RedHawks post third shutout of season
- Updated: October 11, 2021
2021 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL
MOUNTAIN EMPIRE 20, TRI-CITY CHRISTIAN 0
EastCountySports.com staff report
PINE VALLEY – The Mountain Empire RedHawks defeated the Tri-City Christian Eagles, 20-0, recording their third shutout of the season on Friday night.
Mountain Empire has won all three of its contests via the shutout, including wins in two of its last three games.
The game against the Eagles was scoreless at the end of the first quarter, but Mountain Empire scored its first touchdown late, late in the second quarter.
Mountain Empire scored in the final minutes of the first half on a 1-yard touchdown run, taking a 7-0 lead into halftime.
In the third quarter, the RedHawks went on a drive that consumed half of the third-quarter clock and culminated the march with an 8-yard run by Larry Clark, one of two rushing scores on the night for the senior, who broke his arm early in the season.
“My arm has been fine but I can’t wait to get my cast off this week and finally be able to wrap up my tackles,” Clark said. “Shout out to Chaz Ennis for still blocking until the whistle with a sprained ankle.”
Midway through the fourth quarter, the RedHawks added their third touchdown of the game.
“We had a really good night on the ground,” Mountain Empire coach Ricky Prince said.
Clark rushed for 109 yards, while Cody Whitehead rushed for 66 yards on the night plus the other score.
“Our line was blocking and I took every gap as an opportunity to make it something big,” Whitehead said. “We have a shot at the playoffs, we all just need to focus up in practice and take this year very seriously.”
Defensive end Landon Laskey had a pair of sacks.
“This game built up some good confidence that will lead into our next game,” Laskey said. “We’re going to watch film, go to practice, and work hard.”
Sophomore defensive back Wyatt Morgan had an interception and five tackles.
Defensive end Lukas Spencer had a forced fumble, a batted pass, and four tackles.
“The defense played really well,” Prince said.
There is no doubt that the RedHawks are battling to make the playoffs.
The team currently sits squarely on the playoff bubble, tied with O’Farrell Charter for the last spot in the postseason.
The RedHawks will need to take care of business against league foe Calipatria next Friday at home.
