The Clarke Central High School varsity football team will open their season against Cedar Shoals High School in the 59th Classic City Championship at 3 p.m. on Aug. 16 in CSHS’ Water-Wilkins Stadium.
By the numbers: CCHS vs. Cedar Shoals varsity football
The Clarke Central High School varsity football team takes the field prior to the start of the 58th Classic City Championship in Billy Henderson Stadium on Aug. 15, 2024. This year, the CCHS varsity football team will play in the 59th Classic City Championship against the Cedar Shoals High School Jaguars at CSHS’ Waters-Wilkins Stadium on Aug. 16 and CCHS head varsity football coach David Perno felt confident in his team’s ability to win. “(CSHS) brought their team over here one day in June and I’m looking at them, (and) I’m like, ‘These guys are bigger than us, they are more dressed out than us and they got athletes.’ However, I think we have better football players,” Perno said. “Our kids have been at it for a lot longer together and have been committed to this program. We just got to hang in there early and if we stay close to our identity (the championship game) will be fine.” Photo by Wyatt Meyer
The CCHS varsity football team will play Cedar Shoals High School in the 59th Classic City Championship at CSHS’ Waters-Wilkins Stadium at 3 p.m. on Aug 16.
All statistics are from the 2024-2025 varsity football season.
Clarke Central High School
(8-3): Overall record for the varsity Gladiators.
(6-0): Region 8-AAAAA record for the CCHS varsity football team.
(5-1): Home record for the Gladiators
(3-2): Away record for the Gladiators.
(42-3): Score in the last game played against Cedar Shoals High School on Aug. 15, 2024..
424: Total points scored by the CCHS varsity football team.
277: Total points allowed by the CCHS varsity football team.
194.4: Average passing yards per game for the Gladiators.
215.5: Average rushing yards per game for the Gladiators.
6: CCHS varsity football team’s current winning streak against the Jaguars.
80: Georgia state ranking for the CCHS Gladiators according to MaxPreps Computer Rankings.
Cedar Shoals High School
(0-10): Overall record for the Jaguars.
(0-6): Region 8-AAAA record for the CSHS varsity football team.
(0-5): Home record for the Jaguars.
(0-5): Away record for the Jaguars.
(3-42): Score for the last game played against Clarke Central High School.
92: Total points scored by the CSHS varsity football team.
418: Total points allowed by the CSHS varsity football team.
81.7: Average passing yards per game for the Jaguars.
34.3: Average rushing yards per game for the Jaguars.
2018: The last year the Jaguars beat the Gladiators.
334: Georgia state ranking for the CSHS Jaguars according to MaxPreps Computer Rankings.
Stats compiles from maxpreps.com
Cheering for the Classic City
The Clarke Central High School varsity football cheerleading team performs during the 57th Classic City Championship against Cedar Shoals High School in CSHS’ Waters-Wilkins Stadium on Aug. 19, 2023. With the 59th Classic City Championship game quickly approaching, CCHS varsity football cheerleader Naki Hull-Lowe, a senior, expressed excitement for the game. “I’m feeling really confident in my team, (both the) football team and cheer-wise,” Hull-Lowe said. “I’m looking forward to showing off what we’ve progressed and learned over the summer and how we’ve come out as a team.” Photo by Aza Khan
The CCHS varsity football cheerleading team aims to bring spirit to the field during the 59th Classic City Championship on Aug. 16.
The Clarke Central High School varsity football cheerleading team will take to the field for the first time this season during the 59th Classic City Championship game against Cedar Shoals High School in CSHS’ Waters-Wilkins Stadium on Aug.16 at 3 p.m.
After holding tryouts from March 31-April 3, the CCHS cheer team began practicing in June under head varsity cheerleading coach Sophia Campbell, and attended the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Cheer Camp at Emmanuel University , along with the Urban Cheerleading Experience at CCHS throughout the summer. Since the start of the school year, the team has practiced Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m.
“We’ve been preparing all summer, as far as getting our cheers together and our stunts together, we’re doing way more stunts than what we did last year (and) it’s way more advanced from last year,” CCHS varsity cheerleader Naki Hull-Lowe, a senior said. “I’m really proud of my team and what we’ve accomplished.”
“(Cheerleaders are) especially important in those tight situations in lifting the spirits of the team when things are looking rough.”
— Sophia Campbell,
CCHS head varsity cheerleading coach
For Campbell, cheerleading is more than just entertainment. It also plays an important role in creating a positive environment at football games for those in attendance.
“It’s our job to encourage our guys, and also lead the fans in hyping up the team,” Campbell said, “(Cheerleaders are) especially important in those tight situations in lifting the spirits of the team when things are looking rough.”
According to Campbell, in her three years of coaching at CCHS, this is the largest squad she’s led, leaving her eager to see the team shine during the game.
“We’ve got numbers, new faces, talent and enthusiasm. I’m looking forward to seeing how this group of girls come together and cheer us on to victory this Saturday afternoon,” Campbell said. “I’ve told the girls to go out there and have fun and give it their best.”
Timeline: Looking back at Classic City Championships
A timeline shows the winners of the past 20 games of the longstanding Classic City Championship between Clarke Central High School and Cedar Shoals High School. The 59th Classic City Championship will take place at 3 p.m. on Aug. 16 at CSHS’s Waters-Wilkins Stadium, which the CCHS varsity football team started preparations for over the summer. “We come in (over the summer) at 8 a.m. and practice starts at 11:30 a.m. (or) 12 (p.m.) Monday to Thursday,” CCHS varsity football wide receiver La’Gracion Little, a junior said. “We (also) did a football lock-in where we stayed at school, and we ate, practiced, worked out. It was a great experience. We had fun, and we got a lot out of it.” Timeline by Lea D’Angelo
A timeline depicts the winners of the 20 most recent Classic City Championships.
Game preview: 59th Classic City Championship
Clarke Central High School Class of 2024 alumni and then-varsity football seniors Skylier Walter Jr. and Damien Drake tackle Cedar Shoals High School varsity football player and then-freshman Keelin McLendon during the 58th Classic City Championship in Billy Henderson Stadium on Aug. 15, 2024. CCHS head varsity football coach David Perno emphasized the importance of the roles of consistent preparation, effort and trust play in success during the championship game. “We know who we’re playing, but you don’t want to cut corners trying to get ready for Cedar – that can damage you pretty good,” Perno said. “We just got to stay the course, do what we do, prepare like we normally would prepare and then play with great effort and we’ll take the outcome.” Photo by Wyatt Meyer
The CCHS varsity football team will face the Cedar Shoals High School Jaguars in the 59th Classic City Championship at 3 p.m. on Aug. 16 in CSHS’s Waters-Wilkins Stadium.
The Clarke Central High School varsity football team will open its season against Cedar Shoals High School in the 59th Classic City Championship at 3 p.m. on Aug. 16 in CSHS’s Waters-Wilkins Stadium.
Last season, the Gladiators delivered a dominant performance during the Classic City Championship game, securing the victory with a final score of 42-3. CCHS went on to finish the 2024-25 season with an overall record of 8-3 and went undefeated in Georgia High School Association Region 8-AAAAA play. CCHS head varsity football coach David Perno is optimistic that this year’s team can build on that success and begin the season with a victory.
“We have gotten much better as a football team, and (I) just hope that (the team) can continue (getting better) while handling their business in the classroom,” Perno said. “If they keep moving (in) the direction we’re moving, if we can keep that ball rolling and keep improving, we’re gonna be a pretty good football team.”
Across town, the Jaguars have been working with their new head varsity football coach Rusty Charpia, a veteran coach and friend of Perno. The two have remained close after playing against each other in college and establishing long coaching careers.
“They’ve got a lot of talented players, and (CSHS varsity football quarterback Keelin McLendon) transferred here and then transferred back, so he knows a little bit about our offense. That (is) a bad scenario. What I worry about is our kids looking at what’s on the surface, knowing that (CSHS is) coming into this game with absolutely nothing to lose,” Perno said. “(Charpia’s) going to do a great job. I’m sure he is. I just hope he doesn’t do a great job next (Saturday) night.”
Clarke Central High School varsity football wide receiver Troy Rucker, a then-junior, poses during the 58th Classic City Championship on Aug. 15, 2024 at Billy Henderson Stadium. After holding practices throughout the summer, CCHS varsity football free safety Barry Jones, a senior, expressed confidence in his team’s ability to win the Classic City Championship. “(The game) means a lot. (It’s the) first game of the season (and) you’re going against your rival in the same district,” Jones said. “We feel good about this game. We know we’re gonna come out, compete, show what Clarke Central is about, and win.” Photo by Wyatt Meyer
CSHS varsity football free safety Deston Foote, a senior, says the Jaguars are ready to face the Gladiators under Charpia’s coaching, which has brought a new, determined approach to the game for CSHS.
“The new coach – he’s taking every game step by step, brick by brick. He just wants to see if you’re ready to play, because if you’re not gonna push, (he’s) gonna sit you down,” Foote said. “(Expect) a movie. Get your popcorn ready, nachos, all that.”
For CCHS varsity football free safety Barry Jones, a senior, the game will be a high-pressure test, especially for the team’s younger roster after losing several key players from last year, including former starting quarterback Hezekiah Millender, who is now playing one mile down Baxter St. at the University of Georgia.
“(It will be) a very competitive game. We got a lot of very young players. It’s gonna be their first time in this type of environment (where) a lot of fans (are) at the game, cheering us on,” Jones said. “(There will be) a lot of competitiveness against each other.”
Despite the arrival of the new head coach and the confidence boost that brings to the Jaguars, the Gladiators remain focused on authenticity, emphasizing teamwork and executing their game plan.
“I think what we’ve got to do is be us. We can’t get out of who we are just because it’s Cedar Shoals, and I’m sure one of their plans will be to try and take us out of our comfort zone,” Perno said. “There’ll be a lot of emotions early in that game, (so) we just got to hang in there, and once (the game) settles down, just play football. If we can do that, we can navigate it and do the things that we’re capable of doing.”
“(It will be) a very competitive game. We got a lot of very young players. It’s gonna be their first time in this type of environment (where) a lot of fans (are) at the game, cheering us on,”
— Barry Jones,
CCHS varsity football free safety and senior
5 things to know about the 59th Classic City Championship
An infographic shows five things readers can learn about the 59th Classic City Championship as told by Clarke Central High School varsity football wide receiver La’Gracion Little, a junior. Little exhibited confidence about the Gladiator’s game against the Jaguars on Aug. 16 at 3 p.m. at Waters-Wilkins Stadium. “The energy (and) the way it is just feels different than all the other games because there’s more people there. We (are) playing for a championship, (which) is the game of the year,” Little said. “Honestly, everybody’s been waiting for the first game of the season. Everybody’s gonna be there, (and) it’s gonna be good.” Graphics by David Wang, photos by Wyatt Meyer
Sports Staffer David Wang highlights five aspects of the CCHS varsity football team’s preparation for the 59th Classic City Championship, which will take place on Aug. 16 at Waters-Wilkins Stadium.
Bringing the band
The Clarke Central High School Gladiator Marching Band performs at the 58th annual Classic City Championship on Aug. 18, 2024 in Billy Henderson Stadium. CCHS Assistant Drum Major Colin Boyle, a junior, participated in CCHS’ Band Camp from July 14-25, which served as the team’s summer preparation for the 59th Classic City Championship. “I’m just looking forward to having (a) good time and showing what we’ve worked on while we’ve been at the (camp),” Boyle said. “Because not many people know what band camp, how long it is, and how tiring it is, and so I want to show people that we’ve been working hard and not wasting our time.” Photo by Grady Dunston
The CCHS Gladiator Marching Band will take to the field during the 59th Classic City Championship on Aug.16 at 3 p.m. at Cedar Shoals High School.
The Clarke Central High School Gladiator Marching Band and Cedar Shoals High School Marching Band, also known as Classic City Sound, will perform at the 59th Classic City Championship held at CSHS’s Waters-Wilkins Stadium on Aug. 16.
Preparation for the game and the halftime show began with a summer band camp from July 14-25 at CCHS. After the start of the 2025-26 school year on Aug. 6, band students have also participated in after-school practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-7 p.m.
“(The students) come with dedication. They come willing to learn with good attitudes, and that’s something I’ve been super thankful for,” CCHS Assistant Director of Bands Jordan Raysor said. “From their attitudes to their (dedication), they’ve done a really good job.”
“Both the bands know that the other band worked just as hard and had roughly the same hours of band camp that we did, and we want to make sure they feel that they are respected.”
— Colin Boyle,
CCHS Assistant Drum Major and junior
The Gladiator Marching Band will play during the game’s first quarter and the first half of the second quarter, while the remainder of the quarter is dedicated to warming up for the halftime show.
“The third quarter is when we have time off where we can (socialize), go get food, water (and) drinks, (but we’re) not able to leave and go on the (away) side of the stands, and then the fourth quarter is, I think (is) the most fun. We usually play the most songs (then),” CCHS Assistant Drum Major Colin Boyle, a junior, said.
While the Cedar-Central football rivalry is longstanding, the band departments from CCHS and CSHS approach the night differently and aim to unite the schools, Boyle says.
“I don’t think there’s much rivalry between the bands. I think we are able to help each other grow and push each other to have a better show,” Boyle said. “Both the bands know that the other band worked just as hard and had roughly the same hours of band camp that we did, and we want to make sure they feel that they are respected and feel like their performance matters, too.”
