Four INTs help Clinton maintain win streak

DeWitt Clinton will keep picking teams off its schedule so long as it can keep picking off the opposition’s passes.

The Governors had four interceptions — two each from Ataa Gordon and Kenneth Baombolia — as it defeated Thomas Jefferson Campus, 30-0, at home on Saturday to improve to 7-0. Clinton and Erasmus Hall are the only remaining undefeated teams in the PSAL City Conference as the Governors gear up for their showdown against defending champion Lincoln (6-1) Friday night in Brooklyn.

“Of course we expect to be at Yankee Stadium,” Baombolia said about the site of the annual city championship game when asked what his expectations were for the rest of the season. “We’re not overwhelmed. We’re just gonna take it slow, one by one. We’ve got a big game next week and the intensity will go up.” 

Gordon returned an interception eight yards for a touchdown and picked off another pass two plays later to setup Baombolia’s 11-yard touchdown run in the second quarter that gave Clinton a 30-0 lead.

The Governors have three shutouts this season and have allowed only 61 points in seven games.

“Makes a big, big difference when your defense can stand up and play solid,” said head coach Howard Langley. “It always keeps you in the game.”

Clinton’s 14-play drive to start the game stalled at the Jefferson 5-yard line, thanks in part to a pair of holding penalties, and the Governors also turned the ball over on downs on their second drive. But Baombolia’s first interception set Clinton up in Orange Wave territory, and Chauncey Murray, who finished the game with 94 yards on 16 carries, ran the ball five straight plays, covering 48 yards, with the last being a 4-yard touchdown up the middle.

Edward Nunez ran in the two-point conversion to make it 8-0. Nunez then scored on a 41-yard sweep around the left end and tacked on the two-point conversion to give the Governors a 16-0 lead.