There hasn’t been a victory this sweet in America’s Sweetest Town since 2001.
That was the last time the Clewiston Tigers won a state semifinal and earned a trip to a state championship game.
Now, after a 7-3 victory over Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna at Cane Field on Friday the 2006 Tigers team has etched its name in the Clewiston High record books and has booked a trip to the Class 2A state championship game for the fourth time in school history.
“This is the most beautiful thing that has ever happened to us,” senior Jasper Hunter said.
The Tigers defense suffocated Chaminade’s vaunted wing-T offense, allowing just 113 yards rushing. The Tigers (13-0) put the nail in the coffin when Hunter intercepted a Chad Rynning desperation heave with less than 30 seconds remaining in the game.
Clewiston will take on Jacksonville Bolles (13-0) at 7 p.m. Saturday at Dolphin Stadium in Miami for the state crown.
“The defense has been the strong point all year long,” Clewiston first-year coach Larry Antonacci said. “These kids played their hearts out. They don’t let up. To hold Chaminade to three points is fantastic.”
Clewiston had trouble capitalizing on their scoring opportunities early in the game.
The Tigers had put together a 53-yard drive and were on the Lions’ 20-yard line in the first quarter. Quarterback Jared Combass found wideout Sim Putman and Putman got into the open field. However, after he was inside the 5-yard line he fumbled. Hunter appeared to pickup the football but could not control it and Chaminade recovered at their own 1-yard line.
On Clewiston’s ensuing possession they again moved the ball into the red zone.
However, again were denied points as kicker Will Davis’ 33-yard field goal attempt was blocked.
The Tigers finally figured the Lion defense out on the next drive. After Chaminade (10-3) muffed a fake punt, the Tigers took over on the Lion 12-yard line. Clewiston finally got some points on the board when bruising fullback David Pope scored from 3 yards out on a fourth down handoff from Combass.
“We wanted to get in on that play,” Combass said.
The Lions appeared to have tied the game early in the fourth quarter. After a
Combass punt, Justin Woodard fielded it at the 8-yard line. He proceeded to take the ball 92 yards down the right sideline and appeared to give Chaminade their first score of the game.
However, the Lions were called for roughing the punter and the Tigers had dodged a bullet.
The Tigers finally figured the Lion defense out on the next drive. After Chaminade (10-3) muffed a fake punt, the Tigers took over on the Lion 12-yard line. Clewiston finally got some points on the board when bruising fullback David Pope scored from 3 yards out on a fourth down handoff from Combass.
“We wanted to get in on that play,” Combass said.
The Lions appeared to have tied the game early in the fourth quarter. After a Combass punt, Justin Woodard fielded it at the 8-yard line. He proceeded to take the ball 92 yards down the right sideline and appeared to give Chaminade their first score of the game.
However, the Lions were called for roughing the punter and the Tigers had dodged a bullet.
Tigers running back Darris Hughes had a great night. He finished with 98 yards rushing on 21 carries.
“Man, this means everything,” Hughes said. “In every building in Clewiston, they’ve got our names on them. Down here, football is in our heart.”
Combass finished with 57 yards passing, all of them coming in the first half. In the second half, it was all about the Tigers’ running game.
Clewiston finished the night with 139 rushing yards as a team.
The Tigers feel like they can bring the school’s first state championship since 1982
back from Miami Saturday.
“I’m looking forward to going out and practicing and coming up with another victory,” wide receiver John Melton said.
“We’re going get this state championship without a doubt,” Hughes said. “It’s in our heart. Tiger football is in our heart. We’re not letting go.”
That was the last time the Clewiston Tigers won a state semifinal and earned a trip to a state championship game.
Now, after a 7-3 victory over Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna at Cane Field on Friday the 2006 Tigers team has etched its name in the Clewiston High record books and has booked a trip to the Class 2A state championship game for the fourth time in school history.
“This is the most beautiful thing that has ever happened to us,” senior Jasper Hunter said.
The Tigers defense suffocated Chaminade’s vaunted wing-T offense, allowing just 113 yards rushing. The Tigers (13-0) put the nail in the coffin when Hunter intercepted a Chad Rynning desperation heave with less than 30 seconds remaining in the game.
Clewiston will take on Jacksonville Bolles (13-0) at 7 p.m. Saturday at Dolphin Stadium in Miami for the state crown.
“The defense has been the strong point all year long,” Clewiston first-year coach Larry Antonacci said. “These kids played their hearts out. They don’t let up. To hold Chaminade to three points is fantastic.”
Clewiston had trouble capitalizing on their scoring opportunities early in the game.
The Tigers had put together a 53-yard drive and were on the Lions’ 20-yard line in the first quarter. Quarterback Jared Combass found wideout Sim Putman and Putman got into the open field. However, after he was inside the 5-yard line he fumbled. Hunter appeared to pickup the football but could not control it and Chaminade recovered at their own 1-yard line.
On Clewiston’s ensuing possession they again moved the ball into the red zone.
However, again were denied points as kicker Will Davis’ 33-yard field goal attempt was blocked.
The Tigers finally figured the Lion defense out on the next drive. After Chaminade (10-3) muffed a fake punt, the Tigers took over on the Lion 12-yard line. Clewiston finally got some points on the board when bruising fullback David Pope scored from 3 yards out on a fourth down handoff from Combass.
“We wanted to get in on that play,” Combass said.
The Lions appeared to have tied the game early in the fourth quarter. After a
Combass punt, Justin Woodard fielded it at the 8-yard line. He proceeded to take the ball 92 yards down the right sideline and appeared to give Chaminade their first score of the game.
However, the Lions were called for roughing the punter and the Tigers had dodged a bullet.
The Tigers finally figured the Lion defense out on the next drive. After Chaminade (10-3) muffed a fake punt, the Tigers took over on the Lion 12-yard line. Clewiston finally got some points on the board when bruising fullback David Pope scored from 3 yards out on a fourth down handoff from Combass.
“We wanted to get in on that play,” Combass said.
The Lions appeared to have tied the game early in the fourth quarter. After a Combass punt, Justin Woodard fielded it at the 8-yard line. He proceeded to take the ball 92 yards down the right sideline and appeared to give Chaminade their first score of the game.
However, the Lions were called for roughing the punter and the Tigers had dodged a bullet.
Tigers running back Darris Hughes had a great night. He finished with 98 yards rushing on 21 carries.
“Man, this means everything,” Hughes said. “In every building in Clewiston, they’ve got our names on them. Down here, football is in our heart.”
Combass finished with 57 yards passing, all of them coming in the first half. In the second half, it was all about the Tigers’ running game.
Clewiston finished the night with 139 rushing yards as a team.
The Tigers feel like they can bring the school’s first state championship since 1982
back from Miami Saturday.
“I’m looking forward to going out and practicing and coming up with another victory,” wide receiver John Melton said.
“We’re going get this state championship without a doubt,” Hughes said. “It’s in our heart. Tiger football is in our heart. We’re not letting go.”
