By KEVIN MOBLEY – Staff Writer
Clarke Central High School head football Coach Ahren Self won his first game as the head of the football program on Sept. 6, as the Gladiators defeated Central Gwinnett High School 37-12 at Billy Henderson Stadium.
There had been six different head coaches in the 43-year history of Clarke Central High School football.
On Friday, Sept. 6, the seventh recorded his first career win.
“I feel relieved,” CCHS head football Coach Ahren Self said. “I’m happy; I’ll enjoy it later on, we’ve got a lot of things to work on. Right now I’m focused on Loganville.”
The Gladiators notched their first win of the season after a 29-18 loss against Marist School last week. Central Gwinnett High School dropped to 0-2, as they lost 22-0 the previous week to Collins Hill High School.
In the first quarter both teams were able to register points on the scoreboard. On the first drive of the game, CGHS was fueled by the rushing attack led by senior quarterback Nate Hartford.
After a block in the back penalty resulted in a replay of third down at the 17-yard line, Hartford found sophomore running back Major Bellamy for a touchdown. The ensuing PAT was blocked by CCHS senior linebacker Kavon Williams, giving the Black Knights a 6-0 lead with 6:27 left in the first quarter.
On the Gladiators’ first possession, a false start penalty stalled the drive. After CCHS senior quarterback Cameron Johnson’s pass fell incomplete on third down, CCHS was forced to punt.
Shortly thereafter, Hartford was intercepted by CCHS senior linebacker Paul Eckhardt, and the Gladiators would start the drive at the CGHS 37-yard line. Cameron Johnson connected on two passes of 17 and 12 yards to senior receivers Jaquan Dowdy and Austin Johnson, respectively.
On fourth down and one yard to the goal line, CCHS sophomore running back Jaqua Daniels punched it in for six, and, after senior kicker Matthew Ward made the PAT, the Gladiators led 7-6.
Hartford was intercepted once again on CGHS’s next possession, this time by CCHS sophomore cornerback Rayshawn McCall, who would record two more interceptions before the night ended.
“I feel that I played well, but I wouldn’t have been able to do anything if it wasn’t for the defensive line getting good pressure on the quarterback,” McCall said.
The second quarter was uneventful, as both teams traded possessions after multiple three and outs, in addition to a pair of fourth down stops by each team’s defense.
Right before the end of the half, Ward made a 36-yard field goal attempt, extending the CCHS lead to 10-6.
CGHS did stop the Gladiators on the first possession of the second half, but shortly afterwards Hartford was intercepted by McCall again, and CCHS regained control of the ball at the Black Knights’ 23-yard line.
Cameron Johnson would then connect with senior fullback Baylor Ward on an eight-yard play-action pass for a touchdown. Matthew Ward missed the PAT, but CCHS led by ten points with 8:19 remaining in the third quarter.
On the next CGHS possession, the Black Knights drove down the field, as Hartford found the end zone on fourth down and goal to cut it to a one-possession game. The PAT was blocked, and CGHS trailed 16-12.
However, the CCHS offense once again moved down the field, as Daniels rushed and Johnson passed to junior tight end Qua-Von Scott for two consecutive first downs before Cameron Johnson hit Austin Johnson on a 34-yard touchdown pass that gave the Gladiators a 23-12 lead.
With an 11-point cushion, the Gladiator defense stepped up to extend the separation between themselves and CGHS. On first and second downs, Hartford’s passes fell incomplete, and on third down McCall jumped on a screen pass to make an interception and a 57-yard return.
The game was halted with 9:58 remaining in the fourth quarter, as the lighting on the Clarke Central side went out. CCHS athletic director Jon Ward met on the field with officials and both head coaches, and the group decided that all possessions from thereon out would be played towards the Waddell St. end zone.
Shortly after the stoppage in play, Johnson scored on a one-yard rush to put the Gladiators up 30-12.
CCHS senior defensive back Matthan Fulton intercepted what would be the Black Knights’ fifth interception of the game. On the resulting CCHS drive, Cameron Johnson found Scott for a touchdown pass to cement the win at 37-12, capping off a three-touchdown performance for the senior quarterback.
“I feel great about (our performance),” Cameron Johnson said. “I feel like we won the fourth quarter, which is something that this program is based on.”
The Gladiators open up Region 8-AAAAA play as they take on Loganville High School on Friday, Sept. 13 at Red Devil Stadium. The Black Knights have a bye week before going up against Berkmar High School on Friday, Sept. 20, at Central Gwinnett Stadium.
“It’s our first region game, and we need to be more consistent and make better decisions,” Cameron Johnson said.
Top Performances
Passing
CCHS – Cameron Johnson (Sr.) 13/20 155 yards 3 TD 0 INT
CGHS – Nate Hartford (Sr.) 19/34 163 yards 1 TD 4 INT
Rushing
CCHS – Jaqua Daniels (So.) 14 rushes 54 yards 3.9 yards per carry 1 TD
CGHS – Nate Hartford (Sr.) 21 rushes 89 yards 4.2 yards per carry 1 TD
Receiving
CCHS – Austin Johnson (Sr.) 3 catches 65 yards 21.7 yards per catch 1 TD
CGHS – Chris Shelling (Jr.) 7 catches 59 yards 8.4 yards per catch 0 TD
Score By Quarters
1 2 3 4 Final
CCHS 7 3 13 14 37
CGHS 6 0 6 0 12
