As the junior varsity and varsity Dark Horses galloped onto their home turf Monday night, they sent Grays Creek packing with two victories.

The junior varsity game started off slow for the Dark Horses, with Grays Creek taking a one point lead going into half-time; however, they were able to pull the rains during the second half, scoring two points and taking the game.

During the second half, Stephen Ameen gave a pass to wing Trent Emanuel who was able to break away towards the goal with 34 minutes left on the clock, however, no score was made.

With 30 minutes left on the clock Grays Creek took a shot on the Dark Horse goal, however, it was saved by keeper Colin Faulkner.

With 27:20 on the clock, a shot was attempted by Ryan Taylor, however, there was too much power behind the ball, sending it over the goal.

Other attempts on the goal were made by Casey Yang, Taylor with 22 minutes left; 19:02 by Austin Tyndall; Ameen at 18 minutes; Kenan Lanier to Yang with 16:03; and 16:12 by Will Pearson, which was successful making the score 1-1.

Yang was able to eventually win the game for the junior varsity Dark Horses with 8:49 left to go in the game. Yang’s shot was a long shot, from roughly the 20-yard line, and it entered the goal at the top left.

As the clock wound down, the Dark Horses were able to fend off the Bears, resulting in the victory.

After the junior varsity team exited the field Monday night, the varsity Dark Horses prepared to take on the Bears.

The game started with a kickoff pass from Jeb Dillman to Field Palmer and over to Tyler James. Eventually the ball was crossed by James to Jose Gallegos and dropped back to Jonathan Jacobs, but as the ball moved up the field it was eventually deflected by Grays Creek defense.

At 38:30, the first shot was made by Tevin Bryant, however, it was saved by the Bears goal keeper.

As the game continued, the Dark Horses made other attempts at the goal at 30:37 by Hector Reglado; 29:20 by James, Bryant and Zachary Valenti; 28:25 by Bryant and Valenti; and at 27: 18 by Gallegos, which was a made penalty kick.

With the score 1-0, Clinton, the Dark Horses persistently charged the Bears territory, attempting a shot on goal again at 21:02 by Luis Prado and at 18:57 by Valenti.

Grays Creek was able to tie the game at 14:48 when they too were awarded a free kick outside of the box.

According to assistant coach Jamie Williams, the Dark Horses got off 10 shots in the first half.

As the Grays Creek player stood eye-to-eye with six Dark Horse defenders in a wall formation, his kick went over their heads and into the top right corner.

As the clock ticked closer to half-time, the Dark Horses gallantly tried to take the lead, however, were not able to, leaving the score 1-1 at the half way mark.

When the Dark Horses and the Bears took the field again, the Clinton team took charge, shooting roughly 13 times on the goal, scoring once, and ending it 2-1.

“They didn’t even get a shot off in the second half,” said Williams of the Grays Creek team against the Dark Horses defense.

Clinton will take on the Spartans Wednesday, Aug. 26, away at 5 p.m.

Jessica Wagner can be contacted at (910) 592-8137 ext.122 or reached by e-mail at siphoto@intrstar.net