BREAKING OUT: Clarke Central High School class of 2015 wide receiver Isaac Butler breaks off a route attempting to catch a pass against Lanier High School on Sept. 5, 2014. The Longhorns defeated the Gladiators 35-20 at Billy Henderson Stadium. “No one expected (Lanier) to win. No one even knew they were coming into the region until it was set,” senior and varsity cornerback Rayshawn McCall said. Photo by Julie Alpaugh
By TIERRA HAYES – Writing Coach
The Clarke Central High School varsity football team is in preparation for their first region game.
After a road loss to Hart County High School on Aug. 28 in which the Clarke Central High School varsity football team committed seven turnovers, the Gladiators are looking to bounce back in their first regular season region game against the Lanier High School Longhorns.
After also losing their two preseason scrimmages the team is anticipating their upcoming game.
“Once we get to the region, they know that it’s on now–it’s playoff implications,” head varsity football coach Ahren Self said. “Whenever we go into the region, they know we’ve got to win. Our goal is to make the playoffs again and this is our first opportunity to get a region win.”
According to Self, the team has been practicing and training each week in preparation for their first region game, a team that features five-star defensive tackle Derrick Brown.
“Right now we still have a long way to go,” Self said. “We lost our first two scrimmages, but we keep getting better each time we play and that’s what our goal is: to keep getting better each week.”
Junior running back and linebacker Byron Spraggins has high expectations for the season, the team and for the team’s first game.
“I hope that we are going to go hard and play with everything we got,” Spraggins said. “And I hope that everyone stays healthy.”
Although the team has been preparing, Self has concerns about the team’s opponents.
“It’s going to be a hard game,” Self said. “We are playing at their place for the first time they’ve got a lot of enthusiasm. They are ranked preseason in the top ten in the holds, they have a lot of guys returning and it’s going to be a tough game, but I think we’re going to be up for the challenge and we’re looking forward to it.”
Click here for a look at the numbers.
More from Tierra Hayes
PUSHING FOR A WIN: The Clarke Central High School varsity football head coach Ahren Self directs players during an after school practice on Aug. 25. The team will play their first region game against Lanier High School on Sept. 4 and have been preparing for it during weekly practices. “Our guys know what to do (and) they’ve got to get it done,” head varsity football coach Ahren Self said. Photo by Sophie Fernandes.
