Published: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009 / Updated: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009 12:12 AM

Clover 47, Nation Ford 14

FORT MILL -- Coming off its second loss of the season, Clover came into Nation Ford's stadium on Friday and took its frustration out on the Falcons in a 47-14 victory.

The Blue Eagles (7-2, 2-1 Region 3-AAAA) scored on their first four series and controlled the momentum of the game from the opening snap. Clover collected 564 total yards, 426 coming in the first half as it ran over Nation Ford (3-6, 0-3).

“We played well,” Clover coach Jet Turner said. “Our guys executed well. I was pleased. It was a good effort.”

The Falcons struggled in the first half, collecting just 64 total yards, but came around in the second half. Unfortunately for Nation Ford, it was too little, too late.

Blue Eagles junior quarterback Aaron Miller was 4-of-7 in the first half for 165 yards and three touchdowns. Clover didn't throw a pass in the second half and didn't need to. Their running game did the rest as they rushed 46 times for 399 yards.

“We have a bunch of guys that do a good job,” Turner said of his running game.

Junior Derrick Carothers got the scoring started for Clover as he rushed in for a 7-yard touchdown just seven plays into the game. Carothers led the Blue Eagles' ground attack as he collected 127 yards on 12 carries and two touchdowns.

However, it wasn't just Carothers who Nation Ford had to worry about. Senior Tyron Douglas rushed for 97 yards and two scores, and senior Max Elliott rushed for 70 yards and caught two passes for 84 yards and two touchdowns.

Clover recovered the kickoff after their first touchdown and scored on the very next play as Miller connected with Elliott for a 40-yard touchdown, giving the Blue Eagles two scores in a matter of 12 seconds.

The Blue Eagles' defense was just as dominant as their offense in the first half as they had a stranglehold on Nation Ford's offense. Clover dominated the Falcons on defense so much that Nation Ford's longest play from scrimmage in the first half was a 24-yard scramble from kicker Trevor Witcher after a botched punt attempt. Despite the lengthy run, Nation Ford was still 2 yards short of a first down.

On Clover's third possession of the first quarter, Miller connected with Douglas for a 43-yard touchdown on a 10 play, 81-yard drive.

The Blue Eagles only struggles came in the second quarter, where they missed two extra points. Clover added three more scores in the quarter, two from Elliott. The first was a 44-yard reception from Miller, and the second was a 25-yard run.

Douglas added the third score of the quarter, capping off a one-play series with a 41-yard touchdown run. Clover had three scoring drives in the first half that lasted only one play.

Coming out of the half with a 40-0 lead, Clover took it easy on the Falcons in the second half. Nation Ford continued to give it everything they had.

The Falcons took their opening drive in the second half and marched 66 yards on 11 plays to finally get on the board. Junior quarterback Thomas Condron hit junior receiver Nick Damm for a 5-yard touchdown.

Condron, who was just 4-for-12 in the first half for 26 yards, found his rhythm in the second half, going 12-for-16 for 156 yards and two touchdowns.

Not to be shown up by Nation Ford's score, Clover took the ball and scored their final points of the game on its first drive in the second half. This time, Carothers scored his second touchdown of the game with a 14-yard run to cap a five-play, 67-yard drive.

After both teams turned the ball over on downs, Nation Ford struck again. Starting at their 22, the Falcons went 78 yards in four plays to get in the end zone. The big play on drive was junior Will Ford's 50-yard reception to get the Falcons into the red zone. Condron connected with senior receiver Brandon Sturgis on the next play with a 10-yard pass for the score.

Despite the second half rally, Falcons coach Rusty Jester wasn't pleased with his team.

“We didn't rise to the occasion,” he said. “Physically, they took it to us. At times, we looked like we didn't even practice this week. I didn't recognize the team I put out there. This is very disappointing to the players and coaches. Our offense was spotty, and our defense didn't have an answer for those running backs.” CLOVER 47, NATION FORD 14

Clover.....21.....19.....7.....0.....--.....47

Nation Ford.....0.....0.....7.....7.....--.....14

SCORING SUMMARY

C -- Derrick Carothers seven-yard run (Jonathan Faile kick)

C -- Aaron Miller to Max Elliott 40-yard pass (Faile kick)

C -- Miller to Tyron Douglas 43-yard pass (Faile kick)

C -- Miller to Elliott 44-yard pass (kick failed)

C -- Elliott 25-yard run (kick failed)

C -- Douglas 41-yard run (Faile kick)

NF -- Thomas Condron to Nick Damm five-yard pass (Trevor Witcher kick)

C -- Carothers 14-yard run (Faile kick)

NF -- Condron to Brandon Sturgis 10-yard pass (Witcher kick)

TEAM STATISTICS

.....CHS.....NFHS

First Downs.....19.....13

Rushes-Yards.....46-399.....20-95

Passing-Yards.....4-165.....16-182

Fumbles-Lost.....1-1.....0-0

Penalties-Yards.....4-25.....5-57

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING -- Clover: Derrick Carothers 12-127, Tyron Douglas 8-97, Max Elliott 8-70, Aaron Miller 5-41, Garrett Duke 4-19, Quontavious Stewart 3-12, Jordan Moore 2-18, Courtland Bailey 2-13, Charles Kirk 1-4, Taylor Whitley 1-(-2). Nation Ford: Thomas Condron 4-39, Trevor Witcher 1-24, Jackson Gibson 6-15, J.J. McCullough 8-14, Jake Williams 1-3.

PASSING -- Clover: Aaron Miller 4-7-0-165. Nation Ford: Thomas Condron 16-28-2-182

RECEIVING -- Clover: Max Elliott 2-84, Tyron Douglas 1-43, Kelvin Gibbs 1-38. Nation Ford: Will Ford 3-73, Nick Damm 4-39, Brandon Sturdivant 2-30, Brandon Sturgis 2-21, J.J. McCullough 2-11, Jackson Gibson 3-8.

RECORDS: Clover 7-2, 2-1 Region 3-AAAA..... Nation Ford 3-6, 0-3