Clarke Central High School varsity football players line up before their 59-24 win over Winder-Barrow High School on Oct. 30 in Billy Henderson Stadium. Despite a 1-4 start to the 2025-26 season, the Gladiators remained optimistic going into their first round 2025-26 Georgia High School Association Class AAAAA State Championship Playoff game against Effingham County High School at ECHS on Nov. 14, which ended in a 34-33 win for CCHS. “One very important takeaway from this game is that if we all stick together and do what we are coached to do, we can be as good as any team in the state,” CCHS varsity football team defensive end Jamir Hall, a senior, said. Photo by Kye Streetman
The CCHS varsity football team defeated Effingham County High School with a final score of 34-33 on Nov. 14 at ECHS.
The Clarke Central High School varsity football team edged out a 34-33 win against Effingham County High School in the first round of the 2025-26 Georgia High School Association Class AAAAA State Championship Playoffs on Nov. 14 at ECHS’ Rebel Field in Springfield, Ga..
The Gladiators started the 2025-26 season 1-4 overall, but managed to place third in GHSA Region 8-AAAAA after a three-game winning streak to close out the season. CCHS finished the season with an overall record of 5-5 and a region record of 4-2.
The Rebels, who placed second in GHSA Region 1-AAAAA with a region record of 7-1, found offensive success in the first half on long drives and strong runs. Because of this, ECHS was beating the Gladiators at the half with a score of 7-19, who struggled to capitalize on drives despite a first-quarter touchdown by CCHS varsity football tight end Triston Thomas, a senior.
“We went down early and we easily could have given up and said, ‘That’s it,’” Thomas said. “However, we didn’t, and that’s a testament to our progression over the season, how we’ve matured as players and the values our coaches have instilled in us.”
“This group has been through many struggles and much adversity, (but) we never flinched. (We) just kept playing and this win is definitely one to remember.”
— David Perno,
CCHS head varsity football coach
After the half, CCHS took up an aggressive offensive approach marked by a 55-yard passing touchdown and three successful two-point conversions, one of which put the Gladiators up by one point with about three minutes left in the game. Afterward, CCHS was able to hold ECHS, run out the clock and secure the win.
“It felt great to win (after) we had to fight to get into the playoffs,” Thomas said. “We’ve come a long way, but it’s not over and we’ll start getting ready for next week.”
Next, the Gladiators, ranked 32nd in GHSA Class AAAAA, will face Roswell High School, ranked third, at RHS on Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. in the Sweet 16. CCHS head varsity football coach David Perno saw perseverance from CCHS in their win over ECHS, which he hopes will bode well for their next step into a playoff run.
“This group has been through many struggles and much adversity, (but) we never flinched. (We) just kept playing and this win is definitely one to remember,” Perno said. “We will have the toughest challenge of the year next week versus (RHS). They are one of the best teams in the state.”
