The Clinton Central Bulldogs defeated the Frankfort Hot Dogs 12-6 in Friday’s football season opener.
“I saw a lot of great effort,” Clinton Central head coach Michael Griffy said. “I saw kids that generally shrink from competition take a step towards winning.”
After a punt on their first possession, the Bulldogs capitalized on a Frankfort turnover. Luke Shelley took a sweep for a 20-yard touchdown, putting Central up 6-0.
Two minutes later, Shelley made back-to-back plays, intercepting a pass from Frankfort’s Jayden Douglass, then catching a pass from Kaleb Robinson for a 32-yard touchdown.
Shelley was named the First Bank Midwest Player of the Game for his performance.
The next five possessions in the first half all ended in punts or turnovers on downs.
Frankfort altered their strategy in the second half, and Jaydon Davis found success running the football.
Despite moving the ball into Central territory, the Hot Dogs’ drive stalled out, and they turned it over on downs.
On the ensuing possession, Jaxon Robey jumped on a loose ball for the Hot Dogs, setting the offense up with good field position.
Frankfort couldn’t convert and turned it over on downs again.
After stopping the Bulldogs on their next drive, Frankfort’s Quency Allen fielded a punt and returned it 31-yards for the score, cutting the lead in half at 12-6.
“We felt like we won the special teams battle,” Frankfort coach Andy Dudley said. “Will (Soliz Cifuentes), our kicker, did a great job. We won field position a couple of times. When we got some momentum, it came down to that, and then obviously the touchdown by Quency (Allen).”
Allen’s punt return touchdown was named the Encompass Federal Credit Union Play of the Game.
The Hot Dog defense forced a punt on the next possession but was stranded on downs for the fifth time.
With less than five minutes remaining, Frankfort had one final opportunity to tie or take the lead, but Kyson Albaugh sealed the game with an interception for Clinton Central.
“Super proud of the defense, never hung their head,” Griffy said. “When you bend and bend and bend but are still able to come back and make a stop because you didn’t give up, there’s something special going on.”
Clinton Central wins its third consecutive game over Frankfort and will look to start 2-0 for the third year in a row when they take on Faith Christian for week 2.
The Hot Dogs will look for the elusive first win when they travel to take on Clinton Prairie on Friday.
Frankfort versus Clinton Prairie is the Hoosierland TV Game of the Week; tune in to watch on HoosierlandTV.com.
The Game of the Week is brought to you by:
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Encompass Credit Union
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