Mark Layer became hot on the sideline in the sunny 84-degree weather and when the clock hit triple zeroes, his players cooled him down with a Gatorade shower.
It was a drenching that Layer welcomed after coaching Clarence’s flag football team to its second straight Section VI Division I championship, defeating Jamestown 33-6 at Highmark Stadium on Monday. The Red Devils will play the Section V champion on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Sweet Home. Clarence is the reigning regional champion.
Layer couldn’t help but smile as his long sleeve dry fit shirt in Clarence colors was soaked in a combination of sweat and Gatorade.
“Today, with the temperature, it was perfect,” Layer said. “I would’ve taken it at anytime because that’s the best I felt all day. They love it and I love it.”
Dion Dawkins signs the jerseys of Clarence players.
Leading Clarence (14-2) was senior Ella Corry, who accounted for three touchdowns – two passing, one running. She had a game-high 109 rushing yards on 16 carries and went 5 of 8 passing for 49 yards. Senior Sammi Jo Payne had 10 carries for 75 yards, including a 21-yard touchdown.
People are also reading…
Clarence was in complete control of the game, leading 12-0 at halftime and outscoring Jamestown (8-5) 21-6 in the second half.
“This feels great,” Payne said. “Last year was such a good feeling and we wanted to feel that again. To be able do that is a blessing as a team to do it with my friends.”
As Clarence celebrated, the players reached another octave as they looked in the direction of the tunnel to see Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Dion Dawkins and safety Damar Hamlin walking towards them.
The two made their way to midfield and presented Jamestown with its runner-up patches and Clarence with its first-place patches. After the ceremony, Dawkins and Hamlin posed for pictures with the players and signed their shirts.
“The biggest thing is being here because I always speak about being present,” Dawkins said. “When the girls seen that we were here, they were just excited to get their trophy from me and D-Ham [Hamlin] and their patches. It’s cool that we can support these girls because the world tries to separate that girls can’t do what guys can do. These girls are lit and are ballin’. It’s cool that we can be out here and support them. It goes beyond days and years because these girls will remember this for the rest of their life, and I’m beyond blessed to be a part of it.”
