Football | 8/26/2025 5:13:00 PM
The Clinton High School Football team saw its first live-action scrimmage against the Vicksburg Gators last Friday, August 22, in Vicksburg.
Though the experience gained mattered more than the final score of the two-quarter jamboree, this Friday (August 29) the score will matter a whole lot to the Arrows when they start their regular season at 7 p.m. on Friday (August 29).
Clinton meets up with long-time rival the Warren Central Vikings at Arrow Field, marking the official start of a new chapter under first-year Head Football Coach Hamer Morgan.
"The good thing is (from last Friday) we got to see everybody play, and no one got hurt," Morgan said. "But this Friday, we will turn on the lights at Arrow Field against Warren Central -- and the game is for real and counts."
After Friday's scrimmage with the Gators, the Arrow defense, under Defensive Coordinator Britt Rowell, looked primed as experienced players fill the roles on that side of the football. The likes of
Dallas Johnson,
Davon Merchant,
Jaiden King,
Jaiden Jefferson,
Robsen Neblett, and
Donovan Shaifer should provide Clinton with enough firepower to stymie the opposition.
"We knew our defense would be ahead of our offense with all the sophomores and juniors starting on offense, and a lot of starters back on defense," Morgan said.
On the offensive side, the red and black rely heavily on a core of sophomores and juniors -- many who will see their first full-game varsity action this Friday night. First-year Offensive Coordinator Ben Shelton, who rejoins the Arrow Football program after his most recent stop at Madison Central, hopes that the scrimmage has
Jayden Jones,
Braylon Lowery, and many others prepared for the bright lights.
To help steady the unit, three returning starters from the 2024 team on the offensive line should do the trick. Those returners are
Tyboris Loftin,
Graham Williams, and
Jacob Jones.
"I thought our offensive line, where we have three returning starters, played well," Shelton said. "We also ran the ball well, with two sophomore running backs playing their first varsity action."
SERIES HISTORY
Clinton and Warren Central meet for the 62nd time in a rivalry that started in 1965. The Vikings lead the series 33-28, but the Arrows have won three of the last four match-ups.
Clinton has enjoyed the confines of Arrow Field as Warren Central has not won a game at 401 Arrow Drive since 2019.
The Arrows defeated the Vikings in a thrilling 26-20 game in the Red Carpet Bowl at Warren Central High School's Viking Stadium.
ARROW FIELD POLICY REMINDER
Fans will need to be aware of new Clinton Public School District (CPSD) policies that were implemented during the Fall semster of the 2024-25 school year for attending athletic events at CPSD facilities.
- Students will not be allowed to bring backpacks in the stadium, gymnasium, or fields.
- Adults will be permitted to bring necessary bags such as diaper bags and other necessary bags
- All children and students 8th grade and under must enter with a parent or adult.
- Adults/parents are responsible for student behavior while in attendance.
- Students/Attendees who fail to follow Clinton Athletic Facilities Guidelines will be asked to leave the game.
LIVE-STREAM AND TICKET INFORMATION
The Clinton-Warren Central 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). Clinton Athletics will have a simultaneous radio broadcast on
WJNT 1180 AM/96.9 FM.
To purchase tickets, fans can follow this
LINK to GoFan in order to pre-purchase their tickets and avoid the lines. Tickets are $11 ($10 admission price and $1 fee) apiece. If fans elect to forgo GoFan, Clinton Athletics accepts cash at the ticket gate.
