Clauss’ 40-yard FG

difference for Raiders

By MIKE MCLAIN

sports@vindy.com

BOARDMAN

The Warren Harding Raiders celebrated their 17-14 win over the Boardman Spartans as if a spot in the playoffs had been clinched.

Apparently, despite the fact three games remain in the regular season, the Raiders did in fact clinch a Division II, Region 5 playoff spot at Spartan Stadium on Friday night. Raiders coach Steve Arnold put the chances of playing beyond Week 10 at 99 percent.

Don’t think for a second that Arnold didn’t mention the importance of the All-American Conference Gold Tier game to the players during preparations.

“I talked about it all week,” Arnold said. “Sometimes you have to let them know what’s at stake.”

In the center of the celebration was senior kicker Mike Clauss, a soccer player who added placekicking to his athletic resume last year. A 40-yard field goal by Clauss in the third quarter extended the Raiders’ lead to 17-7 and proved to be the difference when Spartans kicker Tommy Fryda was wide left on a 25-yard field goal attempt late in the fourth quarter.

“He’s playing soccer but he comes over every day and works his tail off,” Arnold said of Clauss. “The kids gave it up for Clauss. The game winner, and a 40-yarder. You see guys in the NFL that can’t make 40-yarders.”

The Raiders (5-2) pushed their winning streak to five straight while clinching the Gold Tier crown with a 3-0 mark. The Spartans are 4-3 and 1-1 in the Gold Tier.

The game had an old-school feel of a Steel Valley Conference game to it. Both defenses were aggressive and hard-hitting. The Spartans did an excellent job of containing Kay-Ron Adams, although the Harding senior finished with 89 yards and a 37-yard touchdown on 26 carries. The Raiders struggled to mount much offense through the air until sophomore quarterback Isaiah Taylor threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Ja’Kari Salter to break a 7-7 tie in the third quarter.

The Spartans managed a few big passing plays from quarterback Mike O’Horo, pushing their yardage total to 318. O’Horo was 9-of-22 for 183 yards and one interception.

“We felt the way their schedule fell, they hadn’t been in a dog fight,” Spartans coach Joe Ignazio said. “We wanted to make it that, and I thought we did. We thought if we peppered him [Adams]. We just told our guys that we hope to see them again.”

The Spartans entered play fourth in Region 5. They’ll likely need wins over Ursuline, Austintown Fitch and Ashtabula Lakeside to have a chance at making the playoffs.

Adams opened the scoring when he shot through a hole and ran 37 yards in the second quarter. Clauss added the point-after kick.

The Spartans went 65 yards on the ensuing possession to score on a 2-yard run by O’Horo. Fryda was good with the PAT kick.

Harding’s defense set up the next score when Kasen Lewis intercepted a pass by O’Horo at the Spartans’ 24. Four players later, on fourth-and-14 from the 28, Taylor lofted a pass to Salter, who was well-covered on a fade route near the right sideline of the end zone. Salter leaped high and pulled down the ball for the touchdown.

“We did a good job blocking,” Salter said. “Isaiah Taylor threw it up and I made a play. I have to come down with it and help my team win.”

Spartans punter Alex Huzicka took off when pressured from his left side on the next series. He needed 16 yards, but managed just 9, giving Harding possession at Boardman’s 39.

The Raiders reached the 21 before Adams lost 3 yards on third down. Clauss then easily made the 40-yard kick.

The Spartans made it 17-14 when running back Josh Rodriguez ran 70 yards for a touchdown with 5:42 remaining in the fourth quarter and Fryda tacked on the PAT kick.

Boardman regained possession at its 39 when Kareem Hamdan recovered a fumble by Jeremy Wilson after what would have been a 16-yard gain on a pass play. O’Horo then connected with Huzicka on a pass for 48 yards to the Harding 13. Three plays netted 5 yards and set up the ill-fated field-goal try.