Caleb Connor run

Above: Caleb Connor circles around a defender.

Visiting Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity posted the first score against the Cleveland JV boys on Monday, but it was mostly Clippers after that in a 28-16 triumph.

Assembling a 73-yard drive capped by a 4-yard run, the Bulldogs scored after the opening kickoff. With the PAT run, they were up 8-0.

But the Clippers, who were coming off a decisive loss against GFW last week, knotted the contest early in the second frame. Max Esser recovered a fumble on the LP/HT 16. QB Carson Lyons gained a dozen yards on a keeper. 

A penalty and a loss on the run pushed the Clippers back to their 10, but Lyons found Sam Ternes—switched from QB in the Jr high game to a receiver—for a touchdown pass. Braeden Smith leaped for a grab in the back of the end zone for the extra points.

Later, from the Clipper 27 after taking over on downs, Tanner Simonette scored on a 73-yard catch and run. The PAT throw fell to the turf, but the Clippers were in front 14-8.

Working the no-huddle offense, the Clippers scored in the third quarter when, on the scramble, Lyons found Smith just in front of the goal line for a 30-yard touchdown. The Bulldogs stopped the PAT run, but the Clippers were up 20-8.

Continuing to get their way, the Clippers scored again in the third quarter after a fumble recovery and a long Caleb Possin run. Lyons went to Bode Bartell for 30 yards before finding Possin in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown. Bartell caught the point-after pass to put the Clippers up 28-8.

In the fourth quarter, with a tackle at the Cleveland 25, Alex Garcia stopped a 50-yard gainer to prevent a LP/HT touchdown, but the Bulldogs scored from there and a point after run too for the 28-16 final.

The Clippers travel to Wells to take on USC on Monday.

Gavin Karels on the run.

Tanner Simonette battles with a defender.

Eighth-grade quarterback Carson Lyons on the run.

Caleb Possin steps over a tackler. Out front, just before making a block, is Braeden Smith.

Sam Ternes extends his arms for a catch. Ternes was the QB in the JV game earlier.

Mason Kluntz (33), cages a Bulldog runner.