FARMINGTON - The Cardinal defense was tested during the first half of Friday's 22-20 conference win at Clarksville. The Panthers ran nearly three times as many plays from scrimmage (36-14) as Farmington's offense. Clarksville outgained Farmington 138 to 61 in first half offense and held a distinct advantage in passing yardage with senior quarterback Austin McPhillips (6-1, 163) completing 4 of 7 passes for 42 yards. Although they yielded 14 points in the second quarter, including a 20-yard McPhillips touchdown pass, Farmington's defense was solid. Twice the Cardinals forced Clarksville to turn the ball over on downs and stopped another Panther march with a fumble recovery. Clarksville could not run the football effectively. Although the Panthers rushed for 96 yards, their average rush was 3.3 yards.
Farmington strugged the previous week in third down efficiency, but managed to stay out of third down situations for the most part in the first half. Three times Farmington faced third down without converting and failed on a fourth-down conversion attempt. The Cardinal backs gained 63 first half rushing yards on 8 attempts for a 7.9 yards a carry, holding a 16-14 halftime lead. Two of Farmington's three touchdowns came on big plays. Xavier Staten scored on a 71-yard kickoff return in the second quarter and Xavier Staten scored on a 4-yard pass from Waggle.
The second half mirrored the first in several categories. Clarksville again ran off more offensive plays; 32 to Farmington's 23. The Panthers continued to outgain Farmington, producing 145 yards of total offense to 82 for the Cardinals. The Cardinal defense bent but did not break, keeping Clarksville out of the end zone until the fourth quarter despite the Panthers' 140 yards on 27 rushes. Farmington smothered Clarksville's passing attack, holding the Panthers to a single completion for 5 yards in the second half. In the previous week against Pea Ridge, Farmington managed just six yards rushing in the second half. On Friday, the Cardinals again struggled to run the ball in the second half, gaining 43 yards on 15 rushes for a 3.3 average. They still picked up 10 first downs, aided by Waggle's 5 completions in 8 passing attempts for 39 yards. Reid Turner ran the ball 44 yards for a fourth quarter touchdown.
Sports on 09/28/2016