - Clark County remained within two points early in the second quarter, but Bowling Green scored the game’s final 33 points to pull away for a 47-12 victory in Friday night’s season opener.
The Indians scored first and later cut Bowling Green’s lead to 14-12 before the Bobcats took control. Bowling Green scored three more touchdowns before halftime and added two in the third quarter.
Gary Welch led the Bobcats with four touchdowns, scoring twice on the ground and catching two touchdown passes. Cameron Vodhoosky added one rushing and one receiving touchdown.
Clark County opened the scoring when quarterback Bennett Plenge connected with Lukas Weaver for a 35-yard touchdown. The scoring play came on fourth down after a Bowling Green penalty helped the Indians keep the possession alive.
The two-point conversion was unsuccessful, leaving Clark County ahead 6-0 with 9:24 remaining in the first quarter.
Bowling Green answered later in the period. Quarterback Dylan McMenamy completed a 3-yard touchdown pass to Chase Turnbaugh, and Bennett Hickerson converted the extra point to give the Bobcats a 7-6 advantage with 4:26 remaining.
Welch scored his first touchdown on a 12-yard reception from McMenamy early in the second quarter. Hickerson’s extra point extended Bowling Green’s lead to 14-6 with 11:07 left before halftime.
Clark County responded with its second touchdown of the night.
Plenge found Conner Waples for a 10-yard score with 8:24 remaining in the half. The Indians attempted another two-point conversion, but Landon Roberts was stopped short, leaving Bowling Green in front 14-12.
That was as close as Clark County came.
Welch scored on runs of 14 and 8 yards later in the quarter, giving him three touchdowns during the period. Vodhoosky added a 4-yard touchdown run, and Hickerson made all three extra-point attempts as Bowling Green carried a 35-12 advantage into halftime.
Clark County advanced into Bowling Green territory late in the half, but Vodhoosky intercepted a deep pass from Plenge to stop the drive.
The Bobcats added two more touchdowns during the third quarter.
Facing fourth down, McMenamy connected with Vodhoosky for a 28-yard touchdown with 6:23 remaining. The extra-point attempt failed, extending Bowling Green’s lead to 41-12.
Welch completed his four-touchdown performance by catching a 12-yard scoring pass from McMenamy with 5:01 left in the third. Another unsuccessful conversion established the final 47-12 margin and put the running clock into effect.
According to the postgame broadcast totals, Welch rushed for 91 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries while catching three passes for 40 yards and two scores.
Vodhoosky carried 12 times for 94 yards and a touchdown. He also recorded eight receptions for 120 yards and another score.
McMenamy completed 18 of 29 passes and threw four touchdowns for Bowling Green. Jackson Perkins added 38 rushing yards on 13 carries, with most of his work coming during the opening half.
Bowling Green’s defense forced three turnovers, intercepting Plenge twice and recovering a Clark County fumble. Hickerson recorded one of the interceptions in addition to making five extra points.
Plenge completed 11 of 29 passes for 135 yards and two touchdowns. Bowling Green’s defensive pressure made passing more difficult for the Indians during the second half and contributed to both interceptions.
Roberts led Clark County on the ground with 64 yards on six carries. Waples caught two passes for 48 yards and a touchdown, while Weaver hauled in the Indians’ other scoring reception.
Clark County begins the season 0-1 and will travel to Harrisburg on Friday, Sept. 4. Bowling Green improved to 1-0.
Photo courtesy for this story provided by Hometown Journal
(This recap is based on game coverage by the Hometown Radio Sports Network. All statistics are unofficial and subject to correction.)
