By Brad Morris
SportingPumpkin.com
AMANDA — The toll of the victory bell in the north end zone following a 38-6 non-league win over visiting Linden McKinley on Friday was a sweet sound to Amanda-Clearcreek junior quarterback Logan Stevens.
“We’re playing with a different energy, because we really put the work in during the summer and we came together as a team,” Stevens said. “All we’ve been hearing about is 0-10 this and 0-10 that since last season, and we’re tired of it.
“Especially for our seniors, this is their last year of playing football here at Amanda-Clearcreek, and we want to make it as good of a season for them as we can.”
The victory was the first step in trying to move on from last year’s winless season, the first time that has happened at Amanda-Clearcreek since 1973.
Playing in front of one of the largest home crowds in recent memory on biddy night and for the debut of first-year coach and native son Chet Saum, the Aces set the tone with a dominating first half.
“It was special to turn around a few times during the game and see both hills filled, the bleachers were full and our guys fed off this atmosphere,” Saum said. “This is how Amanda-Clearcreek football is supposed to be.”
Photos courtesy of Scott Iles Photography
The Aces outgained the Panthers 189-3 during the first half and rattled off 17 second quarter points to take a 24-0 lead into halftime.
A 26-yard punt return by Landon Covell set the Aces up on the Panthers’ 36 for their second possession of the season. Stevens capped a five-play drive when he followed his surging offensive line for a four-yard touchdown run.
“Our offensive line was amazing all night,” Stevens praised. “I had a perfect pocket just about every time and when I did get a little pressure, I had room to step up in the pocket or get away from it. They also did a nice job of opening holes for our run game and getting a surge when we scored on the goal line.”
The first of five extra points by Hayden Dunn put the Aces ahead 7-0 with 3:17 left in the opening stanza.
Amanda-Clearcreek used its defense to put the offense in an even better position for its next drive.
A sack by Brody Steinmetz that cost the Panthers 11 yards forced the visitors to punt from their end zone. Covell returned the kick 10 yards to set the Aces up just 20 yards from pay dirt.
Covell later pushed the lead to 14-0 with 11:15 remaining before halftime on a one-yard tote on fourth-and-goal.
Photos courtesy of Scott Iles Photography
The Aces continued on the offensive with Dunn showing off his kicking leg with a 31-yard field goal and later capped the half on a one-yard touchdown run by Stevens with six seconds remaining.
Amanda-Clearcreek initiated the running clock with an 18-yard touchdown pass from Stevens to Bryton Carruthers on its second possession of the third quarter that was set up by Tanner Affolter recovering a loose football.
“We had a running clock against us in just about every game last season, so that was a different and amazing feeling to put the game away like that,” Stevens said.
Bodie Martin scored the final touchdown of the night for the Aces with a nine-yard tote around right end and later added an interception on defense.
Stevens was 10 of 16 passing for 119 yards and also added 22 yards rushing. Landon Mills led a stable of backs with six totes for 55 yards.
“We didn’t want to show too much, but we also wanted to show enough to get the job done,” Saum said. “Our offensive line did a nice job of picking up blitzes and there were not very many missed assignments. They played low and physical, which is exactly what we preach.
“I felt Logan did a nice job of leading and commanding the offense tonight and then we were able to mix in a number of different running backs.”
The Aces contained Linden McKinley’s Ta’John Royster to 45 yards rushing on 14 carries. Royster picked up a first down with a 12-yard tote on the first offensive play of the night, but the Panthers didn’t earn another first down until the reserves were in.
“Royster is a real slippery runner who can reverse field pretty well, so I was happy with how our defense contained him,” Saum said. “Our goal is to have shutouts on defense, because that’s a sign 11 guys truly did their jobs, were disciplined and played a great game together. We made a few mistakes tonight, but we were close to that.
“It was also nice after allowing Linden McKinley only three yards in the first half to come back with three takeaways in the second. Our guys did not let up, and that’s what we want to see.”
Amanda-Clearcreek (1-0) starts a two-game swing through Ross County and the Scioto Valley Conference next week with a trip to Unioto (1-0), a 21-20 winner last night over Vinton County.
While Saum wants the Aces to enjoy their first win since October 30, 2021, he knows there is plenty of work ahead.
“Our guys have worked hard and they deserve to enjoy this, but this is only step one,” he said. “Saturday morning film will show that we made some mistakes, and we did some things that we won’t be able to get away with moving forward. We will identify those things and get to work on cleaning them up.”
Photos courtesy of Scott Iles Photography
Amanda-Clearcreek 38,
Linden McKinley 6
Score By Quarters 1 2 3 4 F
Linden McKinley 0 0 0 6 6
Amanda-Clearcreek 7 17 14 0 38
First Quarter
AC — Logan Stevens 4 run (Hayden Dunn kick), 3:17
Second Quarter
AC — Landon Covell 1 run (Hayden Dunn kick), 11:15.
AC — Hayden Dunn 31 field goal, 3:55.
AC — Logan Stevens 1 run (Hayden Dunn kick), 0:06.
Third Quarter
AC — Bryton Carruthers 18 pass from Logan Stevens (Hayden Dunn kick), 9:13.
AC — Bodie Martin 9 run (Hayden Dunn kick), 6:36.
Fourth Quarter
LM — Ta’John Royster 8 run (run failed), 4:27.
TEAM STATISTICS
LM AC
First downs 5 15
Rushing yards 19-23 35-139
Passing yard 30 119
Comp.-Att.-Int 4-11-1 10-16-0
Total yards 53 258
Fumbles-Lost 2-2 0-0
Penalties-Yards 12-80 12-97
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING – Linden McKinley— Ta’John Royster 14-45, Daquan Akers 5-(-22). Amanda-Clearcreek — Landon Mills 6-55, Landon Covell 4-2, Logan Stevens 8-22, Tommy Stai 4-6, Bodie Martin 2-18, Tanner Affolter 1-1, Silas Hoffman 2-10, Carter Madison 1-16, Nick Holland 2-23.
PASSING – Linden McKinley — Ta’John Royster 1-6-1-18, Daquan Akers 3-5-0-12. Amanda-Clearcreek — Logan Stevens 10-16-0-119.
RECEIVING – Linden McKinley— Josiah Cole 1-18, Jaiden Ashford 1-(-1), Daquan Akers 2-13. Amanda-Clearcreek — Brody Elder 3-18, Taylon Conrad 2-11, Bodie Martin 1-14, Landon Mills 1-13, Tommy Stai 1-14, Bryton Carruthers 1-18.
