MADISON, Alabama -- Defensive lineman DJ Dale scored two touchdowns and Willie Miller threw and ran in for a touchdown as the #2 Class 6A Clay-Chalkville defeated #10 Class 7A James Clemens 31-24 Thursday night at Madison School Stadium.

The game was tied after the first quarter but Clay-Chalkville took the lead for good with the Cougars scored midway through the the second quarter. "We showed a lot of toughness coming off a short week," said Cougars head coach Drew Gilmer. "We didn't feel our best, but you have to get up and play."

James Clemens (0-2) scored first in the game when Jamil Mohammad threw to Austin McGhee on a 12-yard touchdown play and the Jets led 7-0 with 8:55 left in the first quarter. Clay-Chalkville tied the score at 7-7, when Miller hit Logan Pruett on a 18-yard touchdown pass play for the Cougars. A great diving catch by Pruett in the end zone for the Cougars touchdown.

Clay-Chalkville (2-0) took a 14-7 lead when Miller busted open a 71-yard touchdown run with 3:59 left in the first quarter. With :25 seconds left in the first quarter, Mohammad scored on a one-yard run to tie the score at 14 all. Miller completed 14-of-27 passing for 130 yards and a touchdown with 128 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown. 

With 6:49 left in the second quarter, Dale scored on a 6-yard touchdown run up the middle dragging defensive lineman in the end zone for the Cougars score. With the touchdown, Clay-Chalkville took at 21-14 lead into halftime. "We had a short week but we really had to get after it in practice," said Cougars DL Dale. "I want the ball when we are down by the end zone. We have a lot of confidence playing the last two weeks. Were looking forward to going home and play Niceville, Florida at our place. Willie is my brother. I have all the confidence in him. If we are down, he is going to bring up back."

With 4:29 left in the third quarter, Dale scored his second touchdown of the game on a 1-yard plunge and Clay-Chalkville took a 28-14 lead. With 10:17 left in the fourth quarter, Mohammad scored on a 8-yard touchdown run to close the gap to seven points early in the final quarter. Clay-Chalkville led 28-21 early in the fourth quarter. "We fought hard and played a good team," said Jets head coach Wade Waldrop. "We made a couple of mistakes with a bad turnover but I think we played better than we did a week ago. I was proud of the way we fought. We fought hard and left a few points out their on the field."

With 5:29 left in the game, Jaren Van Winkle kicked a 34-yard field goal for a Cougars 31-21 lead late in the game. James Clemens responded right back and with 1:52 left in the game, Jessie Rowe kicked a 24-yard field goal to cut the Clay-Chalkville lead to one score at 31-24. The Cougars received the kickoff and ran out the clock after a first down to get the victory.

For Clay-Chalkville, Damarcus Burris had 98 yards on 10 carries in the win. Tristan Jones had 4 receptions for 34 yards while Pruett had 54 yards on 4 catches and a touchdown. For James Clemens, Muhammad completed 10-of-20 passes for 96 yards and an interception with 41 yards on 11 carries on the night.

Up next for both teams, Clay-Chalkville host Niceville, Florida while James Clemens in play Bob Jones to kickoff region play.