CLINTON – The Clinton Redwolves celebrated senior night in the best possible way Friday night, using a huge second half to overcome a slow start to the game, racing past the Ubly Bearcats with 24 unanswered second half points for a 48-22 win, improving Clinton’s record to 7-2 to end the 2025 regular season.
What Happened?
It was a terribly slow start for Clinton on Friday night, as Ubly took control early on, building a quick 14-0 lead throughout a visibly tough first quarter. The Bearcats used a tough ground game to find the end zone twice, scoring on runs of 40-yards and 3-yards to build the 14-0 lead.
Clinton finally got their feet under them late in the first quarter and into the second quarter as Gradyn Whelan scored on the first play of the second quarter, plowing his way into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown run, closing the score to 14-8.
Clinton went on to take the lead with three minutes remaining in the half on a Braxton Randolph 5-yard touchdown, pushing the Redwolves into the lead at 16-14 after the two-point conversion by Randolph was good.
Ubly was not about to go away that easily however, coming back to take the lead at 22-16 on a 31-yard pass play with short time remaining in the half.
Clinton had other ideas however when it came to the halftime score as it was Whelan finding Dacari Garrison on the final play of the first half for the 14-yard touchdown toss. The two-point conversion was good, pushing the Redwolves into the lead at 24-22 heading into the break.
For those looking for a back-and-forth second half what actually transpired may have been disappointing as the Redwolves dominated the second half, shutting out Ubly while scoring 24 unanswered second half points to race to the win.
The scoring started early in the second half with a Garrison 4-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to double digits thanks to the Jones two-point conversion at 32-22.
The scoring continued as it was Jake Halchishak scoring on a 7-yard touchdown run, pushing the lead to 40-22 after a Bryce Randolph conversion.
Clinton’s final trip to the end zone came by way of the ground game as Randolph scored on a 4-yard touchdown run. Whelan ran in the two-point conversion, finding the final score of 48-22.
Statistical Leaders
Clinton controlled the statistical categories, outrushing Ubly 238-141 and out passing the Bearcats 126-92.
Ubly was 6-for-14 on third down for the night and only 1-for-5 on fourth down while Clinton was 3-of-7 on third down and 2-for-4 on fourth down.
Both teams lost a fumble in the game while both teams also committed three penalties.
Top Performers
Clifford Jones, RB, Clinton – Jones led the Clinton rushing effort with 12 carries for 60 yards while adding one catch for 45 yards. On defense Jones was just as dominant, recording seven and a half tackles to lead the Redwolves.
Jake Halchishak, RB, Clinton – Halchishak carried the ball five times for 50 yards and one score while notching two tackles.
Braxton Randolph, Ath, Clinton – Randolph finished the day with big time stats, rushing the ball eight times for 30 yards and one touchdown while adding a team high eight tackles on defense.
Gradyn Whelan, QB, Clinton – Whelan finished the day completing 6 of 9 passes for 126 yards and a score while also adding two rushes for 20 yards and one touchdown.
Dacari Garrison, WR/CB, Clinton – Garrison finished the win as the team’s leading receiver with three catches for 41 yards and one touchdown. Garrison also added three rushes for 19 yards and a touchdown.
Bryce Randolph also scored a rushing touchdown in the win while Brenden Benschoter hauled in one catch for 40 yards.
Tanner Bolton, Ath, Clinton- Bolton finished the game with six tackles to finish third on the Redwolves in that category.
What is next?
Clinton finishes the 2025 regular season at 7-2 overall on the season and finds themselves ranked sixth in the Division 7 playoff points standings.
The Redwolves will find out their postseason fate on Sunday when the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) holds their Selection Show, beginning at 5 p.m.
Ubly meanwhile finishes 3-6 on the season and will miss the playoffs in 2025.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Clinton overcomes slow start, blows past Ubly with dominant second half
Reporting by Troy Tennyson, The Daily Telegram / The Daily Telegram
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
