Clarke Central High School varsity flag football players pose with CCHS head varsity flag football coach Cherrellle Pass in the CCHS Competition Gym during the ODYSSEY Media Group’s Fall Media Day on Aug. 23. The team held practices on Monday through Thursday during the summer but once the season begins on Sept. 9, Pass plans to make practices more intense. “(After Sept. 9), it’s a two-hour practice (five days a week). Sometimes, out of two hours, depending on heat, it’s two water breaks,” Pass said. “It’s drill after drill after drill.” Photo by Iliana Tejada
The CCHS varsity flag football team has been preparing for the 2025-26 season to kickoff on Sept. 9.
With a summer of training behind them, the Clarke Central High School varsity flag football team is preparing for the start of its 2025-26 season on Sept. 9.
The Gladiators held tryouts from May 5-6, and head varsity flag football coach Cherrelle Pass used June to evaluate players in a variety of settings. The team participated in workouts throughout June from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and played in three scrimmages against Jackson County High School, Salem High School and Oconee County High School.
“Summer preparation allows us to really take the time to focus on one-on-one instruction and teach the game in slow motion,” Pass said. “We teach the ABCs, and by the time the season comes, we put those letters together to be able to read. In flag football terms, we break down the game over the summer, so when the season comes, we are playing the game.”
Until the official season begins, players will partake in speed training on Sundays and two “four-on-one” sessions a week, where four athletes work with one coach for 30 minutes without water breaks. On Sept. 9, practices shift into two-hour sessions five days a week.
After making it to the Sweet Sixteen round of the Georgia High School Association Flag Football State Playoffs during the 2024-25 season, this revamped practice schedule is designed to prepare the Gladiators for a challenging set of opponents this season, Pass says.
“We have a tough schedule. Because of how (good) we did last year, a lot of teams feel like they’re not up to par (with CCHS) and don’t want to play good competition. We don’t necessarily get cupcake games,” Pass said. “But, it’s okay. Our goals (are) still to have a winning season, have a state championship run, and) compete for a state title.”
“We teach the ABCs, and by the time the season comes, we put those letters together to be able to read. In flag football terms, we break down the game over the summer, so when the season comes, we are playing the game.”
— Cherrelle Pass,
CCHS head varsity flag football coach
With rivals like North Oconee High School and OCHS, who ranked first and second, respectively, in the Division 2 Area 8 region during the 2024-25 season, CCHS varsity flag football wide receiver Mimi Hill, a senior, believes the key to success this season will be staying committed.
“This team could be very good if everybody puts in the work,” Hill said. “We have to work hard, be dedicated, come to practices, and try (our) best at each and every practice. The only way to (win state) is if we all come together and show up.”
