For the first time in nine years, the Clinton Cardinals hosted a district playoff game at home—and they made it count in a big way. The Cardinals surged past conference rival Oak Grove with an impressive 27–7 victory Friday night, thrilling a packed home crowd.
After trailing 7–0 at halftime, Clinton exploded in the second half, scoring 27 unanswered points to seize control of the game. The Cardinals dominated on the ground, racking up a season-high 438 rushing yards in a balanced offensive assault.
Leading the charge was #6 Connor Bramell, who carried the ball 12 times for 145 yards and a touchdown. #1 Markus Oliver added 130 yards and a score on 14 carries, while #23 Payton Goth rumbled for 94 yards and a touchdown on just seven carries. #9 Brody Barnhart chipped in 51 yards on 10 carries to round out Clinton’s ground game.
On the defensive side, #8 Jack English anchored the Cardinals with six tackles and a momentum-shifting interception that he returned 22 yards for a touchdown. Goth also made an impact on defense, recording six tackles, including one for a loss.
The victory improves Clinton’s record to 8–2 and propels them into the District Semifinals. The Cardinals will hit the road to face Boonville next Friday, November 7, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.
