Broncos edge Clippers

Field goal makes difference in C1 vs. C2 clash at Malcolm

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Homecoming night in Malcolm will be remembered as one that got away. The Clippers had their chances in the Sept. 17 contest against Centennial, but too many inopportune penalties and a few bad breaks left Malcolm on the losing end of a 10-7 slugfest against the Broncos.

“It’s always a battle,” Centennial Coach Evan Klanecky said.

Centennial was able to find early success on the ground as Mike Nisly picked up where he left off the week before and carried the load for the Broncos. Nisly’s early success on the ground set up a 23-yard pass play from Maj Nisly to Jake Bargen to make it a 7-0 game midway through the first quarter.

“They’re really big and strong up front,” Malcolm head coach Scott Amen said. “They have good team speed and really good athletes that can make plays.”

The first-quarter touchdown was the only score of the first half as both teams traded stalled drives where they got close to scoring but came up short.

The Clippers opened the second half with a 73-yard scoring drive that consumed nearly nine minutes. After Lucas Christensen carried the load early in the drive and helped Malcolm get into the red zone, the Clippers got into penalty trouble resulting in a 4th-and-22 from the 27-yard-line.

Hayden Frank scrambled and bought enough time for Elliott Robotham to get open to catch a 26-yard pass to set up first-and-goal. Two plays later, Frank punched it in on a quarterback sneak to the tie the score.

“That was a big drive for us,” Amen said. “Our line held its own against theirs and Hayden was able to gain some confidence taking some chances and trusting his receivers.”

The Broncos responded with a long drive of their own that culminated in a 25-yard John Fehlhafer field goal with 6:45 remaining in the game.

“He’s a neat story,” Klanecky said. “He comes five days a week in the summer. He kicks a bag of balls and runs and gets them. Three years he’s done that with no one around.

“For him to hit the game winner, I couldn’t be happier for him. He will never forget it.”

Amen said he was happy the Clippers still had time to try for another score.

“Our defense played well most of the night,” Amen said. “We had a couple of times we turned them away in the red zone and to hold them to three points there gave us a chance.”

The Clippers’ response included a pair of 22- and 14-yard completions over the middle to Brayden Boehle. The drive stalled with 2:22 left on the clock when a fourth down pass to Robotham came up just short.

The Broncos’ attempt to kill the clock came up short as they turned the ball over on downs with 39 seconds left.

A fumble by Frank was recovered by Carson Prochaska to close the door on the Clippers.

Frank led Malcolm with 73 rushing yards on 13 carries while going 11-for-19 through the air for 141 yards. Boehle had three receptions for 41 yards while Robotham had 37 yards on two catches.

The Clippers committed 11 penalties for 69 yards.

“That’s something we can’t do and expect to stay in games,” Amen said. “We have to be able to stay disciplined and keep our cool.”

Klanecky wasn’t happy with the penalties by the Broncos, either.

“We have to adjust faster. That made things chippy,” he said.

Mike Nisly led the Broncos with 99 yards on 25 carries while Maj Nisly was 9-for-13 passing for 121 yards. Klanecky said the last two games for Mike Nisly have been the best of his career.

Klanecky was pleased with Centennial’s running attack. While he likes to keep the offense balanced, sometimes one side just works better than the other, he said.

He was also happy with the Broncos’ defensive effort.

“The defense was able to get off blocks and swarm to the ball,” he said.

He said Jayden Hartshorn had a good game, finishing with four solo tackles and seven assists.

Justin Rumery was this week’s scout team player of the week.

Despite the win, Klanecky said the Broncos have a lot to work on.

“I’ve never been as frustrated after a win,” he said.

Malcolm (1-3) travels to Louisville (2-2) Friday, Sept. 24.

“We continue to get a little better every week,” Amen said. “This week will be a chance to work hard in practice and hopefully see it show up in a win on Friday night.”

Centennial (3-1) will host Syracuse Friday, Sept. 24, at 7 p.m. Klanecky said the Rockets will run a multi-look defense and be balanced on offense.