Lions roar past C-G-D/CAL in 63-38 romp

[caption id="attachment_13039" align="alignleft" width="270"] Clear Lake’s Jarod Anderson gains some ground behind some good blocking by Parker Truesdell (7) and Cody Matz. Anderson had four carries for 20-yards.[/caption]

Zach Tatum scored six touchdowns and helped the Clear Lake Lions roar past Clarion-Goldfield-Dows/CAL Friday night, 63-38.  The Lions improved to 3-0 in Class 2A, District 2, while the Cowboys fell to 0-3, 1-4.

While always willing to take a win, Coach Jared DeVries wasn’t entirely pleased with the play of his team.

“We have a lot to clean up,” said DeVries.  “But credit Clarion-Goldfield, they made it a fight.  They are a good team and had a great player making big plays.”

The Lions were steady and effective on offense, while the Cowboys relied on bigs plays to score their points.

Clear Lake got on the scoreboard first, helped by a Cowboy fumble recovered by Ryan Atkinson near field.  Zach Lester and the Lion offense needed just five plays to go 50-yards for their first score.  Tatum reached pay dirt rambling for 35-yards behind solid blocking.  Jarod Anderson kicked the PAT for a 7-0 Lion lead.

In the first of several big plays, the Cowboys’ Zach Pogge returned the ensuing kickoff 90-yards to silence the home crowd.  The visitor opted to go for two-point conversions throughout the night and was successful on four attempts.  The first conversion put the Cowboys on top, 8-7.

The Lions quickly responded with an eight play, 63-yard score barely past the midway mark in the first quarter.  Tatum recorded his second score from one-yard out and Anderson’s kick was good to put the Lions on top, 14-8.

Fullback Carter Garrington put the Lions ahead by two touchdowns with a 37-yard run to the endzone.  Anderson’s third kick was again good, 21-8.

By halftime Clear Lake was in control, 35-16, thanks to two more touchdowns by Tatum on runs of seven and one-yard, along with PATs by Anderson.  One score was set up by a punt blocked by Parker Pitzen, giving the ball to the Lions deep in Cowboy territory.  The second demonstrated perfect execution of the two-minute drill, with the Lions moving the ball from their own 24 to the endzone in just over one-minute.

Pogge struck again early in the second half to give the Cowboys at least momentary hope that they could play with the Lions.  The speedy senior broke loose from his own 25 to scamper 75-yards for a touchdown.  The two-point play made it 35-24.

Tatum answered the call on Clear Lake’s next possession, capping a nine play, 59-yard drive with a TD.  The kick gave the Lions some breathing room, 42-24.

The scoring barrage continued, as the Cowboys went 63-yards to pull back within a dozen, 42-30.  Anderson tipped the two-point pass try away for the Lions.

It was Clear Lake’s turn to score again, with Garrington getting his second TD on a 44-yard run, 49-30.

The Cowboys wouldn’t give up and went 73-yards on nine plays for their final score of the night.  A 25-yard run and two-point conversion made the score 49-38.

Halston Southwick gave the Lions the first of two fourth quarter scores.  He finished out a drive that started at mid-field with a 12-yard touchdown run.  Tatum capped his 257-yard night with a 87-yard touchdown run late in the game. After being hit at the 25, he tip-toed down the sideline to the endzone, accounting for more than half of the Lions’ offensive yards in the game.

Garrington also had a productive night, carrying the ball 13 times for 131-yards.  The remainder of Clear Lake’s yardage was scattered among Anderson, four carries for 20-yards; Southwick, three for 16-yards; Pitzen, two for 13; and Nick Eggers, one tote for four-yards.

Lester was 5/10 passing for 59-yards and ran the ball nine times for 11. Tatum caught two passes for 23-yards.  Anderson, Crispin and Cody Matz had one catch apiece for 16, 13 and one-yard respectively.

Justin Sholly and Ben Mason were busy on defense, with Sholly making three solo tackles and eight assists, along with a fumble recovery. Mason had one solo and seven assists.  Tatum recorded three solo and four tackle assists.  Anderson also made three solo and two assists.  Joey Monson, Tanner Berger and Atkinson each had two solo tackles, with Atkinson also getting in on five others and recording a sack.

DeVries said he saw growth in his offensive line, which opened huge holes for Tatum and others, but noted improvement is needed on both side of the ball.  “I would say there is more of a sense of urgency to shore up our defense.  In the first half, they play was acceptable.  The second half was not Clear Lake Lions football.”

This Friday the Lions will play a non-district match-up with Waverly-Shell Rock (2-3).  Since opening with wins over Waterloo West and Mason City, the Go-Hawks have lost three straight.  DeVries said WSR has a variety of sets and his team will need to be ready to adjust to a diverse offense.