By PAUL GOTHAM
WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. — Zymier Jackson threw for two touchdowns and scored another as East/World of Inquiry cruised to a 42-7 victory over Section VI champion Clarence in the New York State Class A Far West Regional, Friday night at Williamsville South High School.
Leading 14-7 early in the third quarter, Jackson connected with Junayde Dunn-Richardson to ignite a 21-0 effort coming out of halftime.
“We were off kilter in the first half,” said East co-head coach Steve Flagler. “Uncharacteristic things happening, an emotional roller coaster. We just told them to calm down and play ball. That wasn’t us in the first half. They responded.”
Clarence (11-1-0) came into the game averaging 34 points per outing and had scored 40 or more in four of its previous five contests. The Eagles’ defense allowed a first quarter touchdown and then went on to convert a pair of interceptions into scores.
“We knew we had to stop the run,” co-head coach James Vann said. “They were going to get into the wing-T (offensive set). We stopped the run and we’re tough upfront. They just kept fighting and if they all did their jobs, we knew we would be fine. They executed what they were supposed to. Yeah, we gave up a little here and there. We’re a bend but don’t break defense. That was the job to execute.”
On third and 17 from the 35, Zymier Jackson hits Kelvin Shepard in the end zone. @EastEpo 7 Clarence 0 NYS Class A Far West Regional pic.twitter.com/cOhskO162g
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) November 18, 2023
After a DeAndre Leonard interception, @EastEpo goes 41 yards on 6 plays. Zymier Jackson connects with Junayde Dunn-Richardson. Extra-point is good. Eagles 21-7 with 9:07 remaining in the third quarter. pic.twitter.com/AG2w11KPH7
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) November 18, 2023
DeAndre Leonard. Pick-six! 3:48 remaining in the third: @EastEpo 35-7. pic.twitter.com/TwCstJIEEc
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) November 18, 2023
Mazie Riley’s interception gave East the ball on the the Clarence 48-yard line. Six plays later, Jackson caught a halfback option from DeMari Green for a 28-7 East/WOI lead.
DeAndre Leonard followed with a pick-six from 24 yards out for a 35-7 advantage. Perrion Williams then returned an interception 82 yards for another score.
“Our goal all week was to get them out of the double-wing (offensive set),” Flagler said. “If we did that, we really liked what we saw.”
East (11-0-0) will play Section III champion Whitesboro next Friday in the state semifinals. It will be the program’s first trip to the state final four since 1996.
“It means a lot to show to these guys,” Vann said. “They won’t quit. They like being together and they want to play past Thanksgiving.”
“That’s been the goal, been the goal for a couple years to play past Thanksgiving,” Flagler said.
Jackson finished the night 12-of-21 for 215 yards and two touchdowns through the air.
Jackson connected with Kelvin Shepard for an early 7-0 lead.
Clarence put together an 84-yard drive that Jeff Long finished with a touchdown.
Anthony Hampton’s interception gave East the ball at the Clarence two-yard line. Ervin Wiggins punched it in from there to give the Eagles a lead they did not surrender at 14-7 with 7:25 remaining in the first half.
A 6 PM kickoff is scheduled next Friday at Cicero-North Syracuse High School.
OTHER SCORES:
CLASS D
CANISTEO-GREENWOOD 16
CLYMER/SHERMAN/PANAMA 50
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