Feats of Clay Sink Monroe, 36-21

It was an undefeated team against an unbeatable running back.

And in the end, North Hollywood High’s Dante Clay was still standing.

Clay rushed for 131 yards in 11 carries Friday night to lead the Huskies to a 36-21 victory over Monroe in a Valley Pac-8 Conference game at North Hollywood.

Clay scored on runs of 13 and 42 yards, but it was a relic that sank the Vikings’ ship.

With North Hollywood clinging to a 20-13 lead midway through the third quarter, Clay ran 51 yards on a Statue of Liberty play to set up a nine-yard scoring run by David Harlow.

It was the first time this season the Huskies (2-3-1, 2-1 in conference play) had run the play.

“And probably the last,” North Hollywood Coach Gary Gray said, laughing.

Monroe (5-1, 2-1) wasn’t smiling when Clay scored earlier in the quarter on a 71-yard play-action pass play.

Monroe’s option offense, which had its moments, ran out of gas.

The Vikings fumbled three times, including two fourth-quarter fumbles inside the Huskies’ 15 yard-line.

Monroe’s Jason Anderson rushed for 193 yards in 26 carries.