By James Beach
Red Bank’s do-everything Kelvin Clay just became an even more dangerous playmaker, if that is possible.
The senior speedster did his part in Red Bank’s 32-6 nonregion victory Friday night at Boyd-Buchanan, but the Lions found another weapon in junior receiver Kameno Watson that just might force future foes some restless evenings in the film room.
Clay and Watson each accounted for two touchdowns and surpassed the 100-yard receiving mark to turn a tight halftime affair into a little easier-to-swallow triumph down the stretch.
“Anybody who watches this game tonight better think twice about leaving that one alone,” said Clay, pointing to his sidekick. “He works hard every day, and I’m going to love having him by my side.”
The young Lions and the young Buccaneers slugged it out much the same way they did a year ago, but Red Bank was finally able to wear down Boyd-Buchanan despite a heroic effort from linebacker Ross Keasler. They went to the dressing room knotted at 6-6 on a pair of big plays from each side.
Clay stepped in front of an ill-timed Bucs pass and cruised 64 yards for a score early in the second quarter. Red Bank (1-0) was poised for another one before a fumbled snap on fourth down set the Bucs (1-1) up near midfield. Chase Reed then ripped off a 41-yard scamper for the score, and the missed PAT left it 6-all.
“I was just happy to get to the dressing room at that point to regroup,” Lions coach Tim Daniels said. “We made some mistakes, but we have some playmakers on this team. Boyd-Buchanan is a fine football team, and I think we finally just wore them down a bit. Our defense played really well.”
The Lions held the Bucs to 35 total yards in the final half and broke it open with two quick scores within 1:34 of each other. Clay hauled in a 27-yard strike from quarterback Niquia McDuffie, and Kionte Davis broke through to block a punt on the Bucs’ next possession, Donovan Hargis taking the recovery in from 16 yards for a 19-6 lead.
Watson then hauled in two 38-yard passes, the second one good for a score. He caught five passes for 101 yards, while Clay had eight catches and 102 yards.
“They just had more playmakers, but playing a team like that in August will make us better in October,” Bucs coach Grant Reynolds said.
Hagen Wilkey led all rushers with 11 runs for 110 yards, including a 23-yard score for the Lions.