Coming back from a loss last Friday, the Dark Horses celebrated homecoming with a win over Richlands. The final score was 33-28.

“Well, the offense really stepped it up tonight and played an all-out good game in both halves,” head coach Steve Mallard commented after the victory.

According to Mallard, establishing the line of scrimmage early in the game pushed the Dark Horses towards the win.

“I felt very good about the offense tonight; they carried us to the win.” Mallard added.

The Dark Horses were able to take a 21-7 lead in the first half.

The first score would come off an 80-yard pass from Dion Smith to Tray Raynor. Wes Purcel added the point after, giving the Horses a 7-0 lead.

Smith would complete a 1-yard run, with an added extra point by Purcell to take the score up another seven.

Before the first half came to a close Friday, Quentin Hill completed a 6-yard run into the Wildcats’ end zone, adding six to the board. Purcell would close it up 21-7 with his successful field goal.

When the second half got under way, things started to shape up for the Richlands Wildcats after a touchdown was scored with 7:44 left in the third. The play was a 10-yard run with an added point after touchdown, bringing the score to 21-14.

For the remainder of the third quarter, the Dark Horses pushed their way down the field and into Richlands territory.

With 3:41 on the clock the Dark Horses put six more on the board after a 2-yard run from offensive lineman Terry Farrior. Purcell’s kick failed, leaving the score 27-14

After securing a 13-point lead over the Wildcats, Richlands put up seven of their own roughly 20 seconds into the fourth quarter.

Leading only by a touchdown with still an entire fourth quarter to play, the Dark Horses recovered the onside kick on the 40-yard line, drove it into Wildcat territory and scored with 5:12 on the clock off a 3-yard run by Farrior.

Richlands would get into the Dark Horse end zone one last time Friday, but Clinton was able to solidify a 33-28 win over the Wildcats.

As for leading players, Mallard highlighted Hill with 19 carries for 190 yards; Mike Bell with 8 carries for 96 yards; and Farrior with 7 carries for 38 yards.

Passing, Dion Smith had five attempts and three completions for 103 yards.

Leading receiver was Raynor, who was 1 for 80 yards.

Defensively, Jonathan Williams had six tackles and Taylor Stanley had five.

Clinton’s record is 2-7 overall and 2-3 in the conference.

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