Coverage by Hannah Gale – Print Sports Editor
Video by KELLY FULFORD – Broadcast Staffer
and KIKI GRIFFIN – Broadcast Staffer
The Clarke Central High School varsity football team beat North Oconee High School 45-21 in Death Valley for CCHS’ annual homecoming game.
For the first time since 2003, the Clarke Central High School varsity football team hosted North Oconee High School at Billy Henderson Stadium on Sept. 16.
CCHS beat NOHS 45-21, which leaves CCHS with a record of 2-2, and NOHS with a record of 0-4.
“We moved the ball well tonight and put up 45 points, that’s always a positive but we can’t turn the ball over,” junior quarterback Jack Mangel said. “Our mindset going in was just put up as many points as possible and let the defense do their job.”
CCHS started off the game with a touchdown and an 80 yard run in the second offensive play made by sophomore running back Jonathan Sewell.
“Offensively, we executed better than we have all year in the running game and the passing game,” CCHS Assistant Coach Aaron Cavin said. “It’s the first game that we’ve had where all three, offensive, defense, special teams, all kind of work in rhythm.”
The Gladiators were in control of the ball for majority of the game, but in the fourth quarter with six seconds to spare, NOHS scored a touchdown after an incomplete pass and a flag was called.
“When we were struggling (in the game against Oconee High School on Aug. 26), we didn’t react and we didn’t respond the way we needed to,” Cavin said. “We need to anticipate (Cedar Shoals High School) being better than North Oconee and we just gotta be able to deal with adversity better as a team and keep doing the little things that will help us win.”
CCHS will play Cedar Shoals next Friday, Sept. 23 at CSHS, for both team’s first Region 8-AAAAA game of the season.
“We need to focus on Cedar. We just got to have good practices throughout the week and just play our game,” CCHS junior running back Jacorie Jordan said.
CCHS has beaten CSHS’ football team for the past seven years, and CCHS hopes to make it eight this season.
“I was pleased with the final score,” Mangel said. “This win will give us confidence going into the Cedar game.”
Click here for a Steller Story by Andrew Caldwell with photos by Emma Ramsay on the game.
