Clarke Central High School varsity football running back Corey Watkins, a senior, runs in a touchdown during the 58th Classic City Championship on Aug. 15 in Billy Henderson Stadium. Before winning their season opener against Cedar Shoals High School 42-3, the Gladiators lost 34-8 in a scrimmage against Marietta High School on Aug. 8. “Our mindsets (changed after the scrimmage). We were more into the game and more locked in this game,” Watkins said. “We knew what we needed to do to get the job done.” Photo by Wyatt Meyer
The 58th Classic City Championship resulted in a 42-3 win for the CCHS varsity football team on Aug. 15 in Billy Henderson Stadium.
The Clarke Central High School varsity football team opened the 2024-25 season by defeating Cedar Shoals High School 42-3 in the 58th Classic City Championship at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 15 in Billy Henderson Stadium, marking their sixth straight win against the Jaguars.
CSHS began the game by kicking off to the Gladiators, who started by ripping off a big play in a 60-yard run by CCHS varsity football quarterback Hezekiah Millender, a senior, into the red zone. Plays later, CCHS completed the touchdown when tight end Xayvian Berry, a senior, caught a Millender pass in the corner of the end zone.
“(Scoring early was sparked by) our coaches and the energy the team gave. You know, we always talk about this,” CCHS varsity football running back Corey Watkins, a senior, said. “We always say, ‘We can’t get started late.’ We always gotta get started early and keep our foot on the gas from there.”
Clarke Central High School varsity football game co-captains and seniors Tekit Gill, Laiji McCalla, Corey Watkins and Jaylen Willoughby (left to right) take the field at the 58th Classic City Championship in Billy Henderson Stadium on Aug. 15. Seniors make up half of the 2024-25 CCHS varsity football team’s roster. “(The seniors) have a little bit of a bad taste in their mouth from last year and how that deal went the wrong way,” Perno said. “So the focus and their intent has been at a much higher level than in a lot of teams in years past.” Photo by Wyatt Meyer
Scoring on each of their first five possessions, the Gladiators finished the first half with 42 points, highlighted by a 50-yard touchdown pass from Millender to CCHS wide receiver Lagracion Little, a senior. Despite making a field goal on their opening drive, the Jaguars were unable to make it into the end zone, and the half ended with CCHS ahead 42-3.
“First half, everything (went right). Defense played great. We gave up one play, (but) the rest of the time we dominated them. We had good field position all night,” Perno said.
With a running clock in the second half due to the Gladiator’s extensive lead, CCHS didn’t put up any points, but continued to be successful defensively as they kept CSHS at bay for the remainder of the game.
“We played amazing. We knew that Cedar has a heck of a team, and we know that for us to win, we have to be ourselves,” Watkins said. “We can’t be worried about one thing or another or the last play. We got to play forward.”
“We always say, ‘We can’t get started late.’ We always gotta get started early and keep our foot on the gas from there.”
— Corey Watkins,
CCHS varsity football running back and senior
The CCHS varsity football team will continue their season with a home game against Oconee County High School at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 23, where Perno hopes to use his takeaways from the game against CSHS to the team’s benefit.
“We’ve just got to be a little cleaner on offense, from the standpoint of not getting in so many third and long situations,” Perno said. “And then defensively, these other teams are going to be a little better on offense and be able to throw downfield.”
CCHS head varsity football coach David Perno speaks to the CCHS varsity football team after the 58th Classic City Championship in Billy Henderson Stadium on Aug. 15. After beating Cedar Shoals High School 42-3, the team will play Oconee County High School at home at 7:30 on Aug. 23. “We played a decent game,” Perno said. “We just got to keep it in perspective, got to continue to improve.” Photo by Wyatt Meyer
With hopes of making it to the Georgia High School Association Region 8-AAAAA playoffs, CCHS varsity football tight end and wide receiver Tyrell Husband, a senior, is prepared for the remainder of the season.
“We’re ready for it. We were working hard all summer, all spring, and we’re ready. It’s time to show everything we’ve been working for,” Husband said.
