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Ray runs roughshod in Clay to win over Broncos

By Bruce Hope Staff Writer
Posted 10/28/20

MIDDLEBURG – The Clay High Blue Devils’ football team continued their undefeated season Friday, with an emphatic 56-28 win over the Middleburg High Broncos Friday night at Middleburg.

“The …

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Ray runs roughshod in Clay to win over Broncos


Posted

MIDDLEBURG – The Clay High Blue Devils’ football team continued their undefeated season Friday, with an emphatic 56-28 win over the Middleburg High Broncos Friday night at Middleburg.

“The offensive line really opens up a lot of holes for that guy [Ray],” said Clay head coach Kyle Kennard. “He’s a special, special kid. He runs hard, and I’m glad he’s on my football team; I’ll tell you that. We have a really good offensive staff that understands how to run the football and which way we need to run the ball and the certain plays we need to put our guys in to be successful, so we got a really good staff, and our guys do a really good job of scheming up teams and getting our kids in good play to be successful.”

A dominant ground game was the catalyst for the Devils’ success, compiling 424 yards on the ground. Star Blue Devils running back Al’querious Ray literally and figuratively carried the Blue Devils offense, averaging a hair under 16 yards per carry on the night, for a total of 284 rushing yards and five touchdowns in less than three-quarters of work.

Overall, the focus was on the Blue Devils’ running game, who attempted only seven passes on the night, completing five. Junior wide receiver D’Maurion Frazier was the most significant weapon through the air, hauling in receptions of 50 and 40 yards to set up touchdown runs.

“We take what defenses give us,” said Kennard. “If we need to throw the

football, we’ll throw the football. We can throw the football well. We just haven’t had to a whole lot because we don’t need to. But if that situation comes about, we will be ready, and we’ll be able to throw the football.”

Middleburg did their best to keep the game close, pulling to within 22-15 with 1.28 remaining in the first half. Ray would score two more touchdowns in the next 63 seconds on runs of 25 and 47 yards to stretch the lead to 36-15 going into halftime.

Broncos quarterback Luke Padgett was their best weapon, rushing for four touchdowns and 190 yards. In the end, though, the rushing defense left the Broncos down as time after time, Ray and company gashed them en route to the win.

Ray showed power and speed throughout the night, hitting the holes, breaking tackles, and then outrunning defenders. Five of his final six carries of the game went for 25 or more yards.

“I ran hard,” said Ray. “Without my linemen, I wouldn’t be able to do it. We had a good week of practice this week. Usually, on the run play, I see where the linebackers at, and I know when to make my cut. The linemen tell me how they gonna make a block, and I just cut off my line.”

With the loss, Middleburg drops to 0-7 while Clay improves to 6-0. The Blue Devils host Ridgeview next, while the Broncos host Palatka.