Photo by Karla Dougan.
By HANNAH GALE – Staff Writer
ODYSSEY Newsmagazine Sports Editor Hannah Gale predicts the outcome of the 50th Classic City Championship.
Since the fall of 1974, Cedar Shoals High School and Clarke Central High School have competed for bragging rights in the Classic City Championship – the rivalry game between the two Clarke County School District schools. The CSHS Jaguars have won 15 and the CCHS Gladiators have won 34 times, including the last eight meetings.
Prior to this Friday’s matchup, CCHS shutout Winder-Barrow High School on Aug. 19 for their first win of the season, which was followed by back-to-back losses against Oconee County High School and Gainesville High School. The Gladiators bounced back last Friday against North Oconee High School with a score of 45-21.
The 3-1 Jaguars enter the Classic City Championship with a loss against OCHS with a score of 28-10 and the Gladiators have to capitalize on that loss. Prior to CSHS’ loss against OCHS, the Jaguars had a three-game winning streak against Discovery High School (42-6), Decatur High School (35-17) and NOHS (40-7).
Last year’s game which marked the last Classic City Championship for CSHS head football coach Scott Wilkins and CCHS head football coach Ahren Self. The Gladiators’ hosted the championship at Billy Henderson Stadium on Sept. 11, 2015, for their home season opener and the Gladiators shut out CSHS with a score of 29-0.
Though the Gladiators didn’t face much adversity against NOHS, mid-game adjustments they failed to make against OCHS. In order for the Gladiators to keep the winning mentality throughout the game, the team needs to learn how to adjust when faced with a hardship.
Though CSHS enters the game with a 3-1 record, the 2-2 Gladiators will leave Waters-Wilkins Stadium victorious.
“I feel very confident, and so do the rest of the team. Ready to extend the winning streak,” CCHS junior starting quarterback Jack Mangel said.
Mangel has passed over 417 yards this season with 51 percent of his passes going for competition and only two interceptions.
The Glads have another weapon in sophomore running back Jonathan Sewell is a player with lots of potential. All of Sewell’s rushing touchdowns have been longer than 60 yards, and he rushed a total of 179 yards in the CCHS game against NOHS, so the Jaguar defence needs to be prepared.
Adding interest to the game is former Gladiator and now CSHS head football coach Leroy Ryals debut against his former team. Although Ryals has insight into the game as a coach for both teams, he won’t see CCHS head football coach David Perno, who played varsity football for the Gladiators in the mid-’80s, and his team coming.
CCHS will win with a score of 21-14.
