Billotte and Lezzer Lead Clearfield Past DuBois in King of the Mountain Contest

Tagged under: District 9, Gameday Hub, News

Phil Myers | August 26, 2019

Sophomore Oliver Billotte made his much-anticipated debut at quarterback for the homestanding Bison and he made the most of it by throwing for three scores and running for another in Clearfield’s 31-20 triumph over the DuBois Beavers. Tim Janocko, who won his 276^th game as the Bison head coach, said “For a sophomore against a team like DuBois he responded very well and our offensive line gave him time.”

Having a receiver like Jake Lezzer really helped the young signal-caller.  Mr. Lezzer caught six of Billotte’s nine completions for 160 yards and two touchdowns.  A couple of those snags were spectacular catches.  On defense Lezzer, who is only a junior, stepped in front of two Beaver passes to thwart drives which ultimately led to ten Bison points.  “Jake Lezzer had a huge night for us.  We expect those things out of Jake,” commented Coach Janocko.

The game started out slow as neither team could manage a first down on their opening two possessions.  DuBois’ defense gave their offense great field position stopping the Bison short on the 32, when they faked a punt on the first possession.  But the Bison defense held the Beavers to -1 yard in four downs.  The third time the visitors had the ball Alex Kovalyak completed a 47-yard pass to Dale Kot to Clearfield’s 23, but two plays later Lezzer snared his first interception.

That interception seemed to spark them as Clearfield suddenly came to life.  They drove 79 yards in six plays to score the game’s first points when Billotte hit Karson Kline for a 29-yard TD.  Zach Hess nailed the extra point and the Bison led 7-0 with 2:17 left in the opening quarter.

DuBois answered by going 72 yards and tying the game on Adian Castro’s one-yard run early in the second stanza and Nolan Bussell’s PAT.  Clearfield proceeded to drive to the Beaver six, but Zack Roy picked off Billotte’s toss over the middle returning it out to the 25.  Bison Matt Pallo gave the ball back to the offense when he intercepted Kovalyak on the second play from scrimmage.

Clearfield took almost didn’t take advantage.  On fourth and three from the DuBois thirteen they were whistled for a 5-yard penalty.  As they lined up for a field goal, Coach Janocko called for a time out.  Opting to go for it instead proved to be a smart decision.  Billotte found Lezzer in the end zone for the score and the Bison reclaimed the lead they would not relinquish.  The point after put them up 14-7 with five minutes remaining in the half.

DuBois drove down the field, all the way inside the Clearfield ten, but missed a 33-yard field goal on the last play of the half.  What may have hurt them was a sack that resulted in a loss of 8 yards and then a five-yard penalty sprinkled between two plays that netted six yards.

Clearfield took the second half kick and drove into Beaver real estate before Billotte lost a fumble that Chase Husted recovered for DuBois.  Lezzer picked off Kovalyak a few plays later returning the agate to the visitors’ twelve which resulted in a Zach Hess 23-yard field goal pushing Clearfield’s lead to 17-7 at the 6:40 mark of the third.

DuBois bounced back with a 72-yard scoring drive culminated by a nine-yard TD toss from Kovalyak to Nick Dilullo.  Bussell’s extra point narrowed Clearfield’s lead to 17-14 with two minutes and change left in stanza number three.

Clearfield showed its resiliency by putting together a 65-yard drive.  Billotte called his own number and the 6’4” 220 pound quarterback powered his way into the end zone from thirteen yards out and with ten and a half minutes remaining in the football game, the Bison led by ten again.

A fumble on the kickoff return caused DuBois to start their next drive from their own four.  After Dilullo caught a 23-yard pass, the Beavers were flagged for holding and then Billotte sacked Kovalyak for a twelve-yard loss putting the ball back at the eight.  But the Bison roughed the passer on the next play giving DuBois another chance.  The Beavers took it when Kovalyak found a wide open Dilullo, who carried the pigskin to the house for an 82-yard touchdown.  The point after was blocked, but DuBois was within one score again, trailing 24-20 at the 8:09 mark.

As good teams do, Clearfield responded.  Brett Zatoni returned the kickoff 50 yards to the DuBois 42 and then on the very next play, Billotte found Lezzer down field for the game’s final score.  Clearfield held DuBois on downs and ran out the last 5 minutes to seal the victory and secure the ‘King of the Mountain’ trophy for another year.

Game Notes: Another big factor in the game was Clearfield’s defense as they limited the Beaver ground game to 24 yards on 22 carries.  Twelve of those carries were for zero or negative yardage.  Alex Kovalyak had a gigantic game for DuBois finishing with 322 yards passing, completing 20 of 34 tosses for two touchdowns, but also throwing 3 interceptions.  Dilullo caught six passes for 166 yards and the two scores, while Kot grabbed seven passes for 113 yards for DuBois.

Clearfield outgained DuBois 357 to 346 in yardage.  Billotte finished 9 of 12 for 204 yards.  He also rushed for 40 yards.  Zattoni led the runners with 44 yards, and the Bison had 153 total yards on the ground.

Both teams punted only once for the game.  In the turnover department, Clearfield lost one fumble, even though they put the ball on the ground three times, plus they had the one pass picked off.  DuBois had the three interceptions.

Clearfield hosts a really tough Penns Valley team next week who were winners 77-0 in their first game.  DuBois travels to General McLane who lost to Slippery Rock in their opening outing.

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