Last week, the Jaguars had more than enough offensive firepower to compete. But they had a defense that surrendered too many big plays and too many points. This week, however, it would be the defense that set the tone first. The Jaguars offense was only able to muster up only three plays in the first quarter and the Blue Eagles looked primed to draw first blood.
The Blue Eagles were stopped on fourth down just inches from the goal line and Forestview would capitalize. The Jaguars were able to get away from their own end-zone thanks to a Logan Bradley pass to Moe Neal for a 13-yard connection. A few plays later, Bishop Ford ripped through the middle of Clover’s defense for a 78-yard touchdown run. Colton Rouse’s extra point gave Forestview a 7-0 lead.
The defense for Forestview came up even bigger on the ensuing drive as Marcus McCluney picked off Clover quarterback Scott Jackson and returned it 24 yards for a touchdown. The offense would get right back in gear. Bradley led the areal assalt that led to two more touchdowns before the half ended. He hit Mykelti Armstrong for a 28-yard touchdown pass and later on connected with Moe Neal for a 35-yard touchdown pass. The score at half-time was 27-0.
It got worse before it got better for the Blue Eagles. The Jaguars received the second half kick-off and did not waste any time. Neal capped off the opening drive with an eight-yard touchdown run. Rouse’s kick gave Forestview a 34-0 lead in the third quarter.
The Blue Eagles were able to avoid the shutout in the third quarter as Tanner Whitley got Clover on the board with a three-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion run failed, though. That would be as good as it got for them.
Bradley would connect with Neal one more time before this one was over. This time it was from eight yards out. That made the final score 41-6. With the win, the Jaguars put last week’s disappointment behind them and they get their first victory in the Palmetto state. They were previously 0-8 when traveling south of the border. This is also two in a row they have taken from the Eagles.
“It’s historic because it’s a win.” Forestview head coach Chris Medlin said about his first ever win over the border “That’s what we needed was a win.”
When told about the defense setting the tone early after struggling last week, Medlin said “Defense played great with the goal line stand and the interception return for a touchdown. Everybody played well. If you win by 35, you know you had a great game. There are still things we can improve on.”
Medlin also mentioned that his next opponent, Kings Mountain, will be a tough one for his Jaguars. They won 40-23 tonight against East Gaston.
“I feel like we came out in the first quarter ready to play.” Clover’s first-year head coach Chad Smith said “If you eliminate the second quarter from that game, we played a good game. I’m not happy about that right now. We gotta get better.”
Smith also felt his team could have done a better job responding to adversity and mentioned things went downhill after the goal-line by Forestview stand early in the game.
Clover will be on the road for the first time this season as they travel to Spring Valley.
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