FOOTBALL

Sherburne-Earlville 24, Clinton 0

SHERBURNE – Sherburne-Earlville’s players went mud diving Friday night, and head coach Mike Jasper?  He was soaked by the team watercooler. The Marauders had reason to celebrate on senior recognition night as they clinched their first Section III postseason appearance with a shutout win over Clinton.

Austin Jasper ran for 180 yards and one touchdown, and Jasper also caught a three-yard TD pass from Matt Smith. S-E overcame a 38-yard pass by Clinton on the first play from scrimmage, and grounded out a win with a no-frills offensive approach.

“We’re happy and proud to do that,” said head coach Mike Jasper speaking of the playoff berth. “We wish we could have won one of those two tight games in our league and get a higher seed. Maybe it’s not such a bad idea to go play on the turf. We know we’re going to see somebody really good.”

Jasper thought Clinton would try to catch S-E by surprise early, and his premonition came to bear. Clinton perfectly executed a halfback option pass as running back Firestar Gomez hit receiver Kolby Nowakowski on a 38-yard option pass deep into S-E territory. The Marauders’ defense eventually held, and Clinton did not threaten to score again.

“The defense was able to make a big play, and we just buckled down after their big play,” Jasper said. “That play was really the only frustrating part. We drove the ball and just mudded it out.”