Football | 11/6/2026 1:36:00 PM

CLINTON -- The Clinton High School football team left it all on the field in Thursday night's season finale, falling to Madison Central, 28-21, at Arrow Field.

As they have done in recent weeks of Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Region 2-7A action, the Jaguars overcame a second-half deficit, using two of three Jack Brunini rushing touchdowns and a third-quarter safety to secure a seven-point win over the Arrows.

Both teams found the end zone on their opening possessions. Madison Central received the opening kickoff and marched 90 yards for the game's first score, capped by a Brunini touchdown run.

Clinton answered with an 80-yard scoring drive of its own, as Jayden Jones capped the possession with a 2-yard touchdown run to even the contest at 7-7.

Ashton Williams put Madison Central back in front with 10:04 remaining in the second quarter, giving the Jaguars a 14-7 advantage. The lead held into halftime despite a late scoring opportunity for the Arrows in the closing moments of the first half.

Clinton needed just one play to erase the deficit coming out of halftime. On the first play from scrimmage of the second half, Boskey Evans broke free for a 75-yard touchdown run, and Brayden Gough's extra point tied the contest at 14 apiece.

The Arrow defense stood tall on Madison Central's ensuing possession, forcing a punt to set up Clinton's go-ahead scoring drive. Jones capped the possession with a 30-yard touchdown run, giving the Arrows a 21-14 advantage with 9:23 remaining in the third quarter.

Madison Central threatened later in the third quarter, but a missed 47-yard field goal kept Clinton's lead intact.

The momentum shifted on the ensuing possession when a high snap on a Clinton punt attempt resulted in a safety, cutting the Arrows' advantage to 21-16.

The Jaguars capitalized on the ensuing free kick, marching 55 yards in seven plays to reclaim the lead. Brunini capped the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run, putting Madison Central ahead 22-21 with 1:13 remaining in the third.

In the fourth quarter, Madison Central capitalized on a muffed punt, setting up Brunini's third rushing touchdown of the night. Clinton blocked the ensuing extra-point attempt, keeping the deficit at seven points, 28-21.

The Arrows mounted one final rally, marching into the opponent territory threatening the Jaguars' lead. Jones connected with Jaden Johnson for a 46-yard gain before finding Cayden Albert for a crucial 9-yard completion on fourth-and-2, keeping Clinton's hopes alive.

Jones followed with a 12-yard carry to the Madison Central 5-yard line, putting the Arrows on the doorstep of a potential game-tying touchdown.

On the ensuing play, Jones appeared to score, but a procedural penalty wiped the touchdown off the board.

Clinton could not recover from the setback, and Jones' final pass attempt to Dayson Scott on fourth down was broken up in the corner of the end zone, preserving Madison Central's seven-point victory.

The Arrows concluded the 2026 campaign with a 2-8 overall record, including a 1-4 mark in MHSAA Region 2-7A action.

BY THE NUMBERS

Clinton finished with 308 yards of total offense, including 157 rushing yards and 151 passing yards, while Madison Central totaled 359 yards of total offense.

Jones accounted for 226 yards of total offense, completing 9-of-19 passing for 151 yards while rushing for 75 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries.

Boskey Evans led the Arrows' rushing attack with 102 yards and a touchdown on nine carries, highlighted by his 75-yard scoring run on the first play of the second half.

Johnson paced Clinton's receiving corps with four receptions for 81 yards, while Dayson Scott added two catches for 38 yards.

Defensively, Christopher Jones and Montario Braden led the Arrows with nine total tackles apiece. Braden also recorded two tackles for loss and a sack, while Trevion Casnel finished with eight tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.