Red Devils, big plays roll Raiders, 55-28
Clinton senior Austin Copeland goes 63 yards for a touhcdown Friday night against Laruens.
Clinton took control on the very first play from scrimmage against intra-county rival Laurens Friday night, rolling up over 500 yards of total offense en route to a 55-28 victory at Wilder Stadium.
The Red Devils (2-0) set the tone early as quarterback Austin Copeland burst up the middle for a 63-yard touchdown run on the very first play of the game.
Copeland’s scamper was the first of a slew of big plays from both teams – but the Red Devils had more of them. Clinton scored three rushing touchdowns of 60 yards or more in the first half as Clinton led 35-14 at the half.
After Copeland’s 62-yard touchdown, Jayden Robinson added an 82-yard touchdown run with 5 minutes left in the first quarter. With 3:17 left in the second quarter, Jishun Copeland entered the Clinton record book with a 99-yard touchdown run to put the Red Devils ahead 35-7.
Austin Copeland, Robinson and Jishun Copeland all turned in 100-yard rushing performances. Jishun Copeland led the way with 147 yards and two touchdowns on six carries; Austin Copeland had 120 yards on four attempts; and Robinson carried the ball five times for 116 yards.
The Raiders (0-2) attempted to regroup after Clinton’s early onslaught. Laurens fell behind 28-0 before getting on the scoreboard with big plays of their own.
Senior quarterback James Rawl connected on 20 of 31 passes for three touchdowns – all of them from at least 30 yards out – and 258 yards with two interceptions.
Laurens senior wideout Cayson Elledge scored on receptions of 38 and 30 yards, finishing with six catches for a game-high 120 yards. Fellow senior Jay Pulley, playing for the first time since undergoing offseason shoulder surgery, had seven catches for 90 yards and a touchdown. He also threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Nick Fowler late in the third quarter.
Clinton scored its second straight victory over the rival Raiders.
At halftime, Clinton honored its 1972 state championship team with a special ceremony and trophy presentation.
CLINTON 55, LAURENS 28
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
11:44 CLINTON – Austin Copeland 63 yd run (Keegan Fortman kick blocked), 1-63 0:16 0 – 6
10:48 CLINTON – Justin Copeland 20 yd interception return (Jishun Copeland rush) 0 – 14
05:00 CLINTON – Jayden Robinson 82 yd run (Keegan Fortman kick), 1-54 0:27 0 – 21
2nd Quarter
11:01 CLINTON – Bryson James 2 yd run (Keegan Fortman kick), 2-37 0:44 0 – 28
07:07 LAURENS – Cayson Elledge 38 yd pass from James Rawl (Robert Luna kick), 7-69 3:47 7 – 28
03:17 CLINTON – Jishun Copeland 99 yd run (Keegan Fortman kick), 1-99 0:15 7 – 35
00:46 LAURENS – Jay Pulley 45 yd pass from James Rawl (Robert Luna kick), 7-70 2:23 14 – 35
3rd Quarter
05:21 CLINTON – Bryson James 4 yd run (Keegan Fortman kick), 9-84 4:34 14 – 42
03:51 LAURENS – Nick Fowler 16 yd pass from Jay Pulley (Robert Luna kick), 6-67 1:25 21 – 42
01:19 CLINTON – Jishun Copeland 3 yd run (Keegan Fortman kick), 5-55 2:32 21 – 49
4th Quarter
06:55 CLINTON – Trey Cook 2 yd run (Keegan Fortman kick blockd), 7-41 4:57 21 – 55
05:48 LAURENS – Cayson Elledge 30 yd pass from James Rawl (Robert Luna kick), 3-75 0:57 28 – 55
