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CLEARFIELD -- Clearfield ran for 274 yards on 45 carries and dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball for two-and-half quarters on the way to a 28-14 win over Tyrone on Friday night at the Bison Sports Complex.
The Bison led, 21-0, at the half and scored on their first possession of the third quarter to take a 28-0 advantage with 7:10 to play in the frame. Tyrone rallied for a pair of touchdowns and was driving near midfield when time ran out.
Clearfield had a 198-88 edge in total yards in the first half, but Tyrone outgained the Bison 180-159 in the second and got two Brandon Lucas to Damon Gripp touchdown passes to close the gap on the scoreboard.
Play of the game: Brett Zattoni scored a 6-yard touchdown to cap a 10-play, 74-yard drive that ate nearly five minutes off clock to start the second half, giving the hosts a 28-0 lead and enough breathing room to hold off a late Tyrone rally.
Player of the game: Zattoni rushed for 131 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries to lead Clearfield's ground attack.
Unsung hero: Bison receiver Matt Pallo caught five passes for 41 yards and a touchdown, stepping up after Clearfield lost all-state wide receiver Jake Lezzer for the game due to an injury on the fourth offensive play for the hosts.
Most vital statistic: Tyrone was flagged six times for 64 yards and all were at crucial times. Two of the penalties gave Clearfield first downs and three others came when the Eagles were moving the ball (once in the second quarter and two consecutive early in the third) to snuff out drives.
Tyrone coach John Franco: "The first half our offensive line did not play very well. The second half, they picked it up and played better and that is why we played better. The same kids are playing on defense, and they played much better defensively also. The effort I liked, the result I didn't. We need to play with that kind of effort, which we have been trying to get done all year. We finally got an effort in the second half, and that's something to build on."
Clearfield coach Tim Janocko on losing Lezzer early in the game: "Our kids responded well. I thought our offensive line had a good night. I thought Oliver (Billotte) managed the game really well. We had some big drives. Zattoni ran hard, (Jason) Plubell had some good runs and Matt Pallo stepped up and had some catches. Overall, I thought everybody pitched in and made some plays."
Notable: Lucas ran the ball 22 times for 106 yards and completed 15 of his 23 pass attempts for 142 yards and two touchdowns, both going to Gripp, who had six receptions for 66 yards.
Records: Clearfield (6-1). Tyrone (2-5).
Next week: Tyrone visits Hollidaysburg. Clearfield hosts Bald Eagle area.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Tyrone 0 0 7 7--14
Clearfield 7 14 7 0--28
First quarter
CL--Pallo 6 pass from Billotte, (Hess kick), 3:09.
Second quarter
CL--Zattoni 5 run, (Hess kick), 8:12.
CL--Kline 12 pass from O. Billotte, (Hess kick), 0:42.
Third quarter
CL--Zattoni 6 run, (Hess kick), 7:10.
T--Gripp 8 pass from Lucas, (Raabe kick), 0:1.9.
Fourth quarter
T--Gripp 23 pass from Lucas, (Raabe kick), 7:04.
TEAM STATISTICS T C
First downs 16 21
Rushes-yards 28-126 45-274
Comp-Att-Int 15-23-0 8-13-0
Passing Yards 142 83
Total Plays-Yards 51-268 58-357
Fumbles-Lost 2-0 1-0
Punts 4-32.3 2-22.0
Penalties-Yards 6-64 5-55
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--Tyrone, Lucas 22-106, Homan 2-20, Zimmerman 1-1, Clifton 2-0, Beck 1-(-1). Clearfield, Zattoni 24-131, O.Billotte 8-66, Plubell 8-53, I. Billotte 2-13, Firanski 2-6, Kline 1-5.
PASSING--Tyrone, Lucas 15-23-0-142. Clearfield, O. Billotte 8-13-0-83.
RECEIVING--Tyrone, Gripp 6-66, B. Zimmerman 3-57, Clifton 2-3, Grassi 2-1, N. Zimmerman 1-9, Homan 1-6. Clearfield, Pallo 5-41, Lezzer 1-23, Kline 1-12, Zattoni 1-7.