Week One
Govs offer a challenge for CHS
The Clinton Dragons will open the 2021 season at William Blount High School this Friday in what is hoped to be the start of a new identity for the Dragons.
The Governors were a 4-6 team in 2020 with a so-so schedule — with games against Maryville, Ooltewah, McMinn County and Cleveland, where the Governors were 0-4.
Clinton Head Football Coach Darell Keith has worked hard to create a schedule for his Dragons that will allow the squad to gain confidence.
And William Blount will be an early test for his squad.
Just because this game represents two programs rising.
“I think it’s going to be a dogfight. I think they’re much-improved as well,” Keith said following last Thursday’s jamboree action at Carson-Newman University.
The Dragons beat Grace Christian and Jellico in jamboree play.
In the pre-season the Governors held their own against powerhouse Alcoa — losing 14-0 — but the William Blount secondary played shutdown football.
The Dragons have shown an ability in the preseason to be as potent by the run and pass in the pre-season.
William Blount may cause the Dragons to lean more heavily on the run. With big back Connor Moody having an outstanding pre-season — along with bruising William Taylor — the ground game may be the key for the Dragons.
Defensively, the Dragons have been just short of all-world and William Blount has been pressed to be consistent with the run or the pass in the pre-season.
But that’s all pre-season.
The real test will come Friday night at William Blount.