A 45-yard interception return for a touchdown was a fitting end for the Clearfield High defense which keyed a 36-7 blowout of Region 1 rival Northridge Friday night.
"I think this was our best defensive effort of the season," said Clearfield coach Randy Johnson. "We got on them quick and I think think that set the tone."And set the tone they did. The Falcon defense blocked a Northridge punt on the Knight's first possession taking over on the Northridge 18. Five plays later, Ray Sandoval punched in from the two yard line and a 7-0 lead that would hold until midway through the second quarter when the defense picked off the first of four passes. Clearfield's Chris Hansen picked off the pass at the Falcon 36 and returned it to the Northridge 27. The offense used one play, a 27 yard pass from Trevor Murray to Jeremy Bair, to make it 14-0.
For Clearfield's final score of the half, Randy Carlson booted a 26 yard field goal for a 17-0 lead.
Northridge got its only score of the night on the ensuing kickoff as Willie Wilson took the ball on his own two yard line and raced 98 yards untouched to close the margin to 17-7 at the half.
Jared Flint increased the margin to 23-7 by scoring from the three yard line after Jeremy Avondet intercepted a pass.
The fourth quarter was again all Clearfield. Bair's interception of a Northridge flea-flicker set up a 36 yard pass from Murray to Sandoval at the 10:25 mark. Aaron Oglesby capped the night, picking off a pass and racing in from 45 yards out with :26 remaining to make it 36-7.
Bonneville 38, Roy 0
At Bonneville, the Lakers had little problem in winning their region opener as they shut out the Royals (1-3). Bonneville improved to 3-1 on the season as they snapped Roy's one-game winning streak.
Layton 14, Weber 0
At Layton, the Lancers evened their record by defeating the Warriors. Trent Teeples and Jeff Duffy each scored touchdowns to lead the way for Layton (2-2, 1-1) while Weber (0-4, 0-2) remained winless.