Clay County’s season came to an end during Friday’s Class 4A first round matchup against Wayne County.
The Cardinals (8-3) scored the game’s first 14 points, and never looked back during their 49-13 win.
The Tigers saw their season end with a 7-4 mark while still reaching for their first playoff win since 2010.
Wayne County hit on a big play to take a quick lead against a stunned Clay County defense.
Cardinal quarterback Antajuan Dumphord hit Wesley Cares with a 64-yard touchdown strike to give his team a 7-0 advantage with 9:40 remaining in the first quarter.
The Cardinal duo of Cares and Dumphord struck again a minute later, this time with a 60-yard touchdown connection, extending Wayne County’s lead to 14-0.
The Tigers managed to get on the scoreboard with 12 seconds remaining in the first quarter as Tate Rice’s touchdown pass to Tyson Wagers cut Clay County’s deficit to 14-7.
A 10-yard touchdown pass from Rice to Brady Wolfe made the game even tighter. The Tigers’ PAT was blocked, leaving Clay County trailing by one (14-13) with 7:19 to go in the second quarter.
Wayne County managed to add in its lead in its ensuing possession as Dumphord scored on a two-yard run while adding the two-point conversion to give his team a 22-13 lead with 4:59 left until halftime.
A fumble and interception led to two Wayne County touchdowns in the third quarter as the Cardinals’ lead grew to 35-13 with 8:13 left in the third quarter.
Wayne County put its final touches on its win as a seven-yard touchdown run by Nathaniel Sullivan increased the Cardinals’ lead to 42-13 in the fourth quarter.
PLAYOFF DROUGHT CONTINUES: Clay County’s season comes to an end with road loss to Wayne County
