Clarkson/Leigh loses home game to East Butler

The Clarkson/Leigh Football team lost 28-8 at home to East Butler Friday night.

The Patriots led 8-6 after one before the Tigers shutout Clarkson/Leigh 8-0 in the second quarter to take a 14-8 lead into the locker room.

East Butler blanked the Patriots 14-0 in the third quarter to make up the final score as neither team scored in the 4th quarter.

Anthony Bruhn had 59 yards rushing on 14 carries, and scored once.

Tommy McEvoy made 17 tackles to lead all players while Jacob Gall and Hector Mendoza notched 13 and 12, respectively. Dillan Knapp registered 10 while Held and Bruhn totaled 9 and 8, respectively.

Clarkson/Leigh totaled 139 yards of offense, 88 coming on the ground. The defense gave up 355 yards of total offense, including 192 passing.

I thought the Patriots did a great job of competing. Clarkson/Leigh is leaps and bounds ahead of where they were to start the season.

The Patriots (1-3) take on Neligh-Oakdale (1-3) on the road Friday night.

The Warriors lost 46-12 at Howells-Dodge this past Friday night.

The two teams have a common opponent in Omaha Nation, who Clarkson/Leigh beat 53-6 and Neligh-Oakdale handled 70-30.

I think this game will be close, but I look for the Patriots to find a way to pull it out.

The game could very well be decided by 7 points or less, but I think Clarkson/Leigh will get the job done.

The Patriots need this one if they want to make the playoffs. Right now, Clarkson/Leigh is on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoffs, and has some ground to make up.

The Patriots have to play good, sound, fundamental football Friday night, and must do it with a sense of urgency and purpose.

Clarkson/Leigh has to get off to a fast start like they did against East Butler, except find ways to score throughout the game.

The Warriors don't have the strongest defense around so the Patriots should be able to score points.

Clarkson/Leigh isn't exactly the '85 Bears themselves, but I think the Patriots will play well and do enough on the defensive side of the ball to win the game.

These next three games are critical for Clarkson/Leigh. I think the Patriots might need 4 wins to get into the playoffs this year.

I feel Clarkson/Leigh is in a good position to make that happen though. The Patriots have played well over the last couple of weeks, and appear to be starting to figure some things out.

Clarkson/Leigh's offense has to get back on track, but that should happen given the nature of Neligh-Oakdale's defense.

I look for it to be a successful night of football for the Patriots, and a jolly ride home.

I really think Clarkson/Leigh will be .500 heading into the Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family game on October 13th.