EWING, Mo. - Clark County turned a long opening drive, three touchdowns from Landon Roberts and a pair of interceptions by Conner Waples into a 36-0 win over Highland on Friday night. The Indians built a 20-0 halftime lead before adding two third-quarter scores to finish off the Clarence Cannon Conference victory on the Cougars’ Senior Night.
Highland gave Clark County a difficult starting point on its first possession, as Cooper Hinton’s punt rolled inside the five and was downed at the Indians’ two-yard line. Clark County answered with a 98-yard scoring drive, getting contributions from several runners and a downfield completion from Bennett Plenge to Reid Sammons to work its way into scoring position. Roberts finished the possession with a six-yard touchdown run with 5:42 remaining in the first quarter, and Plenge carried in the two-point conversion for an 8-0 lead.
The Indians’ defense protected that advantage as Highland tried to find consistency offensively. Early snap trouble put the Cougars behind schedule, while Clark County’s pressure forced quarterback Dawson Hedges to move outside the pocket and make throws on the run. Highland picked up first downs but was unable to sustain a scoring possession against the Indians.
Waples provided Clark County’s next touchdown midway through the second quarter. With Highland operating from its own 21-yard line, Waples intercepted Hedges and returned the ball 21 yards to the end zone with 6:47 left in the half. The two-point pass fell incomplete, leaving the Indians ahead 14-0.
Waples intercepted another pass later in the quarter, giving Clark County possession at its own 22. The Indians turned that takeaway into another scoring drive, with Lukas Weaver making a contested catch downfield to set up first-and-goal at the Highland nine. After Roberts moved the ball closer, Sammons took a handoff around the left side and followed his blocking for an eight-yard touchdown with 1:53 remaining. Highland stopped the conversion attempt, but Clark County carried a 20-0 advantage into halftime.
The Indians wasted little time adding to that lead after the break. On the first offensive play of the third quarter, Plenge connected with Roberts for a 62-yard touchdown, stretching the margin just 23 seconds into the half. Plenge added the two-point conversion run to put Clark County ahead 28-0.
Clark County went back to its ground game for its final scoring possession, with Grady Webster and Roberts helping move the Indians downfield. Roberts scored his third touchdown of the night on an 11-yard run with 7:06 left in the third quarter, and Webster’s two-point conversion made it 36-0 and brought the running clock into effect.
Highland continued working to move the ball behind Hedges and its young offensive lineup, but Clark County kept the Cougars out of the end zone through the final quarter. Daron Shotts recovered a Highland fumble to end another possession, and Treyvin Hamner handled snaps at quarterback as the Indians finished the game on the ground.
Roberts led Clark County with 63 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries, adding the 62-yard touchdown reception for 125 yards of total offense. Webster contributed 58 yards on six carries, Sammons rushed seven times for 39 yards and a touchdown, and Hamner added 35 yards on six attempts. Waples led the takeaway effort with his two interceptions, including the second-quarter touchdown return.
Hedges led Highland’s rushing attack with 22 yards on nine carries, while Carson Aycock added 10 yards on three attempts. Xavier Santiago, Elijah Santiago and Cole Berhorst contributed in the receiving game, and Hinton helped Highland with his punting and defensive work.
Clark County improved to 2-6 and will face Scotland County in the regular-season finale Friday. Highland fell to 0-8 and will travel to Putnam County to close its regular-season schedule.
Photo courtesy for this story provided by Clark County R-1 School District
(This game recap is presented based upon the coverage of the Hometown Radio Sports Network. Any statistics given should be deemed as unofficial.)
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