Clay survives mistakes, Riley to win in overtime

High school football:

Riley's Thaddeus Phillips runs into a stout Clay defense led by Donzell Brown (88) and Eric Kelver (32) during Friday's game at Clay Intermediate School. (South Bend Tribune/ROBERT FRANKLIN / August 18, 2012)

SOUTH BEND -- Good thing Clay football coach Joe Szajko's head is as smooth as a cue ball.

If he had hair, he would have pulled it out long before his Colonials pulled out a season-opening, 12-6 overtime victory over Riley Friday night.

During regulation, the Clay offense ran 55 plays, compared to 36 by Riley. The Colonials doubled up on first downs, 16-8. The Wildcats attempted just one pass. Clay only punted once.

Still, three interceptions, a touchdown pass negated by a holding penalty and a critical late-hit penalty that set up Riley's second-quarter TD contributed to Szajko's frustration.

In fact, the Wildcats were five yards away from ending the game in regulation.

With the score tied and a second on the clock, Malik Coleman found a hole and ran 30 yards before Clay safety Wesley Thomas brought him down at the 5.

Overtime.

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