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Sunday, November 5, 2017 | BataviasBest.org
ALFRED – It was a clear, crisp night at Alfred University for the Section V Football Class D Finals, as the Clyde-Savannah Golden Eagles proved to be a bit too much for the previously unbeaten, defending Class D Champion Alexander Trojans. The Golden Eagles defeated the Trojans by a score of 17-13, but the game was much more exciting than the final mark indicated.
The contest began with Clyde-Savannah winning the toss, choosing to receive, and immediately marching down the field for the game’s first touchdown. Golden Eagles’ star running back Derrick Chance was the one doing the honors for his team, as Chance gave Clyde an early lead before Alexander had a chance to touch the football. After a successful PAT, it was 7-0 Golden Eagles.
TOUCHDOWN!! Second effort from Clyde-Savannah’s Chance and he is in from about three yards out. Alexander trails 7-0 early 1Q #Football pic.twitter.com/YaEZkctyk4
— Batavia’s Best HS () November 4, 2017
Alexander would fail to answer the early Clyde score on their first drive, but after stopping the Golden Eagles on their second possession, the Trojans offense began to show signs of life. A big run from Mitch Gordon got the ball rolling for Alexander.
Long, tough run for Alexander’s Mitch Gordon to begin the next drive #Football pic.twitter.com/Imt8PBLba6
— Batavia’s Best HS () November 4, 2017
To finish the scoring drive, it was Trojans’ workhorse running back Chris McClinic finding the end zone for the 28th time this season. McClinic’s touchdown came from one yard out, and evened the score at 7 – after a Grant Cox PAT.
TOUCHDOWN!! Alexander’s Chris McClinic caps off a solid Trojans drive with a 1 yd score. Alexander ties Clyde at 7 late 1Q #Football pic.twitter.com/2tiTNNZsje
— Batavia’s Best HS () November 4, 2017
On the ensuing drive, Clyde-Savannah would drive the length of the field and come within one yard of the end zone, but the Alexander defense held firm, and turned the ball back over to their offense with 99 yards to go until pay dirt. However, suddenly, a positive for the Trojans quickly turned into a negative, as they were sacked in the end zone for a safety. Clyde-Savannah regained the lead at 9-7 late in the first half.
SAFETY!! Alexander is safetied, as Clyde-Savannah comes up with a big stuff of their own around the goal line. It’s now 9-7 Eagles #Football pic.twitter.com/2i1vZUFozI
— Batavia’s Best HS () November 4, 2017
Following the safety, time would run out in the first half and the two teams went to the locker room with the Golden Eagles on top by two points. The Trojans were set to get the ball coming out of the break.
To begin the second half of play, a long kick return for Alexander’s Terrez Smith set the Trojans up with a great chance to gain the lead over Clyde-Savannah for the first time in the game. Minutes later, it was McClinic for Alexander, again running it in from one yard out and giving his team the lead at 13-9 (failed 2-pt attempt).
TOUCHDOWN!! Chris McClinic scores again for Alexander and Trojans move in front of Clyde-Savannah for 1st time today. It’s 13-9 #Football pic.twitter.com/oUMvHjlBVg
— Batavia’s Best HS () November 4, 2017
Unfortunately for the Trojans, their lead wouldn’t last very long.
Following the go-ahead score, in what seemed like the blink of an eye, the Golden Eagles marched right down the field on the Alexander defense – and into the end zone to regain the lead.
TOUCHDOWN!! Chance scores again for Clyde-Savannah. The Eagles regain the lead over Alexander’s. It’s now 17-13 with 5:24 left 3Q #Football pic.twitter.com/FP4fkVYX2k
— Batavia’s Best HS () November 4, 2017
With Clyde now holding a four-point advantage, the number one seed would look to their defense for twenty more minutes of sound play vs the Alexander offense – who had to get going all day long.
On the ensuing drive, the Trojans showed glimpses of a jumpstart offensively, but it all came crashing down after a fumble deep inside Clyde-Savannah territory gave the ball back to the Eagles.
Although there was ample time remaining for the Trojans to get the ball back, and again move down the field toward the go-ahead score, the fumble seemed like a back-breaker for Alexander – who had finally put together a big drive when they needed it.
The third quarter would come to an end shortly after the turnover, and over the next fifteen minutes of play, the two sides went back and forth – but each failed to put any more points on the board. The result: a Clyde-Savannah win, and an Alexander loss – their first to a Section V opponent in two years.
Your 2017 Section V #Football Class D Champion – the Clyde-Savannah Golden Eagles pic.twitter.com/DpnKZ3038U
— Batavia’s Best HS () November 5, 2017
In the end, it was obvious heartbreak for the Trojans, and their faithful – which showed out in droves on Saturday night in Alfred. A year after capturing Championship glory for the first time in school history, Alexander and their fans felt the sting of a loss in the Finals.
On the other side, it was jubilation on part of the Golden Eagles and their crowd, as they have watched this team fall in the Finals a few years in a row. It must have been extra special for the Clyde-Savannah fans, whose team finally came through on the big stage.
Finishing as the game’s MVP was Clyde’s Chance, who finished with 180 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns for the Eagles. The Trojans’ McClinic finished as the game’s Offensive Player of the Game – accumulating 102 rushing yards to go with his 2 TDs.
Clyde-Savannah will face Maple Grove of Section VI next week in the Far West Regional at SUNY Brockport.
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