Football | 8/23/2025 12:36:00 PM
VICKSBURG — The Clinton High School Football team obtained invaluable experience and numerous lessons during its preseason jamboree on Friday night, August 22.
The Arrows scrimmaged the Vicksburg Gators in two quarters of varsity action, falling 7-3 at Memorial Stadium.
"We went live on everything, and that was good," Clinton Head Football Coach Hamer Morgan said. "I saw some good things from both sides of the ball, saw some good things from the defensive side."
The Arrows' lone scoring drive occurred in the second varsity quarter. Sparked by a defensive fumble recovery at the Vicksburg 44-yard line, Clinton used a pair of Braylon Lowery runs, including a 16-yarder, to enter the red zone. After three unsuccessful downs, Braylen Spann knocked through a 27-yard field goal from the snap of Gage Temple and under the hold of John Jackson.
Vicksburg answered on its next possession, scoring on a 70-yard pass with one minute, 28 seconds remaining in the scrimmage.
Clinton did not achieve a first down on its next four plays from offensive scrimmage from its 25-yard line, ending any comeback aspirations.
Takeaways
The Clinton defense frustrated the Gator offense throughout the night. The defensive unit even had two scoring opportunities called back. In the first quarter, an Arrow pick-6 was overturned by a defensive holding penalty. During the second, the Arrows would have added six with a scoop-and-score but the Vicksburg running back's forward progress had been deemed stopped before the fumble occurred.
"Defense made some big stops," Morgan said. "I know we didn't get the stop at the end of the second period, but just something to learn on.
"A lot of experience on the defensive side of the ball," Morgan added. "Those guys on the defensive side are seniors, and they are going to confidently fly around because they have the experience of Friday nights."
Clinton broke in new starting quarterback Jayden Jones, a sophomore, and a slew of young skill players at the running-back, wide-receiver, and tight-end positions. These young core should provide excitement for the red and black faithful as the season progresses.
"A lot of young guys, and we are not going to sit here and make excuses," Morgan said. "We just have execute a little better on the offensive side."
Up next
Clinton opens the regular season with a non-district tilt with the Warren Central Vikings on Friday, August 29, at Arrow Field on the campus of Clinton High School. The game kicks off at 7 p.m.
