Clarke Central High School head varsity flag football coach Cherelle Pass poses with blocker Joanne Fischetti (right) and center Kennadi Jordan (left), both seniors, in the CCHS Billy Henderson Strength and Conditioning Center during the ODYSSEY Media Group’s Fall Sports Media Day on Sept. 13. The Gladiators have practiced in preparation for their game against Monroe Area High School and Oconee County High School on Nov. 12. “The first half of (our) practices consists of agility work, usually drills and a little bit of running, just to get our bodies warmed up. Then the next half of the practice just consists of working on our positions, and sometimes we do offensive defensive days, so we’ll work on the offense (and) go over our plays,” Jordan said. Photo by Maypop Wren
The CCHS varsity flag football team will take on Monroe Area High School and Oconee County High School on Nov. 12 in OCHS’ Warrior Stadium.
The Clarke Central High School varsity flag football team will close out its regular season with two matchups against Monroe Area High School and Oconee County High School on Nov. 12, at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., respectively.
The Gladiators (16-2, 8-0 in region 8-AAAAA) are approaching the final stretch of their regular season with postseason positioning in mind.
“Anytime we have two games, we need to win both games because the playoffs are set up and designed that if you win the first round of state, you’re automatically in the Sweet 16,” CCHS head varsity flag football coach Cherelle Pass said. “So as soon as you get high on winning, you gotta try and play again. And we’ve always been falling short in the Sweet 16, so just finishing (and) winning both games.”
Last year, the Gladiators defeated the OCHS Warriors (14-4, 3-1 in region) 19-6 and the MAHS Purple Hurricanes (15-3, 3-1 in region) 13-6 two years ago. Recently, the Gladiators have seen improvement in maintaining their leads throughout games.
“We played two games on (Nov. 2), we had (Jackson County High School) and we had (Mountain View High School). With both of those games, we have been able to score offensively and defensively in the second half, which has been sort of a weakness of ours,” Pass said.
“Anytime we have two games, we need to win both games because the playoffs are set up and designed that if you win the first round of state, you’re automatically in the Sweet 16.”
— Cherrelle Pass,
CCHS varsity flag football head coach
Beyond improving its performance on the field, the Gladiators have also worked to adjust changes in the team’s lineup following the graduation of several key players, including wide receivers Mimi Hill, Sadie Miller and KK Smith and kicker Cameron Mojock.
“Last year, (the girls) who basically built the program when it first started (graduated). So, losing them this year changed the team dynamic,” CCHS varsity flag football center Kennadi Jordan, a senior, said. “These last three years, we’ve been playing some of the same teams, so we’re starting to get a better feel of what we need to do and what we haven’t done.”
As the Gladiators approach the postseason, Pass hopes the team’s continued development will carry them through the state playoffs and toward a championship appearance, which is scheduled for Dec. 8. Regardless, Pass expressed pride in the team’s progress over the course of the season.
“I think we’re starting to really gel and do what we need to do, trust in one another,” Pass said. “A lot of girls have been getting a lot of reps lately, so we’re trying to build our depth. I just think the morale has been up for the most part.”
