The Clinton Prairie Gophers defeated the Delphi Oracles 21-14 on Friday in the Hoosierland TV Game of the Week.
In a week that saw several blowouts across the area in high school football, the Gophers and Oracles delivered a thriller that came down to the end.
The first quarter featured three punts and a turnover on downs. Although both teams had explosive plays, neither could find the end zone.
Clinton Prairie struck first early in the second as quarterback Gaige Kuzmicz pushed his way for a six-yard score.
Later in the second, Delphi drove the length of the field but was turned away on fourth down and gave it back to the visitors.
With less than two minutes in the half, Clinton Prairie executed a perfect drive that ended with a sneak for Gaige Kuzmicz to push the lead to 14-0.
Out of halftime, Delphi came out firing and blazed its way down the field, ending in a four-yard touchdown pass from Weston Brown to Levi Coghill. Delphi couldn’t convert on the two-point play and trailed 14-6.
Coghill and Brown connected on several plays throughout the game. Coghill finished with 10 catches for 128 yards and two scores.
Clinton Prairie didn’t take long to answer. Jalen Kirkpatrick returned the kickoff to the Delphi 38, and after a few runs from Alex King, Kuzmicz scored his third touchdown of the game.
On the ensuing possession, Jackson Price intercepted Weston Brown for the first turnover of the game.
Both offenses slowed for the next few drives. Clinton Prairie’s defense tightened and forced a punt and a turnover on downs.
Midway through the fourth, Brown found Coghill on fourth and goal and then connected with Tayte Bernhardt for the two-point conversion.
With two minutes left, the Delphi defense made a stand and forced a turnover on downs, giving the Oracles one last chance to complete the comeback.
Brown took a shot downfield, but was intercepted by Trendan Kaser, sealing the game for Clinton Prairie at 21-14.
The interception was named the Encompass Federal Credit Union Play of the Game.
Kaser finished with four catches for 106 yards and the game-winning interception.
Brown finished 26-51 with 268 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Gaige Kuzmicz was 6-13 for 142 yards and added 90 yards on the ground and three rushing touchdowns.
Kuzmicz and Kaser were named the First Bank Midwest Players of the Game.
Clinton Prairie moved to 4-2 with the win, while Delphi dropped to 2-4.
The Gophers draw Taylor next week in what will be their final regular season home game.
Delphi will take on Sheridan at home as they try to bounce back.
Watch the full game archived on Hoosierland TV by clicking below:
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