EAST LAKE – Clearwater (9-0) used big plays and a physical defense to defeat previously unbeaten East Lake (8-1), 34-22.

Clearwater senior slot back Jacquez Jones and senior quarterback Austin Day connected on touchdown passes of 41, 75, and 89 yards, junior running back Jarius Williams had a 66-yard touchdown run and senior kicker Shane McDonough had field goals of 25 and 33 yards.

Jones had a big night with 256 all-purpose yards including 217 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns as did Day who had 263 passing yards and 3 touchdown passes and Williams added 131 all-purpose yards including 108 rushing yards and one touchdown.

Tornadoes defensively had numerous tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Senior linebackers Reagan Hassler had 2 sacks, a tackle-for-loss, and an interception, Garet Chisolm had 3 tackle-for-losses and a sack, and Grant Wilson had a tackle-for-loss, pass defense and a forced fumble. Senior defensive end Tramar Reece had a tackle-for-loss, pass knockdown, QB pressure, and a blocked kick.

East Lake fought back after trailing in third quarter, 24-6 to pull to 24-22. Eagles scores came on a 3-yard touchdown run by senior fullback Jakob Rosiek, 1-yard quarterback sneak by senior Tyler Rupe, 9-yard touchdown run by senior running back Xavier Jackson, and a 35-yard field goal by junior kicker Ian Woodward.

Jackson had 89 all-purpose yards and one touchdown and senior slot back/returning Bryce Miller added 122 all-purpose yards including 74 return yards.

Defensively, junior linebacker Karsan Lilley had an interception and a pass defense.