“I give them a lot of credit,” said Kennard. Jones, scrambling around to avoid a sack, found wide out Jontez Williams open, and took it to the house for a 14-0 lead. With a stop and a false start against Bradford, things were looking good for Clay as Bradford faced third down and 10. With the ball back just as the quarter ended, Bradford took over at their own 20, a few short runs, then a big pass out to Jeremiah Crum moved the ball into Clay territory. Facing fourth and long, too close to punt, too far for a field goal, quarterback Billy Mobley threw his first interception to kill the drive. A screen pass to Al’querious “Q” Ray got back half the needed yards. Clay tried runs and a pass to move the ball and were faced with third down and almost 20. The enthusiasm was tempered with a Clay holding call after the pick off, pushing Clay into their own end of the field. Bradford was working a drive when they attempted a flea-flicker that Clay was ready for.Ĭlay defensive back D’maurion Frazier came down with the pass interception and Clay was back in action. After one first down, incomplete passes and shut down runs forced a punt. Clay came out running Chris Goldstein who started having good production up the middle until Bradford adjusted. Clay had good up-front work, but if they didn’t stop Jones at the line, he and running back Manny Covey would juke and bob their way into the secondary for good yardage.Īt 7:20, Bradford punched in the first score to go ahead 7-0.Īfter the kick, the Blue Devils went to work on their own 40. Bradford quarterback Amari Jones was a lightning bolt when he would tuck and run. In the end, the Blue Devils took one on the chin as they absorbed their first loss of the season, 24-13.Īfter a less than stellar kickoff and a Clay penalty, Bradford started business with only half the field to cover. “We have to prepare and we have to work to get ourselves back to what we know makes us successful. “I hope they realize they cannot just put on that Clay High School Football jersey and come out and win games,” said Kennard. The regularly strong Clay running game was shut down early, and untimely Clay interceptions would derail drives that could have turned the game. The concern played out as Clay could never get any momentum after a Tornado opening drive that put them up 7-0. I told the kids all week I was worried about it.” I knew it was going to be a tough game and I was thinking about it all week. It’s on me” said Clay Head Coach Kyle Kennard as he displayed extreme ownership. Having a second week bye was not an ideal situation and may have bitten Clay. “There is no greater danger than underestimating your opponent”- Lao Tzu. Bradford then traveled to Union County to get trounced 50-21 to start their season in a two-game hole. Bradford opened at home against traditional powerhouse Baker County, taking a 28-18 loss. STARKE - The Clay Blue Devils, coming off a 21-14 season opening win over rival Fleming Island High last week, were feeling pretty good coming into tonight’s matchup against the winless Braford Tornados.

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