GREENSBURG, Pa. – The Clarion football team suffered its second straight loss Saturday afternoon, falling on the road to Seton Hill by a final of 27-23. The Golden Eagles (2-4, 1-2 PSAC) will return to action next Saturday as they play host to Cal U at home at Memorial Stadium.
Jeff Clemens through for 127 yards and two touchdowns, and added a one-yard rushing touchdown to his stat-line as well. Wide receiver
Kevin Genevro led the Eagles in receiving with five catches, two touchdowns, and 69 total yards.
On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker
Jacob Craig led the team with 12 total tackles, including four solo tackles and three pass breakups.
Myles Edmonds and
Quinlin Lambert each recorded seven solo tackles as well.
The first half was a back and fourth affair, with the Griffins and Golden Eagles trading off touchdown early on. After falling in a 7-0 hole thanks to a 19-yard Christian Strong TD strike, Clarion answered right back with a touchdown drive of their own. Clemens completed three straight passes for a combined 51 yard to put the Eagles within striking distance, before diving through the pile himself on a second and short to put Clarion on the board.
The Eagles took a 13-10 lead in the half thanks to some late quarter heroics by defensive end
Paul Blendinger. After Strong bobbled the snap attempt, Blendinger broke through the line and dove on the loose ball to recover the fumble for Clarion and give the Eagles excellent field position.
Two plays later, Clemens floated a perfect 27-yard pass over the shoulder to wide receiver
Kevin Genevro for an easy touchdown. Kicker
Phil Esposito failed to tack on the extra point, however the Eagles would hold on to their first half lead and went into the locker rooms up by a field goal.
The second half picked up right where the first left off. Following another Esposito field goal, Clarion defensive back
Tyrone Cromwell stepped in front of a Strong pass attempt, nearly returning the interception to the house before being brought down at the five. Clemens would connect with Genevro again several plays, this time hitting the wideout in the back of the endzone for a five yard strike.
However Seton Hill would storm back, taking advantage of a number of Clarion mistakes to put together a pair of drives capped off by Kahlil Howard touchdowns. They would add a late field goal to extend their lead to 27-23.
