Malcolm football jumped back in the win column Sept. 18 with a 42-0 win over Palmyra on homecoming.
Coach Matt Coufal said the Clippers had a good week of practice and were able to jump on the Panthers early.
Freshman Greg Smith announced his presence with a big game, gaining 158 yards on seven carries and scoring four touchdowns.
“He had a heck of a night,” Coach Matt Coufal said. “We know he will be special. He’s too good to not have on the field.”
Malcolm quarterbacks completed 12 passes to nine receivers, with Leo Small and Nolan Duzik each catching two.
Smith scored on runs of 53 and 37 yards in the first quarter and 19 and 28 yards in the second. Gavin Little scored on an interception return, and Duzik returned a punt 53 yards for a touchdown.
The score was 42-0 at halftime, which meant the game had a running clock in the second half. Malcolm’s starters got the half off, and the next group was able to play the entire second half.
“The young kids got some good reps,” Coufal said. “It was a good overall game.”
The coach said both the offensive and defensive lines played well and are starting to mesh together.
“They were able to open some holes (for the running backs) and give the quarterback time to throw,” Coufal said.
On defense, Gerrit DeWaard finished with three solo tackles and five assists. Riley Hawke added three solo tackles and three assists.
Up next for Malcolm (2-2) is a visit from Wilber-Clatonia (3-1). The Wolverines are coming off a 27-21 overtime win against Holdrege.
“They are big and physical,” Coufal said. “They are not fancy, but they do it well.”
He said going up against a more old-school offense is fun, and he likes the challenge of power football.
