By Johnny Smith
For The News Courier
TANNER — The Tanner Rattlers dominated the Clements Colts 31-6 last night in a key county and area matchup. Tanner opened the game with a 60-yard scoring drive, all on the rushing of quarterback Dominique Randolph and running back Tray Cosby, with Cosby getting the touchdown from the 8-yard line. The PAT was good and Tanner lead 7-0.
After the ensuing kickoff, Clements started their first drive from their own 33-yard line. After Brandon Sanderfer was hit at the line of scrimmage and fumbled, Tanner’s Sagan Bartlett scooped up the loose ball and ran it in for a defensive touchdown. With the PAT, Tanner was out to a quick 14-0 lead.
Clements returned the next kickoff to the 30, where on first down, after a Jamison Bridges to Tre Washington pass and a 10-yard gain, Clements once again fumbled and Tanner was in business at the Clements 30 when Eric Smith recovered the loose ball.
After a Tanner penalty pushed the ball back, Tanner quarterback Dominique Randolph was sacked for a huge loss and lost for the rest of the game with a leg injury. After an exchange of punts, the first quarter came to an end with Tanner in command, 14-0.
In the second quarter, Tanner took over at the Clements 46 after a short Clements punt. On the first play, reserve QB Landon Stephens called his own number, scoring on a 46-yard run, and extending Tanner’s lead to 21-0.
On the next Clements drive, the Colts attempted to execute a fake punt on fourth and two from their own 43, coming up short and turning the ball over to Tanner in their own territory. Eight rushes and one pass later, Tanner’s Tray Cosby took it in from the eight, giving Clements a commanding 28-0 lead at the half.
The win improves Tanner to 3-1 and keeps them very much in the hunt for a playoff spot. The loss drops Clements to 1-3 on the season and leaves them with some work to do.
