Damion Clemons helps lift Larkin past West Chicago
By Jason Ivanitz For Sun-Times Media September 1, 2012 1:15AM
Damion Clemons
LARKIN 24, WEST CHICAGO 7
L . 0 . 18 . 6 . 0 -- 24
W . 0 . 07 . 0 . 0 -- 7
Scoring summary
L – Clemons 34 run (Jackson Kick Failed), 11:06
L – Clemons 65 interception return (2 pt. Conversation Failed), 9:10
L – Jackson 3 run (2 pt. Conversation Failed), 4:12
WC – Flores 15 run (Amaro Kick), 1:16
L – Clemons 66 run (Jackson Kick Failed), 5:31
Team statistics
First Downs — L: 9 | WC: 13
Comp.-att.-int. — L: 1-6-3 | WC: 13-30-3
Passing yards — L: 9 | WC: 93
Rushing att.-yards — L: 42-264 | WC: 33-145
Total yards — L: 273 | WC: 238
Fumbles-lost — L: 1-0 | WC: 3-1
Penalties — L: 5-40 | WC: 6-50
Individual Statistics
Rushing:
L – Clemons 12-182, Plate 7-30, Jackson 11-23, Blalark 7- 17, Darke 1-6, S. Pruitt 2-5, J. Pruitt 2-1.
WC – Flores 21-151, Benton 8-24, J. Lelito 4- -30.
Passing:
L – Blalark 1-6-3 9.
WC – J. Lelito 13-30-3 93.
Receiving:
L – Jackson 1-9.
WC – C. Lelito 7-57, Pauley 4-28, Pearson 2-8.
Updated: September 1, 2012 3:58AM
Larkin proved that you don’t need a balanced attack to win a football game Friday night.
The Royals rushed for 264 yards and passed for just nine in their 24-7 non-conference victory over West Chicago.
Damion Clemons led the charge for the Royals (1-1), carrying the ball 12 times for a game-high 182 yards and two touchdowns.
“I like having the ball and coach told me to follow the holes on the left side,” Clemons said. “Both times I came around the end and I saw I had a lot of room so I just ran for it (the end zone).”
After a scoreless opening quarter, Clemons put the Royals on top first with a 70-yard touchdown run where he went untouched around the left tackle for the score.
However, Clemons wasn’t just a threat on the offensive end.
On the ensuing West Chicago possession, Clemons read the West Chicago quarterback Jordan Lelito’s eyes and intercepted the pass. The junior returned it 65 yards for a touchdown.
The game was a strong contrast to Larkin’s 60-20 loss to McHenry last week.
“We knew we had to sure some things up defensively and had to overcome a lot of injuries,” Larkin coach Mike Scianna said. “I mean we only had 30 kids on the sideline today.
“We knew we had a strong running game because we have some horses up front. But we have to get better in the passing game if we want to compete the rest of the year.”
A muffed punt return led to an easy 3-yard touchdown run by Mo Jackson for the Royals giving them an 18-0 lead.
The Wildcats (0-2) got their lone score with 4:12 remaining in the second quarter. Miguel Flores capped off the drive with a 15-yard touchdown scamper. Flores finished the game with 151 yards on 21 carries.
“Going into the game we knew that they (Larkin) were capable of making big plays,” West Chicago coach Bill Bicker said. “I thought they might get one or two, but then again I thought we would have one or two of our own. I’m happy that we are in games, but we need to find ways to win them.”
Clemons added his last touchdown, a 66-yard run in the third quarter, to finish the scoring.
