Published: 12:59 AM, Sat Sep 05, 2009
Clanton's big game lifts Terry Sanford over Gray's Creek
By Dean Dellamalva
Correspondent
After not finding the end zone the first week of the 2009 season, Terry Sanford found it repeatedly last week against Douglas Byrd. The Bulldogs continued that trend into Week Three.
Terry Sanford (2-1) scored touchdowns on its first four possessions and tallied more than 400 yards of offense during a 44-18 whipping of Gray's Creek.
Contributing 224 yards of that total was junior tailback Anthony Clanton, who ran over, around, past and through the Bears' defense. He scored four touchdowns on the night and scampered 54 yards on a screen pass.
"What I was most impressed with was Anthony's yards after contact," said Terry Sanford head coach Wayne Inman. "They'd get one hand on him but he would keep his feet moving."
Gray's Creek (1-2) took the opening kickoff and began driving. On the 12th play of the drive, quarterback Caleb McNeill found Qunitel Burden on a fade pattern and a 23-yard touchdown. The extra point failed, but the Bears led 6-0.
Then FTS and Clanton took over. Clanton scored on runs of two, five and three yards for a 21-6 second quarter lead. Gray's Creek finally stopped Terry Sanford and forced a punt on its fourth possession when bad luck hit the Bears.
Jordan Vann's punt sailed and bounced 49 yards. While the Bulldogs were moving in position to down the punt, the ball grazed a Gray's Creek player. Terry Sanford quickly bounced on the football at the Bears' 17-yard line.
Two plays later, Vann found McDonald for a 13-yard touchdown pass. The kick was no good, but the Bulldogs took a 27-6 lead into halftime.
"Offensively, they are a great football team," Gray's Creek coach David Lovette said. "We just didn't do the things you need to do, it what happens. We just have to make plays."
Clanton picked up where he left off starting the third quarter. During a five-play, 62-yard drive, Clanton carried the Bulldogs to another score. The capper was a 32-yard run that included broken tackles, missed tackles, jukes and pure speed. The extra point sent FTS to a 34-7 lead.
Despite the deficit, Gray's Creek did not fold. On the ensuing possession, the Bears picked up gains of 27, 10, 21 and 24 yards. Devonte Cooley, who finished with 124 yards, went in from 3 yards out to put Grays Creek back on the scoreboard.
After a Terry Sanford field goal, the Bears scored again. Once again it was McNeill hooking up with Burden this time from 18 yards out .
"We haven't quit in a while," said Lovette. "Two years ago we were really bad and we've improved from that. Last year we fought through everything. This year we have a tough non-conference schedule and we're fighting hard."
That tough schedule continues next week as Grays Creek plays at Cape Fear. Terry Sanford will be leaving Fayetteville for the first time this season as they travel to Broughton-Raleigh.
"It's the first time we'll have to travel out of town and that's a big concern for us," said Inman. "We'll prepare them for it and hopefully they can handle it well."