The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Evan Bell – The Quill
West Central Heat (8-0) traveled to Amboy on Friday night to take on the 7-1 Clippers.
The undefeated Heat took the first possession and drove the ball down the field to set up a Mason Carnes score. WC Senior Kaiden Droste took in the two to put the Heat up 8-0.
The Clippers were able to answer on their first drive of the night when their #5 broke a long touchdown run up the middle. The Clippers two-pointer was unsuccessful so the score stayed at 8-6.
WC Senior Colton Fletcher recovered the Clippers short kick for the second time in as many tries, and the Heat’s second possession started off with good field position. Once again the Heat was able to move the ball against the Clippers, but this time it was WC Senior Parker Meldrum who found the end zone. Droste once again converted on the two to give the Heat an early 16-6 lead.
The Clippers continued to show life on their second possession, with #85 slipping a few tackles and taking a short pass to the house. The Clippers' two-point conversion was once again no good to keep the score 16-12.
The Heat’s offense continued to roll though, this time with Droste finding the end zone and Carnes keeping it on the two, giving the Heat a 24-12 edge, with just under ninety seconds left in the first quarter.
The Heat forced a turnover on downs on the next Clipper drive and Meldrum was able to run in a 31-yard score. Droste ran over a Clipper defender at the goal line to convert the two and put the Heat up 32-12.
The next Clipper possession ended with a punt that gave the Heat the ball back at their own fifteen.
A Carnes carry set up a 70 yard Droste TD run. Carnes carried in the two to make the score 40-12 with 7:26 left in the second.
On the Clippers next drive, they were able to convert a 4th and 7 for a touchdown. An incomplete pass on the two-pointer left it 40-18.
The Heat once again answered with Droste breaking a tackle to run in another score. Meldrum ran in the two to put the Heat up 48-18.
The Clippers once again went for it on fourth and long, but this time a Carnes sack gave the Heat the ball back with good field position. Carnes was able to run in the TD, with Meldrum scoring the two to give the Heat a 56-18 halftime lead.
In the third quarter, the Clippers took their opening drive and converted a fourth and five for another touchdown pass. The conversion was no good, 56-24.
The Heat quickly answered with a Carnes score from midfield. The two pointer was no good to make it 62-24.
The Heats Mikhail West recovered a Clipper fumble on their next drive. Droste scored from forty yards out and Carnes kneeled on the two-pointer to keep the score 68-24.
The Clippers were able to get on the board one final time with #6 running in a score. The conversion was denied once again to keep it 68-30, where the score remained until the final clock expired. The #2 Heat will face #15 South Beloit to take on the 4-4 Sobos Friday at 7 p.m. at WCHS/Biggsville.