CLARKSVILLE — Showing confidence in his offensive line and hitting the holes it was creating for him like a sledgehammer, Clarksville tailback Corey Bowens dominated visiting Crawford County in the Generals’ 44-20 win on Senior Night at Clarksville High School.

Bowens carried the ball 24 times for 301 yards and three touchdowns, adding his name to a lengthy list of impressive performances by Southern Indiana ball carriers. Clarksville (3-5) controlled the matchup throughout against the Wolfpack (3-5), which is playing only its second season of varsity football.

“I think our line really rose to the occasion tonight,” said Bowens, a senior. “They really did a great job giving me space.”

Bowens’ first touchdown run, a 14-yard scamper, came with 7:01 left in the first quarter. He followed it up with a two-point conversion run to give the Generals an 8-0 lead. Clarksville led 16-0 following a 12-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Michael Nelms to Thomas Threatt and another two-point conversion with 7:55 left in the half.

The Generals had an opportunity to salt the game away after forcing a turnover on downs by the Wolfpack and getting the ball back close to midfield.

But Clarksville went three-and-out on its possession. With 6.8 seconds left in the first half, a tipped pass from Crawford County quarterback Daniel Allen to Nick Cotner was scooped up by Jesse Allen and taken into the end zone for a 53-yard score. The Generals led 16-8 at the half.

"We had some young guys in there, and you want those guys to play as well as your varsity starters do,” Clarksville coach Brad Troutman said of that play. “I think we lost our focus a little bit.”

The Generals regained it in the second half, posting two quick touchdowns and capturing a 36-14 lead at the end of the third quarter. Both touchdowns came from sophomore tailback Nathan Masters, who finished with 12 carries for 79 yards.

Troutman said after the game that his thoughts were turning towards next week’s matchup against crosstown rival Providence and stopping the state’s leading rusher in Ethan Cook.

Clarksville faces the prospect of playing the Pioneers in two out of the next three weeks. They could meet in the sectional semifinals as well if Providence beats Brownstown and the Generals best Indian Creek in two weeks.

“Getting to play your rivals two out of three weeks really gets you excited as a football team,” Troutman said. “It’s going to be a good test next week. It’s our archrival and a sectional opponent, and it’s going to be a good test.”

CRAWFORD COUNTY 0 8 6 6—20

CLARKSVILLE 8 8 20 8—44

1st quarter