Apple crisp for Clippers
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| Jake Lytle hauls in a 55-yard TD catch in the second quarter for the Clippers Saturday. (Shaw News Service Photo/Chris Padgett) |
AMBOY – Steven Apple had his best game as a Clipper in Saturday’s 41-0 win against AlWood-ROWVA in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs. The senior quarterback completed 7 of 10 passes for 143 yards and three touchdowns, and he rushed 12 times for 124 yards and another score.
“I haven’t had a 100-yard rushing game ever,” said Apple, whose first big play was a 54-yard keeper late in the first quarter with the score tied 0-0. “I guess you’d have to say this is my best game.”
Cody Richardson, a three-year starter at tailback, led the team for one third-quarter series as the director of the Wildcat offense.
With lineman Levi Kaleel and receiver C.J. Shields flanking him in the backfield, Richardson led the Clippers (9-1) 51 yards on only four plays. He gained 22 rushing yards, Shields ran once for 21 yards, and Richardson capped the drive with an 8-yard scoring pass to Brian Appelman that put Amboy ahead 34-0.
“I got smoked right when I threw it,” Richardson said, grabbing his side. “I got up, and I couldn’t believe it was a touchdown.”
Amboy coach Gary Jones said the Clippers have practiced the formation for about three weeks, and he decided Saturday would be a good time to unveil it.
“As long as I’ve been at Amboy, that’s the first time we haven’t had the quarterback under center,” said Jones, in his 16th season as head coach. “I get a little leery seeing the ball snapped more than one foot.”
Richardson rushed for 79 yards and a touchdown, and he caught another TD. Apple also threw scoring passes to Shields and Jake Lytle. The Clippers outgained A&R (6-4) 452-205.
Amboy’s defense shut out a team that averaged 36 points in the regular season and had scored at least 40 in each of its past three games. Junior lineman Tyler Behrends led the charge with six tackles, four for loss, a forced fumble and a recovery.
“We really went over their plays, their formations and their tendencies,” Behrends said. “We got it down so good that we basically knew what was coming right when they lined up.”
