High School Football

Clovis’ defense has been strong so far. Could the Cougars rise to the occasion Friday?

With Bullard High 12 yards from the end zone and threatening to score a game-winning touchdown with time winding down, Clovis stepped up when it mattered most.

The eighth-ranked Cougars (2-1) deflected a pass in the end zone as time expired and held off the Knights 17-13 in nonleague action at McLane Stadium.

Bullard (0-3) began its final drive from the Knights 39 with 1:14 remaining.

Clovis quarterback Jason Hunt tossed two touchdowns, including an 18-yard strike to Bubba Byrd during the second half that put the Cougars ahead 17-7.

Hunt also connected with Mathew Sanchez with 1:26 left before halftime as Clovis led 10-7 at the break.

And typically that’s been just about enough points to make Clovis feel comfortable behind a defense that is allowing an average of nine points per game through the first three contests.

The Knights, meanwhile, are in odd territory.

The last time Bullard started 0-3 was 2010, when the Knights eventually went 0-4 before finishing 3-7.

Bryant-Jon Anteola: 559-441-6362, @Banteola_TheBee Anthony Galaviz: 559-441-6042, @agalaviz_TheBee

This story was originally published September 8, 2017 at 11:36 PM with the headline "Clovis’ defense has been strong so far. Could the Cougars rise to the occasion Friday?."

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