CLEWISTON —The Clewiston Tigers were able to finish their regular season with a win over the Doral Academy Firebirds thanks to two big plays in the beginning and near the end of the game.

The Tigers won 15-0 and improved their regular season record to 6-1, the best record around the lake this year.

In the first quarter on an early drive, Clewiston sophomore Chauncy Cobb advanced the ball in to Firebird territory. From there senior Ahmad Gary powered his way into the end zone to put the Tigers up 7-0.

Things stayed that way until the fourth quarter when the Firebirds were in marching late in the game and threating to tie the game. But a bad snap from the Firebird center sailed past their quarterback and the ball was recovered by the Tigers on their own 20-yard line.

The turnover provided a spark for the Tiger offense, as a few plays later junior James Edwards broke through the Firebird defense on a counter play and scored on a 60-yard touchdown run.

On the extra point attempt, senior Oran Singleton pulled the ball up from his holder position and ran it in for a two-point conversion to put Clewiston up 15-0. It was a similar play to how last week’s game against American Heritage ended.

In that game the Tigers were lining up for a field goal to secure the win in the final seconds of the fourth quarter, when American Heritage defenders broke through the line to block the kick Singleton picked up the ball and ran into the corner of the end zone untouched.

The Firebirds still had time on the clock to at least get on the board before the game ended. But an interception by senior Zaylen Bennett sealed Clewiston’s shutout of Doral Academy.

The Tigers have shut out opposing offenses four times this season.

Clewiston coach Pete Walker summed up the Tigers’ season after the win.

“With COVID and all the guidelines that everyone had to deal with, it was a tough one,” said Walker. “I think our coaches and players have done a great job with that. Our kids worked hard and they’re a good unit. They play like a team. It’s not about individuals. Proud of them and proud of the coaches.”

The Tigers get to enjoy a bye week before the playoffs. Originally the Tigers planned to face the Okeechobee Brahmans on Nov. 6 in their annual end of year match-up. But with Okeechobee now scheduled by FHSAA to play Sebastian River in a playoff game on that date, the rivalry game had to be scrapped.

Clewiston will be on the road after their week off to face Cardinal Gibbons on Nov. 13.