Category: Clayton State

Clayton State Comes from Behind for 23-20 Road Victory at Andrew

CUTHBERT, Ga. — Clayton State used a balanced offense and a strong defensive effort to hold off Andrew College 23-20 Saturday, earning a hard-fought road victory.

Andrew led 20-15 before the Lakers put together a nine-play, 70-yard drive late in the fourth quarter. With 1:53 remaining, backup quarterback DeAngelo Walton connected with Danirion Moxey for a 14-yard touchdown to give the Lakers a 21-20 advantage. Clayton State converted the ensuing two-point conversion to extend its lead to 23-20.

Down three with one final opportunity, the Fighting Tigers were unable to get into field goal range. Quarterback Nick Commisso connected with Nnamdi Osuorah for 14 yards on the final possession, but Andrew ultimately turned the ball over on downs at its own 34-yard line, allowing Clayton State to run out the remaining clock.

The Lakers finished with 323 yards of offense, including 183 through the air and 140 on the ground. Andrew was limited to 203 total yards despite controlling the ball for more than 34 minutes.

Clayton State’s passing attack was led by the third-string quarterback Walton, subbing for Jeremiah Mallory who went out with a head injury. Walton completed 7 of 8 passes for 117 yards. Mallory added 66 yards on 7-of-15 passing.

Ryan Webster paced the Lakers on the ground, rushing 10 times for 105 yards, an average of 10.5 yards per carry.

Savion West provided the biggest impact in the passing game, catching three passes for 62 yards and two touchdowns. Moxey added four receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown.

Clayton State’s defense helped preserve the victory by intercepting Andrew twice. The Lakers limited the Fighting Tigers to just 71 passing yards and 2.8 yards per rushing attempt.

Andrew relied heavily on its ground game, running 48 times for 132 yards. J. Quan carried 20 times for 67 yards and scored all three of Andrew’s touchdowns.

Clayton State overcame two turnovers and 13 penalties totaling 114 yards. The Lakers converted 3 of 9 third downs while holding Andrew to just 1 of 11.

The Lakers improve to 5-0 on the season.

Photo courtesy Clayton State Football

Clayton State Holds Off Westgate 43-37

ELLENWOOD, Ga. – The Clayton State Lakers improved to 4-0 in dramatic fashion Saturday, holding off a furious second-half comeback by Westgate Christian University to secure a 43-37 victory.

Westgate struck first in spectacular fashion when Ravens wide receiver Jayir Nelson returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, giving the visitors an early 7-0 advantage.

The Lakers quickly responded behind quarterback Jeremiah Mallory, who found Dekari Carter on a 30-yard touchdown pass to tie the game before Clayton State took control following an interception by Jackson. The turnover led to another scoring strike as Mallory connected with Savion West on a 32-yard touchdown pass.

Clayton State continued its offensive explosion throughout the second quarter. Mallory added a 1-yard touchdown run, Ashton Gochett scored from 3 yards out, and Mallory connected with Moxey for a 55-yard touchdown pass. Michael Kraskoukas capped the first-half scoring with a 34-yard field goal, giving the Lakers a commanding 31-7 lead.

Westgate refused to go away. Quarterback Jared Guter found Jayir Nelson for an 8-yard touchdown late in the second quarter, cutting the deficit to 31-13 heading into halftime.

The third quarter belonged entirely to the Ravens. Westgate’s defense slowed the red-hot Lakers offense while its offense mounted an impressive comeback. Guter powered in for two 1-yard touchdown runs and connected with Jayir Nelson on a 7-yard scoring pass. The Ravens successfully converted all of their two-point attempts and eventually tied the game at 37-37 early in the fourth quarter.

With momentum swinging heavily toward Westgate, the Lakers delivered one final answer.

Mallory stepped up once again, connecting with West for a 60-yard touchdown pass that proved to be the game-winner, sealing another thrilling Clayton State victory.

The win keeps CSU’s record unblemished at 4-0 overall and 2-0 in conference play while Westgate moves to 1-4 and 0-1.

By the Numbers

Clayton State Lakers

  • Jeremiah Mallory: 13-of-19 passing, 348 yards, 4 passing touchdowns
  • Rushing: 2 carries, 32 yards, 1 touchdown
  • Total Offense: 464 yards

Westgate Christian Ravens

  • Total Offense: 397 yards

Next Up

The Lakers will look to remain unbeaten when they travel to face NAIA opponent Andrew College on Saturday, October 3.

Story and photo courtesy Clayton State Football

Lakers Shut Out Gordon State 23-0

BARNESVILLE, Ga. – The Clayton State Lakers put together a complete team effort Saturday, defeating rival Gordon State 23-0 behind a balanced offensive attack and a suffocating defensive performance.

The Lakers struck first early in the second quarter when kicker Michael Kraskoukas connected on a 32-yard field goal to give Clayton State a 3-0 advantage. Later in the quarter, quarterback Jemeriah Mallory found wide receiver DJ Walton streaking downfield for a 49-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead to 9-0 after the extra point attempt was blocked.

The third quarter belonged to the Lakers’ ground game. Running back Ryan Webster consistently moved the chains with key runs of 19 and 21 yards before capping the drive with a 10-yard touchdown run. Webster’s scoring run pushed the Clayton State lead to 17-0 and gave the Lakers full control of the contest.

The defense put the finishing touches on the victory in the fourth quarter when Savion West stepped in front of a Gordon State pass and returned the interception 66 yards for a touchdown, sealing the Lakers’ commanding 23-0 shutout victory.

Clayton State showcased a balanced offensive attack, totaling 357 yards of offense, including 174 rushing yards and 183 passing yards. Mallory efficiently led the offense, completing 14 of 20 passes for 183 yards and one touchdown. Walton provided the big-play threat, hauling in four receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, the Lakers delivered one of their most impressive performances of the season, holding the Highlanders to a season-low 155 total yards. Safety Charles Gordon led the defensive effort with nine tackles and one pass breakup, helping anchor a unit that kept Gordon State off the scoreboard from start to finish.

With the victory, the Lakers improve to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in NSAC play while Gordon State drops 2-1 and 0-1. CSU now turns its attention to a pivotal conference matchup as it hosts Westgate on Saturday, September 26, in Morrow, Georgia. The Highlanders host Louisiana Community Christian on September 27.

Story and photo courtesy Clayton State Football

Clayton State Lakers Dominate Talladega, 24-9

ELLENWOOD, Ga. – The Clayton State Lakers won in impressive fashion Saturday with a commanding 24-9 victory over Talladega, fueled by a high-powered passing attack and a dominant defensive performance.

Quarterback Jeremiah Mallory led the way for the Lakers, completing 16 of 28 passes for 327 yards and three touchdowns. Mallory consistently stretched the field and delivered big plays when the offense needed them most.

The Lakers wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, as Mallory connected with Moxey on a 10-yard touchdown pass in the opening quarter to give Clayton State an early lead.

In the second quarter, the Lakers struck again through the air when Mallory found Jaylen Jackson for a 53-yard touchdown, extending the advantage to 14-0. Dega U capitalized on a Lakers fumble late in the half and scored to trim the deficit to 14-7 heading into halftime.

Clayton State regained momentum in the third quarter behind the leg of kicker Michael Kraskouskas, who drilled a 32-yard field goal to push the lead to 17-7.

The Lakers sealed the victory in the fourth quarter when Mallory connected with Walton on a 47-yard touchdown strike, putting the game out of reach and securing the 24-9 win.

While the offense delivered explosive plays, the Lakers defense was the story of the night. Clayton State forced three turnovers and held Talladega to just 124 total yards of offense. The defense consistently controlled the line of scrimmage and limited scoring opportunities throughout the contest.

Gerald Brown III led the defensive effort with eight tackles, helping anchor a unit that set the tone from start to finish.

With a balanced offensive attack and a suffocating defensive performance, the Lakers showcased why they will be a team to watch this season. The victory moves CSU to 3-0 on the season and provides strong momentum as Clayton State looks ahead to conference play against home state rival Gordon State.

Story and photo courtesy Clayton State Football

Clayton State Crushes Lighthouse in Championship Rematch

ELLENWOOD, Ga. – The Clayton State Lakers opened their season with a dominant 38-0 victory over the Lighthouse College Makos, a rematch of last season’s championship game.

The Lakers struck first on their opening possession, marching 59 yards down the field before quarterback Sire Hardaway connected with Savion West on a 12-yard touchdown pass to put Clayton State ahead 7-0.

The Makos’ opening drive ended almost immediately when they fumbled the snap on their first offensive play. Kennan Burns recovered the ball for the Lakers, setting up a scoring opportunity that resulted in a Michael Kraskouskas field goal and a 10-0 advantage.

In the second quarter, Hardaway continued to lead the offense efficiently, finding DeAngeleo Walton for a 4-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead to 17-0. After the Lakers defense forced a turnover on downs, Clayton State capitalized again when Hardaway hit Walton for a 60-yard touchdown strike, sending the Lakers into halftime with a commanding 24-0 lead.

The Lakers defense remained relentless after the break. Defensive back Charles Gordon stepped in front of a pass and returned the interception 48 yards for a touchdown, pushing the lead to 31-0. Clayton State would add one final score when Hardaway connected with Chad Rafe on a 43-yard touchdown pass to cap the scoring at 38-0.

Statistically, the Lakers controlled every aspect of the game. Clayton State compiled 304 total yards of offense while holding Lighthouse College to just 120 total yards. Hardaway led the offensive charge, completing 10 of 14 passes for 153 yards and three touchdowns, spreading the ball effectively among several receivers and delivering multiple explosive plays through the air.

The Lakers defense was equally impressive, forcing key turnovers, recording a defensive touchdown, and pitching a shutout. The unit consistently kept the Makos offense off balance and prevented any sustained scoring threats throughout the contest.

With the win, CSU seemed to pick up where they left off last November when it downed Lighthouse in the inaugural NSAC championship 42-28.

With a complete team performance on both sides of the ball, Clayton State begins the season 1-0 and will look to build on the momentum from an impressive opening-week victory. 

Story and photo courtesy Clayton State Football