By By Matt Barrett\The Meridian Star
September 29, 2001
In a game marred by a bench-clearing brawl, numerous penalties and fumbles, the McLaurin Tigers emerged with a victory Friday night over the homestanding Clarkdale High School Bulldogs, 28-14.
The loss drops Clarkdale to 2-3 overall. They open Region 5-2A play next week against South Leake. McLaurin improves to 3-2.
The two teams combined for 13 fumbles. Clarkdale had six fumbles, losing four.
McLaurin scored first on a 17-yard run with 8:31 left on a quarterback keeper. The PAT kick was good to make it 7-0.
McLaurin went up 14-0 following a 37-yard hook-and-lateral play. The kick was good.
Clarkdale was continually hurt by fumbles and was unable to mound any threats in the first half.
In the third quarter, McLaurin went up 21-0 following a touchdown run by the quarterback.
Clarkdale finally got things going late in the quarter following a 65-yard touchdown run by Mitchell Matthews. The kick failed leaving the score at 21-6.
McLaurin got its final touchdown with 4:11 left in the game on a two-yard run. The PAT kick was good to make it 28-6.
Clarkdale scored with 2:45 left when Matthews ran in from 45 yards out. Larry Lewis got the two-point conversion on a pass from Jake Gray to account for the final.
Clarkdale Coach Hathorn was proud of his defense for hanging, especially after all the turnovers.
Clarkdale finished with 256 yards in total offense. They had 60 passing and 196 rushing. Matthews led the way with two touchdowns and 139 rushing.