Gallery by Ana Aldridge and Zoe Peterson. Featured photo by Zoe Peterson.
The Clarke Central High School varsity football team faced Region 8-AAAAA opponent Johnson High School in CCHS’ eighth game of the season.
The Clarke Central High School Gladiator varsity football team hosted the Johnson High School Knights on Oct. 13 for the Gladiator’s Senior Night.
To start off the game, CCHS running back Jonathan Sewell made the score 7-0 Gladiators with a 43-yard touchdown with seven minutes left in the first quarter. CCHS quarterback Jack Mangel handed off to running back O’Brien Barnett, who scored the second touchdown of the night with 2:02 left in the first quarter. CCHS kicker William Downs’ PAT was good, making the score 14-0.
The Gladiators continued the streak when Mangel connected with CCHS wide receiver Rayshawn Wells in the end zone. Downs’ PAT was good, bringing the score 21-0 Gladiators with 6:36 left in the second quarter.
In the middle of the second quarter, the Gladiator took starting quarterback Mangel out for the night and put in sophomore Isaac Ward. With 2:02 left in 2nd quarter, Ward hit wide receiver Jacorie Jordan for a five-yard touchdown, for Ward’s first-ever varsity touchdown, making the score 28-0 Gladiators.
“It was cool scoring my first touchdown. I mean it can only happen once,” Ward said.
Starting off the third quarter, Mangel stood in the pocket, avoided a tackle and scored a 19-yard touchdown. CCHS kicker Christian Bryan’s PAT was good, advancing the score to 35-0 Gladiators. With 6:02 left in the 3rd quarter, Mangels pass was intercepted in the end zone by JHS player Nolan Bullock for the Knights first touchdown of the night, but the PAT was not good. Making a recovery, CCHS center Kapres Forbes intercepted the ball with 4:29 left in the third, scoring a touchdown for the Gladiators making the score 42-6.
JHS gained momentum as they ran a four-yard touchdown with 3:55 left in the game. The Knights then ran a two-point play, bringing the score to 42-14 Gladiators. JHS went for the punt kick, but the Gladiators recovered it, ending the game.
The Gladiators came out on top with a score of 42-14 over JHS, improving their record to 6-2. CCHS will take on Region 8-AAAAA opponent Flowery Branch High School on Oct. 20 to determine where the Gladiators will rank in the region going into playoffs.
“I think our biggest concern is playing better on the road. We didn’t play that well at Buford (High School), we didn’t play that well at Winder (Barrow High School) and we played OK at North Oconee (High School), but a lot had to do with our opponent so we’re gonna have to play a lot better than we have on the road. That’s the big job,” CCHS head varsity football coach David Perno said.
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