Prep football: Punctual preparation sees Ogden rebound at Clearfield
Tigers outclaw 13-6 start for dominant road win over Clearfield in consecutive meetings
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- Ogden High players, Nash Bockwoldt (9) and Anderson Curry (4) celebrate a touchdown against Clearfield during a nonregion game Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in Clearfield. (TRE ASAY, Special to the Standard-Examiner)
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- Clearfield High quarterback Brik Barlow narrowly avoids a tackle from Ogden High defender Blake Weston iduring a nonregion game Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in Clearfield. (TRE ASAY, Special to the Standard-Examiner)
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- Ogden High quarterback Emmett Rector, right, hands the ball off to running back Gabriel Romero-Martinez during a nonregion game against Clearfield on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in Clearfield. (TRE ASAY, Special to the Standard-Examiner)
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- Clearfield High wide receiver Bryson Ridge breaks a tackle from Ogden High defender Eli Gastelum during a nonregion game Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in Clearfield. (TRE ASAY, Special to the Standard-Examiner)
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- Clearfield High wide receiver Bryson Ridge makes a touchdown reception during a nonregion game against Ogden on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in Clearfield. (TRE ASAY, Special to the Standard-Examiner)
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- Ogden High’s punter kicks it away to Clearfield during a nonregion game Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in Clearfield. (TRE ASAY, Special to the Standard-Examiner)
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- Ogden High quarterback Emmett Rector scrambles during a nonregion game against Clearfield on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in Clearfield. (TRE ASAY, Special to the Standard-Examiner)
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- Clearfield High defender, Bryson Ridge, knocks Ogden high running back out of bounds during a nonregion game Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in Clearfield. (TRE ASAY, Special to the Standard-Examiner)
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- Clearfield High’s student section cheers during a game against Ogden on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in Clearfield. (TRE ASAY, Special to the Standard-Examiner)
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- Clearfield High takes the field against Ogden before a nonregion football game Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in Clearfield. (TRE ASAY, Special to the Standard-Examiner)
CLEARFIELD — That first Monday practice back after a loss is tough.
Falling short by a thread in last week’s West Field road test, senior Ryan Kirkland and Ogden High were understandably all business entering 5A waters for the second consecutive week, this time Friday at Clearfield.
The 6-foot-7, 210-pound big man lines up at multiple positions — defensive end, tackle and even a bit of offense — but what he appreciates best is when his number gets called into Brogan Poll’s offense. Kirkland shouldered an Anderson Curry touchdown run with a meaty block in the second quarter as the Tigers claimed a 20-13 lead, soon signaling a runaway victory.
Kirkland, as he does best, made a few big hits along the way.
“It’s one of my favorite plays,” Kirkland said of Curry’s touchdown. “I get to run out and lead for our running back, a quick pitch. I don’t know what else to say, man. That’s all it takes.”
In almost every way, Ogden (2-2) played more complementary football Friday than Clearfield (2-2), weighing down the Falcons in a 48-13 final for consecutive wins in the series dating back to last fall.
Mixing in some quarterback play with starter Emmett Rector early, Blake Weston cruised for three rushing touchdowns, and Curry delivered two in the first half.
Only a junior, Rector is developing a rapport at his position and has an athletic mentor in Weston, who played QB last year until transitioning to a receiver and run-threat role this season as the Tiger offense continues to evolve.
“It’s been a great learning experience,” Rector said. “We’ve gotta get through that learning curve, but we’re on our way up, so it’s alright.”
Seniors Nash Bockwoldt and Christian Zarate became a routine nuisance for Clearfield quarterback Brik Barlow — even though Barlow finished the night with two touchdown passes, each finding Bryson Ridge for an early 13-6 lead to begin the first quarter.
But Ogden carried its 27-13 lead well into the third quarter. Jack Thompson secured a 5-yard touchdown pass from Rector near the end of the frame. The Tigers scored twice more in the fourth quarter on short touchdown runs by Weston and Kos Crowther — everybody in the pool.
By the end of the night, Ogden essentially accomplished whatever it envisioned offensively, just one week after a 6-0 shutout loss at West Field.
“Our head was in the dumps, honestly,” Rector said. “We knew we could compete with a school like West Field, and we know we can compete out here with these 5A, 6A schools.”
To return to the field with some vigor, Kirkland said, was the only answer this week.
“We’ve been able to get our plays down,” Kirkland said. “Last week at West Field, we were really struggling to get the ball out of our hands, make connections, get the right blocks. This week, we worked on all of that. We were able to sustain what we needed to (win).”
Ogden prepares for its next assessment at Emery on Friday, Sept. 11, the Tigers’ final nonregion bout. That same night sees Clearfield get into Region 5 play with a trip to Fremont.
Connect with Standard-Examiner sports reporter Conner Becker via email at cbecker@standard.net, X @ctbecker and Instagram @standardexaminersports.
