Multiple Clarke Central High School defenders rush to tackle an Eastside High School player during the Gladiators’ 28-27 overtime win over the Eagles. After succeeding with a gutsy call for a two-point conversion, head varsity football coach David Perno felt the player’s resilience was the key to their success. “All in all, man, I’m proud of these guys. We have hung in there this year and things haven’t gone our way, we’ve had some tough situations, and they just keep fighting,” Perno said. Photo by Temprince Battle
The CCHS varsity football team pulled out a thrilling overtime victory against Eastside High School in a game that could determine the Gladiators’ playoff fortunes.
Leading up to their 2022 season, the Clarke Central High School varsity football team had a motto: close the gap.
But at several points during this season, the Gladiators’ opponents have been the ones closing the gap on the team, who cannot finish higher than third in Region 8-AAAAA. However, in their 28-27 comeback win on Senior Night against Eastside High School, CCHS showed they’re still living by their preseason mantra.
“I feel amazing. The way that we went out there and we fought (was amazing),” varsity quarterback Lucian Anderson III, a senior, said. “It was a rollercoaster of a game, but we pulled it out and that’s all that matters.”
In a tight first half, neither team managed to gain much traction offensively, as two field goals from kicker Cooper Evans, a junior, were matched by a late EHS touchdown that tied the game at halftime. Wide receiver Jaden Cofer, a junior, believes the Gladiators’ first half offensive performance was not up to their expectations.
“It was super special for me. With me knowing this is going to be potentially one of my last games playing on this field, I really wanted to go out with a win and that’s what we did.”
— Lucian Anderson III,
varsity football quarterback and senior
“It was the whole offense: we couldn’t execute on the (offensive) line, we couldn’t catch passes sometimes, we couldn’t run the ball like we wanted to,” Cofer said.
The second half burst into life when Eagles’ defenders blocked Evans’ punt and returned the ball for a touchdown. However, the Gladiators’ defense recovered a fumble and on the very next play, Anderson connected with Cofer for a game-tying touchdown.
“After that punt block, it looked like it was (the game against) Loganville (High School) all over (again), but we just kept pushing,” head varsity football coach David Perno said.
The Clarke Central High School varsity football team seniors pose for a photo in Billy Henderson Stadium before the Gladiators’ 28-27 victory over Eastside High School on Oct. 22. For head varsity football coach David Perno, the positive emotions as a result of the game were only exacerbated by the game being held on Senior Night. “The situation we’re in now looks good,” Perno said. “We got a week off, and if we can win at (Winder-Barrow High School), we control our destiny and have a shot at the playoffs,” Perno said. Photo courtesy of Kelbi Phillips
EHS took the lead again on a long passing play with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, but CCHS tied the score up at 20 when Anderson converted a crucial fourth and goal with under a minute in the game, sending the game to overtime. The touchdown was especially impactful to Anderson as it came on what might be his last game ever at CCHS.
“It was super special for me. With me knowing this is going to be potentially one of my last games playing on this field, I really wanted to go out with a win and that’s what we did,” Anderson said.
On their overtime possession, the Eagles scored a short touchdown, meaning the Gladiators would need one of their own to keep the game alive. However, CCHS got that and more as Anderson found Cofer again on fourth down for a touchdown before putting the ball back in Cofer’s hands as he ran in the game-winning two-point conversion, closing the gap between the teams once and for all.
“How can I not be (happy with my performance)?” Cofer said. “The first half was a rough start, but we came out in the second half, executed, and did what we had to do.”
