AMBOY – Last year, the Amboy-LaMoille-Ohio football team didn’t have a Homecoming game.

Since they didn’t have an opponent, they instead ran a junior varsity vs. varsity scrimmage. Although it was fun, it wasn’t the same.

This year, Illinois 8-Man Football Association West Division foe Galva came to town for the Clippers’ Homecoming game on Friday, Sept. 13.

The Wildcats got back on their bus defeated, 60-0.

“The kids came out and executed the game plan. They finally got to have a Homecoming game after not having one last year. I was really excited for them and they were ready to go,” Clippers coach Scott Payne said. “It’s a good thing to see the kids step up and take ownership of this team. They’ve made it their own and they want to achieve something on their own merit.

“They’re not satisfied. They’re still hungry. I know people are saying Amboy lost a lot of players, but these kids on the team want to show that they’re just as good as any team out there.”

The defense dominated Homecoming limiting Galva to -7 rushing yards and 67 passing yards for a total of 60 yards.

Offensively, A-L-O did what it’s known for, running the ball into the endzone.

“Josh McKendry played really well for us. The offensive line gets a lot of credit for his success against Galva because they did a great job of blocking,” Payne said. “Josh is an explosive player. He’s fast, quick, and does a really good job of running between the tackles. Josh can take it to the house at any point in time at any part of the field. It’s great to have a weapon like that.”

McKendry, a senior, took 12 carries for 165 yards and two touchdowns. He now has eight on the season after scoring three TDs in each of the first two games.

Senior Brayden Klein ran for 59 yards and two touchdowns on five handoffs, and sophomore Jose Lopez found paydirt twice with 53 yards on six attempts.

“They’re clicking already at this point in the season. Brayden Klein played fullback for us again as Quinn Leffelman missed his second straight week,” Payne said. “Klein has played great and he has only played in that spot the last two weeks. Having that versatility from a kid is great. We look to get Quinn back this week. He’ll be excited to be back. It’ll only make our running game better to have him in the lineup.

“I’m pretty sure he’s chomping at the bits to get out there. It was hard for him to sit out the last two weeks. He’s been starting since his freshman year for us at the varsity level. He also said he wanted to get healthy and make sure he was ready to go for the last stretch run.”

With a 3-0 record and a huge Homecoming victory in the books, the Clippers are nowhere near finished as they gear up for a three-game road trip.

The first stop of the three away games is Week 4 at Bushnell-Prairie City.

“It’s three weeks on the road and I’ve already gotten that message across to the kids. It is what it is and we have to take it one game at a time,” Payne said. “Bushnell is a good team. They’re 2-1 with their loss being to West Central in Week 2.

“They have a pretty good run game with a fast tailback. They have a pretty good quarterback who is a decent runner and can throw the ball. It’s going to be a challenge.”