Clinton dominates Lamar with power run and stingy defense

Clinton 45, Lamar 12

CLINTON — Clinton opened 4A‑4 conference play with an emphatic 45–12 win over Lamar on Friday, Sept. 26, building a 28–0 halftime lead and leaning on a rugged run game to close it out at Yellowjacket Stadium.

Quarterback Brodie Dufrene set the tone with a deep strike on the Jackets’ first series, and the tandem of Rylan Jones (RB/DB) and Zachary Hunt‑Gonzalez (FB/LB) churned out yards behind a physical front. Center Creed Brown and tackle Alec Huie helped Clinton control the line, while Dereck Infante handled the points after.

Lamar found answers after the break. Senior Eli Jones hit Ayden Sanders for a 44‑yard touchdown and later powered the ground game, finishing with 107 rushing yards on 15 carries. Sophomore Seth Thomas added a short fourth‑quarter score. Fullback Corbin Cowell moved the pile for 42 rushing yards, and Jacob Wyles added 32. Hunter Reding attempted the PATs for the Warriors.

Defensively, Brandin Grice logged a sack as part of 13 tackles, and Jones added 12 stops from the secondary. Grady Marvel and Kasen Humphrey chipped in, and Jones also averaged 42.0 yards on two punts to flip field position.

Jones, Hunt‑Gonzalez and Kaleb McCarver provided run‑pass balance, with Dufrene steady under pressure. Clinton improved to 4‑0; Lamar fell to 2‑2 with Mena visiting Johnson County next week. Clinton’s front seven also generated negative plays throughout, forcing hurried throws and helping the Yellowjackets keep Lamar behind the sticks until the Warriors’ late surge late Friday night.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter
Clinton – Brodie Dufrene 58‑yd TD pass (Dereck Infante kick), 7‑0.
Clinton – Zachary Hunt‑Gonzalez 8‑yd run (Infante kick), 14‑0.

2nd Quarter
Clinton – Rylan Jones 10‑yd run (Infante kick), 21‑0.
Clinton – Dufrene 4‑yd run (Infante kick), 28‑0.

3rd Quarter
Clinton – Jones 6‑yd run (Infante kick), 35‑0.
Lamar – Ayden Sanders 44‑yd pass from Eli Jones (kick failed), 35‑6.

4th Quarter
Clinton – Infante 30‑yd field goal, 38‑6.
Clinton – Kaleb McCarver 96‑yd run (Infante kick), 45‑6.
Lamar – Seth Thomas 4‑yd run (kick failed), 45‑12.

Players who stood out

• Eli Jones (Lamar) — 107 rush yds, 44‑yd TD pass; 12 tackles.

• Ayden Sanders (Lamar, RB/CB) — 44‑yd TD catch; 58 all‑purpose yds.

• Brodie Dufrene (Clinton, QB) — Early deep TD, poised command.

• Rylan Jones (Clinton, RB/DB) — Chain‑moving runs all night.

• Zachary Hunt‑Gonzalez (Clinton, FB/LB) — Short‑yardage hammer between the tackles.