MEMPHIS, Mo. - Clark County overcame a nine-point halftime deficit and held off Scotland County’s final scoring threats Friday night, earning a 35-34 victory in the Battle of the Border at Tiger Plaza. The regular-season finale featured explosive touchdowns, a powerful Tiger rushing attack and a dramatic finish that remained undecided until the closing seconds of Scotland County’s Senior Night.
Bennett Plenge threw three touchdown passes for the Indians, connecting with Reid Sammons, Grady Webster and Lukas Weaver. Scotland County countered with two rushing touchdowns apiece from Emit Long and Brock McDonald, but Clark County’s second-half adjustments helped turn a 28-19 halftime deficit into a seven-point fourth-quarter lead.
“Hats off to Coach Allen and his kids, they played hard and they made some good adjustments at half and slowed us down offensively a little bit,” Scotland County coach Kirk Stott said. “And then we turned the ball over way too many times and had opportunities even down the stretch there to take the lead and then win the game, and we just didn’t execute.”
Clark County struck first when Plenge found Sammons on a screen pass that the senior turned into a 54-yard touchdown. The extra point gave the Indians a 7-0 lead, which they carried into the second quarter.
Scotland County answered with a sustained drive capped by Brock McDonald’s 1-yard touchdown run, tying the game at 7-7. Sammons immediately swung momentum back toward Clark County, returning the ensuing kickoff 60 yards for his second touchdown of the night. The extra point missed, leaving the Indians ahead 13-7.
The Tigers continued leaning on their backfield tandem. Long scored on a 7-yard run, and the extra point pushed Scotland County in front 14-13. After recovering an onside kick, the Tigers added a 17-yard touchdown run by Brock McDonald. Long powered in for the two-point conversion, extending the advantage to 22-13.
Clark County responded with a 7-yard touchdown run by Landon Roberts, cutting the deficit to 22-19 after an unsuccessful two-point attempt. Long delivered another big play before halftime, breaking loose for a 57-yard touchdown run with 2:10 remaining in the second quarter. Scotland County’s conversion attempt was stopped, but the Tigers took a 28-19 lead into the locker room.
The Indians began their comeback in the third quarter by recovering a Scotland County fumble and turning the takeaway into points. Plenge connected with Webster for a touchdown with 8:43 remaining in the period, then added the two-point conversion to bring Clark County within 28-27.
Scotland County’s defense kept that narrow lead intact through the remainder of the quarter, including a fourth-down stand deep in Tiger territory. Those stops helped keep the Tigers in contention as their offense worked to regain its first-half rhythm.
“We had a couple goal line stands and held them out and gave ourselves an opportunity,” Stott said. Scotland County would continue creating chances down the stretch, forcing Clark County to protect its lead through the final possession.
On the opening play of the fourth quarter, Plenge found Weaver in the end zone on third-and-15. Plenge’s two-point conversion gave Clark County a 35-28 lead and put the pressure back on Scotland County.
The Tigers answered with a touchdown drive of their own. Landon McDonald finished it with a short scoring run with 5:34 remaining, bringing Scotland County within one. Stott elected to go for the lead, but a mishandled snap disrupted the two-point attempt, preserving Clark County’s 35-34 advantage.
Scotland County quickly earned another opportunity when Kwayde Hamilton recovered the ensuing onside kick. The Tigers drove into scoring position, with Jaden Bergeson finding Landon McDonald for a 17-yard completion on fourth down to reach the Clark County 11-yard line.
The Indians held their ground. A mishandled offensive snap pushed Scotland County backward, and an incomplete pass brought up fourth down. The Tigers lined up for a field goal, but a high snap prevented Cooper Small from getting the kick away. Sammons came away with the football for Clark County with 1:58 remaining.
Scotland County’s defense forced another stop, and trouble on Clark County’s punt snap gave the Tigers possession at the Indians’ 24 with 1:35 to play. A run by Cohen Small helped Scotland County reach the 11 again, setting up one final opportunity to claim the lead.
A false start and a tackle for loss by Cash Wilson pushed the Tigers backward. Clark County followed with pressure and pass coverage that forced consecutive incompletions, bringing Cooper Small back onto the field for a potential go-ahead field goal with 30 seconds remaining. The kick was no good, and the Indians took over with 23 seconds left before kneeling out the victory.
Sammons finished with five receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown, along with his 60-yard kickoff return score. Weaver added three catches for 52 yards and a touchdown, while Webster caught two passes for 19 yards and a score. Roberts provided balance on the ground with 90 yards and a touchdown on seven carries.
Scotland County’s rushing attack was led by Long, who finished with an unofficial 186 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries. Brock McDonald added 144 yards and two touchdowns on 19 attempts, giving the duo a combined 330 rushing yards and four scores.
“I thought Brock McDonald ran the ball viciously tonight,” Stott said. “He had some big plays defensively down the stretch for us to help make a couple plays to keep guys out of the end zone.”
Clark County improved to 3-6, while Scotland County moved to 5-3 heading into district play. Stott pointed to blocking and tackling as priorities as the Tigers prepare for their next opportunity.
“We gotta hold blocks better. We gotta tackle better,” Stott said. “Across the board tonight, we gotta get better.”
The narrow defeat left Scotland County with a difficult result to absorb, but Stott remained proud of his players’ effort. Their ability to keep producing defensive stops gave the Tigers opportunities to win until the final seconds.
“It was a fun one for the crowd to watch, but on our sideline it was a tough one,” Stott said. “But I’m proud of our kids.”
Photo courtesy for this story provided by Tia Hamilton
(This game recap is presented based upon the coverage of the Hometown Radio Sports Network. Any statistics given should be deemed as unofficial.)
Click here to listen to the broadcast of this game.
