LAKEPORT >> Sam Long broke through a big hole at the line of scrimmage on a third-and-goal run from the 5-yard line in overtime to lift the Clear Lake Cardinals to a rain-soaked 12-6 victory over the Cloverdale Eagles on Friday night in Lakeport.
“It was tough sledding,” Clear Lake coach Mark Cory said of inclement weather and soaked field at Don Owens Stadium. “We were trying to find spots on the field that weren’t so slippery.”
Clear Lake (3-4 league, 4-5 overall) snapped a four-game losing streak. Cloverdale falls to 2-5 in the North Central League I standings.
After Long scored in overtime and Clear Lake missed the extra-point kick, the Eagles had four downs from the 10-yard line to tie or possibly win the game, but they fumbled on first down and Clear Lake’s Juancarlos Flores-Garcia recovered the ball to end it.
Clear Lake nearly won in regulation but a Long touchdown run late in the fourth quarter was wiped out by a holding penalty.
“They were upset about it, but they buckled down and came back to win it,” Cory said. “The kids played exceptional. It was a great win.”
The Cardinals fell behind 6-0 on a 90-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. They tied it early in the fourth quarter when Brandon Orozco scored on a 35-yard reverse, his only carry of the game.
Long, back in the lineup after an injury sidelined him for most of the month, finished with 74 yards on 22 carries while Cameron Borg added 73 on seven carries.
“He definitely helped us tonight,” Cory said of Long.
The Cardinals had no yards passing on only two attempts.
Both teams turned the ball over twice.
“They left it all on the field tonight,” Cory said of his players.
