MCCLELLAN CRUISES PAST TROJANS DESPITE SELF-INFLICTED STRUGGLES

Sloppy weather conditions mirrored the play Friday night at Tommy J. Holt Field at Joe C. Reese Stadium, as heavily-favored Little Rock McClellan negotiated a steady rain and a minefield of penalties en route to a 36-7 win over Hot Springs in the 5A-South conference opener. The Crimson Lions (4-0, 1-0) hit pay dirt on their first three possessions to take a 24-0 lead with 8:54 to play in the first half, but fumbles on two of their next three drives forestalled the mercy rule and its running clock. The 2017 Class 5A state runners-up were also slowed by 17 penalties that claimed 148 yards of field position and upset the Crimson Lion’s offensive continuity, helping Hot Springs (0-4, 0-1) control the ball for almost 14 minutes of the first half. McClellan’s lack of possession notwithstanding, its five runs of 20 yards or more in the first half helped it make the most of its opportunities. Derrick Lloyd Jr.’s 51-yard run early in the third quarter was the longest of the game, righting a Crimson Lion offense that had wobbled on its three previous drives. Lloyd Jr.’s burst was followed by two fourth-down conversions, with the second culminating in quarterback Xavion Morgan eluding a defender in the backfield before scoring from four yards out to put McClellan up 30-0 with 4:13 to play in the third quarter. McClellan’s seventh chunk play of the night set the final margin, with Damion Martin Jr. bolting through the Trojan defense for a 45-yard score with 5:07 to play. He finished with 128 yards on seven carries, and Lloyd Jr.’s 147 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries led the Crimson Lions. Hot Springs scored its second touchdown of the year in the fourth quarter on a 21-yard pass from Aaron Williams to Trent Gordon on fourth down. The jump ball Williams lofted to the end zone deflected off of another Trojan receiver before finding Gordon. The passing game was the Trojans' most effective dimension on offense, accounting for 140 of their 170 total yards. Junior Santiair Thomas completed 7-of-18 passes for 95 yards. Senior Terrance Floyd’s five catches for 87 yards made him the leading receiver, followed by Gordon’s three catches for 55 yards.

Little Rock School District Athletics

MCCLELLAN CRUISES PAST TROJANS DESPITE SELF-INFLICTED STRUGGLES

Photo Credit: McClellan Magnet High School Athletics