BRODHEAD - Jeff Spiwak installed the no-huddle offense at Clinton two years ago for one sole purpose: "to beat Brodhead/Juda."
The third-year coach knew the best way to attack what always seemed to be a much more physical and bigger defensive front was with a quick-strike offense predicated on speed.
Thanks to quarterback Derek Severson, Spiwak's plan worked to perfection Friday night.
Severson rushed for 226 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Cougars to a stunning 36-34 Rock Valley South win over the previously unbeaten Cardinals.
The last time Clinton beat Brodhead/Juda was a 7-3 win in 1987, as the Cougars snapped a 26-game losing streak to the Cardinals.
"We finally got the no-huddle offense up to speed this year, and you saw how effective it was tonight," Spiwak said. "We made some mistakes and weren't perfect tonight, but we were good enough to get the win.
"And Derek really stepped up tonight. You could see he was really playing with a purpose."
Severson's 70-yard touchdown run with 10 minutes left to play gave Clinton a 36-28 lead.
Brodhead/Juda had one final chance to tie the game as it took over at its own 21-yard line with 1:40 to play.
Quarterback Brennan Bescup and receiver Ned Slocum teamed up five times to cover 65 of the 79 yards, including Slocum's 3-yard touchdown reception with 32 seconds left that made it 36-34.
But, needing a two-point conversion to tie the game, Bescup was sacked on the play.
The Cardinals attempted an onside kick on the kickoff, but Cole Ciochon recovered for the Cougars. Severson took a knee on the next play and the game was over.
"Our gameplan tonight was pretty simple," Severson said. "We knew that they were bigger and we were faster, so we just wanted to keep the pressure on and not let them rest.
"None of us were even alive the last time we beat Brodhead, so this is really big for us."
Brodhead/Juda lost for the first time because it couldn't contain Severson and turned the ball over four times.
Brodhead/Juda coach B.J. Bockhop coached with a heavy heart after the sudden death of his father, Dewey, on Wednesday. The second-year coach missed the majority of the week but was not making excuses afterward.
"Severson's an amazing player, and despite what I thought was a good gameplan for us, they were the better team tonight," Bockhop said. "We didn't tackle very well, and they made too many big plays on us."
The third-year coach knew the best way to attack what always seemed to be a much more physical and bigger defensive front was with a quick-strike offense predicated on speed.
Thanks to quarterback Derek Severson, Spiwak's plan worked to perfection Friday night.
Severson rushed for 226 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Cougars to a stunning 36-34 Rock Valley South win over the previously unbeaten Cardinals.
The last time Clinton beat Brodhead/Juda was a 7-3 win in 1987, as the Cougars snapped a 26-game losing streak to the Cardinals.
"We finally got the no-huddle offense up to speed this year, and you saw how effective it was tonight," Spiwak said. "We made some mistakes and weren't perfect tonight, but we were good enough to get the win.
"And Derek really stepped up tonight. You could see he was really playing with a purpose."
Severson's 70-yard touchdown run with 10 minutes left to play gave Clinton a 36-28 lead.
Brodhead/Juda had one final chance to tie the game as it took over at its own 21-yard line with 1:40 to play.
Quarterback Brennan Bescup and receiver Ned Slocum teamed up five times to cover 65 of the 79 yards, including Slocum's 3-yard touchdown reception with 32 seconds left that made it 36-34.
But, needing a two-point conversion to tie the game, Bescup was sacked on the play.
The Cardinals attempted an onside kick on the kickoff, but Cole Ciochon recovered for the Cougars. Severson took a knee on the next play and the game was over.
"Our gameplan tonight was pretty simple," Severson said. "We knew that they were bigger and we were faster, so we just wanted to keep the pressure on and not let them rest.
"None of us were even alive the last time we beat Brodhead, so this is really big for us."
Brodhead/Juda lost for the first time because it couldn't contain Severson and turned the ball over four times.
Brodhead/Juda coach B.J. Bockhop coached with a heavy heart after the sudden death of his father, Dewey, on Wednesday. The second-year coach missed the majority of the week but was not making excuses afterward.
"Severson's an amazing player, and despite what I thought was a good gameplan for us, they were the better team tonight," Bockhop said. "We didn't tackle very well, and they made too many big plays on us."
