The Clinton Central defense held Frankfort to less than 100 yards of total offense and 0 points on Friday night, winning 30-0.
“We were really stressing this week, ‘pursuit to the ball, ‘” Clinton Central coach Jeremy Fendley said. “If you don’t play good, disciplined pursuit football, it would be nothing for them to get by us.”
The Bulldogs stifled the Hot Dogs’ heavy rushing attack and created havoc. Clinton Central forced two fumbles and blocked a field goal.
The blocked field goal came with no time left on the clock in the second quarter and was recovered by Amrin Barrett. Barrett returned it to the Hot Dogs’ 41, and a penalty on Frankfort moved the ball to the 26-yard line and gave Clinton Central one untimed down before the end of the first half.
Quarterback Creed Mennen threw a pass towards the endzone, and receiver Luke Shelley made an outstanding grab and fought his way into the endzone for the score.
“It wasn’t me, it was all him,” Mennen said. “It was a jump ball, and I threw it a little short of the endzone. He went up, caught it, and even made the extra three-yard effort and cramped in the process.”
The play was named the Solidarity Community Federal Credit Union Play of the Game.
Solidarity Community Federal Credit Union Play of the Game
The score gave Central a 16-0 lead going into the half.
The momentum carried into the second half for the Bulldogs. Barrett returned the opening half kickoff 60 yards to set up a short touchdown run by Levi Jacobs.
After a fumble and turnover on downs by each team, Barrett converted a 4th down by rushing for 30, setting up Mennen to rush for his second touchdown.
“We know our identity is running the football,” Mennen said. “Anytime we can get the ball into Amrin’s hands, we know he’s going to run as hard as he can through the hole. The offensive line was blocking really well for everybody last night.”
Mennen finished with two rushing and one passing touchdown, while Barrett had over 100 yards on the ground. Both made multiple big plays on defense and were named co-winners of The Farmers Bank Player of the Game.
“I think the biggest thing for our team is now we know what the standard is,” Fendley said. “Sometimes when you find your identity, you’re still trying to figure out regulation points. Where do you press? Where do you pull? How do you shift and adjust? I think last night we just showed what our full capabilities are, especially from the defensive side of the ball.”
The Bulldogs move to 1-0 and have now beaten the Hot Dogs in back-to-back years. Frankfort falls to 0-1 and will look to pick up their first win of the Justin Kinzie era when they take on Clinton Prairie on Friday. Clinton Central will travel to take on Faith Christian for the first game at the Eagles’ new field.
Watch the full game between Clinton Central and Frankfort on Hoosierland TV below.
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