Football | 8/23/2024 11:06:00 PM
In the preseason tuneup, the Clinton High School football team found itself on its heels but staved off a surging Vicksburg Gators on Friday.
The Gators scored a late rushing touchdown and elected to claim the lead with a two-point conversion. However, Clinton's defense was wise to the play and stonewalled a wide-receiver reverse, the potential go-ahead score, as a host of Arrows met the Gator two yards deep in the backfield.
Clinton players and coaches were elated, celebrating the positive momentum heading toward the 2024 season.
The defensive stop and
Josef Walker's three passing touchdowns lifted Clinton over Vicksburg, 21-20, in the two-quarter scrimmage at Arrow Field on the campus of Clinton High School.
"I was really proud of the effort on both sides of the ball," Clinton's first-year Head Football Coach John Carr said. "It was great to see our defense get put in a bind at the end of the scrimmage and have to strain inside the 5. I thought we had several defensive guys that flashed (tonight).
"Overall, it was good to line up against an opponent and get some live tackling reps," Carr added.
Following a Gator three-and-out on the scrimmage's opening possession, the Arrows' offense electrified the home fans with their first go of their up-tempo offense. On the third play of the drive, Walker connected with
Jaden Johnson on a 33-yard fade down the sideline. Two plays later, Walker eluded a Vicksburg blitz and dumped the ball to
Jaydann Hollins for a 5-yard score. The senior quarterback finished the drive with a perfect four-of-four passing.
Braylon Spann added his first of three extra points after the touchdown.
The Arrows engineered another scoring drive on their next possession despite a handful of penalties from both teams. Walker capped the drive with another pass to Hollins on a slant route where the wide receiver sped past Gator defenders for a 44-yard touchdown.
Clinton carried a 14-7 advantage into the second quarter.
Walker showcased his arm strength on the Arrows' first possession of the second. The senior quarterback found a streaking
Erich Johnson for a 61-yard bomb to give the Arrows a 21-7 lead.
"I thought we created some explosive plays on offense," Carr said. "Josef looked really comfortable and had great command of the offense. Our skill guys all made plays. I thought we got a little sloppy in the middle of the scrimmage in terms of penalties and pace of play."
Vicksburg answered with two rushing touchdowns after the Arrows final touchdown but were unable to complete the comeback when its two-point conversion failed.
Clinton opens its 2024 regular season in the 62nd Annual Red Carpet Bowl next Friday (Aug. 30). The Arrows face the Warren Central Vikings at 7:30 p.m. at Warren Central High School in Vicksburg.
