Clippers hang on for 28-23 victory over Murdoch in WHSFL Game of the Week
By Mike Still , 09/08/19, 7:00PM CDT
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ADAM FAST WAS THE STANDOUT, FINISHING THE CONTEST WITH 86 YARDS ON SIX GRABS AND TWO SCORES, AS WELL AS 11 TACKLES ON DEFENCE.
Senior receiver/defensive back Adam Fast makes an insane catch for a touchdown against Murdoch. Photo by Glenn Dickson.
The 2019 WHSFL season marked the return to Division 1 football for both the Kelvin Clippers and the Murdoch MacKay Clansmen. With senior pivots Daniel Moroz (Kelvin) and Carter Kutzman (Murdoch) both back a year after leading their teams to the Division 2 championship and semi-finals respectively, anticipation was high to see what they and their squads would be able to do in the top tier.
The matchup at Kelvin last Thursday didn't disappoint, as the game went right down to the final play with the Clippers emerging the 28-23 victors.
Despite the abilities of both quarterbacks, it was the defence that came to play in the first half. Senior linebacker Mason Plischke, a captain for the Clippers, led the way with three quarterback sacks (four total) while teammate Willem Guzzi had an interception. On the other side, Kadin Urciuoli wreaked havoc in the Kelvin backfield and finished the game with a team-high seven tackles and a sack.
There were a total of three safeties given up in the first half, two of which were forced by Murdoch who also had the long major, scoring on a Kutzan quarterback sneak following some big chunk plays from sophomore receiver Mekhi Tyrell. He ended the contest with a game-high 154 yards on just four receptions, showcasing his speed.
Trailing 9-4 entering the second half, Moroz and company started to go to work through the air.
After a Murdoch safety, the senior gunslinger found veteran Robin Brooks for a deep touchdown that gave the home side a 13-9 lead with 7:30 to play in the third.
Senior Adam Fast -- a captain and provincial team player who went both ways for the Clippers -- then added to the team's lead with his first of two absolutely ludicrous catches where he high pointed the ball in traffic and came down with the pigskin for a major to give his squad a 21-9 lead after a two-point conversion.
Fast wasn't done there though, as he added to Kelvin's lead with two minutes to play, hauling in his second touchdown while finishing the contest with 86 yards on six grabs and two scores, as well as 11 tackles on defence.
"It was kind of the plays we practiced," Fast said regarding his two insane catches postgame.
"The ball was thrown perfectly by [Moroz] and we executed. I'm glad we did."
Down 28-9, the Clansmen kept fighting. First, Tyrell snagged a deep touchdown grab to narrow the score to 29-16 with 1:19 to play and on the following series, Kutzan did his thing with a long touchdown -- finishing the game with 81 yards rushing and two scores. But it was too little too late as the ensuing onside kick with four seconds left was recovered by Kelvin.
Next up for the Clippers (1-0) is another home game against the 1-0 Dakota Lancers this Friday while Murdoch will face Steinbach (0-1) on the road.
Tag(s): In the News Clansmen Clippers
CLIPPERS FALL SHORT 22-14 TO KODIAKS IN CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
November 24th, 2018
By Robert J. Plischke
For the second time in three years, the Kelvin football team has reached the big game, with the same result each time. The Clippers looked cold in the first half allowing 13 points on a blocked punt return and two field goals. Not being to add a score of their own in the first half, the team was looking for some spark in the second. Thanks to a great halftime speech by Coach Romu, the Clippers had just what they need to get fired up after the intermission. The offence scored two majors in the third quarter on the legs of Liam Stephenson and the arm of Daniel Moroz, the latter touchdown drive aided by a 41-yard Robin Brooks punt return. Rookie Evan Offord recorded his first career interception adding some more momentum to the sailing Clipper team. The energy and the lead were quickly dashed though when the Kodiaks intercepted a pass for a touchdown. After another RIver East field goal and half a quarter, the game was decided at 22-14 for the blue team. Despite the loss, the Kelvin team was rightfully seen holding their heads high as the successful 2018 season came to a close.
KELVIN PUNCHES TICKET TO CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER CLASH WITH CLANSMEN
November 5th, 2018
By Robert J. Plischke
The Clippers played their closest game of the year winning 31-24; with multiple lead changes, there was no shortage of entertainment for the fans of both teams at IGF. Dason Jesmer-McFarlane looked even more comfortable as the starting back carving up the Clansmen run defence putting up 128 yards on just 18 carries. Robin Brooks was another player on offence who had himself a day, adding seven catches for 95 yards and 2TDs to his successful junior season. Ethan Nagler nailed a season-long 35-yard field goal and continued his streak of 27 straight PATs. On the defensive side of the ball, LB Judah Churko may have been coming off the bench cold, but he lit a fire under the Kelvin team when he picked off Murdoch's QB swinging the momentum in the Clipper's favour. Dylan Hess had a season-high 12 tackles along with a knockdown, FR, and a beautiful strip-sack as time expired to seal the victory. Come out to cheer on your Kelvin Clippers as they fight for the AA title against the River East Kodiaks 5:00 PM Friday, November 9th at IGF. Stream the game at http://www.lrsd.tv/.
CLIPPERS SEND PLAINSMEN PACKING, MOVE ON TO SEMI-FINALS
October 28th, 2018
By Robert J. Plischke
The Kelvin team that has shown so much success this season continued the trend in the first round of playoffs, defeating Crocus Plains 24-14. In the absence of RB Lamont Evert, rushing duties fell to Dason Jesmer-McFarlane who averaged 5.5 YPC on four carries. Daniel Moroz played an unsullied game completing 71% of his passes putting up 179 yards and two TDs. Despite having a lacklustre first 30 minutes, the defence stepped up big after some halftime adjustments recording two interceptions, including one in the 4th quarter by HB Adam Fast that sealed the victory. The field position battle can be partially accredited to K/P Ethan Nagler who averaged 67.5 yards per kickoff, including one for 80 yards and another for 75. The Clippers will take on the Murdoch MacKay Clansmen 7:30 pm Thursday, November 1st at Investor's Group Field in the semi-finals.
KELVIN BEATS DOWN BEAVER BRAE BRONCOS 56-0, ENTERS PLAYOFFS 6-1
October 22nd, 2018
By Robert J. Plischke
The Clippers looked dominant Friday night against the out-of-town Broncos putting up 27 points in the first half despite numerous penalties, three of which calling back touchdowns. Fighting through a cold, Robin Brooks lit up the field posting 296 all-purpose yards accompanied by a kick return and a receiving touchdown. Daniel Moroz showed great poise in the pocket putting up 276 yards with four TDs. Not to be outshone by the offence, defensive end duo Treyshaun Bollers and Dylan Hess (Swirl and Twirl) combined for five sacks, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery for a TD, a safety, a pass deflection, five tackles, and a blocked punt. To round out the team effort, Ethan Nagler kicked for 10 points, on a 21-yard field goal and seven PATs. Join the Clippers this Thursday, October, 25th as they play a rematch against the Crocus Plains Plainsmen in the first week of playoffs.
CLIPPERS STRIKE DOWN ST. NORBERT CELTICS 40-6 AT HOMECOMING
October 14th, 2018
By Robert J. Plischke
Coming off a devasting loss, Kelvin was looking for a rebound. What better of a day than homecoming? After being shut-out last week, it only took one play for the Clippers to get on the board when Robin Brooks took back the opening kickoff for an 84-yard touchdown. After two more majors with misses on all three 2-pt conversions, the Clippers entered the half with a comfortable 18-0 lead. The offence played a relatively mistake-free game putting up over 100 yards rushing, 276 yards on the ground, and a combined five touchdowns while only committing only one turnover. The only score against the Clippers came on a one-yard drive set up by a broken play by the punt team. Kelvin is looking to continue building up momentum next week and carry it into the playoffs as they host the Beaver Brae Broncos, Friday at 4:00 pm at Kelvin during Senior's Week.
KELVIN FALLS TO 4-1 AFTER BEING DEALT CRUSHING DEFEAT
October 8th, 2018
By Robert J. Plischke
After a twelve-game regular season winning streak, the Clippers were handed a devastating 33-0 loss to River East Kodiaks. The defence that looked untouchable thus far in the season allowed majors to be scored on each of the first two drives of the game quickly placing Kelvin at a two-score deficit. By the end of the second quarter, the Kodiak lead had increased to 24-0. The halftime spark following a slow start reminiscent of the first three weeks was nowhere to be found as the Clippers allowed another nine points, conceding two points and a TD. The struggling offence backed by a much too generous defence saw the game swiftly get further out of reach until time expired. Fortunately, one game does not dictate the remainder of the season. The Clippers will have a chance to regroup with a four-practice week before homecoming Friday at 4:00 pm at Kelvin.
CLIPPERS WIN 45-0 IN WALLOPING OF WEST K. WOLVERINES
October 1st, 2018
By Robert J. Plischke
The three-game streak of abysmal first-half scoring was snapped Thursday evening when the Kelvin offence put on a clinic in the first two quarters, scoring 23 in the first quarter and the remaining 22 in the second. Brock Gates, Daniel Moroz, and Lamont Evert formed a three-headed monster that spurred on the offensive surge as the three accounted for nearly 300 yards and five touchdowns. Lamonte amassed 2 TDs and 92 yards on a mere four carries making for a 23 yard-per-carry average. Daniel completed all but one of his 11 pass attempts for three touchdowns and 188 yards. B-Rock snagged 6 of those completions for all three touchdowns and 117 yards. The shutout streak, on the other hand, is still alive surviving a seven-play goalline stand ending in a fumble recovery by DT Terry Barber. The Clippers defence has now held opposing teams to zero points throughout 16 quarters and scored 12 points in that time. Drop by Kelvin at 4:30 pm on Thursday, October 4th to watch the Clippers take on the River East Kodiaks.
3rd CONSECUTIVE SHUTOUT POWERS KELVIN PAST PLAINSMEN
September 23rd, 2018
By Robert J. Plischke
The warmth of a victory was just about the only warmth present on Thursday night as the miserable weather made for a close game and forced both offences to earn every yard they got. Offensive play across the board was about as clean as the jerseys on their backs with fumbles, drops, and falls plaguing both teams; despite the slippery conditions, Liam Stephenson was still able to amass 95 combined yards on seven carries and four catches. Star kicker Ethan Nagler played lights out nailing both field goals and averaging 41 yards per punt including a 71-yard boomer that pinned them deep in their zone. The Clippers' highly touted defence was led this week by a monster named Isaiah Letander who had 7.5 tackles, 2 QB sacks, 2 FF, and a safety. That safety marked the 3rd safety and the 12th point scored by the defence this season and helped secure an 8-0 victory. Join the Clippers September 27th at 5:00 pm in their home-opener against the West K. Wolverines as they look to improve to 4-0.
CLIPPERS IMPROVE TO 2-0 AFTER 38-0 BOUT WITH MILES MAC BUCKEYES
September 18th, 2018
By Robert J. Plischke
Kelvin opened the scoring on the first drive on a pass to receiver Brock Gates. The defences kept the score 7-0 at halftime. The offence had another productive second half, this week led by veteran QB Daniel Moroz who posted 253 yards and 3 TDs through the air and 48 yards and a TD rushing. Adam Fast proved to be a menace for the opponent scoring on a pick 6 and played a crucial part in the defence that posted its second shutout in as many games. The Clippers look to continue their streak September, 20th at 5:00 at Crocus Plains HS against the Plainsmen.
KELVIN FOOTBALL RETURNS WITH DECISIVE 24-0 VICTORY OVER REIVERS
Septemeber 10th, 2018
By Robert J. Plischke
The Clippers kicked off the season and their three-game road trip last Friday against the KE Reivers at East Side Field. After a defensive-centric first half, the two teams seemed evenly matched at 0-0. The scales were tipped in the second half when Kelvin launched an offensive assault led by relief QB Liam Stephenson. The rookie QB went 4/6 for 117 yards and 3TDs and a 2pt conversion through the air. Not to be outshone by the offence, the defence scored 2 points of their own with a safety in their shutout performance. DB/SB Adam Fast had a night to remember highlighted by eight tackles, an interception, a QB sack and a 55-yard TD reception. On special teams, K/P Ethan Nagler converted on 2 PATs and completed a 28-yard fake punt pass. The Clippers will be back next week, September 14th at 5:00 at Greendell Falcons Field to take on the Miles Mac Buckeyes.
CLIPPERS BACK IN ACTION
Thursday, August 16th
The camp is just around the corner, set to begin Monday, August 20th at 4:30 pm. Equipment pickup will be between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm on Monday, cleats and girdle will not be provided. A parent meeting/potluck will be held on Thursday, August 30th at 6:00 pm.
