Clippers sail past Boilers

AMBOY — The Amboy-LaMoille Clippers had to labor for a half against Big Rivers newcomer, the Kewanee Boilermakers, to start the holiday weekend on Friday evening.

For the second week in a row, the Clipper defense and the special teams squad both found the end zone, while A-L running backs C.J. Shields and Danny Bontz combined to gain 281 yards from the line of scrimmage in Amboy-LaMoille’s 42-18 victory over the visiting Boilermakers.

In the first half after A-L defensive back Alex Didier returned an interception 55 yards for the game’s first score, the Clipper defense had trouble solving the KHS passing attack as junior quarterback Jake Scott slashed second quarter, big-play touchdown passes to Peart Gage and wide receiver Devin Powell. In a second quarter offensive
explosion, the two teams combined to score 26 points as A-L countered with a Bontz’ 19-yard score and a Shields’ 78-yard touchdown kick-off return. Shields’ return off a KHS pooch-kick took place immediately
after the Boilers shrunk A-L’s lead to one point at 13-12.

“Their quarterback (Scott) threw well, but one of their good backs, No. 24 (junior Ryan Matuszyk) was out; our biggest concern was their passing game,” Clipper coach Gary Jones said. “We didn’t get as much pressure on the quarterback.”

Scott threw for 138 yards in the first half, but A-L received a solid ground game from Bontz and Shields during the first 24 minutes of play as Bontz gained 60 yards and Shields rushed for 71 yards. The
two Clippers both scored a pair of touchdowns.

The Clippers have now scored four touchdowns when the defensive and special team units are on the field, and Jones sees those scores as bonus points.

“We’re always looking to score (on defense or the special teams),” Jones said after A-L improved to 2-0 on the season. “That’s a great plus if you can score when the defense or the special teams have the ball.”

Leading just 21-18 with eight minutes and 37 seconds to play in the third quarter, the Clippers scored 21 unanswered points to seal the victory as Bontz scored on a bruising 3-yard run two minutes and 10 seconds after KHS pulled to within three points.