Varsity flag football wide receiver and defensive back Jessica Hudson, a junior, poses in Billy Henderson Stadium on Oct. 13. Despite the Gladiators having never played a GHSA flag football game before, Hudson is feeling good about the team’s first games against South Gwinnett High School and Heritage High School on Oct. 18. “I wouldn’t say I’m intimidated because people have been showing up to practice putting in hard work all summer and stuff, so (I’m feeling) pretty confident.” Photo by Wyatt Meyer
The CCHS varsity flag football team will play their first games ever in a doubleheader at home against South Gwinnett High School at 5 p.m. and Heritage High School at 7 p.m. on Oct. 18.
In less than 30 hours, the Clarke Central High School varsity flag football team will make history.
When the Gladiators step into Billy Henderson Stadium for their season opener at home to South Gwinnett High School on Oct. 18, they will play the first GHSA flag football game ever held at CCHS. However, for CCHS quarterback Taylor Sims, a junior, it’s the weight of the future, not history, that rests on the team’s shoulders.
“Either pressure bursts pipes or pressure builds diamonds and (I’ve been) letting the girls know that as long as you prepare, you don’t have to worry about that pressure.”
— Cherrelle Pass,
head varsity flag football coach
“I definitely do feel intimidated since every other flag football team we’re going against already had their team established. (With) that and then being quarterback, (which) I’ve never done, it’s kind of scary,” Sims said.
To offset the Gladiators’ lack of experience, head varsity flag football coach Cherrelle Pass has held practices since April to help prepare the team for the coming season.
Varsity flag football player Sadie Miller, a freshman, poses in the Competition Gym during the ODYSSEY Media Group’s Fall Media Day on Sept. 17. Head varsity flag football coach Cherrelle Pass has been preparing Miller and her teammates for the Gladiators’ first flag football games ever at home in a doubleheader against South Gwinnett High School and Heritage High School on Oct. 18. “I’ve been trying to motivate a team really just (through) my own way of living. I’m technically on maternity leave (but) I’ve been at every single practice since giving birth to my son, who is not even six weeks yet,” Pass said. “If I’m committed, then they can be committed, as well.” Photo by Lucas Donnelly
“Gradually during the summertime, we was able to do flag pulling drills, throwing, catching, (and) routes. Then during the offseason, which is (from) August (to) September, (we went) back to conditioning,” Pass said. “Now, we’ve been able to put in our offensive sets, defensive sets, have a depth chart, (and) really (make) it legit.”
Given their extensive offseason and in-season work, Sims believes the Gladiators’ route to success will be applying the work they do in practice to game situations.
“I think we’re ready for (the game),” Sims said. “We practice a lot, (and) I think we all want (to win). It’s more of a mental game than a physical game.”
While the team could be forgiven for setting a low bar in their debut season at CCHS due to their inexperience, Pass isn’t letting the significance of the game change her expectations.
“For me, the game (is) easy as long as you’re practicing hard and doing what you’re asked to do,” Pass said. “Either pressure bursts pipes or pressure builds diamonds and (I’ve been) letting the girls know that as long as you prepare, you don’t have to worry about that pressure.”
