By Michael Lindsay
York Institute started their season on the right track Friday night as the Dragons shut out Clay County en route to a 26-0 victory in Jamestown.
The Dragons’ victory came on a night marred by turnovers as the teams combined for 8 total.
“I’m proud of our defense,” said York head coach Derwin Wright. “Offensively, we had 4 turnovers and put them in some really bad situations. Hats off to the defense for the shutout; they played an awesome game and I’m proud of them.”
York senior Myles Leffew found the end zone on both sides of the ball Friday as he racked up 3 touchdowns.
“Myles is the ‘it factor’ for us,” Wright said. “He runs the offense and is controlling the secondary. He made great decisions.”
Offensively, Leffew rushed for 96 yards and 2 touchdowns on 11 attempts while passing for 44 yards at quarterback. On defense, Leffew returned a Bulldog fumble 40 yards for his third touchdown.
York’s defense was put to test from the jump as the Dragons fumbled the opening kickoff, setting up Clay County at the York 27-yard line.
York Institute turned the Bulldogs away as Logan Pannell picked off a Clay County pass on fourth and seven, returning it 57 yards to the Bulldog 24-yard line.
The Dragons hit paydirt 6 plays later as Leffew rushed in a 10-yard touchdown to give York Institute a 6-0 lead with 8:55 remaining in the first period.
Clay County’s second drive mirrored their first as York Institute again picked off the Bulldogs inside their own territory as Lake Drake snagged a Clay County pass at the Dragon 33-yard line with 6:55 left in the opening quarter.
Neither team would find the end zone again in the first period as York took their 6-0 lead to the second period.
The Dragons threatened in the red zone early in the second quarter until Clay County DB Ben Mayfield picked off a York pass in the end zone.
Clay County’s newfound fortune was short-lived as they fumbled two plays later at their own 15-yard line, handing the ball back to York Institute.
Leffew rushed in his second touchdown of the game 2 plays later from 14 yards out to give York Institute a 12-0 lead with 7:45 remaining until halftime.
The turnover bug bit Clay County again less than 1 minute later as a Bryson Bilbrey hit on a Bulldog receiver forced a fumble that Leffew returned 40 yards for another York Institute touchdown, giving the Dragons a 19-0 lead with 7:05 left in the second quarter.
York’s 19-0 advantage stood until halftime and throughout the third quarter as the Dragons entered the fourth period with a 3-score lead.
Logan Pannell put the game on ice with 5:42 remaining as he took a sweep around the right side 5 yards into the end zone for York’s final touchdown of the evening, sealing their 26-0 victory.
Friday’s win avenges last season’s 44-14 loss by York Institute to Clay County and is York’s first season-opening victory since 2019.
Both teams will continue their non-region slates in week two as Clay County hosts Westmoreland on Friday while York Institute hosts Grace Christian Academy on Saturday.
