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Patriot FB Loses Close Battle to GACC

October 05, 2020

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By: Kanyon Held, a junior at Leigh High School

Clarkson Leigh lost a heartbreaker in a home game against Guardian Angels Central Catholic on September 28, 2020

Both teams came into the game with a record of 2-2. 

            The Patriots started the game out very well, putting the ball in the endzone 2 times in the first quarter. Eli Hays had a 28-yd rushing touchdown and a 30-yd receiving touchdown from Lance Paprocki. Paprocki ran both two-point conversions in himself.

Late in the first quarter, GACC reached the end zone on a 24-yd pass and added on the two-point conversion after. 

            Clarkson Leigh added on to their 16-8 lead in the second quarter when Hays ran in a 20 yd rushing touchdown. Mason Whitmore ran in the two-point conversion afterwards, making the score 24-8, Clarkson-Leigh.

GACC answered back in the second quarter scoring on a 1-yd run and a 12-yd pass. The Blue Jays put in one two-point conversion, making the score 24-22 Clarkson Leigh going into halftime.

            In the third quarter, both teams went back and forth, but neither team made it into the endzone. In the fourth quarter, GACC reached the end zone first. They ran in a 3 yd touchdown and put the two-point conversion in as well.

The Patriots fired back with a 12-yd pass from Paprocki to Hays. The Patriots failed to put the two-point conversion in. In the final seconds of the game, the Patriots failed to get to the endzone from close range.  With everyone thinking it was heading into overtime, GACC scored on a 42-yd pass in the final seconds, ending the game 30-36 GACC. 

            When asked about the game, junior Eli Hays said, “It was a tough physical game. We did a lot of good things but we didn’t get the outcome that we wanted.”

Assistant Coach Jorge Gomez said, “We played a great game. Unfortunately losing in the end was not what we wanted, but our guys did their jobs, they played hard and we are really proud of them. All we can do is learn, move on, and get better!” 

            This brings the Patriots’ record to 2-3 on the season.