Clayton backup QBs produce against Smithfield-Selma

Junior standout Landen Leiser, who had passed for more than 1,000 yards in Clayton’s first three games, was on the sideline for precautionary reasons, but the Comets had more than enough weapons to roll to a 40-7 nonconference victory over Smithfield-Selma on Friday night.

“He’s fine,” Clayton coach Hunter Jenks said of Leiser. “It’s a week-to-week thing.”

Leiser, wearing his No. 12 jersey and blue jeans, said he just “took a lot of hits last week” and was out for precautionary reasons.

Converted wide receiver John Ross Parrish and sophomore Austin Cagle shared time at quarterback.

Parrish had two short TD runs and threw for another and Cagle completed six of nine passes for 89 yards. Combined, the pair went 8-for-13 for 167 yards passing and played turnover-free football for the Comets (3-1).

Clayton was good enough on offense to put together a 99-yard scoring drive with Parrish at quarterback.

“I was proud of them,” Jenks said of his two subs who stepped in big. “Cagle is a sophomore and this was his first varsity game. John Ross Parrish had played receiver. They had one day of practice (at quarterback). They came out and competed and didn’t try to do too much and they executed the offense.”

The offense had a little different look. Instead of Leiser passing for more than 350 yards (his average in three games), the Comets ran the ball between the tackles for 256 yards, including a 70-yard breakaway from Macaleb Robertson.

“I think we have a running game,” Jenks said. “We were taking what they were giving us.”

Smithfield-Selma (0-4) got on the scoreboard when Antonio McDaniel broke loose for 13 yards late in the game.

“We played hard,” Spartans coach Wes Hill said. “We made some mistakes and it cost us some scores. Everything we have got to do is fixable.”

TURNING POINT

Clayton’s first two scores set tone for the game.

With Cagle at quarterback, the Comets moved down the field, mostly on ground, on their first possession. When the Comets got close to the goal line, Parrish came in and scored on a 1-yard run.

Then, late in the first quarter, Robertson got outside and took off on a 70-yard TD to make it 13-0.

The Comets were off and running after that.

THREE TO KNOW

John Ross Parrish, Clayton: The wide receiver looked right at home at quarterback, running the ball well on the edge and scoring a couple of TDs. He also connected with wideout Devin Carter on a well-thrown 15-yard touchdown pass.

Brock Swackhammer, Clayton: The Comets used the senior to run between the tackles and he produced 68 yards on six carries.

Tyquan Dublin, SSS: The big senior bulled his way for 56 yards on 15 carries.

KEY STAT

The 256 rushing yards for the Comets.

“We were more geared up for the starter,” Smithfield’s Hill said of Leiser. “The other guy ran the ball a lot. He was getting out on the edge. He wasn’t afraid to tuck it and go and that hurt us early.”

And the running game worked all night for the Comets, who used a bevy of backs to pick up yards.

This story was originally published September 10, 2016 at 2:01 PM with the headline "Clayton backup QBs produce against Smithfield-Selma."