Clarke Central High School senior quarterback Isaac Ward (center) and others take a knee after CCHS defensive lineman Kasey Cowan, also a senior, is injured on the field during the first quarter. Head CCHS football coach David Perno is proud of the victory his team secured, but is concerned about the injury Cowan suffered. “Our defense played well in spots and it’s tough. We lost Casey, who coming in was our best player, our leader, on that side,” Perno said. “He’s down, so we’ve gotta keep our fingers crossed. Hopefully, he can get back in a couple of weeks.” Photo by Krista Shumaker
Clarke Central High School defeated Winder-Barrow High School in the first varsity football game of the year on Aug. 24, after being rescheduled due to inclement weather.
The Clarke Central High School and Winder-Barrow High School varsity football teams clashed at Billy Henderson Stadium on Aug. 24 to kick off the 2019 season. The game, initially scheduled for Aug. 23, was delayed due to severe weather. This was confirmed by head CCHS football coach David Perno.
“We obviously made a good call not playing last night,” Perno said. “We had a good crowd tonight and the kids (were able to) play well.”
The Gladiators defeated the Bulldoggs 44-36 on Saturday in a game that became increasingly close as the game went on. Perno is pleased with how his players conducted themselves.
“(There were) a lot of good things. Offensively, we’ve got a lot of weapons. We’re running so many plays that it’s (now) something we’ve got to adjust to,” Perno said. “We’re putting a lot of stress on a lot of people. It’s just a thing we’ve gotta figure out, but when we’re capable of scoring 44 points we’re gonna be tough to beat.”
The first touchdown and extra point were scored by WBHS with 6:58 left in the first quarter. The Gladiators recovered from a seven-point deficit with a touchdown scored by CCHS senior wide receiver Jalen Gary on a toss from quarterback Isaac Ward, also a senior.
With 2:41 left in the quarter, CCHS senior defensive lineman Kasey Cowan attempted to recover a fumble by Winder-Barrow. He suffered an undisclosed knee injury and did not return.
The Gladiators, however, were able to increase their lead after CCHS junior Jairus Mack returned a punt for an 88-yard touchdown with a minute and 34 seconds left.
The start of the second quarter saw the Bulldogs quickly tie the game at the 11:16 mark before Mack was able to make a one-handed catch from Ward with 8:57 left, making the score 21-14.
With 6:43 on the clock however, the Gladiators suffered another injury. This time CCHS junior offensive lineman Montavious Cunningham took a serious hit and left the game. Nevertheless, Ward was able to run the ball in for another touchdown with 4:13 left in the half. A failed 2-point attempt left the score 27-14.
The Gladiators were able to notch three points with a field goal with 25 seconds left, making the score 30-14 at the half.
CCHS took charge early in the third quarter with a touchdown by Mack again, making the score 37-14 with 7:20 to go.
CCHS varsity running back O’Brien Barnett kicked off the fourth quarter with a touchdown for the Gladiators with 6:17 left in the game. The extra point put CCHS at 44.
Beginning at the 1:32 mark, however, WBHS began to lean in. With a touchdown and two-point conversion, the Bulldogs had 29 on the scoreboard. Shortly thereafter, WBHS was able to recover a muffed kickoff near the 20-yard line. Then, with 20 seconds left in the game, WBHS scored another touchdown and logged the extra point, leaving the score at 44-36.
CCHS senior tight end Chris Johnson felt great about the game as a whole but admits that the Gladiators began to lose steam towards the end.
“I feel like we should’ve kept the gas on, but overall it was still a really good game. I enjoyed it,” Johnson said. “We could’ve made some better plays, but that’ll come in the future. It’s the first game of the season, you’re gonna make mistakes.”
With this win behind them, Perno is confident the Gladiators have a promising season ahead.
“I’m proud of them, I think our demeanor’s good,” Perno said. “We’re doing better and we’re playing cleaner. Our kids are competing and we have the right vibe here. It’s exciting.”
