Thompson, Gates Help Clippers Sail Past Hornets @Clippers19013

Tagged under: District 1, Gameday Hub, News

Willie McGonigle | September 26, 2021

CHESTER: There were flags and more flags the opening two minutes of Saturday morning Non League contest between the visiting Oxford Hornets and the Chester Clippers saw a total of five penalties called. The theme continued throughout the game with a total 24 accepted penalties. The Clippers lost that battle having been called for 16 infractions totaling 157 yards but thanks to interception returned for a touchdown from Noble Thompson, four total interceptions for the game including two from Cymeer Brown and constant pressure from Jerimiah Gates the Clippers were able to overcome that on their way to a 38-21 non-league victory at Chester High’s Athletic Complex in a game that went over three-hour mark.

The Hornets would draw blood on their opening with a 13 play 55-yard drive that saw two fourth down conversions including a 29-yard pick- up in which Dustin Long connected with Ryan Evans giving the Hornets the ball at the Clipper’s one-yard line. On the next play Long would sneak his way in giving the Hornets the 7-0 lead at end of one quarter of play.
The Clippers would get on the board on the second play of the second quarter when Isaiah Freeman bullied his way through the Hornets defense and into the end-zone from two yards.

Gates would help momentum shift towards the Clippers when he blew up a screen pass that allowed Thompson to intercept Long and return it for a 15-yard touchdown. Freeman would connect with Brown for the two-point conversion giving the Clippers the 14-7 lead. Gates offered praise for Thompson calling him “a great linebacker and great teammate.” Gates finished the game with 9 tackles including 3 for a loss and two sacks and two Quarterback hurries both of which led to interceptions by his teammates. Thompson would finish the game with 9 tackles

The next Hornet drive ended with their second consecutive interception this time it was John Gates (10 tackles) picking off Long giving the Clippers at the Hornets 22-yardline. Following a pass from Freeman to Charles Thompson that put the Clippers at the Hornets 1 Noble powered his way in giving the Clippers the 20-7 lead.
Brown made it three consecutive Hornets possessions in which the Clippers intercepted Long, however the Clippers drive would stall at the Hornets 9-yardline where they would turn the ball over on downs sending it to halftime with the score 20-7 in the favor of the Clippers.

The Clippers would expand their lead to 26-7 on their opening possession of the second half when Freeman would power his way in from three yards out. Freeman would finish the game with 60 yards on six carries to go along with 178 yards on 11of 23 passing. The Hornets would trim the lead down to 26-14 when Dominic Pantalone punched it in from six yards out. Pantalone finished the game with 96-yards rushing on 21 carries

The Clippers responded with Noble Thompsons second rushing touchdown of the day this one from 16- yards out giving the Clippers the 32-14 lead at end of three.
Long to Evans helped the Hornets cut the lead down to 32-21 with their 11-yard touchdown connection. The Clippers would respond to that with a Freeman to Noble Thompson touchdown pass this one from 12-yards out.

Brown would put the exclamation on the Clippers victory with his second interception of the game.

The Clippers who entered the game being honorably mention ranked by Pa Football news improved to 5-0 and appear poise to make and possibly host their first District playoff game travels to West Chester Friday night for another non-league game against West Chester Henderson. While the Hornets (3-2) will look to get back on track when they host Coatesville in a Chest Mont crossover game.

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