Game Journal: Tenacious Defense And Big Plays

Big plays and a tenacious defense lifted Farmington to a tough, 22-20, road victory to open 5A West play at Clarksville Friday, despite being outgained 283-143 in total offense.

Trailing 7-0 in the second quarter, Xavier Staten provided a spark with a 71- yard kickoff return. Staten caught the ball at the left hashmark, then angled toward the center of the field behind three blockers forming a wedge. Near the Farmington 40, he stepped out of a diving tackle, shifted directions and ran laterally to the right before turning the corner. With one man to beat, Staten accelerated down the right sideline and outran the last Panther, who had a shot at him, at the Clarksville 18. Farmington tacked on a 2-point conversion to move in front, 8-7.

Next, the Cardinal defense came up with a takeaway. Clarksville lined up in an unusual formation with only three down linemen, a quarterback in the shotgun and one running back. Two receivers were split out right and four to the left. Farmington quickly adjusted their personnel to defend the play. The Cardinals lined up with only two down defensive linemen, both playing end, with two middle linebackers and one deep safety. Everybody else was matched up with a receiver.

Farmington disguised a blitz from the pre- snap read with middle linebacker Niles Thomas (8 solo tackles) coming off the edge in the face of Clarksville quarterback Austin McPhillips. Another rusher came off the other edge. Thomas forced McPhillips to throw sooner than he wanted to. Farmington free safety Skyler Montez (5 solo tackles) dropped straight back playing centerfield. He watched the quarterback all the way and was in position to make his second interception of the season. Montez picked off the pass at the Cardinal 48 and returned the football inside the Clarksville 40. Farmington capitalized with junior quarterback Trey Waggle hitting Staten (4 receptions, 40 yards) on a 4-yard slant pass for a touchdown. Staten was hit by a defender coming up to assist as he crossed the goal line, but held on for the score. Clarksville answered with a touchdown to cut Farmington’s lead to 16-14 at the half.

In the fourth quarter Farmington maintained a 2- point lead when they caught Clarksville crowding the line of scrimmage with seven men in the box at the Clarksville 44. Speedy Reid Turner was inserted at tailback and Farmington called his number from the I-formation. Waggle handed off to Turner, the second man through, as a defender penetrated the Cardinal backfield. Turner dodged him, then got outside the left hashmark. He beat the last Panther at the 38 and raced for a touchdown on his only carry of the game.

Clarksville closed to within two points with a fourth quarter touchdown, but the Panthers failed on a 2- point conversion that would have tied the game. Farmington held on for a hard-fought, 22-20, victory thanks to their defense. The Cardinals turned the ball over on downs twice, but they did not give the ball away otherwise. There were no fumbles or interceptions against Farmington. That was a difference in the contest. Clarksville twice turned the ball over in Farmington territory. The Panthers lost a fumble on a pitchout when Farmington safety Kelton Price confonted McPhillips running an option play. The ball fell forward with Montez making a diving recovery in the midst of a scramble for the ball at the Cardinal 45.