Football | 10/8/2025 3:21:00 PM

As the Clinton High School Football team puts the 2025 season's first half behind them, the end goal is set in front of them with the start of district play just around the corner.

The Arrows (3-2) open their Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Region 2-7A slate with a trip to South Jackson Field where they will tilt with the Murrah Mustangs (1-5) at 7 p.m. on Thursday. It is the first meeting between both teams since the 2022 season.

"Every game matters now," Clinton Head Football Coach Hamer Morgan said. "How we prepare, how we practice, how we handle the little details -- that's what is going to decide our season. The end game's in sight, and every rep counts."

Clinton remains in arguably the toughest division of the MHSAA 7A Classification despite the departure of Tupelo at the end of the 2024-25 athletic year. The Arrows contend for one of four playoff spots with Germantown, Madison Central, Murrah, Oxford, and Starkville, vying for a postseason berth.

Entering the seventh week of the MHSAA football season, four out of six teams boast a winning record.

Outside of the Clinton-Murrah region opener, Starkville plays Germantown for the pair's regional opener in Gluckstadt while Madison Central and Oxford are idle.

SERIES HISTORY

A series which dates back to 1982, the Arrows and Mustangs will meet for the 37th time on Thursday. Though Murrah won the first four meetings from 1982-1985, the series has trended toward Clinton, which has won 29 out of the 36 previous meetings.

The Arrows currently hold an eight-game winning streak over the Mustangs and won the previous meeting 63-18 on November 3, 2022. 

Thursday marks the 31st time that these two teams have played in district action. 

MIDSEASON RECAP

Halfway through a demanding 2025 schedule, the Arrows sit at three wins and two losses, continuing growth under Morgan and his staff.

Despite arguably one of the toughet slates in Mississippi, Morgan expressed how proud he was of his team week after week.

"I'm proud of them and the progress we're making every day," Morgan said. "We've played a really tough non-region schedule that we know will prepare us for district play. This group just keeps showing up and going to work."

The Arrow defense has been a bright spot throughout the first half of the season, holding opponents to an average of 15.6 points per game. That effort has kept Clinton in every game. The veteran unit is led by a defensive core that includes Davon Merchant, Jaiden Jefferson, Cameron Cornelius, Dallas Johnson, and many more, that provide immense ability and skills.

"Those (defensive) guys have played together for a long time," Morgan said. "They've been in big moments and pressure situations, and it's paying off for them now. They've stayed the course and worked hard."

On offense, Clinton continues to find its rhythm behind a sophomore-led unit. Outside of a few upperclassman, nearly every skill player is either sophomore or junior, forcing quick maturation in Mississippi's highest classification of high school football.

The Arrow running game has provided consistency with bruising carries from Braylon Lowery, Cayden Albert, and Boskey Evans, while the passing game starts to find its way with starting quarterback Jayden Jones and a slew of sophomore wide receivers.

"It's a little bit of growing pains, and that's part of it," Morgan said. "The more these guys play together, the better they are going to get. They've been tested early in the season, and that experience (from non-district games) is going to help them down the stretch."

LIVE-STREAM AND TICKET INFORMATION

The Clinton-Murrah game will be video broadcast with play-by-play commentary on Hudl TV. Hudl TV can be accessed on an internet browser or the Hudl Fan App on any smart television (the best method for Hudl TV).

If you are unable to video stream the game, Clinton offers a simultaneous radio broadcast on WJNT 1180 AM/96.9 FM. Both broadcasts will start at 6:30 p.m.

To purchase tickets, fans can follow this LINK to GoFan to pre-purchase their tickets and avoid the lines. Tickets are $8 ($7 admission price and $1 processing fee).

Fans should be aware that all Jackson Public School athletic events require a clear bag for entry.