A 42-28 win over the Neepawa Tigers, Saturday in Neepawa clinched second place for the Dauphin Clippers football team in the Rural Manitoba Football League standings.

Scott Gower led the offence with 142 yards rushing, which included touchdowns of five, 17 and 30 yards.

Kyle Lunsted had 90 yards rushing on 12 carries.

Kade Glennie scored on a 20-yard interception return and Matt Zurba scored twice on quarterback keepers.

Louis Prevot was a perfect six-for-six in converts.

Joseph Lopez led the defence with eight tackles and one knockdown, while Declan Warrener had one interception.

Clippers manager Cam Bennet said it was one of the Clippers better games of the season.

“Great defence to begin with. Kade Glennie got an interception for a touchdown, I’d say in the first five minutes, which really set the tone,” he said. “And our offence moved the ball extremely well. So that was nice to see, because we’ve struggled a little bit in moving the ball and scoring.”
Gower had an impact on all aspects of the game, Bennet added, and Kyle Lunsted had another great game offensively, as well.

The Clippers improved to 6-1 on the season and finished tied with the Moosomin Generals, which was awarded first place thanks to their win over the Clippers earlier in the season.

So Dauphin will host the 5-2 Interlake Thunder in a semifinal contest, Saturday at 2 p.m.

Interlake led the league with 353 points, while Dauphin had the stingiest defence, allowing just 114 points.

Dauphin won the only meeting between the two teams, 23-20, Sept. 17, in Dauphin.

Bennet, who feels the top five teams are all competitive, expects a tough game.

“We’re going to have to be sharp and we expect them to be sharp, as well. We’re very thankful that we’re playing at home and not of the road. That definitely is an advantage,” he said. “It will be a battle of the juggernauts. We’re looking forward to a big crowd, it will be helpful. And some good weather, too.”