(Osceola) — Atlantic Football survived a scare against the Clarke Indians winning 47-33 in their season opener. Atlantic had a few questions heading into the fall 2023 season. How would they do after graduating a strong senior class? What will Zayden Parker be like in the pocket? Can Colton Rasmussen continue his high production from last year? All of those questions were answered in one night.

Atlantic came out in the first quarter confident. The run game was starting to click for Atlantic and that’s when Zayden Parker threw a 55 yard dime to Kinnick Juhl for a score. The Trojans were then up 7-0 and they held onto the lead for the rest of the night.

The rest of the night turned into an offensive slugfest with both teams exchanging blows. The second quarter brought two more touchdown throws for Parker and they were both to Colton Rasmussen. Rasmussen finished the night with 4 receptions, 61 yards, and 3 touchdowns. The Trojans also had a rushing touchdown from Dante Hedrington before the half. The rushing game was greatly assisted by Hedrington’s performance of 12 carries, 102 yards, and 2 TD’s.

Clarke was able to score halfway through the second thanks to a 2 yard dart in the end zone from Jack Cooley to Brock Watson. When it came to targets for Cooley, Watson would be his favorite for the night with 9 receptions 100 yards, and 1 touchdown. The score was 26-7 and it seemed that Atlantic was going to put the game away.

The third and fourth quarter saw an offensive surge from the Indians where they scored 26 points and nearly came back against Atlantic. The game was 40-33 late into the fourth quarter. What put them away was a late fourth quarter 70 yard bomb from Parker to Xavier Darrow to make it a 14 point game. Thanks to the efforts of Jack Cooley going 21/36, 222 yards, and 2 TD’s. Cooley’s grit would not be enough to rally the Indians as they would lose 47-33.

The win was not pretty with nearly giving up a lead nearly towards the end of the game.  But, Atlantic Head Coach Joe Brummer was pleased with his offensive line performance.

The 70 yard touchdown throw to Barrow was a risky call so late in the quarter, but Coach Brummer trusted his staff and players.

Quarterback Zayden Parker would be the star for Atlantic going 7/9, 192 yards, and 5 touchdowns. Coach Brummer noted his performance with a smile

Clarke’s next game is on the road at Knoxville Friday, September 1st. The Trojans will be at home next Friday, September 1st taking on the Glenwood Rams.