With a 22-6 win over visiting Mayer Lutheran on Monday, the junior high boys evened their record to 3-3.
Quarterback Jonathan Cink’s pass to Abel Hastings put the Clippers on the Crusader 5. From there, Charlie Mons legged 4 yards before taking another handoff in for the touchdown. The PAT pass was incomplete, but the Clippers were in front 6 to zero in the second quarter.
The lead didn’t last long as Mayer Lutheran, taking advantage of missed tackles, returned the following kickoff 80 yards to the house. The Clippers stopped the PAT run, but the score stalemated at six apiece.
But the Clippers regained the lead on their next possession and never trailed.
After Issac Schlief returned the kickoff, Cink connected with Mons for a couple of passes that perched the Clippers on the Mayer 22. From there, Cink hooked up with Mons again for the score. Mons also ran in the PAT, and the Clippers were up 14-6.
At halftime, the coaches preached aggressive tackling: not watching the play, and tackling low, but on the first play after the Clippers kicked off the second half, the Crusaders broke through the Clipper defense for a 50-yard gain.
But the Clippers halted the campaign when Chase Roehmhildt corralled a Mayer ball carrier in the backfield for a 9-yard loss before Mons intercepted and took the ball to the Cleveland 10.
Taking advantage of the turnover, after an 8-yard run and a pass to Mons for 15 more, Hasting grabbed a Cink pass for an 11-yard gain before, on the first play of the final frame, he found Hastings again, this time for a 39-yard TD catch and run. Mons rolled right for the 2-point conversion, to put the Clippers in front 22-6.
Roemhildt recovered a fumble on the kickoff after, and the Clippers held on for the victory.
“We’re making strides,” said Jesse Hastings, who along with Dave Cink and Gustavus student Ashton Dingmann were coaching the team. Regular coach Doug Schweim was a referee for the day. “Were learning to play together. We had guys getting to the ball in the second half.”
The junior high Clippers opened their season with a home win over Madelia but then lost three straight, all on the road: to Le Sueur-Henderson, Randolph and USC. Last Thursday, they got back on the winning track when they defeated visiting Lester Prairie.
The Clippers will look to finish their season on a high note when they travel to Trimont next Tuesday (October 7) to take on Martin County West.
Above: Abel Hastings on the run.
Issac Schlief on the kick return. Behind him is Charles Mons.
Charles Mons looks to avoid a pair of Crusader defenders. 
Johnathan Cink drops back for a pass.
The Clippers upped their defensive game in the second half.