Kenneth Ford gets tackled by Northsides #11, just as he approaches the end zone. (Stephanie Gore/Sampson Independent)

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Alphonso McDew takes down a Monarch, as another slides through. (Stephanie Gore/Sampson Independent)

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Michael Graham tries to break through the Monarch defense, but is brought to the ground. (Stephanie Gore/Sampson Independent)

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The Clinton Dark Horses took on the Northside Monarchs for a tough road game shutout Friday night. The final score was 34-0.

The Horses and Monarchs went head-to head, but the home team had all the advantages from the start. Using that advantage, Northside scored a touchdown early in the first quarter to put them up 7-0.

Clinton tried to fight back, but it was all Northside from start to finish.

The home team scored another touchdown to put them up 14-0.

Towards the end of the second quarter, Dark Horse Kenneth Ford got the ball and rushed it down the field, but the referees called him out of bounds, ending the second quarter, with Northside up 21-0.

Six minutes into the third quarter, the Horses tried to fight back, but nothing they tried seemed to work. With Clinton’s defense doing their best, Northside would slide their way through every play.

Clinton’s Kris Royal would attempted to turn the game around, intercepting Northside, but a series of yellow flags kept the Horses out of the end zone, and the teams started the final quarter with Northside up 21-0.

Still fighting, Clinton tried again to race it down field, but the Monarchs held the visitors.

Then Northside found the end zone again, raising the score to 28 with 10 minutes left.

Northside got their hands on the ball once more, tearing down the field for a first down. The Horses stopped this drive, but it was short lived. After losing their own possession, the home team got the ball back and hit pay dirt one final time with seven minutes left in the game, the exclamation point to their shutout of the Horses.

Individually for Clinton, Tykearion Stevens had 15 carries for 72 yards, and Spencer Jacobs had 9 carries for 27 yards. Passing, Greg Smith had 5 for 16, 2 interceptions, and 103 yards. Receiving, Kris Royal had 4 catches for 66 yards, and Shian Bradshaw had 1 catch for 37 yards. On defense, Owen Hunt had 11 tackles, Michael Graham had 10 tackles, Roy Williams had 6 tackles, Tykearion Stevens had 6 tackles, and also Kris Royal had 6 tackles.

Clinton will host South Lenoir for their annual Senior night Friday, Oct. 26. Game time 7:30 p.m.