CLINTON — Due to the threat of Hurricane Matthew, the Clinton Red Devils and the Mid-Carolina Rebels played Thursday night, with the Red Devils handing the Rebels a 45-7 loss.

“I was very disappointed tonight. We lacked effort. We didn’t tackle very well. We didn’t block anybody all night,” Mid-Carolina Head Coach Louis Alexander said. “To have such a good week of practice, thinking we would have a good game tonight, it wasn’t good. As hard as we try to prepare our kids, I just don’t think our kids responded very well.”

The Red Devils put the first points on the board with a carry into the endzone by Koko Richey with 7:29 left in the first quarter.

Rebel Dee Wise returned the ensuing kickoff, spotting the ball at the 22-yard line. QB Corey Stone’s pass to Cade Ruff was complete to the 49 for a first down but the Rebels weren’t able to capitalize on the play and were forced to punt it away after a pile of Red Devils sacked Stone.

The Red Devils scored in the second when Aaron Copeland carried the ball into the endzone with 11:33 remaining in the half, making the score 14-0 in favor of the Red Devils of Clinton.

The Rebels were finally able to put some points on the board with 8:22 remaining in the half. The PAT was good and the score was 14-7 in favor of Clinton.

The Red Devils lost the ball on their next possession after an interception by Iyon Thompson. The Rebels were unable to capitalize and had to punt the ball away.

Clinton turned the ball over with 4:30 left before halftime but Mid-Carolina was able to convert the possession into points. After Stone was sacked, the Rebels were forced to punt again.

With 52 seconds remaining, the Red Devils scored another touchdown, courtesy of Jalen Carter, making the score 21-7. Clinton would take the lead into the break at the half.

The Red Devils opened up the score after returning a kickoff for a touchdown. The PAT was good and the Red Devils had a 28-7 lead.

The Rebels went three and out again and Clinton got the ball back with 9:08 left in the third quarter. The Red Devils pushed it into the endzone again, extending their lead 35-7.

The Rebels went three and out again and punted the ball away. With 1:22 remaining, the Red Devils opted for a field goal, making the score 38-7.

The Rebels spotted the ball at the 28-yard line with less than 30 seconds remaining but Clinton would take possession after a Rebel lost the ball in the final 8 seconds of the quarter.

Going into the final quarter, the Red Devils extended their lead with another touchdown with 10:41 on the clock, bringing the score to 45-7.

The Rebels travel to Chapman High School this Friday for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

The Mid-Carolina Rebels fell to the Clinton Red Devils with a 45-7 loss Thursday night.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_Football1.jpgThe Mid-Carolina Rebels fell to the Clinton Red Devils with a 45-7 loss Thursday night.

By Kelly Duncan

kduncan@civitasmedia.com

Reach Kelly Duncan at 803-768-3123, ext. 1868, or on Twitter @TheNBOnews.