Seneca Dominates Clinton with 50-0 Victory in High School Football

The Seneca football team delivered a commanding performance on September 29, 2023, defeating Clinton 50-0 at Sprague Field. This victory marked Seneca’s third consecutive win of the season, improving their record to 3-0, while Clinton fell to 0-3.

Seneca initiated the game with a solid defensive stand, halting Clinton’s progress on downs in the first quarter. After a 13-play drive that brought them to the Fighting Irish’s 3-yard line, Seneca’s defense made a crucial stop on fourth down. Shortly after, senior running back Cam Shriey broke free for a remarkable 92-yard touchdown run, shifting the momentum firmly in Seneca’s favor.

Throughout the first half, Seneca showcased their offensive prowess. They initially led 8-0 after Shriey executed a 20-yard scoring dash, followed by a successful two-point conversion. Following the defensive stop, Shriey’s impressive run set off a series of scoring plays, including a 25-yard touchdown run from quarterback Gunner Varland and an 8-yard scamper by Ethan Othon, concluding the half with a 28-0 advantage.

Terry Maxwell, head coach of Seneca, noted the importance of adjusting their strategy based on the opponent’s defense. “Sometimes it takes our offense a drive to get going because we take what the defense gives us,” he explained. “Clinton was trying to take away the trap play, so we had to adjust and go with other options.”

Second Half Surge

The second half began strongly for Seneca, with Othon securing an interception that led to a 14-yard touchdown run by Brayden Simek. Following a fumble recovery on the ensuing kickoff, Shriey scored again from two yards out, pushing the score to 43-0, which initiated a running clock for the remainder of the game. The final score was capped off by a 1-yard plunge from Devon Daemicke.

Seneca’s offense was dominant, amassing a total of 419 rushing yards on 46 attempts. Shriey led the charge with an impressive 199 yards on just 11 carries. Varland contributed with 63 yards, while Othon added 33 yards. Kicker Cooper Hamilton successfully converted both of his point-after attempts.

Defensively, Seneca displayed a formidable performance, allowing only 67 yards on the ground and 55 yards through the air. Key contributions came from Landen Venecia, Wyatt Biffany, and Landyn Ramsey, each recording a sack, while Wyatt Holman recovered a fumble.

Despite the overwhelming victory, some players recognized the initial challenges faced by the offense. “We struggled a little on offense to start the game, but that struggle helped us understand what would work down the line,” said senior tight end/defensive end Zebadiah Maxwell. He added, “Once we understood how they were trying to stop us, we adjusted well and got things going.”

With this emphatic win, Seneca will next travel to face Genoa-Kingston, aiming to maintain their undefeated streak. The team’s ability to adapt and overcome challenges will be crucial as they move forward into the season.