With both teams needing a lot of help to make the postseason, the contest between Williamsburg and Clermont Northeastern in Williamsburg on Friday, November 1 was billed as a must-win matchup.

The game lived up to the hype, as a late turnover by the Wildcats gave CNE a 34-28 road win to close out 2019.

Williamsburg struck first, scoring on a 16-yard touchdown run by Dakota Roberts at the 3:55 mark of the first quarter. CNE answered early in the second period on a 38-yard touchdown pass from Kris Jenkins to Cole Joslin. Jarod Glancy’s extra point was no good, and Williamsburg held a 7-6 lead.

Jenkins put the Rockets on top later in the period, returning a punt all the way back for a touchdown. Skyler Schmidt converted the two-point try, giving the Rockets a 14-7 lead with 4:19 left in the half.

Albert Corey intercepted a pass on the Wildcats’ next drive, giving CNE a chance to add to that margin at halftime. On fourth and goal from the nine, Schmidt hauled in a pass on the flat and dove for the pylon. He stepped out at the three, however, and the half ended.

The Rockets scored quickly in the second half, with Joslin finding paydirt from one yard out. The extra point was missed, but CNE still led 20-7.

Joslin followed his touchdown with an impressive interception, leaping to tip a ball to himself as he came back down on his back. The ensuing drive ended with Williamsburg blocking CNE’s punt, and Loghan Kelley’s keeper cut the CNE lead to six with 6:56 left in the third quarter.

Less than two minutes later, the Rockets struck again. Damien Bowen hauled in a 45-yard touchdown pass, and Joslin’s two-point try made it 28-14 CNE midway through the third.

Williamsburg responded quickly, with Loghan Kelley throwing a 20-yard touchdown pass to Braden Kelley at the 2:17 mark of the third quarter. The extra point was good, and the Rockets’ lead stood at seven points entering the final quarter.

Landon Amann’s short touchdown run with 8:15 left proved to be the difference. Williamsburg marched down the field, scoring on another 20-yard touchdown pass from Loghan Kelley, this time to Teddy Conley. The extra point trimmed the CNE lead to six with 3:01 left.

Joslin fumbled the ball back to the Wildcats with 2:41 left. Williamsburg drew a defensive holding two plays into the next drive, but a hook and lateral resulted in a fumble, which CNE recovered. The Rockets were able to run out the rest of the clock to preserve the win.

Head coach Jeremy Fishback was happy with the win, and praised the Wildcats for their scrappy play throughout the contest.

“It was about luck of the draw, honestly,” Fishback said. “Both teams made mistakes at the end. We coughed up the ball, they coughed up the ball. We had a punt blocked…It was a hard-fought ballgame. I take my hat off to these guys, they’ve got a good program over here.”

Williamsburg head coach Chad Ward said he felt the Wildcats were going to be able to score on their final possession, especially considering the team was able to pull out a win at the buzzer against Bethel-Tate in week nine.

“I thought we were going to make a play there,” Ward said. “We had a holding call that moved us back. Late in the game, you get a little desperate, and that play didn’t work out.”

Throughout the game, CNE rotated between Jenkins and Amann at quarterback. That’s something the team has done for the last few games, according to Fishback.

“We’ve been two-platooning for the last few weeks,” Fishback said. “I’ve got two different styles of quarterbacks. One’s a wildcat quarterback, more of a running threat. The other one throws more. I’ve been trying to work some guys in, do some different things. Coming off that loss to Bethel and the loss to [Blanchester], we just had to mix it up a bit and do some different things.”

Fishback continued, noting that even though the team didn’t make the postseason, he was happy with how the last two seasons have turned out.

“They played well,” Fishback said. “There were mistakes on both sides of the ball tonight, but you’re going to have that in high school football. I’m proud of them overall. Another winning season for us, coming off a 22-year losing streak, to have these seasons under our belt, that’s a big deal for our school and for our community. I’m proud of the boys.”

That sentiment was echoed by Ward, who acknowledged the difficult circumstances his senior class has faced at times over the last four years.

“The kids played hard,” Ward said. “They were 1-9 two years ago. These guys have worked hard. I wish it had come out a little better for them, but they’ve lifted this program up. The kids behind them have some big shoes to fill. I’m proud of them. “

The Clermont Northeastern Rockets closed out the season with a 34-28 win over Williamsburg on Friday, November 1, 2019.
https://www.clermontsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_73291899_554273875334108_3531351874894561280_o_554273872000775.jpgThe Clermont Northeastern Rockets closed out the season with a 34-28 win over Williamsburg on Friday, November 1, 2019.

By Garth Shanklin

Sports Editor