Video by Karla Dougan. Article by Noeli Loya.
By NOELI LOYA – Staff Writer
By KALRA DOUGAN – ODTV Director
The Clarke Central High School varsity football team will face Cedar Shoals High School on Sept. 23 for the 50th meeting.
Clarke Central High School and Cedar Shoals High School will meet on Sept. 23 for the 50th annual Classic City Championship. Head Coach David Perno is looking forward to the game and believes it is a crucial part of the season.
“Once we get to the Cedar game that’s the start of region,” Perno said. “Not only is it a big game in terms of our rivalry and city championship but it’s our first region game and so all the pre-season games are over. This one definitely carries much more weight than any other game.”
The CCHS Gladiators will start the game with a 2-2 record from previous season games while the CSHS Jaguars are will start a 3-1 record.
“The record is the one thing that I think everybody is a little uncomfortable with but I think we’re on pace,” Perno said. “Cedar is definitely going to be a little different because there are a lot of variables. It’s not just the Cedar versus Clarke Central game cause they have better record than we do right now.”
Wide receiver Jacorie Jordan, a junior, believes although Cedar has improved, CCHS will prevail.
“(CSHS football team) have always had good athletes, but they never really had a coach like Coach Ryals who can discipline them (in life),” Jordan said. “He has done that to them (players) and they’re better than they used to be. They won’t make the same mistakes they used to but we’re still gonna beat them no matter what.”
Just hours from the game, Perno believes the overall experience will be positive for both teams.
“(When playing a rival) the preparations are just a little sharper and more focused– everything about it, and I knew this as a player. You just had a little more pep in your step and a little more focus. Everything was just magnified a little better from a standpoint. Even the anxiety of having to play that game because it is a big game,” Perno said.
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