Tom Orsborn Express-News Staff Writer
Publication: San Antonio Express-News
Date: November 3, 1990
Page: 1H
Todd Stanley’s career-best 45-yard field goal with 3:25 left lifted Clark to a 10-7 victory over Marshall High School Friday before 7,934 fans at football Northside Stadium. The victory clinched the District 28-5A title for the second-ranked Cougars, who own a 4-0 league mark and a 7-1-1 overall record. Clark has made the playoffs nine-straight years, three times as champions and six as runners-up.
No. 4 Marshall, which downed Clark 21-13 last year, is 2-2 and 6-3. The Cougars hold a 9-4 lead in their series with the Rams. Marshall held a 3-1 lead in penetrations when Stanley made his game-winning kick. Clark began its game-winning drive with 8:53 left.
Marshall tied the score at 7-7 with 9:01 left on fullback Nick Monreal’s 1-yard run and John Puffer’s extra-point kick.
The Rams gained their third and final penetration on running back Anthony Holmes’ 17-yard run to the Clark 18 on the last play of the third period. Marshall’s second penetration came with 7:08 left in the third period. The drive, however, ended at the Clark 12 when defensive back Jonathan Hickerson tackled Holmes after a 1-yard gain on a fourth-and-two play with 6:03 left in the quarter.
The Cougars’ game-winning drive began at their own 28 and lasted 11 plays. The key play in the drive was a 13-yard pass from quarterback Josh LaRocca to receiver Paul Chavez on a third-and-seven play from the Marshall 45.
Four plays later, Stanley kicked the game winner into the wind. The kick barely cleared the crossbar. “I know I didn’t kick it good,” Stanley, a 170-pound junior, said. “It was a knuckle ball. The wind was against me. When I kicked it, I didn’t think it was going to go. I wasn’t too sure it was good until I heard the crowd screaming.”
LaRocca said he and Clark coach Mike Robbins were confident Stanley could make the kick. “During the timeout before the play, Coach Robbins didn’t hesitate at all in deciding to let Todd kick,” LaRocca said. “That showed a lot of confidence. Todd booted it. It wasn’t pretty, but it was good.” LaRocca said the rugged Clark defense was the key to the victory.
Marshall gained 151 yards rushing and 25 yards passing. The Rams attempted just five passes, completing one.
“It was a great team effort,” LaRocca said. “Everyone pulled together. The defense did a great job. The defense kept us in it. They held their three backs.”
Holmes led the Rams running backs with 70 yards on 16 carries. Monreal compiled 41 yards on 14 carries and V.J. Villarreal picked up 34 yards on 13 attempts. Fullback Desmond Dents, a Clark senior, led all rushers with 108 yards on 18 carries. Blocking for Dents were Clark linemen George Alvarez, Philip George, Jon Oefinger, Robert Danklefs, Hunter Hunter and John Hierholzer.
Clark gained 146 yards rushing and 13 yards passing. The Cougars had 13 first downs to the Rams’ 11. Clark took the opening kickoff and drove 54 yards in nine plays. Running back Neal Leonard’s 1- yard plunge capped the drive with 7:43 left in the first period. Todd Stanley kicked the extra point. The Cougars could have gained another penetration during their second possession, but Leonard fumbled with 2:43 left and Marshall’s Henry Kalokowski recovered.
Marshall scored an apparent touchdown with 39 seconds left in the first half when quarterback Mark Saldana hit Villarreal from 6 yards out. The score, however, was erased when the Rams were penalized 15 yards for offensive interference. Puffer missed a 38-yard field-goal attempt on the following play.
