Standings; Friday Scores; UNC Coach Coming!

A failed two-point conversion attempt by Clarksburg enabled Damascus to escape with a 14-13 home victory over the Coyotes Friday before an overflow crowd, clinching the school’s state-record 12th consecutive playoff appearance.

“It’s an incredible program,” said Damascus Head Coach Eric Wallich, who graduated from the school in 1990. “I certainly don’t take the credit for it, a lot of people went before me and after me. It’s a great place to be.”

The game marked the first ever meeting between the 3A rivals. Since opening in 2006, Clarksburg has competed in 2A until this season.

After Damascus quarterback Connor Frazier connected with Nick Pugh on a 10-yard touchdown in overtime, the Swarmin’ Hornets kicked the extra point to take a 14-7 lead.

Clarksburg answered three plays later when quarterback Andrew Veith hit Sam Collins from three yards out for the touchdown, cutting the deficit to one-point in the extra session.

However, instead of attempting the extra-point to tie the game, Clarksburg opted to go for two points and the win.

“There was no question, we were going for it,” said Clarksburg Head Coach Larry Hurd Jr.

The Damascus defense stopped Veith short of the goal line to prevent a two-point conversion and seal the Swarmin’ Hornets fifth consecutive win.

“They were trying to pass and Veith rolled out,” Damascus junior defensive back Brandon Phelps said of the game’s final play. “The guy ran out in the flats [and] I had him covered and one of our linebackers came in and stripped the ball.”

When Veith lined up under center to take the snap, the Damascus defense was ready and senior linebacker Brian Lucas was focused on his assignment.

“Basically if there’s a fake, if there’s a throw, if there’s anything I’m spying on Veith and it paid off,” said Lucas, who made the game-saving tackle on the Clarksburg quarterback. “That last play was textbook my coaches would say.”

After a scoreless first quarter, Clarksburg scored late in the second quarter when Veith connected with Ace Clark Jr. on a 15-yard touchdown pass with 1:01 remaining, taking a 7-0 lead at halftime.

Damascus answered on the first series of the second half when the Swarmin’ Hornets drove 55 yards in nine plays, culminating in a 6-yard touchdown run by Lucas.

Damascus squandered two scoring opportunities late in the fourth quarter. A 24-yard touchdown pass from Frazier to Phelps was negated by a penalty and kicker Alberto Marroquin’s 23-yard field goal attempt was wide left.

However, the Swarmin’ Hornets redeemed themselves in the overtime.

“This is a huge win,” said Phelps.

Damascus (7-2) concludes the regular season at Kennedy while Clarksburg (6-3) can still earn a playoff berth with a win over Wootton in the regular season finale.

Game MVP: Brian Lucas
The senior two-way, four-year starter scored a touchdown on offense and made the game-saving tackle in overtime to preserve the win.

Game Stats

Rushing Leaders
Damascus: Lucas 23-70 (1 TD)
Clarksburg: DeSean Martinez 12-47

Passing Leaders
Damascus: Frazier 7-12-87 (1 TD)
Clarksburg: Veith 8-14-82 (2 TDs)

Receiving Leaders
Damascus: Greg Stanton 2-27; Nick Pugh 2-17 (1 TD)
Clarksburg: Sam Collins 6-57 (1 TD)

Scoring Summary

Second Quarter: Clarksburg Touchdown, 7-0
Veith 15-yard pass to Ace Clark Jr. (Vicente Kinney kick)

Third Quarter: Damascus Touchdown, 7-7
Lucas 6-yard run (Alberto Marroquin kick)

Overtime: Damascus Touchdown, 14-7
Frazier 10-yard pass to Nick Pugh (Marroquin kick)

Overtime: Clarksburg Touchdown, 14-13
Veith 3-yard pass to Sam Collins (failed two-point conversion)