Clarke Central High School varsity football quarterback Hezekiah Millender, a senior, runs the ball in the CCHS versus Oconee County High School game at Billy Henderson Stadium on Aug. 23. Although down by 22 points at halftime, the Gladiators made a comeback to defeat the Warriors 37-36. “It came down to the last second,” CCHS varsity football defensive coordinator Joshua Dawson said. “It’s not (how) we planned it, but it’s great to see these guys fight through adversity and will their way to a win.” Photo by Wyatt Meyer
The CCHS varsity football team defeated the Oconee County High School Warriors 37-36 in Billy Henderson Stadium on Aug. 23.
The Clarke Central High School varsity football team took home their second win of the 2024-25 season in an evenly-matched game against Oconee County High School with a final score of 37-36 in Billy Henderson Stadium on Aug. 23.
After Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp did the coin toss to begin the game, OCHS deferred and kicked off to the receiving Gladiators. From then until halftime, CCHS struggled to connect their passes and avoid penalties while OCHS built up a 22-point lead on the strength of a consistent running game. By halftime, the Gladiators trailed 30-8.
“(In the) first half, everything wasn’t going right. We had to make a couple changes,
filling the gaps with our linebackers,” CCHS outside linebacker Skylier Walter, a senior, said. “We needed to be more aggressive and calm down.”
The Clarke Central High School varsity football team rushes onto the field at the start of their game against Oconee County High School in Billy Henderson Stadium on Aug. 23. CCHS varsity football defensive coordinator Joshua Dawson chalks the Gladiators’ comeback to the combined efforts of the CCHS players. “Gladiator Nation: This was a team effort and a team win, no individuals,” Dawson said. “(That’s) the only way you can come back from that many points down.” Photo by Grady Dunston
To begin the third quarter, CCHS picked up the pace with two consecutive touchdowns by wide receiver Troy Rucker, a junior, and tight end Jamir Hall, a junior, gradually closing the point gap between themselves and the Warriors as they ended the third quarter 30-23.
“We were having a lot of mental errors in the first half. We corrected those at halftime,” CCHS varsity football defensive coordinator Joshua Dawson said. “The guys focused up, they executed and results followed.”
The Gladiators settled in by the final quarter of the game and completed their comeback, with tight end Lagracion Little, a sophomore, catching a 64-yard touchdown to tie the score at 30. Although OCHS reciprocated with another touchdown, their extra point was no good, leaving the door open for CCHS.
“(In the) first half, everything wasn’t going right. We had to make a couple changes,filling the gaps with our linebackers,”
— Skylier Walter,
CCHS outside linebacker
After a Gladiator drive stalled in their own territory, they regained possession through a fumble recovery at their 35-yard line. From there, the Glads marched down the field and secured the victory with a 29-yard touchdown caught by tight end Xayvian Berry, a senior, leaving the final score 37-36.
“Clarke Central was so explosive and talented,” OCHS varsity football head coach Ben Hall said. “We came out of the locker room and we did what we wanted to do. Clarke Central did a fine job of making adjustments.”
Oconee County High School varsity football running back Caiden Wood, a junior, runs the ball over the 50-yard line in the Clarke Central High School versus. OCHS game at Billy Henderson Stadium on Aug. 23. The competition between the Gladiators and the Warriors was evenly matched as both teams dominated in different halves of the game. “We’re playing some really talented, competitive teams,” OCHS head varsity football coach Ben Hall said. “It’s a four-quarter game, and we have to play our four quarters to the best of our ability to beat teams like Clarke Central.” Photo by Wyatt Meyer
Now 2-0 on the season, CCHS varsity football head coach David Perno intends to emphasize next week’s practices in preparation for their game against Jefferson High School at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 30 at Jefferson Memorial Stadium.
“We learned a valuable lesson. We didn’t practice well, and (the players) know it,” Perno said. “We talked about it at halftime. That’s why we’re going to practice at six a.m. (next) Monday and Tuesday, (and) make certain that they’re locked and ready.”
