By Mike McGraw
Executive Director
MICHIGANTOWN – They won the game and dominated play, but you can bet all was not sunshine and roses in the Western Boone locker room after the Class 3A 19th-ranked Stars’ 20-13 victory Aug. 28 over 1A No. 11 host Clinton Central.
It is likely that WeBo coach Jeff Pearson ordered a mandatory inspection of his players’ feet. He certainly would be justified as the Stars shot themselves in the foot so often during the contest that he had to wonder if there were enough healthy extremities left to walk to the bus.
Western Boone suffered three lost fumbles, a blocked field goal, one huge loss, and an illegal procedure penalty … all inside the Clinton Central 30-yard line. Nonetheless, the Stars were superior enough to escape with a 20-13 triumph.
The frustration began early for Western Boone (2-0). After holding the Bulldogs (1-1) to a three-and-out on the game’s opening possession, the Stars methodically drove to the Clinton Central 18 – only to fumble away the scoring chance.
Their second drive stalled in the red zone and resulted in a field goal attempt from the 16-yard line being blocked.
The result was a scoreless first quarter.
Western Boone finally broke through on its third try. The Stars took over early in the second quarter at the Clinton Central 38 and immediately moved to 1st and goal via a 34-yard pass from Jared Knox to Tyler Squibb. Two plays, later Josh DeBard found paydirt to put Western Boone ahead 7-0 after the extra point.
The hard-earned advantage, however, would not last long.
Clinton Central’s Cody Cannaday returned the ensuing kickoff 77 yards to the Western Boone 7. Cannaday then turned the right corner on 3rd and 9 for the tying score. Oddly, the Bulldogs scored a touchdown before they had ever gained a first down in the game.
Still, they left the field at halftime tied 7-7.
Western Boone continued to engage in self destruction early in the third quarter. The Stars immediately drove inside the Clinton Central 19 only to fumble away another opportunity. But on their second attempt of the half they hit paydirt with an 11-yard TD pass from Knox to family member Ryan Knox.
Even this score, however, did not come easily. The Stars had 2nd and goal at the 5 and proceeded to lose six yards when Knox slipped on a rollout. They also failed to convert the PAT.
Nonetheless, Western Boone once again held the lead, 13-7.
The margin lasted exactly one play. Cannaday went 70 yards on the Bulldogs’ first play from scrimmage to tie the score. Clinton Central also failed on the extra point, leaving the contest deadlocked at 13 apiece.
Western Boone continued to power the ball on the ground and struck for the game-winning score midway through the final stanza. It came on a one-yard plunge from Jeff Pursel. Yet even this drive was not without adventure.
Having moved into the red zone, Western Boone committed what appeared to be a crucial illegal procedure penalty. But Clinton Central immediately gave the yardage back with an infraction of its own.
The Bulldogs mounted one final charge in the game’s waning moments, but Ryan Knox ended the home fans’ hopes with an interception at the Western Boone 2 in the final minute.
Western Boone will open Sagamore Conference play Sept. 4 at Danville (1-1). A 13-0 Week 2 winner over Crawfordsville. Clinton Central, meanwhile, travels to 1A top-ranked Lafayette Central Catholic following the 2-0 Knights’ 68-0 blanking of Benton Central.
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