With 17 returning starters, expectations are high for a Malcolm football team that got off to a strong start with a 34-13 opening night triumph over North Bend Central on Aug. 30 in Malcolm.
“First game out, you want to play clean football and get out injury free,” Malcolm’s 18-year head coach Scott Amen said. “For the most part, we did both.”
Behind first-year quarterback Carson Frank, the No. 3 Clippers racked up 483 total yards of offense while a stingy Malcolm defense held the Tigers to 203 yards.
After going three-and-out on its opening possession, Preston Kucera helped Malcolm get the ball back midway through the first quarter with the team’s first of three interceptions. Cole Tiedeman had the other two picks.
Frank and Brixon Meyer each had a pair of long runs on the Clippers’ next drive. The longest was a 44-yard scamper by Frank to put Malcolm on the board.
Malcolm scored twice in the second quarter, once when Frank connected with Logan McGreer on a 12-yard scoring strike and, four minutes later, when Meyer got loose on a 25-yard touchdown run.
“Brixon is a such a smart football player,” Amen said. “Maybe too analytical at times. We just need him to go play and get to top speed. He can be dangerous.”
Malcolm missed an opportunity to extend the lead to 27 late in the first half when Meyer coughed up the ball in the red zone. It was the Clippers’ only turnover.
“We missed a blocking assignment, and the defender got to Brixon sooner than he expected to get hit,” Amen said. “It would’ve been good to get that one in the end zone knowing we were going to receive the kick to open the second half.”
After cramping issues sent Frank to the sideline during the third quarter, Gavin Little stepped in at quarterback and finished off a scoring drive that culminated in a 12-yard connection with Josh Fox.
“Gavin handled the situation well,” Amen said. “He’s smart. He knows the game. We’ll continue to find ways to get him on the field.”
The Clippers’ final scoring drive happened midway through the final frame. After connecting with Tristen Boehle on 41- and 15-yard pass plays, Frank finished it off with a two-yard keeper.
Cash Hanis scored both of the Tigers’ touchdowns. The first came in the third quarter when freshman quarterback Drew Sterup found him on a 61-yard pass play. Hanis caught a 20-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.
Frank led Malcolm with 110 rushing and 167 passing yards.
“This is Carson’s first year to really play the position a significant amount,” Amen said. “He’s been on the field a lot in his career, just not much at quarterback. He had a good first start.”
This week, the Clippers (1-0) travel to Grand Island’s Memorial Stadium for a Thursday, Sept. 5, clash with Central Catholic (1-0).
