ARBUCKLE — Quarterback Jack Daskam’s 40-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tyler Haskell in the second quarter was all the offense the Clear Lake Cardinals could muster in a 15-8 loss to the Pierce Bears during a non-league varsity football game Friday night in Arbuckle.
Clear Lake (1-1) went ahead 8-7 in the second quarter on the Daskam-to-Haskell connection, with Daskam running in the two-point conversion after an errant snap on the extra-point kick. Pierce regained the lead with 2:09 left in the third quarter on a short touchdown run and the ensuring conversion run.
“We played better this week than last,” Clear Lake head coach Mark Cory said of his team’s first road game of the 2021 season. “We played a real nice game, but it was just a tough go all the way around against them (Bears).”
While the defenses of both teams dominated the game, Pierce (1-1) had an edge up front with its line, according to Cory.
“One of the best fronts we’ll face all year,” Cory said. “Their nose tackle was good and their two ends are college-level football players. My younger line was battling.”
Daskam, who passed for two touchdowns (both to Haskell) and ran for another a week ago in the Cardinals’ season-opening 33-8 win at home against Ferndale, was under intense pressure all night and his scrambling ability came in handy, according to Cory. The senior went 14-for-22 for 153 yards passing, one TD and one interception. He also ran for 40 yards.
“We moved the ball but we couldn’t consistently hang our hat on anything,” Cory said of the Cardinals’ running and passing games.
Pierce scored on a run and added the extra-point kick to take a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.
“We got way better tonight,” Cory said of the step up in competition from a week ago.
Ethan Maize led the Cardinals on the ground with 53 yards on nine carries. Haskell led the team with three catches for 92 yards.
There was no junior varsity game because Clear Lake has players in COVID-19 quarantine.
The Cardinals have a bye next week before returning home Sept. 17 to play Winters.
