Red Devils blank Raiders with 50-point outburst
Clinton RB Angelo Cromer (4) is chased down by Laurens LB Isai Fernandez (28) Friday night during the Red Devils’ 50-0 victory at K.C. Hanna Stadium. Cromer scored three first-half touchdowns.
Clinton continued its recent dominance of Laurens in its annual rivalry game Friday night in dominating fashion, beating the Raiders 50-0 at K.C. Hanna Stadium to win its fifth straight game in the series.
Angelo Cromer ran for two touchdowns and and caught a 45-yard scoring strike from Owen Glenn as the Red Devils (1-1) scored 44 points in the first half. Cromer rushed 12 times for 88 yards, while K.J. Vance ran for 105 yards on six carries as Clinton rolled up 374 yards on the ground. Javen Cook also ran for 88 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 11 rushes, while Glenn completed 5 of 6 passes for 79 yards.
The Raiders (0-2) were held to 92 yards in total offense as the Red Devils recorded their first shutout in the series since back-to-back shutouts in 2010-11. Clinton also rebounded from a 21-13 Week 0 loss at Woodruff.
“(The defense) set the tone,” Clinton head coach Corey Fountain said. “They’ve been setting the tone since all the scrimmages, and they get after it. That’s a great compliment to (defensive coordinator Ethan) Campbell and the preparation he puts in and all the defensive coaches. Those guys are locked in, and that’s where the defense is at right now.”
The Raiders have given up 50 or more points in each of its first two games this season. LDHS lost 56-17 in a Week 0 contest at Hillcrest on Aug. 22.
“The truth of the matter is, I think we’re all getting a reality check to see how far away we were when I got here and took this program over (before the 2024 season),” said LDHS head coach Greg Porter. “But no excuses, no finger pointing. I’ve got three fingers pointing back at me. I’ve got to do a better job. That’s what I came here for – to improve this program. So it’s just more than buying nice uniforms. We’ve got to put people that’s in these uniforms that’s going to represent this community, play hard, be blue-collar workers, not put their head down and not point their fingers and realize we’ve still got to keep building.”
The 50-point victory was the largest margin for a win by either team in the series.
Clinton is set to host Newberry next Friday (Sept. 5), while LDHS will host Belton-Honea Path.
Clinton 50, Laurens 0
