By KEVIN MOBLEY – Web Writer
The Clarke Central High School varsity football team finished its season on Friday, Nov. 15 with a loss in the first round of the state playoffs to Mays High School.
The Clarke Central High School varsity football team was defeated by Mays High School 14-10 in the first round of the Georgia High School Association state playoffs Friday, Nov. 15 at Lakewood Stadium in Atlanta.
“Our kids prepared for the game well,” MHS head coach Corey Jarvis said. “Critical mistakes in the first half kept the game closer than it could’ve been. Stupid turnovers and stupid penalties hurt us.”
The Gladiators registered the first points on the scoreboard with 11:10 in the first quarter when CCHS senior quarterback Cameron Johnson connected with senior receiver Austin Johnson for 16 yards and a score to make it 7-0.
“I told our kids to keep their composure,” Jarvis said. “I feel like our coaches did a good job of getting our kids’ heads up, getting the composure back and keeping them in the ball game.”
On the last play of the first quarter, MHS blocked a 35-yard field goal attempt and junior outside linebacker Natrez Patrick returned the ball for a touchdown to tie the score at 7-7.
After a scoreless second quarter, CCHS would score the next points on a 48-yard field goal by senior kicker Matthew Ward with 8:14 in the third quarter. MHS answered in the fourth quarter on a one-yard touchdown run by sophomore receiver Randrecous Davis on a direct snap with 5:34 remaining in the game. Davis was playing running back after.
CCHS would turn the ball over on downs with 3:09 left as Johnson’s pass fell incomplete on fourth and two. The Raiders would then run out the rest of the time remaining on the clock.
The Raiders improve to 8-3 on the season, 7-2 in Region Six-AAAAA play. They face off next week against Kell High School in the second round of the GHSA state playoffs
The Gladiators finish the 2013 season with a 7-4 record, 6-2 in Region Eight-AAAAA.
