YORK – Clarkson Football North impressed many in their debut in the York Rose Bowl Classic last year, dropping a hard-fought 38-20 game to Imhotep Charter. This year they did more than impress, they knocked off a defending State Champion.
Behind physical line play and a stout defense, Clarkson North overwhelmed Bishop McDevitt 27-7 on Saturday Afternoon at the York Rose Bowl Classic.
“It feels great, and I am so proud of our team,” said Clarkson North head coach Jamie Lalonde “I have so much respect for Bishop McDevitt, and they will be back in the State Tournament, but we executed our game plan and never let up.”
Clarkson North hailing from Mississauga, Ontario just outside of Toronto has become a premier preparatory football program in Canada that builds its schedule mostly by playing some of the best high school programs in the United States.
They were dealt the defending 5A PIAA State Champion Crusaders and from the start Clarkson North made it apparent that it could be a statement day for the program.
Clarkson North forced a Bishop McDevitt punt on the opening drive of the game, but had a pass intercepted around midfield. However, Mason Morkill quickly got Clarkson North the ball back four plays later with a diving interception. Quarterback Jacob Muller was turned loose to run on the ensuing Clarkson North drive, and it ended in him scampering in the end zone from 21 yards out to give the boys from Canada a 7-0 lead with 2:47 left in the first quarter.
“We came out confident and fast and scoring early was so huge for us,” Muller said. “It gave us the confidence that we can beat a team like this and can stop them.”
The Crusaders wasted little time to respond as they took advantage of a trio of 15-yard penalties against Clarkson North to tie the game at seven following a 5-yard touchdown pass from Sebastian Williams to Jontai Quick. Williams was making his first career start under center following the gradation of record-breaking quarterback, Stone Saunders.
“Sebastian did well for what he went up against,” Bishop McDevitt head coach Jeff Weachter said. “Even with games like these the experience matters for him moving forward and knowing different game situations. He is not going to see many better defenses like what they have.”
Muller burned the Crusaders once again with his legs on the ensuing Clarkson North drive as he ran 62 yards down to the Bishop McDevitt 13-yard line. Running back Massimo Ferrone-Byrd put Clarkson North back in front at 14-7 with a 10-yard touchdown run in the opening minute of the second quarter.
Clarkson North maintained their advantage into halftime by forcing a punt and turning the Crusaders over on downs in the red zone during the final minute of the second quarter.
Wide receiver Tyson Clarke became integral to the success of Clarkson North especially in the second half as he used his 6’5 frame to his advantage with a pair of 25-yard catches late in the third quarter. Muller lofted a perfect 14-yard fade pass to the left corner of the end zone to Donovan Wade that put Clarkson North up 20-7 with 37 seconds left in the third quarter.
Clarkson North forced three Bishop McDevitt punts in the fourth quarter with an overpowering effort and used a 5:29 scoring drive capped by a 1-yard plunge from Teavaun Palmer to put the finishing touches on the win.
“We always have had great offensive lines here and knew this one was going to be good too,” Lalonde said. “We are still young up front but pride ourselves to close out the games when we get the chance to.”
Clarkson North held a decisive 354-164 yards advantage and held the Crusaders to just 55 yards on the ground. Muller went just 7-of-20 for 139 yards through the air with a touchdown and an interception but had timely completions while adding 95 rushing yards on 12 carries with a score.
“I think we were underestimated for sure,” Muller said. “It gave us a chip on our shoulder to play with, but it is nice to also have guys out there I can throw to that can make plays and my life easier.”
Williams went 13-of-26 for 109 yards with a touchdown and interception in his first start who now turns its attention to crosstown rival Harrisburg next Saturday afternoon. Senior running back Nazir Jones-Davis was limited to just 52 yards on 14 carries.
“You really do not know what your team truly is until week four or five,” Weachter said. “It is a young football team with a lot of moving parts and did do some good things. Things obviously need to be corrected and I think not even having a scrimmage last week hurt us especially in certain game situations. We will get better.”
Clarkson North has a week off before heading back down to the States to face Walsh Jesuit who currently ranks among the Top 20 in the State of Ohio.
“I want us to build from this,” Lalonde said. “At the end of the day it is just one game, we are 1-0, and I just want us to get better, get deeper, get healthy, and make a run at this thing.”
| SCORE BY QUARTERS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final |
| Clarkson North | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 27 |
| Bishop McDevitt | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Scoring summary
| 1 | CN | Muller, 21 run (Chahine kick) | 2:47 |
| 1 | MCD | Quick, 5 pass from Williams (Grella kick) | 0:04 |
| 2 | CN | Ferrone-Byrd, 10 run (Chahine kick) | 11:00 |
| 3 | CN | Wade, 14 pass from Muller (Kick blocked) | 0:37 |
| 4 | CN | Palmer, 1 run (Chahine kick) | 1:37 |
Team statistics
| Clarkson North | Bishop McDevitt | |
| First downs | 16 | 12 |
| Rushes-yards | 33-215 | 24-55 |
| Passing yards | 139 | 109 |
| Total yards | 354 | 164 |
| Passes COMP-ATT-INT | 7-20-1 | 13-26-1 |
| Fumbles-lost | 1-1 | 0-0 |
| Punts-average | 2-35.5 | 6-39.5 |
| Penalties-yards | 9-96 | 7-56 |
Individual statistics
RUSHING
Clarkson North: Muller 12-95, Ferrone-Byrd 14-69, Martin-Pendley 5-48, Palmer 2-3
Bishop McDevitt: Jones-Davis 14-52, Barnes Jr. 5-19, Larue Jr. 2-0, Williams 2-(-2), Grella 1-(-14)
PASSING
Clarkson North: Muller 7-20-1—139
Bishop McDevitt: Williams 13-26-1–109
RECEIVING
Clarkson North: Clarke 4-90, Wade 3-49
Bishop McDevitt: Quick 3-9, Fuller 2-27, Holton Jr. 2-13, Larue Jr. 2-(-4), Brown 1-33, Ruth 1-12, Jones-Davis 1-11, Palmer 1-8
INTERCEPTIONS
Clarkson North: Morkill
Bishop McDevitt: Crummel
MISSED FIELD GOALS
Clarkson North: Chaine 32, 30
Bishop McDevitt: None
