Yellow Jackets Rout Bloodhounds in Soggy Game

AUBURNDALE | Bartow scored on the first play from scrimmage and then waited out a 90-minute lightning delay before finishing off Auburndale, 26-0, at Bruce Canaova Stadium.

Some 1,200 fans saw a sloppy, one-sided battle that had the Yellow Jackets (1-2) score two defensive touchdowns.

Bartow wasted little time after the opening kickoff when quarterback Christian Clay reared back and unleashed a 71-yard touchdown bomb to Jamal Darling.

Darling, who had five receptions while gathering in 116 yards from Clay, raced past the defensive backfield of the Hounds going untouch for the score.

Auburndale hurt themselves when they attempted a long pass just before halftime.

The pass was picked off at mid-field by Ambrose Young, who looked like more like a punt returner.

Young took the interception 47 yards for the score just 56 seconds before half to give the Jackets a 12-0 lead at intermission.

The second half saw more of the same after Clay capped off an 82-yard drive with a 15-yard run before fumbling into the end zone. The ball was recovered by teammate Darling to give Bartow a commanding 20-0 lead with 7:24 remaining in the third quarter.

Auburndale (0-3) was able to run the ball throughout the game but constantly shot themselves in the foot with penalties or costly turnovers.

Late in the third quarter the Bloodhounds drove into Jackets territory but fumbled the ball when quarterback Demarcus Davis was forced out of the pocket.

Bartow's Jasper Stephens, a senior, scooped up the bouncing ball and ran, untouched, 37 yards oup the sideline for the Jackets fourth touchdown, second by the defense.

The Hounds came closest to scoring when, midway through the second quarter, Michael McMahan returned a punt from the 50 to the Jackets' 14 yard line. Three plays later, the Hounds had to settle for field goal attempt that went wide left.

Auburndale's Ta'ree Armstrong rushed for 102 yards on just 10 rushes and teammate Anthony McGrady added another 59 yards.

Bartow's quarterback, junior Clay, went 8-of-15 for 171 yards with most of the passes going to Darling, who netted 116 yards on five catches.

Bartow's ground game amassed 174 yards for the game and their defense racked up five sacks.

Bartow plays at home against Ridge in their first district game of the year.

And the Bloodhounds go on the road to face Poinciana.