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The Lexington Minutemen secured their first victory of the season in week 3, gearing up for a conference showdown against the Mount Vernon Yellow Jackets.
Head Coach Saris emphasized the team's focus on breaking the season into sections and aiming for success as they transition into league play.
“It's fun to beat a rival next week to start the conference,” Saris told Mount Vernon News of the matchup with Mount Vernon.
“But I always say you break it into three sections, you've got your three non leagues, your seven leagues, and hopefully get a chance to put yourself an opportunity to get in the playoffs. So we're on the middle section now. Our boys know how we practice our structure of practice now. We've got to be fluid at it and efficient at it and hopefully see the fruits of success. And so when we this week, you know, we got on the kids this week, we were tough on them, maybe a little extra running, a little extra toughness drills. But when you see success after that, hopefully they get to your binder.”
Wide receiver Brayden Fogle highlighted their rigorous practice routine to prepare for their upcoming game against Mount Vernon.
“Probably going to do the same thing we did last week. We had a pretty rough few practices. Coaches were on us, everything, but that's what you got to have to win games,” Fogle told Mount Vernon News.
Lexington Minutemen edged Clear Fork Colts 28-27 in week 3
[See video HERE.]
In week 3 of the prep football season Lexington Minutemen clashed with the Clear Fork Colts.
The first quarter saw Clear Fork's quarterback, Mason Sansom, facing pressure from Lexington's defense, leading to a sack by Bryce Barber.
Despite this, Clear Fork managed to gain the upper hand when Nick Appleman executed a 58-yard rushing touchdown, putting the Colts ahead 7-0.
As the second quarter kicked off, Markale Martin responded for Lexington with a 3-yard touchdown run, leveling the score at 7-7.
The action intensified when Luke Schlosser powered through for a 7-yard rushing touchdown, giving Clear Fork a 14-7 advantage.
Mason Sansom extended Clear Fork's lead with a 45-yard touchdown run, making it 21-7.
Lexington didn't back down, as Joe Caudill connected with Brayden Fogle for a 9-yard receiving touchdown, closing the gap to 21-14.
The second quarter ended with a lateral miscue on a punt from Clear Fork to Lexington, resulting in a fumble that gave Lexington an opportunity at the Clear Fork 43-yard line. However, the clock ran out, and the score remained 21-14 in favor of Clear Fork.
The third quarter ignited with Sevyn Allen's 93-yard touchdown reception from Markale Martin, leveling the score at 21-21. Luke Schlosser further boosted Clear Fork's spirits by intercepting Joe Caudill's pass, setting up Clear Fork's offense at the Lexington 43-yard line. Markale Martin later fumbled, but the ball was recovered by Mason Sansom, who kept Clear Fork in control. Sansom then threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Milo Burgholder, though the two-point conversion attempt failed, resulting in a 27-21 lead for Clear Fork.
In the final quarter, Joe Caudill connected with Brayden Fogle for a 35-yard passing touchdown, giving Lexington a slim lead at 28-27 with 11:18 remaining in the game. A missed field goal attempt by Clear Fork's Adam Vanausdale gave Lexington a chance to secure the victory.
Clear Fork's offense attempted to regain control but ultimately turned the ball over on downs with just 1:40 left on the clock.
The final whistle blew, and the scoreboard read Clear Fork 27, Lexington 28, with the Minutemen emerging victorious in a game that will be remembered for its dramatic twists until the very last second.
Fogle told Mount Vernon News he wasn’t sure on one of the two touuchdowns he scored until he lookced back at the referee.
“I got up there pretty high and then I didn't think I was even in bounds after I caught it. But I look back, Ref had his hands up. I was like, ‘touchdown,’” Fogle said.
Saris said the team showed perserverance in pulling out the close win.
“Early on defensively they did a couple of things where we just misaligned and it put us in a bad spot,” Saris told Mount Vernon News.
“They capitalized on it, but it nice for our kids was made an adjustment didn't give us that clichéd deer in the headlights look and took the coaching and put ourselves in an opportunity to be successful then rest of the night. And then offensively, I thought we did a great job of making the big plays when we needed to, but also grinding out, sustaining some drives and protecting our quarterback. That was huge and allowed us to make some of those big plays.”
Austin Fisher and Levi Davis were on field correspondents for this game.
