As heard on 92.3 FM WHOW, the Clinton Maroons scored two touchdowns with less than three minutes to play in the 4th quarter to top the Sullivan Redskins Friday night, 42-38.

It was a back and forth game throughout, with the Maroons leading at the half 21-19.  Clinton added to the lead to start the third quarter, but Sullivan-Okaw Valley responded with two long touchdown runs to go up 32-28 early in the 4th quarter.  Another Redskin touchdown made it 38-28 with only 6:22 to play, but the Maroons fought back to score with 2:40 to play.  Trailing 38-35 Clinton opted for an onside kick that they recovered.  They marched down the field, and scored the go ahead touchdown when Junior Quarterback Noah Griffin lept over the pile on the goal line with just seconds remaining.  The extra point made it a 42-38 final.

Clinton was led on offense by Griffin, who was 21 of 26 passing for 253 yards and 3 touchdowns through the air.  He also added 2 rushing touchdowns, including the game winner.  The performance earned him the nod for the Stephan York Country Financial Maroons Player of the Game.

Clinton Junior Running Back Alec Cooley also had a stellar game.  Rushing for 123 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries.  Cooley also set the Clinton High School single season rushing record, surpassing Ontario Sneed's previous record of 1609 yards in one season.  Cooley unofficially has 1721 yards on the year to go along with 20 rushing touchdowns.

Senior Wide Receiver Tanner White also had a tremendous game, hauling in 10 catches for 129 yards and 3 TDs.

Sullivan was led by quarterback Ty Molzen.  The Senior ran 11 times for 190 yards and 2 touchdowns.  He was 7 of 11 passing for 121 yards with a TD and an interception.

The game was vital for both teams playoff hopes.  Both Clinton and Sullivan now sit at 5-4 on the season and 3-4 in the CIC.  The five wins makes each team elligible for the postseason, but it will come down to a matter of playoff points (determined by opponent's win totals) to see if they get a playoff berth. 

The IHSA Playoff Pairings will be announced beginning at 8pm Saturday.  You can hear full coverage of the playoff pairings, and interviews with area coaches on the Prairie Farms Dairy Playoff Preview Show on 95.9FM WEZC Saturday from 7-9pm.  It will also be streamed online by clicking the WEZC sports stream icon on the homepage of DeWittDailyNews.com.