Club Sports Football News
Announcing
Clayton State heading to the NSAC Championship
MORROW, GA - After Saturday’s action, the stage is now set for the first-ever New South Athletic
Conference Football Championship.
Clayton State asserted control and defeated the Apprentice School 42-13 on Saturday
at Steele Road Stadium in Morrow, Georgia, clinching the NSAC North Division championship.
The Lakers opened the scoring early in the first quarter when Zsewaun Smith powered
into the end zone from three yards out, putting the Lakers ahead 7-0. The Builders
responded with a 3-yard run by Alvin Hicks, knotting the game at 7-7. But Clayton
State took over before the quarter ended, with quarterback Sire Hardaway throwing
a 43-yard touchdown pass to Savion West, and Avon Findley running in from a yard out
to cap the opening stanza on a 20-7 lead.
The second quarter saw the Lakers extend their lead when Ray Storey intercepted a
pass and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown. That made it 28-7 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Clayton State delivered the knockout blow on a single play:
Smith found Clenton Rafe on an 80-yard touchdown pass. That put the Lakers ahead 35-7.
And in the fourth quarter, after a short scoring push by the Builders, a 1-yard run
by Kendall Hunt, the Lakers answered with a 72-yard pass from Brelace Williams to
West, sealing the 42-13 outcome.
Clayton State outgained the Builders 495 yards to 313, including 352 passing yards
and 143 rushing yards.
For the Lakers offense, Hardaway was 14-24 passing for 272 yards and two TDs, while
Smith added the 80-yard scoring strike and also rushed for 94 yards and a TD. On Defense,
the Lakers were lead by Charles Gordon. He had 7 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 1 pass
break up.
The win moves Clayton State to 8-1 overall and 4-0 in conference play to put them
as the top seed going into the conference championship.
Also on Saturday afternoon, Lighthouse College ran away from Atlantis 48-6 in Milton,
Florida to lock up the South Division Championship with an 8-1 overall record and
3-1 in conference play.
That sets the stage for the inaugural New South Athletic Conference football championship between Clayton State
and Lighthouse College on November 15 at Steele Road Stadium.
About Clayton State University Club Football
Clayton State University Club Football was established in Fall 2024 to provide students
with opportunities for competitive play, leadership growth, and community engagement.
As part of the New South Athletic Conference, the program fosters school pride and
connection among students, alumni, and supporters while building a strong foundation
for future success.