The Clinton Redwolves Varsity Football Team opened the season on Friday, Aug. 26th at home against Pontiac Notre Dame Prep and came away with a hard fought 30-27 victory.  PNDP is currently ranked 5th in Division 5 for football and proved to be a formidable opponent.  The Redwolves won the toss and opted to take the ball.  Clinton was able to march down and put one over the goal line with a 2 yard rush from Bradyn Lehman.  Jake Felts then pushed forward for the two point conversion to make the score Clinton 8 PNDP 0.  PNDP answered with a drive of their own and finish with a 34 yard pass, then converted the PAT.  Clinton 8 PNDP 7.  Clinton marched again down the field as Bradyn Lehman jumped over the pile for a 1 yard TD, the two point conversion was no good.  Clinton 14 PNDP 7 at the end of the first quarter.  In the second quarter PNDP prep completed a 2 yard pass for a touchdown, but their PAT was no good.  Clinton 14 PNDP 13.  Zak Shadley found the endzone for the Redwolves with a 2 yard run, and Bradyn Lehman converted the two point conversion.  Clinton 22 PNDP 13 at halftime.  In the third quarter PNDP scored on a 23 yard run then converted the PAT to close the gap to Clinton 22 PNDP 20.  In the fourth quarter Jake Felts ran one in from 4 yards out and Bradyn Lehman converted the two point conversion to put Clinton up 30-20.  PNDP would not go away as they scored from four yards out and converted the PAT to make it Clinton 30 PNDP 27.  Clinton found itself needing several first downs to seal the game and was able to get one, but fail to get another after a fumble.  Clinton came away with a huge punt from Bradyn Lehman and the defense held to finish the game and the win. 

Clinton rushed 56 times for 281 yards and was 1 for 2 passing for 27 yards.  The offensive line finished with some authority as Nate Smith led the team with 5 pancake blocks.  Wyatt Hicks and Mason Brodie each had three, Jake Gilson and Brandon Felts had two a piece, while Bradyn Lehman, and Nate Page each had one pancake block apiece.  Defensively Clinton had 7 sacks and one fumble recovery.  Lehman, Max Stitt, Teddy Pizzio, and Nate Smith all had tackles for losses.  Brandon Felts picked up two tackles for losses. 

Jake Felts was the leading receiver with 27 yards to go with his 79 yards rushing.  Bradyn Lehman ended up with 48 yards rushing and some huge plays on special teams, both as a punter, and returner.  Zak Shadley end up with 98 yards rushing. Cole Breitenwischer end the game with 33 yards rushing while Coy Perry picked up 18.  Leading tacklers were Bradyn Lehman and Zak Shadley both with 9 apiece.  

This was a complete team effort in an excellent high school football game.  The Redwolves are looking forward to improving from their mistakes and moving into game two of the season. The JV and Varsity teams will be competing at Mt. Morris on Thursday, Sept. 1st, with JV's starting at 5pm and Varsity starting at 7pm.