Red Devils roll over Raiders, 35-8; LDHS loses QB

An emotional week in Clinton culminated Friday night at Wilder Stadium with the renewal of the annual football rivalry between Laurens District 55 and Clinton high schools.

This year, the game was played in the wake of a fire that destroyed a swath of the downtown Clinton’s historic Musgrove Street, destroying architecture, businesses and livelihoods on Tuesday, Aug. 27.

During pregame ceremonies, the marching bands from both schools played the National Anthem together as a show of unity.

Then, the usual gridiron vitriol returned and the Red Devils continued their recent dominance of the intracounty rivalry with a 35-8 victory, their fourth straight win in the series.

Running back Javen Cook scored on runs of 16, 10 and 13 yards, starting and closing the scoring for the Red Devils and the game.

Clinton rolled up 409 yards of total offense on 66 plays and dominated time of possession, holding on to the ball for 29 minutes, 55 seconds, while the Red Devils defense forced five LDHS turnovers (four fumbles and an interception) and limited the Raiders to 171 yards of total offense and just 40 plays from scrimmage.

“We knew it was going to be a battle,” said Clinton head coach Corey Fountain. “We were patient, and I thought our kids were resilient. I think their strength and conditioning paid off. Our guys were still fresh at the end of the game and were still moving quick, and I thought our defense got better as the game went on.”

The Raiders (0-2) lost more than the game. Starting quarterback Will Thompson suffered an injury to his throwing arm or shoulder in the second quarter and did not return. He was wearing a sling following the game.

“It’s disappointing and disheartening,” LDHS first-year head coach Greg Porter said of Thompson’s injury. “He’s put in a lot of work, trying to get us ready for this season. . . . Man, that changes the ballgame because he’s such an instrumental part of what we’re trying to get done.”

The Raiders trailed 14-8 when Thompson left the game, but LDHS was unable to generate any significant offense after his departure, and the Red Devils (1-1) scored 21 unanswered points the rest of the way.

After Cook’s opening-drive touchdown gave Clinton a 7-0 lead with 8:32 left in the first quarter, the Raiders went on a six-play, 66-yard scoring drive of their own.

Nehemias Fernandez, who rushed for 87 yards on 15 carries, capped the drive with a 4-yards touchdown run with 5:27 left in the first quarter, and

Demayjah Watts added a 2-point conversion run on a trick play to hand the Raiders an 8-7 lead they kept until Rhett Gilliam scored on a 1-yard run and Clinton retook the lead, 14-8 with 7:51 left in the second quarter.

Cook led all rushers with 89 yards on 15 carries, and Angelo Cromer added 63 yards on six rushes for the Red Devils.

With Thompson sidelined, Jace Campbell, who was last year’s JV starter at LDHS, entered and ran 7 times for 17 yards and threw an interception without a completion on two attempts, underthrowing an open Josh Goodwin on what would have been a second-half touchdown.

In addition to Campbell, Dakota Anderson also saw time at quarterback in the fourth quarter.

GAME NOTES: Clinton RB/LB Kason Copeland saw his first game action Friday night since injuring his knee last season. Copeland rushed five times for 35 yards against LDHS. . . . Former Raider Maison Tinsley had one of the Red Devils’ four fumble recoveries and an interception against his old team. . . .  The schedule doesn’t get any easier for the Raiders after their loss to Clinton, the No. 4-ranked team in Class 2A. Next up for LDHS is Belton-Honea Path, the No. 1-ranked team in Class 3A on Friday, Sept. 6. BHP defeated Greer 37-7 Friday night.

CLINTON 35, LAURENS 8

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