It’s hard to miss the history and tradition of Amanda-Clearcreek football when entering The Pit for a game.
The south end zone is filled with signs from “Tradition Doesn’t Graduate” to ones that honor the program’s two state championship and three state runner-up teams and additional success at the regional, league and state playoff levels.
While this year’s brotherhood of Aces are still forging their own identity, on Friday they were able to add to the program’s tradition by earning the 400th all-time win with a 30-3 decision over the host Unioto Shermans.
“It’s a really great feeling for our guys to add something to the rich tradition of our program by winning the 400th game all-time,” A-C coach Steve Daulton said. “Obviously, we weren’t part of all that past history, but our guys are raised on the tradition of Amanda-Clearcreek football and they take pride in what it means to be an Ace.”
Daulton noted that the Aces were missing several starters on a very hot and muggy Friday night and was pleased with the way his team rose up and came away with their second win in as many weeks.
“We were down several starters and our guys really gutted it out, played with tremendous effort and intensity and we were able to come away with a win over a good football team,” he said. “Unioto has some really talented skill guys where all it takes is one missed tackle or slip and they are going to the house. The effort and intensity our kids played with overcame some of our mistakes.”
The Aces scored twice in the first quarter on a 49-yard touchdown strike from Nate Hunter to Tayvon Miller and a nine-yard keeper by Hunter to take a 14-3 lead. Jonathan Weaver added both extra points for the Aces.
After being held off the scoreboard in the second and third quarters, the Aces put away the win with 16 fourth-quarter points.
Hunter again connected with Miller on a 69-yard touchdown pass to make it 20-3. Miller added a 15-yard scoring run on the ground and Weaver connected on a 34-yard field goal to cap scoring.
“We got off to a good start offensively, but kinda bogged down some there in the second and third quarters,” Daulton said. “We went back to the ground game and had success there and that helped us finish the game strong to put away the win.
“We were up 14-3 entering the fourth, but our seniors knew we couldn’t be comfortable until the clock hit zero and they led our team to put together a pretty solid quarter.”
Hunter was 7 of 16 passing for 189 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Miller made three receptions for 140 yards and two touchdown and added 35 yards rushing on seven totes and another score.
Landon Covell led the Aces with 57 yards rushing on five totes and Grant Guiler used eight carries to gain 45 yards.
Amanda-Clearcreek finished with 319 yards of total offense to 296 for Unioto (0-2).
The Aces (2-0) host St. Charles (0-2) next week to conclude the non-league portion of their schedule.
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