The Cumberland Jr Clippers Peewees wasted little time getting their offense going Sunday, driving down the field for an opening touchdown and converting the extra point to take a 7–0 lead. It was the start they wanted, and the first highlight of an afternoon that would produce 82 combined points.
Tri-Town answered on its next possession. A big completion helped move the drive along before a long touchdown run cut Cumberland’s lead to 7–6. The successful extra point evened things at 7–7, with both offenses making their presence felt right out of the gate.
Tri-Town ultimately came away with a 47–35 win, bringing Cumberland’s season to a close just short of the playoffs. That ending stings for a young group that put so much into the year. But the Jr Clippers’ 35-point effort deserves its place in the story, too.
The opening drive gave Cumberland an immediate example of its work paying off. Move the ball, finish the possession, add the conversion. By the end of the afternoon, the Jr Clippers had put together a scoring performance they can draw confidence from as they continue to develop. Those trips to the end zone gave the players real moments of success to carry forward, along with the lessons from a difficult loss.
There is still work ahead to turn that offensive production into a more complete performance. This group will have the chance to keep learning, grow together and build on what it accomplished this season. Putting 35 points on the board in the finale gives them something concrete to build from.
It is easy to lose sight of a season’s progress immediately after a tough ending. The disappointment is real, especially with the playoffs slipping out of reach. So is the progress these kids made along the way. Both belong in the season’s story.
To every player and family, thank you for the hard work, commitment and dedication you gave to the Jr Clippers organization all season. The effort on the field and the support behind it matter to this program.
This is a great group of kids with more football and more growing to do together. Sunday closed their season. It leaves them with experience, scoring highlights to be proud of and another opportunity ahead to put that experience to work.
They’ll live to fight another day.