Clements got a taste of success late last season by winning their final three games. If Friday’s game is any indication, the Colts players aren’t ready to get that taste out of their mouths just yet.

Clements got an outstanding performance from its defense and just enough offense to defeat Danville 14-7 in the 2017 season opener.

A 23-yard touchdown pass from Seth Harbin to Jackson Bennington with seven minutes remaining in the game was the difference.

“Our defense played great,” Clements head coach Cody McCain said. “We had some guys make a lot of big plays. I’m really proud and happy for them.”

Clements avenged a 26-6 loss to Danville last season by holding the Hawks’ standout running back Jacob Morehead to well under 100 yards and one touchdown.

Clements had the only score of the first half when Kaleb Fletcher ran in the end zone from three yards out.

However, Danville received the opening kickoff of the second half and proceeded to embark on a physical, grinding drive that chewed up the yards and the clock. Morehead finally ended the nearly 8-minute drive by scoring on a 5-yard run to tie the game.

It was similar to last year’s game, as Clements had a halftime lead before Danville answered with a touchdown early in the third quarter. However, this year, the Colts responded.

“Last year we faced a similar situation and our guys crumbled,” McCain said. “This year they stayed strong and didn’t give Danville anything else.”

Following an exchange of punts, Clements put together its winning drive which culminated with the pass from Harbin to Bennington. The Colts’ defense took over from there, and Danville never threatened to score the remainder of the game.

“We knew (defense) is where our strength was going to be this season,” McCain said. “We’ve got a very good defensive line and good linebackers. Danville is so big up front and very physical.”

McCain was also proud of the way his defense limited Morehead, who has been called one of the top running backs in Class 4A, Region 8.

“I thought we did a really nice job of making him earn the yards that he got,” McCain said. “And he didn’t get that many. That was huge for us.”

Clements is off next week before opening Class 3A, Region 8 play against Colbert Heights on Sept. 8.